Considering system change from Canon to Leica. Need help :)

[Naper]

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There is something about the Leica M that is just hard to describe. Its all about the experience. The M has a quality feel that I have not found in any other camera. I WANT to use it 

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[CharlesL]

There is something about the Leica M that is just hard to describe. Its all about the experience. The M has a quality feel that I have not found in any other camera. I WANT to use it 

 

Having used an M8, I understand your experience (something one could see like a mirage with the M8 but not reach because of too many problems).

 

And for those on a budget, I can report after a few weeks that the Fuji X-Pro 2 offers the same experience, thanks to the improved hybrid viewfinder, the ease of using M- and LTM-mount lenses, and the quality of both the raw and camera JPG 6000 x 4000 files.

[colonel]

Having used an M8, I understand your experience (something one could see like a mirage with the M8 but not reach because of too many problems).

 

And for those on a budget, I can report after a few weeks that the Fuji X-Pro 2 offers the same experience, thanks to the improved hybrid viewfinder, the ease of using M- and LTM-mount lenses, and the quality of both the raw and camera JPG 6000 x 4000 files.

 

ah an evangelist

 

well its aps-c and doesn't have a  rangefinder or a brass top (sorry 262) so knock yourself out

 

Look I love Fujis and have a few but that's definitely apples and coconuts

[jaapv]

Having used an M8, I understand your experience (something one could see like a mirage with the M8 but not reach because of too many problems).

 

And for those on a budget, I can report after a few weeks that the Fuji X-Pro 2 offers the same experience, thanks to the improved hybrid viewfinder, the ease of using M- and LTM-mount lenses, and the quality of both the raw and camera JPG 6000 x 4000 files.

Not my experience - I handled the camera in the shop - very nice, and worth considering, but a different beast from an M.

[Berlinman]

I' m photographing since 40 years. Nothing had improved the quality if my ohotos like the change back to Leica M 3 years ago. I kept my Nikon D4 for Sports etc but use the M240 for the rest. Now I do a lot in BW and start again to use film with a M6. It us so much more fun! Do it!

 

 

Gesendet von meinem iPhone mit Tapatalk

[zlatkob]

I have a contrary view. I think the Leica bodies are great and don't think anything from Canon or Nikon is remotely close. The only camera makers I rate today are Sony, Fuji, Olympus and Panasonic, however the modus operandi of Leica is completely different.

 

I actually believe it's possible to have a Leica system at a discount to a full system from Nikon or Canon for many reasons. A second hand M9/M-E with new type sensor (or a second hand M240 for an extra £1000), and 3-4 Leica, Zeiss or Voigtlander lenses.

For example, a kit consisting of a Voigtlander 21mm f4, a Zeiss 35mm f1.4 ZM, a Leica 50mm f1.4 ASPH and a Leica 90mm f2.8 M is pretty much a dream team, especially second hand or discounted. That's £4-6k for the lenses and £2-3k for the body. Less then a full Canon and Nikon kit with the massive zooms, cheaper then golf and a drop in the ocean for those with a boat .... And I'm not even mentioning the fine watch lovers ....

 

 

One doesn't have to use their Canon or Nikon with "massive zooms".  I don't.  Instead I typically use a small selection of primes:  28/2.8, 35/1.4, 50/1.4 and 85/1.8.  Less cost, less weight and less bulk.  Still bigger/heavier than a comparable Leica kit, but much less costly and much faster to repair.

[ECohen]

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One doesn't have to use their Canon or Nikon with "massive zooms".  I don't.  Instead I typically use a small selection of primes:  28/2.8, 35/1.4, 50/1.4 and 85/1.8.  Less cost, less weight and less bulk.  Still bigger/heavier than a comparable Leica kit, but much less costly and much faster to repair.

 

 

I went to Leica for the simplicity.

 

I have been making photographs a long time.   Once the digital/computer camera came on the scene 1991 or 92  everything changed. I've used the Nikon system till 2 years ago. With the introduction of Nikon D1X, cameras were no longer fun to use. They had great lenses and made wonderful quality photos  But with all the buttons and hidden menu options, Nikon/Canon were not much fun to shoot with.

 

 

The Leica M system is a pleasure to use. If your trying to be economical  and want the M system buy used with  Zeiss/Voightlander lenses. The only reason to use Leica M is It makes the entire process a joy.  There are many camera brands out there have great lenses and make wonderful photographs. None give the user the pleasure, that shooting with the M gives you. Using Leica has nothing to do with money or repair time.

 

It's just a darn fun tool to use.....And shooting with it, is like hanging with an old friend

[zlatkob]

 

I went to Leica for the simplicity.

 

I have been making photographs a long time.   Once the digital/computer camera came on the scene 1991 or 92  everything changed. I've used the Nikon system till 2 years ago. With the introduction of Nikon 1X cameras were no longer fun to use. They had great lenses and made wonderful quality photos  But with all the buttons and menu Nikon/Canon were not much fun to shoot with.

 

 

The Leica M system is a pleasure to use. If your trying to be economical  and want the M system buy used. The only reason to use Leica is It makes the entire process a joy. Using Leica has nothing to do with money or repair time. Many of the brands out there have great lenses and make wonderful photographs. None give the user the pleasure, that shooting with the M gives you.

 

It's just a darn fun tool to use.....Like hanging with an old friend

 

 

I agree with much of what you say, except that part about using Leica having "nothing to do with money or repair time".  It requires plenty of money, even buying used.  And the repair times relate to how many backups some photographers would need, which again relates back to money.

