Leica M10 + 35mm for Sports

[Dennis]

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Hello everyone.

What can I say? I love my Leica M10 😃 I use Nikon D5 for my work, but I do carry the M10 every day: street photography, landscapes, travels, and my daily life with my family. This is my first Leica ever, and I'm so happy. Where I live, there is an event every year: Iron Man 70.3 I photographed it for the first time two years ago, using sports gear: Nikon D5 + 24-70mm + 70-200 + 100-500. It was a lovely experience, I learned a lot.

My own storytelling approach is based on photojournalism, documentary, and street photography. I love to shoot with a 35mm, I love highlights, silhouettes, and shoot imperative with available light. So, after the past experience with the Iron man with Nikon two years ago, I gave a chance to my Leica a few months ago. The point was to shoot Sports Photography 100% my style, and don't take any "standard" or expected photos with long-focal length lenses: but only 35mm . Which is the single rangefinder lens I own 😃. A Zeiss Biogon

 

This is the result o my experience I would like to share with you: link. And a few thoughts:

 

• To have all-time sharp photos, is not easy with Leica M. At least for me. I mean to fully master focus. But when you fully embrace the HyperFocal, and you start to think in "Rangefinder mood," I really think that to focus could be faster using a manual focus Leica lens, than a flagship DSLR one, do you what I mean? ... The modus operandi of an AF and the manual, is complete different. It's not so easy. It takes time and a lot of practice. Or maybe it's all about to discover a smart trick. Eventually, do you have any link to share about how to master the focus on Leica M cameras? That would be awesome.

 

• I love to shoot in manual all the time. So once I decide the ISO first, and the purpose of the photo second (for me dictated by the aperture), I deal with shutter speed. I use a few angles/ideas, and I stock with them using the same settings for the time I stay there and shoot. With Leica, it's better than another camera. Why? Because nothing is distracting me from my photo. An EVF? No thanks. Many illuminated buttons that I don't need? No, thank you! It's just what I need and want. Minimalism and no choices: only the essence of photography. And this is what I love most with Leica M.

 

• It depends on the photographer's style, goals, techniques, etc. But I'm starting to feel, and feel good about it, then a Leica M is more for the shoot at F/4 or /11 than F/1.4 or F/2.8 ... Working with the right depth of field, you don't have to worry about a blurred foreground, or just because you have an "easier" sharp photos. I repeat it's a personal opinion. Anybody here feeling the same? I don't know. What do you think? Did the Magnum Photos, masters of Leica, use a preferred not-wide-open aperture?

 

Thank you so much for reading this. Any feedback, ideas or comment is always welcome.

May the force be with me ... to help me to master focus.

Good vibes,

D.

 

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[Stevejack]

There's some great shots in your link, nicely done. 

[TomB_tx]

Nice images, and a fresh way to cover sports.

I agree: the emphasis on very shallow depth of field is quite modern - and often over-done. I seldom use fast lenses now that the M10 has such good high ISO.

[onasj]

Some really beautiful shots, Dennis. Bravo!

[Dennis]

3 hours ago, Stevejack said:

There's some great shots in your link, nicely done. 

Thank you so much, glad you liked it!

 

2 hours ago, TomB_tx said:

Nice images, and a fresh way to cover sports.

I agree: the emphasis on very shallow depth of field is quite modern - and often over-done. I seldom use fast lenses now that the M10 has such good high ISO.

Thank you so much. it's totally makes sense what you're saying: "is quite modern" .... A Magnum Photos image, with a lot of context and information, taken at F/8 VERSUS an influencer shooting at F/1.4 ... 🤔

 

2 hours ago, onasj said:

Some really beautiful shots, Dennis. Bravo!

Thank you for stop by and leave a comment. I appreciate it

[AndreasG]

Thanks for the link, very interesting approach - I like it!

[dancook]

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Very inspiring  

[sergiomarried]

Well done Dennis! Above anything for stepping out of your comfort zone man, bravo! Of course you can do sports or any other kind of photography with whatever tool you want and specially if it allows you to do it in your unique style. I feel there are some really good ones in the collection, I wish they could be seen a bit larger though... 

