Why I love and hate the Leica M

[DigitalHeMan]

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6 minutes ago, Altair said:

Have you considered an SL 2 or 3 for the longer focal lengths? Or are you strictly a rangefinder person?

I have the SL 601 and it does indeed work well with longer focal lengths. But it's not the same experience, and it's certainly a lot less compact

[3D-Kraft.com]

@Altair: To feed your GAS a little more, I recommend a look on the collapsible 90/4 Macro Elmar. For me, this is an exceptional compact hidden secret in the M line-up. Together with one of your 28mm, a 50mm Summilux it makes an unbeatable lightweight 28-50-90 travel setup.

If "Leica branded" lenses are not a must, I would go for the Summilux counterparts from Thypoch for the 28mm and 50mm (Simera).

Edited January 2 by 3D-Kraft.com

[Altair]

11 hours ago, DigitalHeMan said:

I have the SL 601 and it does indeed work well with longer focal lengths. But it's not the same experience, and it's certainly a lot less compact

I share your appreciation of how compact the M is. Saving storage space is always a plus but it's how compact when worn that really converted me to the M. I got a 130CM shoulder strap and went out around town wearing rather than carrying the M11. It was always there at the ready, yet not obtrusive or unwieldy at all. The dimensions and weight are perfectly balanced for that usage I feel.

 

I also carry my X2D in a briefcase most of the time, but would not wear it or any SLR like camera. Only the M and it's derivatives such as the Fuji cameras are really suitable. Perhaps we go back to my previous suggestion for Leica to introduce a new kind of camera, not a modified M, but a slimmed down SL. The new SL3 is not that much bigger than the M as is and some slight modification could make for a very useful EVF camera than can be used with ease with longer focal lengths and the Noctilux lenses. 

Anyway, I am rehashing an old discussion with little use, I doubt someone from Leica is reading this post and taking notes. 

 

Speaking of which, I received an M to Z converter today as I was curious. Tomorrow morning will be taking the Z9 and the Noctilux and Steel Rim for an hour or so to see how that goes. I am sure the focusing experience will be fantastic thought the weight of this setup will delegate it to the testing bench only.

[Altair]

6 hours ago, 3D-Kraft.com said:

@Altair: To feed your GAS a little more, I recommend a look on the collapsible 90/4 Macro Elmar. For me, this is an exceptional compact hidden secret in the M line-up. Together with one of your 28mm, a 50mm Summilux it makes an unbeatable lightweight 28-50-90 travel setup.

If "Leica branded" lenses are not a must, I would go for the Summilux counterparts from Thypoch for the 28mm and 50mm (Simera).

Thank you for the suggestions! Will certainly consider those in a couple of years. Right now very satisfied with my Leica setup and only the 75 Noct is calling. My Zeiss 2.8 a d Summeron keep me happy with 28, a focal length I would not invest heavily in as I don't know what to do it. 35 and 50 are my comfort zone. I can go beyond 70 for portraiture and 24 and wider for landscapes but the 28 and 60 mm lenses confound me. I do enjoy the Summeron for it's fantastic vintage look though wish it was 35, I got the Zeiss as I respect the brand, very much wanted to add their crisp and clean look to the portfolio, and i do belove it is a great choice to practice this focal length if the mood should ever strike. At only 800 USD its a no brainer.

 

Next time I am in the market for an inexpensive lens in an odd to me focal length (24 comes to mind) I will consider Thypoch, have not heard of them and appreciate the mention.