krieves Posted June 21, 2014 Share #1 Posted June 21, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) I am a new Leica owner having purchased an M (240) just over a month ago. I've always been a Canon shooter and been happy with their product lineup. I've been yearning to go back to a simpler camera (I grew up shooting an old Canon rangefinder then switched to an SLR). After watching the market for a few years, I decided Leica was the way to go. A proven design and the quality that is unmatched. So I made the leap and added an M (along with a 50mm cron and a 35mm cron) to my tool box. I find that I can't put the camera down. It goes with me everywhere. I am addicted. It's joy to hold and to use. It's taken a little while to re-learn to use a rangefinder, but the effort is well worth it. As a commercial photographer, my 5D MkIII (or future equivalents) will always be my "bread and butter" cameras, but I am developing a true passion for my Leica. As someone once said, using an SLR is like looking thru a tunnel, whereas using a rangefinder is like looking thru a window. Ken. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 21, 2014 Posted June 21, 2014 Hi krieves, Take a look here I am smitten with Leica. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
bocaburger Posted June 21, 2014 Share #2 Posted June 21, 2014 As a commercial photographer, my 5D MkIII (or future equivalents) will always be my "bread and butter" cameras, but I am developing a true passion for my Leica. As someone once said, using an SLR is like looking thru a tunnel, whereas using a rangefinder is like looking thru a window. Ken. And as I once said, using an EVF is like looking thru a tunnel at a tiny TV I know what you mean about the Leica vs the Canon SLR though, as I also have a set of those. When I need to shoot for someone else I always use the Canon because of the versatility and they've never let me down. Shooting for myself I have always gone to the Leica. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeffry Abt Posted June 21, 2014 Share #3 Posted June 21, 2014 I'm smitten as well... can not seem to get over it! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kape06111 Posted June 21, 2014 Share #4 Posted June 21, 2014 It sounds like my own story. I'm really enjoying this Camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
efreed2754 Posted June 21, 2014 Share #5 Posted June 21, 2014 Well have loved my Leica's for past 45 years, including Leicaflex and M combo. Now have M Typ 240 which is great rangefinder that takes Leicaflex lenses. Not as elegant as Leicaflex experience but having one body and for occasional long tele or close up work it's so very good. And images are excellent with higher ISO. So, very, very pleased! Ed Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tthorne Posted June 22, 2014 Share #6 Posted June 22, 2014 I have been with Leica for what I consider a short time myself, but going on a couple years now. I pretty much use a pair of M240's exclusively with the exception of some architectural work I do with a Canon TSE on a Sony A7. I have to say that it would be really difficult for me to shoot a DSLR or even most mirrorless cameras today after bonding with the M. I think it is easier for me to bond with the system because I am not much of an AF guy. In fact, I own nothing that will AF. Anyhow, I am definitely attached to my M's and my lenses in a way I just don't feel about any other gear I have handled since moving to Leica. I have recently been playing with an M adapter on my A7, and it is neat, but really for me it just reinforces the feeling that I am just not meant to bond with another system. Have the best time with your new Leica, and congratulations. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
diogenis Posted June 22, 2014 Share #7 Posted June 22, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) The feedback that you guys get from using the M and the mechanical qualities of buttons switches and the RF itself is the reason for wanting to use it and enjoy shooting. Over time you will most likely learn to trust it too, because you really can't go wrong with this RF. Unless someone needs fast paced action shoots and fps. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelbrenner Posted June 22, 2014 Share #8 Posted June 22, 2014 Just got back from a visit to the Leica Store, Los Angeles, earlier today, over a hundred miles one-way. My original purpose had been to get a "hands-on" with the T. I figured the "best" way to do this was to compare it to the M 240 (with the 35/1.4). Well, ..., hmmm, ..., I ended up spending the majority of the time with the M, especially monkeying around with the rangefinder. What fun, and what a new experience. As an earlier poster mentioned, definitely a "window" experience from the M, compared with a tunnel-type experience with the EVF or using the back display. I had no idea of the connection you could get with the subject by using a rangefinder, and I had no idea that the rangefinder could be so simple and intuitive to use. Quite the experience I must say. I can definitely see how one might bond quite closely with the M 240 and also how one might be provoked to "up the game" in their photography merely by possession of such a fine tool. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
