Bruce Robbins Posted February 24, 2015 Share #1 Posted February 24, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi folks, I've been writing the film and darkroom blog, The Online Darkroom, for a few years but it's only now that I've bought an M2 and a few lenses and they'll be getting a lot of attention from me from now on. I'm a committed SLR user and I find it difficult using a rangefinder but I'm determined to have a right good go with the M2. I'll be writing about my experiences with the rangefinder in a series called The LEICA Diaries, the first part of which I've just posted. I'll be adding to it frequently before deciding whether or not to keep the M2 outfit or stick with my Olympus OM gear. It might be of some interest to you and, if that's the case, you're all very welcome to drop by. The first part can be found here:LEICA: The Itch That Won't Scratch Itself... | The Online Darkroom. Cheers, Bruce Robbins My outfit: Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/241534-the-leica-diaries-getting-to-grips-with-an-m2/?do=findComment&comment=2770293'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 24, 2015 Posted February 24, 2015 Hi Bruce Robbins, Take a look here The LEICA Diaries - getting to grips with an M2. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
pico Posted February 25, 2015 Share #2 Posted February 25, 2015 Good for you, Bruce. Just my two-bits worth from decades of experience - there are many operator errors involved with using the rangefinder, the most common one is poor focusing by the user. Best of luck. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted February 25, 2015 Share #3 Posted February 25, 2015 Hello Bruce, I already follow your excellent blog 'The Online Darkroom' and congratulate you on confronting your fear of Leica's But I don't think you need to 'get to grips' with an M2 (you may need to with your MD), treat it as just a camera, like all camera's it will have advantages and disadvantages, so start positive. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Robbins Posted February 25, 2015 Author Share #4 Posted February 25, 2015 Good for you, Bruce. Just my two-bits worth from decades of experience - there are many operator errors involved with using the rangefinder, the most common one is poor focusing by the user. Best of luck. Poor focusing? Hmm. Thought I'd start off with leaving the lens cap on. Suffice to say that these little buggers now get left at home when I take the Leica for a walk... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Robbins Posted February 25, 2015 Author Share #5 Posted February 25, 2015 Hello Bruce, I already follow your excellent blog 'The Online Darkroom' and congratulate you on confronting your fear of Leica's But I don't think you need to 'get to grips' with an M2 (you may need to with your MD), treat it as just a camera, like all camera's it will have advantages and disadvantages, so start positive. Steve Hi Steve, You're right, of course. I'll try to be as positive as possible. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antonio Russell Posted February 25, 2015 Share #6 Posted February 25, 2015 Hi folks, I've been writing the film and darkroom blog, The Online Darkroom, for a few years but it's only now that I've bought an M2 and a few lenses and they'll be getting a lot of attention from me from now on. I'm a committed SLR user and I find it difficult using a rangefinder but I'm determined to have a right good go with the M2. I'll be writing about my experiences with the rangefinder in a series called The LEICA Diaries, the first part of which I've just posted. I'll be adding to it frequently before deciding whether or not to keep the M2 outfit or stick with my Olympus OM gear. It might be of some interest to you and, if that's the case, you're all very welcome to drop by. The first part can be found here:LEICA: The Itch That Won't Scratch Itself... | The Online Darkroom. Cheers, Bruce Robbins My outfit: Couldn't have happened to a nicer blogger. Will be watching with interest. Have been following your blog for some time now. p.s. I recommend you concentrate your first months shooting on just using the M2 and the 50 Cron. Stay away from MDA altogether! The idea with a rangefinder is that you compose the image in your minds eye and simply glance through the viewfinder to check you have correct framing and sometimes focus (I generally use zone focussing). Think of the viewfinder as a frame you put around the image you see. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Robbins Posted February 25, 2015 Author Share #7 Posted February 25, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) Thanks for that advice Antonio! I'll do my best to follow it - although I quite like the Summaron, too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
philipus Posted February 26, 2015 Share #8 Posted February 26, 2015 I've also followed your blog for quite a while, lurking about in the corners, and like it very much. Great to see you in this forum, Bruce. Hang in there, you'll find quite soon, methinks, that you'll reach for the M2 and that rigid 50 or the Summaron more often than not. Good luck Philip Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bateleur Posted February 27, 2015 Share #9 Posted February 27, 2015 Here's another me too! Since I've taken the plunge with Spur chemicals, thanks to your Blog I'm an infrequent reader, but do enjoy your musings. Good luck with the Leica, I'm sure you will come to enjoy it for its own sake. Kind regards Charles Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted February 27, 2015 Share #10 Posted February 27, 2015 Poor focusing? Hmm. Thought I'd start off with leaving the lens cap on. Suffice to say that these little buggers now get left at home when I take the Leica for a walk... Just be careful not to put your camera down in direct sunlight without a cap or you might find that the lens helps to burn a nice little hold in the shutter curtains! Using a rangefinder is very different to an SLR and I didn't take to it at first. I use the cameras differently. With the SLR I'm more precise I guess, more careful about framing. I shoot 'looser' with the rangefinder, quicker too. In fact, my Leica rangefinders (lllf or M2) with no meter and manual focussing, are my fastest cameras operationally. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Robbins Posted February 27, 2015 Author Share #11 Posted February 27, 2015 I've just posted part two of the Leica Diaries. Not sure how long I'll be posting on this subject - as long as I can think of something to say, I suppose. Just now, it's easy writing stuff because every time I take the Leica gear out it's an experience. It's bound to become more familiar with time. Anyway, here's the link. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Robbins Posted March 3, 2015 Author Share #12 Posted March 3, 2015 The latest instalment has just been posted. I'm now channelling Ralph Gibson. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/241534-the-leica-diaries-getting-to-grips-with-an-m2/?do=findComment&comment=2774056'>More sharing options...
Bruce Robbins Posted March 10, 2015 Author Share #13 Posted March 10, 2015 It's getting easier… Here's one I like from the Summaron. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/241534-the-leica-diaries-getting-to-grips-with-an-m2/?do=findComment&comment=2778085'>More sharing options...
Antonio Russell Posted March 10, 2015 Share #14 Posted March 10, 2015 It's getting easier… Here's one I like from the Summaron. I like too. A lot :-) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Robbins Posted March 19, 2015 Author Share #15 Posted March 19, 2015 I like too. A lot :-) Thanks, Antonio. I forgot to say that I've added parts five and six of The LEICA Diaries. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith (M) Posted March 20, 2015 Share #16 Posted March 20, 2015 It's getting easier… Here's one I like from the Summaron. My 1967 35mm Summaron f2.8 is pretty much welded to my MP (0.58 VF). An utterly delightful combination! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Robbins Posted March 24, 2015 Author Share #17 Posted March 24, 2015 Sounds like a very nice combination, Keith. I take it that the lower magnification viewfinder makes it easier to see the 35mm framelines? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith (M) Posted March 25, 2015 Share #18 Posted March 25, 2015 Yes, particularly as I wear glasses. The 0.58 also makes using my 28mm Elmarit considerably easier. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Robbins Posted March 25, 2015 Author Share #19 Posted March 25, 2015 I have the same problem with my glasses: it's hard seeing the 35mm frame lines on the M2. Thinking it might be a good idea to get some disposable contact lenses just for M2 use. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted March 26, 2015 Share #20 Posted March 26, 2015 The frames can make a big difference. I have varifocal specs that have thin wiry frames and they allow the camera to be pressed against my face without any discomfort. To guard against scratching my glasses with older Leica's I glue a ring of leather onto the metal eyepiece (newer Leica's M4-P onwards have a hard rubber eyepiece). But I can see the 35mm frameline in my M2. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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