[ECohen]

Point taken...we do agree

 

I should say when I was shooting professionally .....I used nikon.....a camera I didn't care much about...it did the job..and they were cheap;

Also if your shooting professionally and repair time and camera cost and backup  are an issue you are better off with Nikon

 

Now that I am retired and shooting for myself ...I use Leica.....with no M back up.

I'm not a rich guy......I have no interest in an extra M body....I wouldn't mind an extra lens or two

 

When it goes in for repair I'll use  a Leica X2 that I have as a back up....or I'll dust off an old Nikon...for a few months

I don't think the repair time is that long...Ive heard  2 months for most tune ups in the USA? And if you ask this forum, most rarely need repairs....unless you drop them.

It's not like a car.....honestly even working professionally  my Nikons never broke and when they did it was time to replace them anyway. 

 

I guess what I mean is .......money didn't drive my choice to Leica...... simplicity  did.

[jamesbf]

Note: Have not read through any of this post.

 

If it were me in this situation I would...

 

Sell 5dIII / Leica Q

 

Keep 100-400 

 

Sell the rest

 

 

buy

M240

M-28mm f2.8 

M-35mm f2

used canon 6D

canon 24-70 2.8

 

Oh and a Ricoh GR just in case you need something small.

 

Solved.

[RicD]

"...Also worth noting that you tend not to loose much money..."

 

Spelling lose as loose is a very common spelling error. Yes, lose sounds as though it should contain double letter o. 

 

Loose means something is not tight. Think lose, lost, loss. losing, all have a single letter o. 

[jaapv]

This is an international forum, with quite a few non-native speakers and a large number of spell-checkers. We only comment on spelling/grammatical errors -and in a tongue-in-the-cheek way- when they are really funny.

[ECohen]

"...Also worth noting that you tend not to loose much money..."

 

Spelling lose as loose is a very common spelling error. Yes, lose sounds as though it should contain double letter o. 

 

Loose means something is not tight. Think lose, lost, loss. losing, all have a single letter o. 

 

Come on .....quit with the English lesson.... it's about the content...and you know what was intended....thats the point

[jdlaing]

At this moment I am thinking "loser". 

[Exodies]

Some people are happy to receive corrections, I know I always am when I speak French.

[Peter Kilmister]

Ah, French, such a beautiful language ... so refined except it uses accents which aren't on my UK keyboard. Luckily my French friends accept that their language needs updating and we could see it our lifetime ... if I live until I am 286 years old.

[jdlaing]

Not a problem. The English took 800 years developing a language. It only took us 200 years to perfect it. 

[Peter Kilmister]

Not a problem. The English took 800 years developing a language. It only took us 200 years to perfect it. 

Am I allowed to use the word bollocks without being banned? We in the UK know that an ass is a type of donkey. US people think it is something rather naughty. Language changes but 'the law is an ass' (an acceptable English expression going back centuries meaning that the judiciary has made a mistake) does not mean the law is a bottom, backside, or rear end. Fanny is not a bottom. It is an acceptable name for a woman (as in Fanny Hill) so please respect that literature preceded your nonsensical terms dreamt up one afternoon by Webster.

 

I was brought up to respect my elders. We are the elders when it comes to language. We know our arse from our elbow because we can differentiate between the two. Please grow up and stick to the topic because your sarcasm is old hat and not at all funny if you want to enjoy the literature that preceded your existence as a nation, e.g. Shakespeare.

 

Honi soit qui mal y pense.

 

Anyway, to bring this back on topic, the best thing about a Leica M compared to a Canon heavyweight is the ability to carry it around all day with no fuss, no trolley, no need for a physiotherapist afterwards. To the OP: I hope you are enjoying your new toy.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[Martin Fagerås]

Note: Have not read through any of this post.

 

If it were me in this situation I would...

 

Sell 5dIII / Leica Q

 

Keep 100-400 

 

Sell the rest

 

 

buy

M240

M-28mm f2.8 

M-35mm f2

used canon 6D

canon 24-70 2.8

 

Oh and a Ricoh GR just in case you need something small.

 

Solved.

 

Hi James. 

 

I ended up doing it a little different, but your idea is not bad either. 

 

I sold my 5D3 + 50 f/1.2, 100 f/2.8 and 16-35 f/4. The 100-400 and samyang 14mm i kept. 

I also kept the Q. for now i prefer that over a 28 for the M system. It's nice for low light with better ISO performance, and AF comes handy in certain situations. Not to mention that its a nice "One camera, One lens" solution. 

 

I Bought a M240 + 50mm Summilux and 15mm Voigtländer Heliar v3. 

 

For now the 15mm + 28mm + 50mm trio on two bodies suits me fine. And the plan is still to buy a used 6D if i need to use the 100-400 (safari) or 14 (astrophotography) in a planned setting. 

I might still buy a GRII at some point though, nice IQ in a small package that i'd probably bring to more "dangerous" situations than the Q, usually situations involving myself and alcohol  

 

Anyway, to bring this back on topic, the best thing about a Leica M compared to a Canon heavyweight is the ability to carry it around all day with no fuss, no trolley, no need for a physiotherapist afterwards. To the OP: I hope you are enjoying your new toy.

 

 

I really enjoy the M Peter. 

 

As mentioned by others in this thread, the reason to use the M system is the joy of the process, and thats exactly what works for me Absolutely no regrets making the switch.

[jaapv]

Well, Peter, you'll have to accept that the Western Colonies went their own way a couple of centuries ago. Two countries divided by a common language, you know. And you will have to admit that "a Streetcar called Desire" sounds a whole lot better than "a Tram called Desire"