need advice on switching to digital

[ramade]

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hello!

 

I am new user to this forum, please be cool .

I have since years used a leica M6 and am wondering wether it is worse while bying the new digital leica ?will i have as much pleasure with it than with my M6.I take mostly black and white and specially portraits. i am not professional and would appreciate your advice.

 

thank you.

[Lucklik]

Welcome to the forum,

 

You will probably receive another answers if you ask this question in the film forum.

I shoot both, digital and analog.

Both systems have there pro's and contra's.

After using film for more then 40 years I still find film more fun, but when I need the results very fast or for internet, I choose digital.

 

rgs

 

Luc

[jaapv]

Welcome!

 

After shooting Leica M and R for nearly 40 years I cut my digital teeth on a Canon 10D four years ago. That could not convince me and I went back to film and Leica. When the M8 came out I switched to that and I could not consider going back to film now - ever. Main reasons: In my hands this digital camera delivers more than I could get out of film and working my digital files gives me full control over the end result. Film looks different, a bit, so there are plenty of folks who prefer that, but I happen to like what digital adds to my photographic pleasure. So = there is but one way of answering your question - you must find out what you prefer for yourself.....

[Skippy Sanchez]

Expect there to be a steep learning curve if you haven't shot digital before. In my opinoin, it is far superior to film, but a completely different work flow.

 

* you'll want to develop photoshop skills, which is an on-going learning process. it can be frustraiting, but don't give up.

 

* digital and analog are different ways of image-making. Don't expect digital to behave like film. Expect to spend some time reading & studying.

 

* the M8 is a wonderful rangefinder, but has it's excentricities. it is as simple as a digital camera can be, but not as simple as an M6 or any other film M camera.

[KM-25]

I work full time as a photographer. In addition to other cameras, I use leicas for work.

 

If I were you, I would try an M8 out or rent it if you can before spending the money on it. I used one for a few days, I liked it. I did not like the crop factor though since I figure if you are going to spend $2,000-$3,000 on glass, why crop it?

 

Now some believe digital is superior to film. I have to disagree. For my purposes, digital replaced nothing, it has simply added onto it. For example, if you are stellar film shooter who loves the whole process, you will find digital somewhat lacking. It often looks plastic compared to a richly exposed piece of film.

 

And black and white....? No contest, film rules and most likely always will. Sure, you can sit in front of a computer for hours getting that great black and white look from digital...or you can just cut to the chase and use a great black and white film and have a life.

 

The other thing about digital is that the fact you can see the result right away often gets in the way of a good shooter's rhythm. I personally own one M6TTL, one M3 and now one MP-3. With each one, I make images one frame at a time and come up with really good stuff that way.

 

One thing to consider is that most of the world's most artistic pros are still using film even if they have started shooting digital.

 

Check it all out, but don't pawn that M6 quite yet....

[stunsworth]

Welcome to the forum.

 

You're going to get a lot of differing answers to this, but I can only tell you of my experience.

 

I'm an amateur who used an M6 for several years - probably averaging 200-250 rolls of film a year, mainly black and white. I now have an M8 in addition to the film cameras. So far this year I've shot around 7000 frames of digital and not a single roll of film. I'm enjoying the M8 tremendously. The only experience I can compare it to is when I bought my first M camera which was an M2. I haven't regretted the purchase for an instant.

 

The freedom from having to develop/scan films, or wait potentially for weeks while they are processed is fantastic and it has allowed me to concentrate more on what I really want to do - taking photographs. What ever you may think about sitting in front of a screen processing RAw files, it beats the hell out of scaning half a dozen rolls of film <grin>.

[george_b]

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Are you prepared for the computer hardware & software and the learning curve to get the best from it? It's worth it but depending on your starting point it can be a steep learning curves . . . plus the costs.

[Michael-IIIf]

Selig,

 

There is no simple answer. There will be as many opinions and experiences as there are photographers.

 

I would guess the post-processing demands of digital are at least as complex and variable as the arcane world of home film developing and printing. The time investment is similar. The material investment is more (computers, software, back-up systems, constant upgrades) but at least these don't take up as much physical space as a dedicated darkroom.

 

I think the idea of borrowing, or renting, an M8 for a few days is very good. You won't learn how to get the best out of the RAW files in a few days but you will learn enough to see whether you have liked the experience.

 

Finally, consider this: do you prefer listening to CDs or LPs?

 

Michael

[earleygallery]

As has been said digital and film are two different mediums, akin to an artist working in watercolour or oils.

 

FWIW I've stuck with film (apart from a Panaleica digicam). I was initially interested in the M8 - I was considering doing some more wedding work at the time - but having weighed up all the pro's and con's, and considered the financial side of things, I decided I already have what I need.

 

It's easy to feel like there's a party going on that you've not been invited to if you're not with the digital crowd, but the film party started earlier and its still going strong!

 

Again, it is a personal choice, but I would suggest asking yourself why you need (not want - I still want) an M8. The main advantage is immediacy (ideal for weddings) and for many commercial applications digital is essential today, but many pros still use film - portrait/fine art photographers especially. As an amateur its totally up to you.

[Guest stnami]

..............the Sunday film party starts early and we only get home after sunrise on Monday,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Friday nights are digital nights................. and they are:cool: as well

[ptomsu]

hello!

 

I am new user to this forum, please be cool .

I have since years used a leica M6 and am wondering wether it is worse while bying the new digital leica ?will i have as much pleasure with it than with my M6.I take mostly black and white and specially portraits. i am not professional and would appreciate your advice.

 

thank you.

 

To make it short - you will have more pleasure using the M8 since it is a wonderful top range digital camera, which BTW opens the complete possibilities of digital workflow for you.

 

If you have the possibility to combine this beast with a good SW on your computer - I prefer Lightroom from Adobe as the best all in one package - you will just be happy!

[Les Lammers]

hello!

 

I am new user to this forum, please be cool .

I have since years used a leica M6 and am wondering wether it is worse while bying the new digital leica ?will i have as much pleasure with it than with my M6.I take mostly black and white and specially portraits. i am not professional and would appreciate your advice.

 

thank you.

 

There is a big learning curve in digtal. I would get a good P&S and Photshop Elements and work with them because by the time you become proficient with post processing etc. the gear will have greatly advanced. Consider a Fuji f31fd or a Ricoh GX100. The latter is like a digital Barnack with a 24mm-72mm lens. Both are good in low light and the GX100 has raw capability. If money is no object get an M8.