Finally bought a digital Leica

[too old to care]

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5 hours ago, jaeger said:

Happy New Year.  Did you focus at the stigma of the flower, I'm just curious...

Yes, I focused on the stigma, however this was a last minute shot.  I had just received my $25 adapter for the Pentax lens and stuck it on the 240.  At first I got a "no lens attached" message.  After removing it and reattaching it several times, it finally recognized that something was attached.  My wife had just watered the flowers in the front, so I grabbed the camera and hand held this shot.  I knew it would not be perfect, but it gave me an idea of what I hoped would be acceptable results.  

 

I normally shoot film.  Below is a photo that I shot a few years ago with a Hasselblad 501C/80mm lens set at around 5.6, Tri-X film.  I also used an extension tube on the camera which was mounted on a tripod.  This is what I hoped I would get with the Leica.  I converted the Leica shot to B&W, and was not happy.  But, I think I am on the right track.  Shooting the Leica is so much easier than loading the Hasselblad, shooting it, developing the film, scanning the negative, etc.  By the way, the film was developed in Rodinal 50:1 for about 13 minutes.  I also printed the photo wet, which is hanging in our house.  I cropped the image here to show you more what it looks like to a rectangle format.  

 

Thanks,

 

Wayne 

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[too old to care]

I could not stomach putting the Pentax adapter on my M camera because of how poorly it fit.  After being convicted by my wife to get something nice for my 73rd birthday, I ordered the Leica Macro Adapter.  First impressions, you do get a nice piece of equipment, but it is EXPENSIVE.  It is not an adapter, but rather an adjustable extension tube.  I knew that after reading the reviews, but did not fully realize how well made and smooth it works until I got it this morning from B&H.  There is absolutely no wobble in it.  On another note, I did not realize how difficult it would be to focus using live view.  I've gotten used to a split image, and of course, there is none.  

I did not hesitate to find something to shoot, thus the image below.  This is just a test shot, hastily set up.  I normally use a black background when I shoot flowers, unless I can fill the rest of the image with leaves.  I also use better examples of flowers.  This is one of our first spring flowers blooming, and it is not a very good example.  

Anyway, the adapter works perfectly.  It is smooth, as smooth focusing as my 50mm Summicron lens.  It feels like a piece of Leica equipment.  Is it worth $700, to me,,,,yes,,,,because I'm 73.  If I were still making house payments, etc, well I would not spend that much money.  That said, I probably would be shooting my Pentax K3 instead of the Leica.  

Wayne    

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[Peter Kilmister]

To use an extension tube you need an Electronic View Finder (EVF). You can use the expensive Leica version or the much cheaper, and identical, Olympus EVF2. It is available online through all the usual suspects (suppliers). Don't try any other version. You need an EVF2.  If someone is selling an EVF3 forget it. It won't work. Let us know how you progress with this. Peter

P.S. You can use Live View but for close work it isn't as accurate as the EVF2.

Edited January 10, 2019 by Peter Kilmister

[too old to care]

Thanks Peter.  I looked at the usual places to find a used  Olympus viewfinder with no luck, although there are several Leica for sale.  I’ll keep looking, until then I’ll just keep plugging away with live view.  I did find a couple of dust spots on the images though, so I’ll get to do my first sensor cleaning on a Leica soon.  I’m used to doing it on other cameras with swabs, but I have the Pentax kit on order.   

Wayne

[jdlaing]

26 minutes ago, too old to care said:

Thanks Peter.  I looked at the usual places to find a used  Olympus viewfinder with no luck, although there are several Leica for sale.  I’ll keep looking, until then I’ll just keep plugging away with live view.  I did find a couple of dust spots on the images though, so I’ll get to do my first sensor cleaning on a Leica soon.  I’m used to doing it on other cameras with swabs, but I have the Pentax kit on order.   

Wayne

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/used/675005/?c3api=1876%2C52248989522%2C&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIy6_h9Y3m3wIVCShpCh1yFAMUEAQYAiABEgLBJ_D_BwE&lsft=BI%3A514h

https://www.ebay.com/i/273618634978?chn=ps&ul_ref=https%3A%2F%2Frover.ebay.com%2Frover%2F1%2F711-117182-37290-0%2F2%3Fmpre%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.ebay.com%252Fi%252F273618634978%253Fchn%253Dps%26itemid%3D273618634978%26targetid%3D485683431025%26device%3Dt%26adtype%3Dpla%26googleloc%3D9027422%26poi%3D%26campaignid%3D1498385202%26adgroupid%3D60666402187%26rlsatarget%3Dpla-485683431025%26abcId%3D1139446%26merchantid%3D114756202%26gclid%3DEAIaIQobChMIjvrXkI7m3wIV2rbACh0JcAohEAQYCyABEgLhyvD_BwE%26srcrot%3D711-117182-37290-0%26rvr_id%3D1815590349610%26rvr_ts%3D3daadae01680ab1d612131a1ffae75ec

https://www.keh.com/shop/olympus-vf-2-electronic-viewfinder-220317.html

[estudiog]

Congrats! I recently purchased a 262. But I'm coming from an M8. 

