Greetings from new member

[VinnyTheLens]

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Greetings,

 

I am new to the forum. I have been shooting with a M6 now for a few years and love it. I develop my own B&W film as well. The M6 is my first Leica. It is a very rewarding experience shooting with the Leica camera. I also own a Fuji Xpro-1 and I am feeling the urge to purchase a Leica M-E used. I am wondering if it is even worth it at this point being the technology is dated and I fear that my Fuji would shoot just as well due to its low light capabilities over the M9 / M-E.

 

Does any one out there Own both the Fuji and M9 / M-E?

 

Any thoughts?

 

Nice meeting everyone,

 

V

[Duane Pandorf]

Welcome to the forum. I havent been here very long eithrt but I have the M-E and its my first Leica body. Very happy with the results this camera produces.

 

As to ISO considerations, seems when photographers think about digital the first consideration is ISO. Yet film shooters seldom mention this. You seem to be happy with the results you get from the M6? The M-E would fit in just fine. I have no issues shooting up to 1600 ISO. In my opinion if i have to resort to this high of an ISO then what is the quality of the light that's available?

 

But if you want the latest tech then others here will suggest you invest additional funds to purchase the 240.

 

I've been shooting my M-E for almost two years and post regularly on my blog. Everything from base ISO to 1600.

[VinnyTheLens]

Welcome to the forum. I havent been here very long eithrt but I have the M-E and its my first Leica body. Very happy with the results this camera produces.

 

As to ISO considerations, seems when photographers think about digital the first consideration is ISO. Yet film shooters seldom mention this. You seem to be happy with the results you get from the M6? The M-E would fit in just fine. I have no issues shooting up to 1600 ISO. In my opinion if i have to resort to this high of an ISO then what is the quality of the light that's available?

 

But if you want the latest tech then others here will suggest you invest additional funds to purchase the 240.

 

I've been shooting my M-E for almost two years and post regularly on my blog. Everything from base ISO to 1600.

 

Thanks Duane,

 

I have to agree that I get by with 400/800 ISO in film and don't worry too much about the ISO with the M6. As for the tech stuff in cameras these days, I am the guy that does not want or need the LiveView, Video or auto modes in cameras. Even when I shoot weddings I mostly shoot in manual mode with only prime lenses. I will admit that I use Canon equipment 5DMkII and L-glass for weddings and would not use the Leica for a wedding job. I don't think I could do it without the auto focus. I would use it for street or portrait photography.

 

I guess I have a lot of thinking to do.

 

Cheers,

V

[Guest jvansmit]

Until recently, I had Fuji equipment (X-pro, X-E2, and X-T1) as well as an M9. I've now sold all my Fuji gear, and have recently bought a Monochrom to pair with my M9.

 

While Fuji cameras & lenses are great, and I especially like the accurate metering which seems to work in all lighting situations, the key difference for me is the rangefinder experience.

 

Too many times when shooting quickly on auto, the Fujis have focused on the wrong element in the frame. With a rangefinder, I make the focus decision and pre-focusing in anticipation of a shot is easier too.

 

On a recent trip to Palestine, I took both the M9 and XT-1 but almost all my keeper shots are with the M9. For example, taking photos of some Israel soldiers patrolling a poorly lit, narrow alleyway in Hebron, I was able to focus quickly on one particular soldier with the M9 but the Fuji would have focused on a high contrast area or the nearest face which is not what I wanted.

 

Sometimes, there is advantage in simplicity & low tech.

[Duane Pandorf]

Thanks Duane,

 

.... Even when I shoot weddings I mostly shoot in manual mode with only prime lenses. I will admit that I use Canon equipment 5DMkII and L-glass for weddings and would not use the Leica for a wedding job. I don't think I could do it without the auto focus. I would use it for street or portrait photography.

 

I guess I have a lot of thinking to do.

 

Cheers,

V

 

I am sure not one to advise someone on how to shoot weddings but I think bringing along a Leica with a 35mm lens to capture a few "journalistic" type shots could add a little extra to the day. But I'm sure the wedding photographer has his hands full no matter what.

[garysamson]

I have both the Leica M-E and the Fuji XE-1. At 640 ISO and lower I think the M-E produces superior images and remarkable, breathtaking color. And you will make photos with the Leica that you just won't make with the Fuji gear. I dodo think that the Fuji does not deliver full ISO speed compared to the Leica and other camera systems.

[jonogilmour]

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I have both the Leica M-E and the Fuji XE-1. At 640 ISO and lower I think the M-E produces superior images and remarkable, breathtaking color. And you will make photos with the Leica that you just won't make with the Fuji gear. I dodo think that the Fuji does not deliver full ISO speed compared to the Leica and other camera systems.

 

I have the exact same setup.

 

I use Leica and old Canon lenses on my Leica, and film Minolta lenses on the Fuji, plus M lenses via an adaptor.

 

First of all, Leica lenses perform infinitely better on the Leica than the Fuji. in fact, my 50 'cron is a little soft on the Fuji, but tack sharp on the Leica.

 

I bought the Fuji for the EVF, that's it really. Being able to have a second body that will take almost any lens is a huge plus.

 

As for the differences between the two cameras, I always find I nail focus and exposure more often with the Leica. Maybe it's because I prefer a rangefinder, but there are also some niggles with the Fuji, namely the colour is not as vivid and beautiful as the Leica, and some technical issues hold the Fuji back (like having to use the buttons to set smaller shutter speed increments - a non-issue on the Leica.

 

Overall the Leica is a photographer's camera. It will punish you greatly if you do not treat it with respect and take your time, and you do not get the usual aids that a typical consumer camera offers. The Fuji is more of a mainstream machine. I enjoy it because it allows me to use a huge variety of lenses, and see through those lenses to compose using the EVF, but it does feel like it gets in your way sometimes. The Leica does what it's told, always.

 

Then again, you can get beautiful shots on the Fuji using old glass, like this one I shot with a Minolta 50mm 1.7

 

 

But I will always prefer the Leica's rendering, colour, operation, and the match between it and a Leica lens.

 

This one taken on the M-E with the 50 Summicron

 

 

One thing I do find is that I have to process the Leica files very little (if at all in some cases). The Fuji files, more so.

[adespen]

I have M-E and Canons 5D2 and G12.

I use the 5D for video mainly and quick focus snaps with a variety of Canon glass.

The G12 used to be my take every where camera but I love the images and the experience of the M-E so much I tend to have it with me most times (35 or 50 Summicrons).

Truth be told, I don't want to be without any of them.

[wda]

Think of the M-E as the most mature version of the M9 technically, that is from performance potential. It should yield excellent results for many years. Remember also that several experienced wedding photographers, a few on this forum, have use M8 and M9 Leicas very successfully for reportage wedding cover. Operationally it is clearly a personal choice.

[VinnyTheLens]

Well Just purchased a M-E today after much debate... I am excited and my pockets are a little empty.

[Duane Pandorf]

Well Just purchased a M-E today after much debate... I am excited and my pockets are a little empty.

 

Congrats on the new creative tool!

[jip]

Just think of the M9 or ME as a digital M6, with added aperture priority, also the files are nicely pushable in post processing.

 

If you love the M6 you'll love the M9