M35 apo but no body, advice please

[250swb]

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Everybody seems to want to spend as much of your money as possible, just get the ordinary Novoflex M to Z adapter, it's simple, cheaper, and above all it's manual focus. Set your Z up for IBIS with a 35mm lens and you have it cracked.

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[jaapv]

This old thread    that started over a decade ago still contains many worthwhile tidbits for new owners.

 

And specifically:

 

  

On 7/7/2010 at 12:44 AM, jaapv said:

Question: I come from an autofocus camera background. What is the best way to get good focus on the M9?

The M10 works the same way as any rangefinder camera, the central patch in the viewfinder is your focussing tool.
It is important to look through the viewfinder in the optical axis. Looking into the camera skewed will result in inaccurate focus.

The first thing to do is to ascertain that you can see the rangefinder patch properly. A correct match between the rangefinder and your eye is even more important than it is using an SLR.
Leica sells corrective diopter lenses. Determining which one you need - if any- can be done by going to your optician and holding his try-out lenses between your eye and the viewfinder. The one that allows you to see the rangefinder patch and framelines sharply is the correct one. Order the nearest value from Leica. In a pinch you can use over-the-counter reading glasses for this test. If your eyes need special corrections, you can use your spectacles, provided you can see clearly at 2 meters distance ( the virtual distance of the rangefinder patch).



Once the viewfinder is corrected optimally, there are three methods of focussing, in ascending order of difficulty aka training.

1. The broken line method. Look for a vertical line in the image and bring it together in the rangefinder patch to be continuous.

2. The coincidence method. Look for a pattern in the image and bring it together to coincide. This may lead to errors with repeating patterns.

3. For advanced users:

The contrast method. Once you have focus by method 1. or 2. a small adjustment will cause the rangefinder patch to "jump" into optimum contrast. At that point you have the most precise focussing adjustment.

Side remarks:

 

For special cases there are viewfinder magnifiers. They can help, especially with longer and fast lenses and they can give confidence, but they can also be not very useful; they cannot correct errors in the focussing mechanism. Leica offers a 1.25x one and a 1.4x. These need diopter correction like the camera, but often of a different value than the camera viewfinder.

If you try focussing on a subject emitting polarized light like a reflection it may happen that the polarizing effect of the prism system in the rangefinder will blot out the contrast in the rangefinder patch, making focussing difficult. In that case rotate the camera 90 degrees to focus.

Note that when one focusses and recomposes the camera will turn. For geometrical reasons one must bend slightly backwards to keep the focussing distance constant.

 

[Malcolm Kays]

Buy an M2 and use film until the M11 arrives. 35mm viewfinder  and zero depreciation, maybe even a profit if you decide to sell it in the future.

[M Journey]

17 hours ago, Photojournoguy said:

Funny timing - I just bought a 35 APO thinking the waiting list would take a number of months. It’s my first Leica and I have no body. The difference is though I am going for the M10M and so the 11 is no threat to my BW focus.

Although I have no M experience, I have had to think of this scenario with the 35 APO. I’d work with an out of state top/reputable long-term dealer to avoid taxes, buy a used M10 from them, and then sell it back to them for as close to what you bought it for as possible, with the deal being you’d only buy the M11 from them, so they benefit from the profit of that large purchase. The only issue is you’d basically be restricting M11 access/purchase through one dealer to make good on returning the M10 as seamlessly as possible, but if you call around and see if a dealer (even midwestern states that don’t have the Miami clientele/competition) could assure you that you have an early/top spot for the M11 when it comes in, it might be worth it.

I just did my M10M/35 APO deal with a highly reputable owner/operator and almost 40 years as Leica dealer, I’d be happy to share their info by PM if interested as I was really taken care of nicely (above and beyond) and I wouldn’t be surprised if they would be open to such an arrangement.

Sure I would love for you to pm the contact info.  I am more than happy to start a relationship with a dealer to get on the priority list for the M11.  My plan is only to get the M11 and maybe one other lens to complement the 35 apo (perhaps a 50 apo if they update it with a .3 mfd).

