Why do you shoot M?

[anonymoose]

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I've owned a Q2/Q3 for a couple years now and the allure of the M system led me to renting an M11 + 35mm f1.4. I'm finding some things I like about the experience despite the system as a whole feeling like a "setback" (meant in a non-derogatory way).

What do you like about the M system? What don't you like?

[lct]

What I like is what Q2/Q3 cameras can't offer, i.e. M lenses in the first place and the RF experience when i need it.

[anonymoose]

Just now, lct said:

What I like is what Q2/Q3 cameras can't offer, i.e. M lenses in the first place and the RF experience when i need it.

What do you like/enjoy about the RF experience?

[Photoworks]

drinking is much easier with Q3

[lct]

8 minutes ago, anonymoose said:

What do you like/enjoy about the RF experience?

This guy will explain the reasons i had 50 years ago. Now i need the RF less and less TBH but i find it handy when the EVF is not fast enough to catch the decisive moment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETn4yu-iY_A

 

[marchyman]

10 minutes ago, anonymoose said:

What do you like/enjoy about the RF experience?

Seeing outside of the frame lines.

I went from Canon DSLRs to a Leica Q. I enjoyed the Q but wanted a longer lens. I got an M 262 with a 75 mm lens and was happy.  But two cameras took more space than I had available on my motorcycle trips. My solution to that was a 35mm lens for the M.  I found I much prefer the manual focus and the extra view in the rangefinder. 

I still have the Q but replaced the M 262 with an M11 after 7 or 8 years of use. I mostly shoot 35mm, then 75mm, followed by the Q -- in manual mode. I probably use my phone more than the Q.

[Olaf_ZG]

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1 hour ago, Photoworks said:

drinking is much easier with Q3

We can make fun of this remark but it is true.

I really like the M’s, but recently switched fully to Q (and SL). One of the reasons was single handed operation. For many this might not be an issue, for me it is, cause now I can keep a modifier in my left hand, either flash or reflector…

For portraits this is rather a big deal to me. The drink is a bonus…

[evikne]

Pros:

• The rangefinder focusing experience
• Ease of use (only “Das Wesentliche”)
• Top, full-frame quality in a compact size
• Iconic design
• Leica's history and heritage (feeling part of something bigger)
• Compatible with a huge range of old and new lenses

Cons:

• Price
• Risk of focus shift or miscalibration

[spydrxx]

(film M) total control and no batteries. Classic look of camera. No chimping. Solid build and reliability.

[costa43]

^^^^What they all said^^^^

[erl]

Years ago, I went to shoot a very dark drama rehearsal with a full Nikon kit. I took one look at the set and declared to the director , 'a box of matches would produce more light' that this set. I didn't even load the Nikons (Film, FujiPro 800). Then I remembered I had an M6 & 50mm cron in my car. I tried it, hand held at 1/30th and 1/15th  wide open @ f2. I was staggered by the results. So was the director. I have never used the Nikons since, partly because wider than f5.6 they started to 'breakup'.

I agree with all the comments before me, plus others, but won't bore you as I could go on and on  . . .

[hdmesa]

6 hours ago, Al Brown said:

...From an era when photography was slower, more deliberate, and yet deeply rewarding...

💯

[erl]

Compact and ergonomically, just right. As for image quality, leaves nothing to be desired, except more of the same.

[Jewl]

I could cite the 70 years of Leica M but here in my own words:

pro: size of the package, look & feel, focus on the main thing/do not get distracted by too many settings/features, pleasing outcome of the image (actually do not need too much post)

con: price (if you want a couple of lenses), close focus of 70cm for older lenses, not suitable for all categories of photography (very fast) if zone focusing is not an option due to bad lighting or day/night time

Edited November 28, 2024 by Jewl

[Smogg]

1. In terms of ergonomics, humanity has not come up with anything better.

2. The focus will be exactly as I set it. If there are errors in focus, then these are my errors.
3. The feeling of complete control over the shooting process.

4. A clear view of the surrounding world, as if you were looking out the window, not at the TV.

5. Excellent picture quality for such a small thing.

 

In general, the camera is ideally created for preserving Living matter in the form of snapshots-memories. Any other camera makes me care about a lot of secondary things, about whether their automatic functions will work correctly to meet my desire. With Leica M I think only about what is happening in front of me and how to present it in the most expressive way.

Edited November 28, 2024 by Smogg

[M8X2]

For me it is quite simple: This is the camera that sparks the most joy for me. I tried everything. DSLR, Compact, Q2, ... but this, this is the one! The one I want to use, the one I can carry around all day, the one that challenges me, the one that satisfies me. I don't care about ease of use, image quality or not nailing focus.

Oh boy, I hope my wife never reads this ...

[Tseg]

Similar to others, the M allows me to do the thinking versus telling me what to think… of course if I need help, it has the ability to discreetly subsidize my effort in some cases.  For me, doing the thinking and improving the technique which results in improving my output is the reward of the hobby.  A hobby where the equipment does all the work and thinking rarely turns into a long-lived hobby.

[Steadimann]

There are two things in my opinion:

1. Functional

2. Emotional

1. Function wise you do not get anything 'better' as people would like to think. Hell, there is no autofocus on M series. So if you're looking for numbers, features, technicalities, price/quality, price/performance, price/features ration etc. - M is not for you.

2. Emotional is totally different story. To this I would also add experince, feeling, handling, happyness - whatever there is which cannot be measures and calculated but it gives you joy. 

So my answer is that I use M purely because of the second one. I love analouge-like experience, I love the way it looks, feels etc. To me it would be the same question - why would you eat at small family restaurant instead of going to well known restaurant chain. Because you feel the love they put in that food, because you share emotions with them etc. 

p.s. the only thing when I'm frustrated is that then there's rain outside and I cannot carry umbrella in one hand and take pictures with other hand  

Edited November 28, 2024 by Steadimann

[jaapv]

M user since 1977. Still using the MM1 and  M9 However horses for courses. For daily use the SL2s  with Summicron50 SL is my choice. I’ve always used an M combined with an R camera ( for a short while when Leica lagged behind a Canon DSLR until the DMR)

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[3D-Kraft.com]

Because sometimes I enjoy making my life more difficult than it needs to be.