Anyone Leica M as their only camera today.

[Nshah]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

As a newbie, I have query. 

Is anyone using Leica M as their only camera,with no other camera at all? If yes,what is their experience. Have they sometimes felt the need to avail of the various technological features available on the other cameras.

 

As for those who are using the Leica M in conjunction with other cameras, do they think that they can go by only Leica M in all circumstances today?

 

I know from reading on the Web that Leicas are generally good for a particular type of photography and are not for all eventualities. I curious to know the experiences of the photographers who are using only a Leica.

 

I noticed a similar query about M9 in the year 2011 on the forum,but now in 2016 technology has moved much further.

 

 

 

N.Shah

Edited August 23, 2016 by Nshah

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[R3D-D0T]

If I could focus better with RF and didn't love 120 film, I'd use a film M all the time...

[edwardkaraa]

I have used the M exclusively since 2011.

[Exodies]

I like to spend weeks at a time with one focal length so I don't miss zooms. There are scenes I see which I would like to capture but can't - distant details, close details - but there are billions of scenes I want to capture in the optimum operating range of my M and lenses so I don't feel constrained.

I'm in the lucky position of being able to choose what I shoot; I'm also lazy and like to be comfortable so I don't want to problem-solve or choose just the right gear to get a picture.

For these reasons, the M is all I need. If I felt a desire to operate outside this scope then it would be a problem.

[cirke]

Only M and my iPhone

 

 

Envoyé de mon iPad en utilisant Tapatalk

[jaapv]

 

As a newbie, I have query. 

Is anyone using Leica M as their only camera,with no other camera at all? If yes,what is their experience. Have they sometimes felt the need to avail of the various technological features available on the other cameras.

 

As for those who are using the Leica M in conjunction with other cameras, do they think that they can go by only Leica M in all circumstances today?

 

I know from reading on the Web that Leicas are generally good for a particular type of photography and are not for all eventualities. I curious to know the experiences of the photographers who are using only a Leica.

 

I noticed a similar query about M9 in the year 2011 on the forum,but now in 2016 technology has moved much further.

 

 

 

N.Shah

 

Doesn't that rather depend on the type of photography?

Somebody who "restricts" himself to general reportage, travel, street, family, etc will never need another type of camera, somebody who mainly shoots wildlife,sports, macro, action, will not even read your question as he will not even consider a Leica M.

There was a very good reason for Leica to offer both the R and M systems as there is now a very good reason for Leica to offer the wide choice of systems they offer. Their aim is clearly to enable a photographer to stay within the brand, irrespective of his subject matter.

[keithlaban.co.uk]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Only M series.

[Giulio Zanni]

I don't shoot macro, sport or fast action. I mainly do fine art and with the addition of a couple of R lenses (28 PC and 80-200) I can do everything with the M.

[Manoleica]

I don't shoot macro, sport or fast action. I mainly do fine art and with the addition of a couple of R lenses (28 PC and 80-200) I can do everything with the M.

So the M stands for Master"

[Nick Bedford]

Yep! I have an M Typ 240, Summarit 35mm and a Summarit 50mm for portraits, but shoot almost everything with the 35mm. The Summarit's have remarkably beautiful rendering, even compared to some Summicrons and Summiluxes.

 

While I do use my former Canon 5D Mark III at work for product and staff photography every day, I only use my M for my own personal photography, such as street photography, landscapes and hiking, environmental portraits, travel etc.

 

The 24mp files continuously blow me away and I love the process of making pictures with the manual focus rangefinder.

Edited August 23, 2016 by nickjbedford

[dpitt]

M9 only with 40mm Cron would be enough for me. Fortunately, I have some other lens options too.

M8 as extra backup and extra lens choice is merely a convenience.

 

If I only had the M9, I would only miss the opportunity to do some macro from time to time. Only the M240 and a macro lens would solve that issue too. Safari is not my thing so a cropped 135mm takes me a long way for my tele-needs.

 

Less is more...

I often take only one lens with me and leave the rest in the car. Last holiday I took the M9 with 21mmElmarit into town as only lens. It was limited, but together with my iPhone it still covered most of my needs.

[lct]

Never used Leica Ms as only cameras since the seventies. Unique cameras when a rangefinder is needed, mediocre at best otherwise.