 

I agree that I thought the apo would take longer to be available to me.  Is a nice way to start off the new year though. 

 

 

[M Journey]

9 hours ago, Malcolm Kays said:

Buy an M2 and use film until the M11 arrives. 35mm viewfinder  and zero depreciation, maybe even a profit if you decide to sell it in the future.

The last time I did film photography was decades ago.  Maybe I'll get into it again once I am in the M system.  Haven't done much reading on the topic.  Not even sure where I can get film developed near me...

[M Journey]

12 hours ago, 250swb said:

Everybody seems to want to spend as much of your money as possible, just get the ordinary Novoflex M to Z adapter, it's simple, cheaper, and above all it's manual focus. Set your Z up for IBIS with a 35mm lens and you have it cracked.

Yeah I'll check this out as an option. 

 

@jaapv thanks for the link.  I'll definitely read the post and learn from the advice.

 

 

Thanks for all the advice and comments everyone.  I still haven't gotten any notification from my dealer about the lens arriving so I might have to wait until Monday to play with my new toy...

 

[jaapv]

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13 hours ago, 250swb said:

Everybody seems to want to spend as much of your money as possible, just get the ordinary Novoflex M to Z adapter, it's simple, cheaper, and above all it's manual focus. Set your Z up for IBIS with a 35mm lens and you have it cracked.

Manual focus on an EVF is not going to much to prepare someone for a rangefinder experience.

[Photojournoguy]

26 minutes ago, DreamingaboutM said:

Sure I would love for you to pm the contact info.  I am more than happy to start a relationship with a dealer to get on the priority list for the M11.  My plan is only to get the M11 and maybe one other lens to complement the 35 apo (perhaps a 50 apo if they update it with a .3 mfd).

 

I agree that I thought the apo would take longer to be available to me.  Is a nice way to start off the new year though. 

 

 

Cool I’ll PM and it’s even less a long term, high volume relationship and just working with a trustworthy dealer who can hopefully tell you straight on chances of getting the 11, and of course out of state is always a bonus (and like I said, maybe work with you on a used 10 body loaner).

I’m in the same boat on the rest. I’m planning on using nothing BUT the body and this lens (which with the MFD is like two lenses anyhow), to learn the M system and familiarize myself through the focal length and rangefinder system.

If I fall in love with the M system as much as I’m hoping to, possibly adding a color body like M11-P down the line and another lens like the 75.

[250swb]

1 hour ago, jaapv said:

Manual focus on an EVF is not going to much to prepare someone for a rangefinder experience.

Waft your scented hanky under your nose to nullify the stench of a compromise, but a Novaflex adapter is $3000 cheaper than the cheapest Leica option offered so far and it will do until the OP gets an M11. We aren't all dentists.

[jaapv]

Quite. But getting an M240 and selling it later is not going to cost much... - far more effective than making do with a Nikon.

 

On 12/16/2021 at 8:59 PM, DreamingaboutM said:

I would like some suggestions on what I should do.  Should I pick up a used m240 or a used m10 to shoot with?  I intend to trade in this body when I pick up a m11.  I am ok with losing some value on the trade in so that I have something to shoot with over what could be the next 6 months to a year.

 

[M Journey]

Almost 200 miles round trip to my local dealer and I am now pot committed.  Picked up my 35 apo and opened it in store to look for any defects. 

I was also offered a used silver m10 p with the ability to trade it back in at full purchase price when the m11 becomes available, as long as the condition stays the same.  Seizing the opportunity, I pried a bit about my spot on the waiting list and it sounds like there is a good chance I could get mine in the first few batches (if not the first one or two batches).  The m10p basically becomes a way for me to put down a down payment on the m11, but also locking me into buying from this dealer specifically.  My plan is to show up at the Jan 13th with the m10p boxed up and ready to be exchanged and hope that if there are any m11s available (I recall a post on this forum that mentioned stock being available at previous launches) I get to walk away a very happy customer!  If not, I have a camera to use until my turn on the waiting list comes up at zero to minimal cost.  The m10p will be shipped to me early next week so I still have a few days to go before playing with my new toy.