DOF topic... it’s definitely overused and a bit influence by how easy is now to nail focus with newest cameras, even at those apertures... I feel there’s a place for Leica as well in this area. If I’d have a 50 Lux is to also use (at times and when makes sense visually, with intention) that gorgeous 1.4 aperture and how it renders, otherwise there’s no point nowadays since you can bump ISO’s really high...

Hoping to get one of those M10’s one day... you’re a lucky man, enjoy it!

[mujk]

Very nice pictures. And I think you already figured out how to focus with an M. I rarely shoot sports, but I have been taking a lot of pictures of my two grandsons lately. Particularly the elder one (3+ years) is moving so fast it's really hard to keep him in focus, particularly when also small focussing errors are quite visible on the M10. So I have also started to use smaller apertures than before (f4-f5.6) for indoor shots.

[Dennis]

23 hours ago, Stevejack said:

There's some great shots in your link, nicely done. 

Thank you so much! 🙏

 

12 hours ago, dancook said:

Very inspiring  

I'm  glad you like them 🙏

 

7 hours ago, sergiomarried said:

Well done Dennis! Above anything for stepping out of your comfort zone man, bravo! Of course you can do sports or any other kind of photography with whatever tool you want and specially if it allows you to do it in your unique style. I feel there are some really good ones in the collection, I wish they could be seen a bit larger though... 

DOF topic... it’s definitely overused and a bit influence by how easy is now to nail focus with newest cameras, even at those apertures... I feel there’s a place for Leica as well in this area. If I’d have a 50 Lux is to also use (at times and when makes sense visually, with intention) that gorgeous 1.4 aperture and how it renders, otherwise there’s no point nowadays since you can bump ISO’s really high...

Hoping to get one of those M10’s one day... you’re a lucky man, enjoy it!

Thank you so much. Yes, I tried to be 100% faithful to my style, because if I don't enjoy shooting, there is no sense. Does it make sense? I'm definitely a F/2.8 and F/8 guy, mostly. I do use fast lenses once I really need them, or just want to create a specific visual effect. But most of the time, I prefer more DOP 

 

5 hours ago, mujk said:

Very nice pictures. And I think you already figured out how to focus with an M. I rarely shoot sports, but I have been taking a lot of pictures of my two grandsons lately. Particularly the elder one (3+ years) is moving so fast it's really hard to keep him in focus, particularly when also small focussing errors are quite visible on the M10. So I have also started to use smaller apertures than before (f4-f5.6) for indoor shots.

Thank you! I didn't figure out ho to properly focus well. All the images you saw are in focus, yes. But I could have better photos I know, sometimes I struggle a little for some simple compositions, but I guess is experience. About your grandson, if you enjoy to shoot at wider aperture, you should insist to do it. Did you try to be invisible for the kid, to be unnoticed. So you can have more time to deal with composition and accurate AF? Just saying ...  But maybe is a little Tazmania 😂

[maxfairclough]

These are brilliant, I have always longed to see sports work etc shot wider especially at my favourite focal length (35mm).

My old man was a sports journalist here in Australia and if he were around he would say this would be welcomed and refreshing, too!

Brilliant.

Edited February 19, 2020 by maxfairclough

[dugby]

Thankyou Dennis for sharing your inspiring images and your modus operandi.

You have given me thoughts on a different approach for my travel photography and capturing my grand-children.

 

[Dennis]

16 hours ago, maxfairclough said:

These are brilliant, I have always longed to see sports work etc shot wider especially at my favorite focal length (35mm).

My old man was a sports journalist here in Australia and if he were around he would say this would be welcomed and refreshing, too!

Brilliant.

Thank you Max, glad you like them. And also that they make feel what you old man was thinking ... A wise man 😃 

 

14 hours ago, dugby said:

Thank you Dennis for sharing your inspiring images and your modus operandi.

You have given me thoughts on a different approach for my travel photography and capturing my grand-children.

 

Hi, I'm so happy you liked them. And if my post give you ideas, suggestions or challenges, you made my day. Glad to help. later you can share the results and feedback. Take care 

[ravinj]

Great shots and a refreshing take on sports photography.

