Old school (M4) or new school (M240)?

[pico]

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I sold a pristine black Leica Meter MR, in box last week for [emoji20] $127 USD. I am very happy for the buyer.

 

 

 

It was like a salute to the next generation. I have no use for stuff that will out-survive me.

 

Just a thought. More later in the classified section. Lots to divest.

[AlanJW]

Solved the quandry.

 

I found a 1969 M4, that the original owner used to shoot a couple rolls of film , put back in the Leitz plastic bag, then back into the box with instruction manual, warranty card (unfilled), and Leitz literature, then placed in storage until now. Mint condition, its on its way to Youxin Ye for a CLA.

 

ALSO, I picked up a chrome, QM2 M240 from Popflash. My only self restriction was that I could spend no out-of-pocket funds... so off to forums and auction site with little used gear, misc debris from junk drawers, etc!

 

A few years ago, I also decided I needed a creative kick in the pants and bought a used M6. I ran a few rolls of film through it before I sold it (for about what I paid, so these experiments are not that expensive). Here are my conclusions (YMMV):

 

(1) Creativity comes from between your ears and not from what is hanging from your neck.

(2) I missed the immediacy of digital -- knowing whether I have gotten what I wanted and if not, making adjustments on the spot. I know there are those who think they can nail exposure and composition on every shot. They can't because they are human too. The difference is in when you find out you have not quite got it right or really blundered.

(3) I missed being able easily to fix mistakes. Getting a native digital file into your editor is not the same as scanning and scanning introduces its own set of variables with potential for error.

(4) I was frustrated at having to wait to see the results. I used to do my own darkroom work but did not want to start again with chemicals, etc. so had to have film processed before I could scan it. Getting B&W processed is no easy feat, with the remaining and dwindling labs set up for color, so if I wanted to do B&W I had to shoot chromogenic BW film. I just could not get excited about that. Processing isn't cheap either.

 

Having done this some years ago, every time I am tempted again by a film camera, I take a deep breath and have another think.

[mdg1371]

A few years ago, I also decided I needed a creative kick in the pants and bought a used M6. I ran a few rolls of film through it before I sold it (for about what I paid, so these experiments are not that expensive). Here are my conclusions (YMMV):

 

(1) Creativity comes from between your ears and not from what is hanging from your neck.

(2) I missed the immediacy of digital -- knowing whether I have gotten what I wanted and if not, making adjustments on the spot. I know there are those who think they can nail exposure and composition on every shot. They can't because they are human too. The difference is in when you find out you have not quite got it right or really blundered.

(3) I missed being able easily to fix mistakes. Getting a native digital file into your editor is not the same as scanning and scanning introduces its own set of variables with potential for error.

(4) I was frustrated at having to wait to see the results. I used to do my own darkroom work but did not want to start again with chemicals, etc. so had to have film processed before I could scan it. Getting B&W processed is no easy feat, with the remaining and dwindling labs set up for color, so if I wanted to do B&W I had to shoot chromogenic BW film. I just could not get excited about that. Processing isn't cheap either.

 

Having done this some years ago, every time I am tempted again by a film camera, I take a deep breath and have another think.

 

Alan,

 

All of those considerations are in the back of my head as well-- part of the reason I picked up the M240 as well.

 

I figure, given the exceptional condition of the M4, I can try it out, and ultimately sell it with little or no loss.

 

The addition of the M240 has already shaken out the malaise!

[philipus]

Having done this some years ago, every time I am tempted again by a film camera, I take a deep breath and have another think.

 

Funny, that's what I do every time I'm tempted by digital And interestingly enough that temptation always comes on the very few occasions I see a digital image that looks like film.

 

This thread reminds me, however, that I need to shoot my M4 a bit more.