jonoslack Posted August 31, 2014 Share #21 Posted August 31, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) Well You sound ripe for the new experience to me. If you can afford not to sell your Canon and the two zooms, that might be sensible. I came to Leica with the m8 when it came out (2006), I've tried lots of other cameras, but It's my M that gets the most use. The only thing I would say is that you need to practice and practice to get good with a rangefinder - it really is an acquired skill - and as such is really satisfying. . . . I was talking to Herbert Piel at Wetzlar in the spring, and we were both laughing about how we spent time in the kitchen just snapping away to practice focusing. . . and if you don't use it for a bit you get less good at it too. Might I suggest getting a lightly used M240 and either a 35 or 50 (whichever is your poison) to get yourself going. Spend a month taking thousands of pictures, at the end of it you'll know whether it's for you or not. All the best Jono Slack Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 31, 2014 Posted August 31, 2014 Hi jonoslack, Take a look here M240 Purchase. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
freitz Posted August 31, 2014 Author Share #22 Posted August 31, 2014 Buying a sightly used one sounds like a good idea. The Leica store in DC has a few M240's used, so does some of the forums. Would also be "safer" if I decide its not for me. I could easily resell close to value, new ones at 7k are a steep investment if its not for me in the end. I think it will be. What is a Fair used price? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdlaing Posted August 31, 2014 Share #23 Posted August 31, 2014 Buying a sightly used one sounds like a good idea. The Leica store in DC has a few M240's used, so does some of the forums. Would also be "safer" if I decide its not for me. I could easily resell close to value, new ones at 7k are a steep investment if its not for me in the end. I think it will be. What is a Fair used price? $5,500 - $6,000 for a very good one. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAT Posted August 31, 2014 Share #24 Posted August 31, 2014 Oh I disagree that everyone who doesn't own a Leica bashes it. Most people really have better things to do than bash a certain brand of camera. What I think engenders a lot of the bashing is the quasireligious way many devoteess of the brand spin the limitations as advantages, and the often condescending way they dismiss non-users as lacking in experience or enlightenment. The fact is I think you will find only a small percentage of owners who use Leica exclusively. I believe the majority of Leica users also own and use other systems, particularly DSLRs. The Leica-only do-or-die faction does however tend to be overrepresented on Leica forums, which might lead to the impression that everyone who owns Leicas is enamored with its limitations. I fully agree! So I use the Canon 1DX for sports and fast action (of my kids), the Sony RX100 on the beach, the GoPro under water and the MM for all other events. Every camera has its use, and they all together make me happy. KR Thomas Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bocaburger Posted August 31, 2014 Share #25 Posted August 31, 2014 6D leave me with little to think about when I shoot....I am looking to change the way I shoot and the way I think about my camera. I don't understant how a 6D (I've got a 5D) set on full manual leaves little to think about. And everyone's different, but a new camera wouldn't change the way I shoot to any extent, and I only know one way to think about my camera...as a camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jai Posted August 31, 2014 Share #26 Posted August 31, 2014 Hi Freitz You have been given some fantastic advice by people here. I bought my M a month ago and I will try to give you my take on the matter. As Bocaburger says, a Leica M is not going to change how you think about shooting - if you have already being shooting manually on your 6D. There is a lot of talk on how people will take a few months to get a hang of how to shoot a rangefinder; I honestly found it perfectly simple and comfortable. For the price that the Leica M commands, you really have to make a sound decision because it is very expensive. For me it were the compactness and quality of the optics that made me move principally; and I am very happy of what I have chosen (35 Lux and 21 SE). So all the best and do not make a hasty decision Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davidhs Posted August 31, 2014 Share #27 Posted August 31, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) If you think you should get one, then you should ..... And you should have got one ages ago! I "wear" a 240 and 35, 1.4 everywhere I go when I travel. No one notices, no one cares, my photos are awesome and I love it. The best system you can have is a M240 and an iPhone for Instagram. Just do it, and get rid of that heavy lump of plastic. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