[Jeff S]

I've been using a digital M exclusively since 2009 (before that, since the 70s, it was a film M and lots of other cameras from 35mm to 4x5).  But that's because I've recently restricted my use to stationary or slow-action photos using 28-90 focal lengths, which I find ideally suit the RF, which I love.  And because the M satisfies my handling and operational needs and preferences.

 

I'm now looking for a complementary digital system to tackle some applications requiring wider and longer lenses, yet maintaining simplicity and ease of operation, IQ and with weather sealing. The add-on EVF of the M doesn't cut it for me; I use the M as a traditional RF camera.

 

The phrase 'horses for courses' has become a cliche around here....tools for the purpose.  The good news is that there are loads of good choices today, from a variety of brands, that can do the job (sufficient IQ).  For me, the VF (and focusing) is paramount...how I see the subject....and, after that, is a list of personal preferences relating to ergonomics, interface and ease of operation, the lens line, and durability/reliability.  It's not about 'more features'; it's about a shooting style and camera to print workflow.

 

Jeff

Edited August 23, 2016 by Jeff S

[elmars]

M with 35 and 50 mm - and iphone (sometimes).

 

Elmar

[bocaburger]

As much as I prefer the Leica for the majority of my shooting, I would not give up other systems.  I don't do much sports or wildlife photography anymore, so I sold my L glass, but I still like having a 5D with AF and IS lenses for pets and children scooting about helter-skelter.   I like having a  Rebel with kit zooms for parties, where I might want to hand my camera off to someone else so I can be in the picture.  I love my little Panasonic P&S because it's the size of a cellphone and I don't get hassled bringing it into concert venues, but has an effective 720mm zoom so I get front-row shots from the cheap seats.   My attachment to the Leica is based on familiarity, it's like an old friend, after four decades of traveling with one. 

[keithlaban.co.uk]

Only M series.

 

I should perhaps add I'm using my cameras for architectural interiors and exteriors as well as travel and 'street'.

[Guest]

 

As a newbie, I have query. 

Is anyone using Leica M as their only camera,with no other camera at all? If yes,what is their experience. Have they sometimes felt the need to avail of the various technological features available on the other cameras.

 

As for those who are using the Leica M in conjunction with other cameras, do they think that they can go by only Leica M in all circumstances today?

 

I know from reading on the Web that Leicas are generally good for a particular type of photography and are not for all eventualities. I curious to know the experiences of the photographers who are using only a Leica.

 

I noticed a similar query about M9 in the year 2011 on the forum,but now in 2016 technology has moved much further.

 

 

 

 

Leaving this week for a 10 day documentary shoot in Eastern Europe, half video shoot, half stills.

The stills package I'm taking are two M240's, an MM1 and a Q, with Leitz and Voigtlander lenses 18mm-50mm. I do have other still gear options, Nikon DSLR for instance, but they're not going on this job. For me the Leica camera and M lenses will be ideal for work on this particular documentary..

Video will be handled with a Sony PMWF3 and a Panasonic GH4 / Zeiss PL SS Primes........I wouldn't use a 240 or a Q for video that's to go to broadcast.

[EdwardM]

GAS is in my veins despite my self promises to stop.
anyway,
M, Q, M-9, DIGILUX 2,Canon Mark III and old Nikon D80

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[LocalHero1953]

You will always have restrictions in the shots you can take arising from your equipment, whatever you buy. 

So unless you take pleasure in GAS (a condition not unknown on this forum, even among local heros), why not turn the question round? What photography does my equipment allow me to make? Can I take the best photos I can with it? How can I take better photos with it? How can I accept its challenges?

 

I have never had a lens longer than 135mm other than from 1975-1980 (a 400mm) until last year when I got the 80-200R for the SL (replaced now by the 90-280SL). I just decided that distant wildlife and sports photography was not for me. Nor have I ever had a macro lens or TS lens. I didn't miss any of them until, with the SL, I started developing a line of music and dance performance photography which required the 90-280. Occasionally I think about a macro lens, but I don't really need it: I have the OUFRO for the M and I'll get a Marumi close up lens sometime. I enjoy the 24 end of the zoom on the SL, but having it there has reduced (but not eliminated) the likelihood I will succumb to anything wider than my 28 on the M.

Edited August 23, 2016 by LocalHero1953

[imants]

Interesting stuff a m and a smartphone .......................