ECohen Posted July 21, 2016 Share #21 Posted July 21, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) If Leica's listening. I'm sensing a limited edition M in our future..... "Sand Camouflage" ? Look how well the Safari is doing? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 21, 2016 Posted July 21, 2016 Hi ECohen, Take a look here Leica M 240. Might be the camera for ( war-) photographers if.... I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
edwardkaraa Posted July 21, 2016 Share #22 Posted July 21, 2016 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/262685-leica-m-240-might-be-the-camera-for-war-photographers-if/?do=findComment&comment=3082436'>More sharing options...
Giulio Zanni Posted July 21, 2016 Share #23 Posted July 21, 2016 Myself with him in Cambodia 15 years ago 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/262685-leica-m-240-might-be-the-camera-for-war-photographers-if/?do=findComment&comment=3082465'>More sharing options...
edwardkaraa Posted July 21, 2016 Share #24 Posted July 21, 2016 Fortunately I've never been trying to take photos when bullets have being flying around me or bombs about to fall. But on a much lower level of risk, I find that the more stressful and unpredictable the situation the more desirable manual focus is, because it allows me to feel in complete control, (even though i'm certainly not infallible, but I know my limits) which isn't always the case with AF. But that may be my lack of skill with AF of course. Zoom lenses are fine but I would be wary of overestimating their importance compared with the very small size and large apertures of M lenses which give a different kind of versatility. I agree a DSLR is closer to being an everything camera than an M, but as I think you suggest, there are some things an M can do better than a DSLR. Even in a war zone, I can but imagine.. I kind of agree with the above. AF can be a liability in high stress situations. Sometimes you just have to estimate the distance on the focusing ring and use a small enough aperture to cover any errors. I think the M has even more importance today, since it's the only small sized camera with an efficient manual focus system that is fast and accurate at the same time. Back in film days, most SLR were small and light, and featured bright viewfinders with accurate manual focus via split image and microprism aids. The M advantage was just the ability to see outside of the frame. Nowadays, it's basically the only option since all DSLR have increased in size and weight, with dimmer viewfinders that have to share light with AF sensors, and manual focus is quite hit and miss. I think the M would be an ideal "war" camera if more photographers could afford it Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bocaburger Posted July 21, 2016 Share #25 Posted July 21, 2016 I only spoke to a couple guys who recently shot embedded in war zones and they said today video is a needed requirement, and that the Leica doesn't do that as well as a DSLR because of no stabilized AF zooms. The guys I know who shot back in Vietnam all used Nikons, because the US distributor literally gave them away to press photographers going overseas so that they would be photographed with Nikons around their necks, which in turn would help sell Nikons to the amateurs back home. They said most of their fellow war shooters who used Leicas at the time were from elsewhere than the USA. They also said they wished they'd had fast zooms back then, because it would've meant less cameras and lenses to carry, and no switching of cameras and lenses...both of which would have contributed to their safety. Plus lens changes were always risky because of the chance of dropping one in haste, or getting dirt and rain inside the camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenf Posted July 21, 2016 Share #26 Posted July 21, 2016 Colin, very powerful images - thank you for sharing them. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
otto.f Posted July 21, 2016 Share #27 Posted July 21, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) " Why can't I get a replacement in times of repair " Never had this problem, could always get a replacement for any film or digital Leica system camera, as an amateur NB. Professionals should go to Nivo-Schweitzer in Amsterdam. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giulio Zanni Posted July 21, 2016 Share #28 Posted July 21, 2016 Never had this problem, could always get a replacement for any film or digital Leica system camera, as an amateur NB. Professionals should go to Nivo-Schweitzer in Amsterdam. So what is the procedure to get a replacement? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
zlatkob Posted July 21, 2016 Share #29 Posted July 21, 2016 Good PJ work is done with wide angles. Natchwey never used anything above 35mmm. He seems to mainly use wide angles for PJ work, but I'm pretty sure he also used 50mm in the War Photographer film, and he's pictured here with a 24-70mm (though obviously dressed up for some event): https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/db/69/5e/db695e48bf708f8d30cdf895c9ba82d7.jpg Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted July 21, 2016 Share #30 Posted July 21, 2016 So what is the procedure to get a replacement? Ask. Explain. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giulio Zanni Posted July 21, 2016 Share #31 Posted July 21, 2016 Ask. Explain. Thank you, great reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted July 21, 2016 Share #32 Posted July 21, 2016 Highly impressive documentary pictures Colin. Thank you. Their smiles help to make their world a better place than we might imagine. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith (M) Posted July 22, 2016 Share #33 Posted July 22, 2016 I'm an avid Leica user - started out with an M6 nearly 20 years ago, but I also work for the Scottish national newspapers, so I'm compelled to use DSLRs on a daily basis. I don't connect with modern DSLR cameras in the same way I do with a Leica M. The M is my favourite camera for shooting the streets of my hometown of Glasgow. I've never covered a war, but in 2011 I was dispatched to Nairobi to photograph the plight of the people who have to live in the slums of Mathare and Korogocho. The Korogocho slum is considered so dangerous that even the police rarely ever set foot in it. The reporter and I were warned that we should not stay in any one place for long, to keep moving at all times, and to leave the slum after no more than a couple of hours. Word gets around the slum fast. I met some of the nicest, most charming people I've ever met in those slums. People with no stake in anything, who have to live daily amidst rape, violence, death, disease and mayhem, people who had no reason to be nice to me. All in, it was an extremely humbling experience. Into the slums I took my own personal camera, a Leica M9-P, and a Canon 5dMk2 which belonged to the office. The Leica was fitted with a 35mm Summilux ASPH FLE, and for the Canon, I had the 16-35mm, and a 50mm f1.4. I'm pretty good at focussing quickly with an M, and I took a good number of shots with the M9-P. But pretty soon, I gave up with it, and just used the Canon. I think it was a combination of worrying about definitely getting the shots, the speed and accuracy of the Canon's autofocus, plus the flexibility of those two lenses. Shooting a modern DSLR is child's play - you almost can't fail to get the picture. You can get a person's eyes pin sharp every single time, even on a fast lens at full aperture. My hit rate on the Leica is not quite as high as with a DSLR. It's just that the Leica is a joy to use, and infinitely rewarding when a shot comes together. And I would never be parted from my Leica gear. Anyway, for what it's worth - here is one of the images from the slums from my Leica M9-P: http://colintempleton.tumblr.com/image/141662687856 And here is a selection of images from both of the slums, mostly on the Canon 5Dmk2 - http://colintempleton.com/essay/ Best wishes all, Colin The images of the people of the slum are superb Colin - quite thought-provoking. Additionally the shot of the almost empty road with the three dogs instantly brought to mind the work of Pentti Sammallahti. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RonM Posted July 22, 2016 Share #34 Posted July 22, 2016 Leica M 240. Might be the camera for ( war-) photographers if... It had an autofocus zoom lens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
otto.f Posted July 23, 2016 Share #35 Posted July 23, 2016 So what is the procedure to get a replacement? Just ask when your camera needs service Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted July 23, 2016 Share #36 Posted July 23, 2016 Thank you, great reply I mean it. Get on the phone, explain your need. My M240, then about a year old, developed a sensor fault. Solms (then) told me 6 weeks. I got on the phone, explained I was off to Africa for over a month in ten days, they pulled a brand new one off the production line and sent it to me, in a time that tha camera was in short supply. And me just an amateur. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stealth3kpl Posted July 23, 2016 Share #37 Posted July 23, 2016 The images of the people of the slum are superb Colin - quite thought-provoking. Additionally the shot of the almost empty road with the three dogs instantly brought to mind the work of Pentti Sammallahti. Yes, that image reminded me of one by Josef Koudelka Pete Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
otto.f Posted July 23, 2016 Share #38 Posted July 23, 2016 Thank you, great reply Was this meant ironical? No need for I mean it. Get on the phone, explain your need. My M240, then about a year old, developed a sensor fault. Solms (then) told me 6 weeks. I got on the phone, explained I was off to Africa for over a month in ten days, they pulled a brand new one off the production line and sent it to me, in a time that tha camera was in short supply. And me just an amateur. My experience too Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulus Posted July 23, 2016 Author Share #39 Posted July 23, 2016 I mean it. Get on the phone, explain your need. My M240, then about a year old, developed a sensor fault. Solms (then) told me 6 weeks. I got on the phone, explained I was off to Africa for over a month in ten days, they pulled a brand new one off the production line and sent it to me, in a time that tha camera was in short supply. And me just an amateur. Maybe the Dutch importer Inca has made mistakes in the past, that the professionals still remember. Could it be that this was also the case in other countries at that time, about 20-15 years ago. I can recall that they did not have a camera for me, even when my M6 failed on me three times in a year ( ! ) The importer said, Leica just did not lend cameras. It was better to have your own spare one. I'm really glad, that things have changed, at least when you talk directly to the main office. On the other side. If you are one of the few who knows about this ( before you wrote this down ) the positive advertisement about this subject in favour of proffessional photoghraphers is to say at least a little meager. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted July 23, 2016 Share #40 Posted July 23, 2016 Transcontinenta. And they are not very Leica-oriented. I always deal with Wetzlar directly. They were not able to get a Monochrome when it came out. I called Solms and they sent one out. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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