krieves Posted June 22, 2014 Author Share #9 Posted June 22, 2014 Because I make my living with my camera, I rarely buy a piece of gear that doesn't go thru a cost justification: if it helps make me money I buy it, if it doesn't, I don't. Pretty simple. I think I bought (and now love) the M, not to invest in my business, but to invest in me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herr Barnack Posted June 23, 2014 Share #10 Posted June 23, 2014 It sounds like my own story. I'm really enjoying this Camera. Same here. My M240 goes everywhere with me. I try to make at least a few images with her every day if I am not shooting something specific. Yesterday, I shot a classic car show (pre-1966 cars). Shooting with the M240 is liberating; I shot easily 3 to 3.5x as many images as I would have if I'd been using my film M camera. This increase in shooting volume translates into more keepers and therefore a more rapidly growing body of work. I will still use my film M for projects that I specifically want to shoot in B&W - IMHO, Kodak Tri-X is irreplaceable, but for color work - the M240 is it for me. I must admit to still using my Hasselblad XPAN, 45mm f/4 lens and Fuji RVP for panoramic images, though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted June 23, 2014 Share #11 Posted June 23, 2014 I must admit to still using my Hasselblad XPAN, 45mm f/4 lens and Fuji RVP for panoramic images, though. +1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxer 53 Posted June 24, 2014 Share #12 Posted June 24, 2014 You simply get a stunning image with an M240 given efforts at composition and forethought -- but it isn't for everyone. Neither is a stickshift or kick start -- but but both connect you with the essence of driving. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted June 24, 2014 Share #13 Posted June 24, 2014 That is a very USA remark. In Europe the norm is stick shift with automatic an (expensive) optional extra. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herr Barnack Posted June 26, 2014 Share #14 Posted June 26, 2014 If you want a stir it yourself transmission in the U.S., good luck. You will have precious few models to choose from. Speaking as someone who has driven churn your own butter autos for years in the past, it is a shame that more U.S. built performance oriented autos do not come with a third pedal. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bocaburger Posted June 27, 2014 Share #15 Posted June 27, 2014 In MY2009 (1st year PDK replaced Tiptronic) an estimated 75% of Porsche Carreras were ordered with PDK, and the percentage has gone up since. Current Turbo and GT3 models are only offered with PDK. That's everywhere, not just the US. I'm hanging on to my 6-speed. If I have to "upgrade" to a "manumatic" I may as well get a Cadillac. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Echo63 Posted June 27, 2014 Share #16 Posted June 27, 2014 I too prefer a proper manual gearbox - my wife had an Auto for 6 weeks before it was written off in a hailstorm - we took that as a sign to stick with the manual (in my opinion 2 pedals is the right number for a pushbike, a car should have three) I don't mind the CVT with sports mode in the work Corollas though, i have only ever driven it in "sports mode" but it does behave quite nicely - i wouldn't buy one though. Love my M too, it feels beautiful in the hand, the dials click nicely, the focus is smooth, and its so easy to use - it needs less than 30 seconds of explaining to teach someone the basics of using it. by comparison my work issued 1DX has more options than you can poke a stick at - setting up the AF the way i like took me the best part of an hour, digging in the manual, and i still have to explain how it works to other photographers (i prefer having the AF activated by a back button, rather than a half press of the shutter, but i have two back buttons set up, one is centre point only, the other could be anywhere in the frame) of course i would never try and use the M to shoot sports, the 1DX autofocus is very quick, and i can't imagine trying to manually focus a 400 f2.8 with an EVF, so like the OP Krieves, i will continue to use the 1DX for earning a pay check, but will use the M for my personal pictures, and work when it suits the job. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted June 27, 2014 Share #17 Posted June 27, 2014 Well, I don't have gear box of any description at all.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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