Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS Posted February 9, 2016 Share #41 Posted February 9, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) If you don't see the focus patch, your fingers are likely to be in front of the focus window on the right hand side of the camera. Hay Phil, Being a long time M user I found that out a long time ago so was always conscious of where I put my fingers . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 9, 2016 Posted February 9, 2016 Hi Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS, Take a look here I miss my M. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
stevesurf Posted February 9, 2016 Share #42 Posted February 9, 2016 Been looking at the new Olympus Pen F (Only looking) as I am scunnered with lugging that frigging lump of Leica S around my neck. Why oh why can't Leica do something with the rangefinder to make it easier for us old farts to see all the lines line up. Have you tried the E-ClypseMag with diopter correction on the M? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS Posted February 9, 2016 Share #43 Posted February 9, 2016 Have you tried the E-ClypseMag with diopter correction on the M? Hello Steve Yes I have one of those in a drawer somewhere in the house.........I used to put an o-ring around it to stop the thing turning accidentally once it was set in the right position, but I gave up on it in the end.....I even bastardised my Red Art De Mano half case to accommodate the bloody thing :( Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IkarusJohn Posted February 9, 2016 Share #44 Posted February 9, 2016 ... Only once I'd asked myself why I might actually want to photograph something have I realised that for me photography (the doing of it rather than the consuming of it) is something that is more enjoyable when it follows rather than leads the other wider interests I have in art, literature, music and the world around me. ... Great post, Ian - excuse me clipping the bit I wanted to highlight. Heading out to "take photographs" has never worked for me. Actually, it has discouraged me more than anything else. Conversely, having a camera with me, and taking pictures of what catches my eye is far more relaxing and rewarding. I do recall years ago making a point of leaving my camera behind so that I looked at where I was and enjoyed what I was doing, rather than looking for camera angles etc. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted February 9, 2016 Share #45 Posted February 9, 2016 Have you tried the E-ClypseMag with diopter correction on the M? I have a couple lying around; I found them pretty useless - the loss of contrast negates any advantage they might bring. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter H Posted February 9, 2016 Share #46 Posted February 9, 2016 ........... Heading out to "take photographs" has never worked for me. Actually, it has discouraged me more than anything else. Conversely, having a camera with me, and taking pictures of what catches my eye is far more relaxing and rewarding. I do recall years ago making a point of leaving my camera behind so that I looked at where I was and enjoyed what I was doing, rather than looking for camera angles etc. We've had this discussion before, in a few different guises. It was the basis for my initial reaction against the SL, from a personal point of view. I feel that the ability to take photos as an adjunct to life or as a means of exploration of something that matter to me, whether visually or for some other reason, rather than as objective in its own right, really requires a small unobtrusive camera that one is intimately familiar with and intuitively in command of. Ultimate image quality is not a principle consideration when photography is seen in this light, but I do understand and to a degree share the unhelpful impulse to know that my camera is capable of technically superior photos. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thighslapper Posted February 9, 2016 Share #47 Posted February 9, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) Why not just pay someone to take photos for you ? ...... then they can have all the heartache of humping loads of gear that doesn't work exactly as they want about with them ...... We all buy cars.... but for many people it would be just as cost effective and a lot less painful just to get taxis everywhere ...... and you can get ratted and not worry about being nabbed for drink driving ....... anyway ...... jokes aside, methinks you have too much disposable income to make a truly rational decision ....... you need to sit down with a bit of paper and write down your priorities and sort out what you really NEED, not what you WANT. best of luck ....... i've tried and failed miserably ...... which is why I have a safe full of Leica gear and empty pockets ....... well for a while anyway ...... then it's time to buy the next camera Leica make ....... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted February 9, 2016 Share #48 Posted February 9, 2016 I really like the discussion here that Neil has triggered. I can relate to his situation to some degree. I have bought a lot of Leica gear and other gear along the way and have enjoyed photography and the gear journey. But, in my heart I know that a bunch of my R lenses and a lot of my M lenses need to go. Partially, because it is financially stupid to just have them in the safe for that certain type of photograph they excel at. But, mostly they need to go in order help me to focus on the essence of "my" photography. I'm not a "birds and bugs" sort of photographer, just me. And I really don't enjoy "Nocti-large" type lenses or the latest expensive Leica lenses, no matter how extra APO's they truly are. Some of you writing here are putting into words what I've been feeling for a long time. Having the simple M camera and your own definition of the holy trinity of small Leica M lenses is probably more conducive to the creative process than owning huge amounts of gear to cover any situation. And, it sure is a lot less mentally nauseating to just go out and shoot what you like and forget having every lens and camera body along to cover every shot. It is ok to miss a shot because, for example, you don't have your image stabilized 400mm lens and DSLR body. It's even better, I suppose, to want to miss certain shots that you really don't care about. Define yourself. Just concentrate on your best and forget the rest. Enjoy the ride more. Rick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdlaing Posted February 9, 2016 Share #49 Posted February 9, 2016 There can never be too many M lenses. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thighslapper Posted February 9, 2016 Share #50 Posted February 9, 2016 Rick ........ I fear most photographers who do it 'for pleasure' would need repeated water-boarding to rid them of that tiny voice at the back of their brain saying 'if only I had better gear I could take better photos' Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter H Posted February 9, 2016 Share #51 Posted February 9, 2016 Rick ........ I fear most photographers who do it 'for pleasure' would need repeated water-boarding to rid them of that tiny voice at the back of their brain saying 'if only I had better gear I could take better photos' Yes indeed. I think my dearest wish in this context is to separate the fascination with equipment from the infinitely more fascinating and important subject of photography. You know that cliche about a good photographer making good photos with any camera? It's the truest thing anyone ever said about photography. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted February 9, 2016 Share #52 Posted February 9, 2016 I do want to repeat that I have had a lot of fun with gear. And, don't let anyone tell you that there is something wrong with just screwing around with your stuff. (That sounds wrong?) But, lately I'm just not enjoying owning all of this stuff. About the only reason I have for not dumping a lot of gear is that prices are down and I'm hoping the new M will revive the market for used gear, like it has before. Another thing, the M cameras have been getting better and better, but we are at a point where they really are good enough. It is now a lot easier to concentrate on the photography, rather than the equipment, again for me. This makes it easier to focus on the kind of photography I enjoy, like stated by wattsy above. And for me this kind of photography doesn't include about 70% of the gear I've socked away. Or, a new 28/1.4 or whatever. Neil, your journey is probably pretty typical. I think your answers are to be found within. Rick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IkarusJohn Posted February 10, 2016 Share #53 Posted February 10, 2016 I doubt the discipline of working out what you need, then just taking photos, will work. Nice idea, but the fact that we're here tends to negate that concept. Until I made the mistake of buying my first Leica, I was happy with one Nikon and three lenses. I used them until they broke, got fungus or were stolen (not quite true as I also had a Hasselblad system, but I once I had the Nikon system, upgrading and expansion never entered my mind). I still think of that simplicity of one camera three lenses and just being happy with what I had. Over the last few days, though, I've started the mammoth task of scanning 30 years of travel photos, and sad to say the image quality of Nikons best doesn't come close to what my current collection (burden?) of Leica's have to offer ... So, for me, the M does most of what I want, but not enough. Granted, I could walk the earth with an M (any M, I'm not fussy; and no, I don't need 4 of them), but there are times I do want all singing, all dancing and the M doesn't do it. That means a bigger camera (slightly) and bigger lenses (huge, compared to the M - but that goes with the territory); then, the SL is perfect. Recently, I've been using the SL with the larger M lenses - 21, 28 & 75 Summiluxes (actually, the 28 isn't that big at all) and the Noctilux, and it's a very good combination - one where I can say the camera feels good in the hand and the M has no real advantage. The answer for those who find themselves in Neil's position, it seems to me, is to stop chasing your tail. You've owned some of the best cameras on offer (actually, probably the best) and they all have flaws - strong in some areas, not so strong in others; but, each camera you've had has been fabulous in some respects. Use them for that and stop fretting about what they're not good at. If you now realise you like the smaller form factor of the M, wait a few months and try the next model. But please, don't come back here a few months later and bore the rest of us witless with complaints about how hopeless the camera (& Leica) is and how much better the latest Sony A8 or Nikon 900E or whatever is by comparison. The next Leica M will still be compact, have a rangefinder and be a compromise in some respects, and the Sony will still be smaller, faster, cheaper and do more. The rest of us will almost certainly keep using what we have, and be asking Leica for pretty subtle improvements. There isn't a camera in the World which will make you a better photographer, and the cameras we all have almost certainly have capability which exceeds our skills. The trick is to work out what sort of photography works for you, and how to use the camera you have. By all means then just go out and buy the latest and greatest, but be under no illusions about what you're doing, and don't blame the camera maker when you're ultimately disappointed - that's the fault of the guy in the mirror. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lm_user Posted February 10, 2016 Share #54 Posted February 10, 2016 If this discussion continues Leica will go bankrupt... As long as we are all going to confrssion - I also have too much gear. Lots of film gear is rarely used. However, I do really enjoy using my M8 and several lenses. I feel blessed to use such a marvelous photographic tool. My equipment is well calibrated and when a mistake is made I can always blame myself. This is much less frustrating than blaming the cameras metering system orcpoor AF system or other such nonsense. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS Posted February 10, 2016 Share #55 Posted February 10, 2016 I doubt the discipline of working out what you need, then just taking photos, will work. Nice idea, but the fact that we're here tends to negate that concept. Until I made the mistake of buying my first Leica, I was happy with one Nikon and three lenses. I used them until they broke, got fungus or were stolen (not quite true as I also had a Hasselblad system, but I once I had the Nikon system, upgrading and expansion never entered my mind). I still think of that simplicity of one camera three lenses and just being happy with what I had. Over the last few days, though, I've started the mammoth task of scanning 30 years of travel photos, and sad to say the image quality of Nikons best doesn't come close to what my current collection (burden?) of Leica's have to offer ... So, for me, the M does most of what I want, but not enough. Granted, I could walk the earth with an M (any M, I'm not fussy; and no, I don't need 4 of them), but there are times I do want all singing, all dancing and the M doesn't do it. That means a bigger camera (slightly) and bigger lenses (huge, compared to the M - but that goes with the territory); then, the SL is perfect. Recently, I've been using the SL with the larger M lenses - 21, 28 & 75 Summiluxes (actually, the 28 isn't that big at all) and the Noctilux, and it's a very good combination - one where I can say the camera feels good in the hand and the M has no real advantage. The answer for those who find themselves in Neil's position, it seems to me, is to stop chasing your tail. You've owned some of the best cameras on offer (actually, probably the best) and they all have flaws - strong in some areas, not so strong in others; but, each camera you've had has been fabulous in some respects. Use them for that and stop fretting about what they're not good at. If you now realise you like the smaller form factor of the M, wait a few months and try the next model. But please, don't come back here a few months later and bore the rest of us witless with complaints about how hopeless the camera (& Leica) is and how much better the latest Sony A8 or Nikon 900E or whatever is by comparison. The next Leica M will still be compact, have a rangefinder and be a compromise in some respects, and the Sony will still be smaller, faster, cheaper and do more. The rest of us will almost certainly keep using what we have, and be asking Leica for pretty subtle improvements. There isn't a camera in the World which will make you a better photographer, and the cameras we all have almost certainly have capability which exceeds our skills. The trick is to work out what sort of photography works for you, and how to use the camera you have. By all means then just go out and buy the latest and greatest, but be under no illusions about what you're doing, and don't blame the camera maker when you're ultimately disappointed - that's the fault of the guy in the mirror. John I agree what you are saying, but this thread has "as they always do" sidetracked...............My bitch is not with what I have, its I want a walk about camera. Remember my first post about considering getting an Olympus pen. I love my Nikon D4s and 600mm f4.......they are perfect for my wildlife photography that is new to me and something that I am thoroughly enjoying. I love my Leica S for taking on trips where we drive take a picture drive and take another picture (I know a lot of you on here can't get your head around that kind of photography, but its what me and my wife enjoy doing) I also like it for studio work. But I am now missing a walk about camera since I traded in all my M gear for the S..........so thats why I am looking for a new M (not to make me a better photographer, not to just buy something new for the sake of it) I want to buy a small compact camera for walkabouts .........and I fancy a New M to take care of that (if I can get the rangefinder thingie to work for me) Thanks Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IkarusJohn Posted February 10, 2016 Share #56 Posted February 10, 2016 True, I guess apart from the reference to bitching about Leica, I wasn't really responding to you. Just buy an M, APO Summicron 50 and 28 Summilux, and remind yourself how much they cost. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS Posted February 10, 2016 Share #57 Posted February 10, 2016 True, I guess apart from the reference to bitching about Leica, I wasn't really responding to you. Just buy an M, APO Summicron 50 and 28 Summilux, and remind yourself how much they cost. If I do buy a New M I will defiantly get the 50 APO but I think I would take a look at the 21 f3.4 super Summilux rather than the 28. I had a 21mm Lux before which was my favourite lens Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IkarusJohn Posted February 10, 2016 Share #58 Posted February 10, 2016 Defiantly. Good idea. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Livingston Posted February 10, 2016 Share #59 Posted February 10, 2016 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter H Posted February 10, 2016 Share #60 Posted February 10, 2016 ........... The trick is to work out what sort of photography works for you, and how to use the camera you have. .......... John, I've clipped the rest away simply because I think this encapsulates the key difference in philosophy that you and I keep dancing around. I'm trying to separate the love of cameras (no problem with that, but just trying to understand what's going on here) from the other reasons why someone may get caught up in photography. I'm taking it to extremes again, for the sake of understanding, so that having done so I can then reverse into a more realistic everyday reality. But, idealistically, I believe that photography at its best is nothing to do with cameras at all, but to do with the subject being photographed. "Working out what sort of photography works for you" speaks more of a love of cameras, or of the process of using them, and then looking for a subject or method that accommodates that. It is the opposite of my ideal. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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