freitz Posted August 31, 2014 Author Share #28 Posted August 31, 2014 Thanks all for the advice. It has been great. Going to get one made my choice. I think going to stick with just a 35 right now or maybe the 50. Haven't made that choice yet. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulsydaus Posted September 1, 2014 Share #29 Posted September 1, 2014 For most people, buying in to the M system isn't about specifications. It's because the M system gives you the back the joy of photography that other systems can't provide... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted September 1, 2014 Share #30 Posted September 1, 2014 Another option is to rent an M and lens for some time to see how you get along. Better to have more time, but this is an alternative to buying…and maybe selling. Most figure out if it suits pretty quickly. I was hooked in one day (in the pre-rental world a long time ago)….after using SLRs and lots of other gear. It's a tool…either works for your needs and preferences (or some subset)…or not. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bocaburger Posted September 1, 2014 Share #31 Posted September 1, 2014 For most people, buying in to the M system isn't about specifications.It's because the M system gives you the back the joy of photography that other systems can't provide... Ehh Idk if I would accept that as a blanket generalization. My M's don't now nor did they ever "give me back the joy of photography that other systems can't provide". I've used Leicas for 45 years, as well as some form of SLR. I've used medium format and large format too. They all have their plusses and minuses. To the OP...keep an open mind to lenses on the second hand market also. Can save quite a bundle. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulsydaus Posted September 1, 2014 Share #32 Posted September 1, 2014 You don't have to agree! That's just how it is for me and I suspect quite a few others on these forums... Ehh Idk if I would accept that as a blanket generalization. My M's don't now nor did they ever "give me back the joy of photography that other systems can't provide". I've used Leicas for 45 years, as well as some form of SLR. I've used medium format and large format too. They all have their plusses and minuses. To the OP...keep an open mind to lenses on the second hand market also. Can save quite a bundle. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
freitz Posted September 1, 2014 Author Share #33 Posted September 1, 2014 I am definitely considering the used market for lenses. Considering a new body though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
freitz Posted September 1, 2014 Author Share #34 Posted September 1, 2014 Any other places other then Fred Miranda that are safe for Leica Lenses? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdlaing Posted September 1, 2014 Share #35 Posted September 1, 2014 Any other places other then Fred Miranda that are safe for Leica Lenses? Sam Shoshan - Classic Camera Dan Tamarkin - Tamarkin Camera Dale Photo Pop Flash Photo B&H Photvideo Adorama Camera Village Photo Etc, etc, etc. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berth Posted September 1, 2014 Share #36 Posted September 1, 2014 While at with my wife we stumbled on a Leica Store (actually I knew it was there ha!) but I spent a few hours in the store with one of the salesmen. I currently shoot a 6D with 24-70 MK II and 70-200 MK II. Not the lightest setup there is and a bit heavy when using all day. I mainly shoot -Travel -Landscapes -Astro (hardly ever really but would like to) -Family snap shots My goals -bring my camera anywhere -lighten the load so easier to carry -not be embarrassed to pull out in tight crowds (this happens with travel, hard to pull out that camera with a 70-200 on it and not get stares) -Enjoy photography (sometimes my 6D feels more like work then play) I enjoy photography but lately have been leaving my camera at home because its a lot to carry around. I just wanted to see if anyone else has made the move from FF with lenses to the Leica M system and looking for your input. I figured this would be the pace to ask. I made that decision this winter/spring, and migrated from a Canon 5D Mark II with 4 'L' lenses which took me from 16mm to 400mm, to a Leica system, in my case a MP film body and an M-E digital body and a few small fixed focal length lenses (28, 50, 75mm). It was about the weight and bulk. As you say, a professional level DSLR with a 70-200 f2.8 zoom on it is not a take anywhere outfit. So I didn't, and that wonderful gear (Canon's 'L' stuff and camera sensor technology, is absolutely first rate) spent most of the time in my closet, not around my neck. No regrets at all, the trade-offs have been worth it. For me. You would give up most wildlife photography requiring 'reach' (for example, birds, or large predators), high speed sports/action photography, macro-photography, extreme low-light photography including, sadly for you perhaps, astro-photography. Canon, like Nikon's best stuff, is terrific for all of that. The M system gives you carry it anywhere portability with superb image quality. Great for family snapshots, intimate people photography, discrete 'urban' scenes, and lovely landscapes. Leica is expensive, but top of the line DSLR & lenses from Canon and Nikon are as well, if you're starting out from scratch. Any transition from one system to another is going to be pricey. I'm having the most fun with photography I've had in many years with my M-system. Maybe that's my own bottom line. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