[Dennis]

21 minutes ago, ravinj said:

Great shots and a refreshing take on sports photography.

Thank you so much!  I'm dying to use a 50mm, also for Sports. I own only a 35mm. But as you know, there is big difference on angle of view between the two.. Soon, I hope I'll buy one ... 

 

[Knipsknecht]

Hello Dennis, thanks for sharing your photos and your thoughts! The pics you‘ve shot are really amazing!!! My favorite is the female runner, taking a cup of water while running. This is what I would call a “decisive moment”! Your photos are showing how amazing sports photography can be😎👍!

[Dennis]

4 hours ago, Knipsknecht said:

Hello Dennis, thanks for sharing your photos and your thoughts! The pics you‘ve shot are really amazing!!! My favorite is the female runner, taking a cup of water while running. This is what I would call a “decisive moment”! Your photos are showing how amazing sports photography can be😎👍!

Hi, thank you so much 🙏🙏🙏Yes, it's one of my favorite two of that day. Not sure if is "The" decisive moment for this situation, But it came out nice. I Love the fatigue on her face, the water around the cup and the DOP. 

Sports photography is a brand new hobby for me, once I find an event, I'm happy to shoot and try.

Thank you again. Take care 

[dickgillberg]

Thanks Dennis. I like your pictures a lot. I work with newspapers in Sweden and when I shoot a sport event they always want pictures, like that people should recognize them self to get clicks to the web site. Not much room for creativity there. I'd love to do like you did, but I assume you've to do it by your self.

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Hallo,

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[Dennis]

8 hours ago, dickgillberg said:

Thanks Dennis. I like your pictures a lot. I work with newspapers in Sweden and when I shoot a sport event they always want pictures, like that people should recognize them self to get clicks to the web site. Not much room for creativity there. I'd love to do like you did, but I assume you've to do it by your self.

Hi, thank you so much, I really appreciate it. Definitely, there is part of photojournalism in my approach, from what I learned, watched and understood in books, movies, practice. And purpose most important. For me it's all about the authenticity. That's why I agree, respect and love the PJ ethic. The point is to shoot based on that ethic, and do it on your own way.

I agree with what you say. And if you kindly allow me to say it, there is an option. The answer for "no room for creativity" it's totally on you, you're right. The newspaper in Sweden was work, the Iron Man was a micro-project, just for myself. And I decided to shoot at 100% my style.  Also when I work I shoot 100% me, no commitments. But is a strong decision I made, with consequences and rewards also. There is always space for creativity, always. There is the fun, right? For you, for others to enjoy yours. Once you get chance, go out there and do what you really like. When you feel good and proud about it, apply it also on your own work. It's not easy. I understood it after 40 years of my life LOL ... Step by step.I'm sure you can reach whatever you want.

Good vibes

[MikeMyers]

The easy way would have been to try to take your DSLR photos using the m10, but that would likely be a failure, as the two types of photography are so different.  What you did, applying what YOU know and do with photography, to a new type of event, got you some very satisfying results.  I imagine you had lots of photos you tossed out, but narrowed in to doing it your way very nice.  Maybe your photos are perfectly sharp, or may they're not.  I never bothered even looking for that, as you got an overall effect that most "sports photographers" miss.  They might have captured a perfect shot of one athlete, but you captured beautiful shots that capture the "feel" of the event.  Their shots below in Sports Illustrated.  Your shots belong in a frame, on a wall.

My own goal is to lead my Nikon D750 and a 50 year old accumulation of lenses and stuff in a drawer at home, and try to see life again as I used to, using my brand new m10, but with my 50 year old accumulation of (only three) Leica lenses.  For "Sports Photography" (www.sportsshooter.com) it's probably best to capture an image so sharp that the decal on a competitor's shoe can be clearly read, but with your way, it makes me feel like I'm "there", seeing the event, not the details.

I don't think the m10 is a good "action camera", but especially in your hands, it has become an extremely good "event camera".  SI would probably never print the image of a random competitor being handed a cup of water, but that image is lovely, as I see it.  

 

If you ever feel like writing about how you set up and used the camera, that would be helpful.  I'm still testing and improvising, and getting lots of new ideas every time I read this forum.