[too old to care]

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4 hours ago, jdlaing said:

https://www.keh.com/shop/olympus-vf-2-electronic-viewfinder-220317.html

Thanks so much for the leads.  I was looking for an EVF2, not VF2, which is why I could not find an Olympus version.  Your lead first sent me to eBay where I looked at the finder and saw that was in Japan, then the B&H one, which was a bit worn, and finally the KEH one is in excellent condition.  

I called KEH and was first told that Olympus would never share technology with Leica, or anyone.  I told them that I've been told that It should work, the salesman then transferred me to another person.  He at first told me that he had never heard of that either, but would check it out.  He came back in a few minutes and told me that indeed the Olympus version will work with a Leica.  He said that it was totally new to him, that he learned something today.  I thanked him and told him that I had only beat him by about 30 seconds, because I had just learned it too.

Anyway, credit card info was exchanged and the viewfinder will be here Wednesday. Saved me more than two thirds the cost of a new Leica version.  Thanks again, I would have never spent that much for the Leica version.  

Wayne 

Edited January 11, 2019 by too old to care

[too old to care]

31 minutes ago, estudiog said:

Congrats! I recently purchased a 262. But I'm coming from an M8. 

Congrats back.  I'm coming from a Leica M6 that I've owned over 20 years.  Love film, but wanted to do more that that camera could do, such as macro photography easily.  

[jdlaing]

1 hour ago, too old to care said:

Thanks so much for the leads.  I was looking for an EVF2, not VF2, which is why I could not find an Olympus version.  Your lead first sent me to eBay where I looked at the finder and saw that was in Japan, then the B&H one, which was a bit worn, and finally the KEH one is in excellent condition.  

I called KEH and was first told that Olympus would never share technology with Leica, or anyone.  I told them that I've been told that It should work, the salesman then transferred me to another person.  He at first told me that he had never heard of that either, but would check it out.  He came back in a few minutes and told me that indeed the Olympus version will work with a Leica.  He said that it was totally new to him, that he learned something today.  I thanked him and told him that I had only beat him by about 30 seconds, because I had just learned it too.

Anyway, credit card info was exchanged and the viewfinder will be here Wednesday. Saved me more than two thirds the cost of a new Leica version.  Thanks again, I would have never spent that much for the Leica version.  

Wayne 

Actually the EVFs are an Epson product and sold to Leica, Olympus or whoever. I use the Olympus version and it works fine.

The one on BH Photo is the same. Just mislabeled in the ad.

Goid luck with it. KEH is good.

Edited January 11, 2019 by jdlaing

[jaapv]

16 hours ago, too old to care said:

Thanks so much for the leads.  I was looking for an EVF2, not VF2, which is why I could not find an Olympus version.  Your lead first sent me to eBay where I looked at the finder and saw that was in Japan, then the B&H one, which was a bit worn, and finally the KEH one is in excellent condition.  

I called KEH and was first told that Olympus would never share technology with Leica, or anyone.  I told them that I've been told that It should work, the salesman then transferred me to another person.  He at first told me that he had never heard of that either, but would check it out.  He came back in a few minutes and told me that indeed the Olympus version will work with a Leica.  He said that it was totally new to him, that he learned something today.  I thanked him and told him that I had only beat him by about 30 seconds, because I had just learned it too.

Anyway, credit card info was exchanged and the viewfinder will be here Wednesday. Saved me more than two thirds the cost of a new Leica version.  Thanks again, I would have never spent that much for the Leica version.  

Wayne 

Actually, in this case both Leica and Olympus bought Epson technology.

[Peter Kilmister]

@too old to care I am pleased to learn that you have managed to find an Olympus version and that it saved you money. A good result. 😀

[too old to care]

Final test shot.  I received the electronic viewfinder today from KEH.  It came well packed and looks like it is new.  It fits the Leica perfectly and is very easy to use. I have my camera set so the front button will activate focus peak and magnification of 10.  Looking through the viewfinder is so easy to tell what is now in focus.  This is my last test shot, I'm all set now for what I really like to do, B&W and macro shots.  Thanks everyone for the help.  By the way, this shot was stopped down to f11, I prefer it to others I shot more wide open.  

Wayne 

 

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Edited January 16, 2019 by too old to care

[Xelor]

After using a D-Lux 109 for some time - and a move to an analog M2 - i finally bought a preloved M240. Having it used for my fist pics I am quite happy.

 

 

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[jmahto]

7 hours ago, too old to care said:

Final test shot.  I received the electronic viewfinder today from KEH.  It came well packed and looks like it is new.  It fits the Leica perfectly and is very easy to use. I have my camera set so the front button will activate focus peak and magnification of 10.  Looking through the viewfinder is so easy to tell what is now in focus.  This is my last test shot, I'm all set now for what I really like to do, B&W and macro shots.  Thanks everyone for the help.  By the way, this shot was stopped down to f11, I prefer it to others I shot more wide open.  

Wayne 

 

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Glad you are enjoying the EVF. It is quite handy. One tip for reducing camera shake in LV. After you are done focusing, switch off the EVF by pressing the button. It is easy thumb press. Then fire the shutter. It will be quieter since shutter will open and close only once.

Even in tripod, LV can cause shake at just below one sec shutter speed (my experience). 

[jaapv]

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