zlatkob Posted September 1, 2014 Share #37 Posted September 1, 2014 I currently shoot a 6D with 24-70 MK II and 70-200 MK II. Not the lightest setup there is and a bit heavy when using all day. .... -not be embarrassed to pull out in tight crowds (this happens with travel, hard to pull out that camera with a 70-200 on it and not get stares) There is another way to be pro-active about a too heavy Canon system: don't buy the biggest & heaviest lenses. If you decide to keep a Canon system, I would recommend going with smaller lenses, e.g., 28/2.8 and 135/2, or 35/2 IS and 85/1.8, or some combination like that. The 70-200/2.8 is a great lens, especially the current version. For professional work, the weight is justifiable. But I would not use it for travel, landscape or family snaps. It's much too big. The f/4 version is much more manageable (still big & white, but about half the weight). The 135/2 is even better in that it's an all black lens and is better for low light. The 135 focal length can often substitute for a 70-200 and is much easier to carry. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erl Posted September 1, 2014 Share #38 Posted September 1, 2014 I have gained the impression that travel and family pics are high on your agenda, as opposed to work (did you mention work?). On that basis, my advice is definitely go Leica, whether M240, MM, M9, or whatever, the overall advantages compared to popular dSLR's for the above are immeasurable, but not instead of. How everyone travels and shoots family is different of course, that largely controls lens choice, but camera body needs to be robust, high quality (IMO) and convenient to carry and handle, extensively. The other quality not really discussed is the 'smell' of Leica. Rarely admitted to or discussed pragmatically. One of the incurable diseases known to man. Just do it! You will survive, with a smile. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
viramati Posted September 1, 2014 Share #39 Posted September 1, 2014 Some thoughts for the original OP Up until the arrival of the M9 I had always been mainly an SLR and the DSLR shooter I had the nikon D700 and the 'holy trinity' of nikon lenses (14-24, 24-7- and 70-200) plus other various nikon and zeiss lenses but then I rediscovered leica (i had always been a fan of small light cameras and started out life with the olympus OM system) and sold the whole lot for 2 M9's and various leica (WATE, 28 cron, 50 lux, 90 and 135) and voigtlander lenses. There is just something about the leica. It's simplicity, size and analogue controls. It's form factor, feel, it's sheer beauty as an object and then of course there is the rangefinder/OVF and the whole style of photography that this brings. the Leica also gives you that feel of a link to a whole history of great documentary photographers and a german camera maker going back to the start of 35mm photography. Then there are the lenses known for there quality wide open, small size and just sheer look. and on I could go. Then came along the M(240) and I sold both M9's and bought that but needed a second body and about this time the Sony A7 appeared on the scene, a smaller and lighter FF camera than the leica with autofocus and a couple of amazing Sony/Zeiss lenses in the FE55 and FE35. So I bought an A7 and my 2nd camera along with these 2 lenses as my 2nd camera and have now just bought the Sony A7s These cameras have been a real eye-opener, They IQ is fantastic with the Sony/Zeiss lenses (unfortunately the range of limited at the moment but more are on the way both from sony and Zeiss), they are small, light with a great EVF and a much improved user interface compared to early Sony cameras. I feel that the Sony A7s is almost a documentary photographers dream come true with an usable iso range up-to 50,000 iso (actually goes to 410,000 iso!!), totally silent electronic shutter, will auto-focus in complete darkness and the small form factor. The only thing I miss with them is the lack of analogue controls So from you list of needs I personally would take a look at the Sony A7 range. Will I be selling my M? Not as yet as for street work I still find it to be the best camera for me but this is only really because I need a 28mm lens (summicron asph) with a DOF scale and I love the M with the WATE for landscape work. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocalHero1953 Posted September 1, 2014 Share #40 Posted September 1, 2014 Reading this thread, I am struck by a tendency to take our own experience and extrapolate it to the majority of others;). However, After many years reading photographic forums, I have learned to value comments based on direct experience, so I'll pass on mine, FWIW. I actually have two experiences of coming to Leica. In the 80s I owned a manual Pentax MX which I loved, but bought an M3 because I also loved its compactness, the lens quality, and the fine engineering. Moving from a manual system, I had no trouble adapting to rangefinder focus, but had more problems adapting to non-TTL metering. Overall, I would say, though, it didn't change my life. When digital came along, I eventually switched to P&S compacts and then a low end Canon DSLR. When I realised Leica had made a FF digital, I bought the M9, and I can say it transformed my photographic experience, but that was because I was switching from auto everything to manual everything, and with a massive step change in lens quality. As people say, my photography became more considered and thoughtful, mainly because with P&S it had been neither before. I had no trouble re-adapting to rangefinder mode, and I oved the big open OVF. So your experience is likely to vary, depending where you are coming from. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.