I must say that my Leica experience so far has been great.  This forum is full of helpful people and my local dealer is working overtime to earn my loyalty.  Like @250swb mentioned, we aren't all dentists.  I'm a lowly government employee so this represents a major purchase for me but from my research it looks like Leica lenses are made to last a lifetime and I look forward to taking pictures with my setup for decades to come (health willing).  

Now I am on the hunt for a good everyday bag to carry the camera with a lens attached.  I really like the look and size of the Zegna Insta Pouch but it looks like it is about a cm too skinny to do the trick. Anyone now of a similar type bag that can hold one m body with lens attached?  If it can also fit a spare battery, great, but not required.  I want to be as minimal as possible but still concealing the camera and keeping it safe from the elements as well as potential thieves.

I will wait for the m11 to buy any more accessories (I did pick up a UV filter for the apo) but have checked out some straps at rock and roll straps.  I have a peak design strap and everyday sling to use in the meantime.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Edited December 18, 2021 by DreamingaboutM

[Photojournoguy]

That’s amazing news congrats!! I would’ve taken the same deal and glad your dealer is doing what it takes to earn your business and be flexible. Sounds like the transition to 11 will go smoothly.

I looked exclusively for a 1 body 1 lens bag, and scoured all the options online. Decided on a Billingham 72 (lots of color options) which fits both plus pushed in strap perfectly, and has padding on all four sides which is comforting when out and about in the public given how much money sits inside of it. Feels fantastic quality and durable from first glance. Nice and very snug fit. Google images and you’ll see pics of a one body one lens set-up fitting inside.

[FrozenInTime]

7 hours ago, DreamingaboutM said:

Almost 200 miles round trip to my local dealer and I am now pot committed.  Picked up my 35 apo and opened it in store to look for any defects. 

I was also offered a used silver m10 p with the ability to trade it back in at full purchase price when the m11 becomes available, as long as the condition stays the same.  Seizing the opportunity, I pried a bit about my spot on the waiting list and it sounds like there is a good chance I could get mine in the first few batches (if not the first one or two batches).  The m10p basically becomes a way for me to put down a down payment on the m11, but also locking me into buying from this dealer specifically.  My plan is to show up at the Jan 13th with the m10p boxed up and ready to be exchanged and hope that if there are any m11s available (I recall a post on this forum that mentioned stock being available at previous launches) I get to walk away a very happy customer!  If not, I have a camera to use until my turn on the waiting list comes up at zero to minimal cost.  The m10p will be shipped to me early next week so I still have a few days to go before playing with my new toy.

I must say that my Leica experience so far has been great.  This forum is full of helpful people and my local dealer is working overtime to earn my loyalty.  Like @250swb mentioned, we aren't all dentists.  I'm a lowly government employee so this represents a major purchase for me but from my research it looks like Leica lenses are made to last a lifetime and I look forward to taking pictures with my setup for decades to come (health willing).  

Now I am on the hunt for a good everyday bag to carry the camera with a lens attached.  I really like the look and size of the Zegna Insta Pouch but it looks like it is about a cm too skinny to do the trick. Anyone now of a similar type bag that can hold one m body with lens attached?  If it can also fit a spare battery, great, but not required.  I want to be as minimal as possible but still concealing the camera and keeping it safe from the elements as well as potential thieves.

I will wait for the m11 to buy any more accessories (I did pick up a UV filter for the apo) but have checked out some straps at rock and roll straps.  I have a peak design strap and everyday sling to use in the meantime.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

Any bag with teeth is a bad idea ;  that zip will scratch .

 

[M Journey]

@FrozenInTimethat is a great point.  I tried fitting a m10 with the apo inside at my local dealer and it was a little too tight.  Now I will have to look at bags with a lot more clearance or a flap design instead.  Flap designs would really go against the style I was looking at.  Back to square one now.  

[Jeff S]

The good/bad news is that there are probably more bag threads on the forum than almost any other topic.  Easily searched, and equally applicable in all the M model sub-forums, as the body/lens size is basically the same.

Jeff