Leica MP and summilux lens

[clubgrit]

Right on ! That is the essence of RF photography, street and photojournalism especially. Of course, we still see RF photos of landscapes, buildings, animals, flowers ... an RF is still just a camera anyway.

But to expand on it, nailing the moment is not exclusive to rangefinder photography of course. I use a small film SLR for the streets too, but using the same RF principles. I also have a giant RF that is not suitable for street photography, it has to be worked like an SLR (many won't be able to hold it steady, needs some strength).

At any rate, before new RF users get confused, what Neo said sums up the RF way. RFs are beautiful tools, mostly small and discrete, quiet, intuitive. A great learning tool too, and a whole new world indeed.

The thing about rangefinder photography is changing your frame of mind. In SLR photography, it is all about nailing the shot with precision - be it the focus, composition, perspective or metering. In rangefinder photography, the number one maxim is to nail the moment. Focus accuracy and metering, composition and perspective takes a backseat in street photography. If you keep trying to focus on achieving pin-sharp registration and composition, you will be missing a lot of shots. Trying to make a rangefinder behave like a SLR is an unless exercise, and you will only be frustrated. Emptying what you learnt in SLR photography and keeping an open mind in learning rangefinder street photography, and you will find a whole new world waiting for you out there!

.

 

[FLiNcHY]

Are there regular leica meet ups or something? I could learn a thing or two from the gurus here...

I have no clue how to operate a rangefinder. it's like learning how to walk all over again.

DoveVader, i chanced upon your flickr page while searching for Contax 645 and leica MP pics. Powerful pictures man...

My Contax 645 and leica m7 should be arriving next week. haha. I have a 10k budget, so i think a Summilux lens would fit in just fine.

I wonder what my wedding clients would say about me switching to film. I'd have to shoot 10 rolls of 120 film just to get 120 pics off my Contax 645... and not all of them are guaranteed to be keepers.

 

[Neo]

Are there regular leica meet ups or something? I could learn a thing or two from the gurus here...

I have no clue how to operate a rangefinder. it's like learning how to walk all over again.

DoveVader, i chanced upon your flickr page while searching for Contax 645 and leica MP pics. Powerful pictures man...

My Contax 645 and leica m7 should be arriving next week. haha. I have a 10k budget, so i think a Summilux lens would fit in just fine.

I wonder what my wedding clients would say about me switching to film. I'd have to shoot 10 rolls of 120 film just to get 120 pics off my Contax 645... and not all of them are guaranteed to be keepers.

Contax 645 as well? Wow... lovely cameras coming your way! Congrats on the arrival of your twins!

I've heard good things on the Contax 645 such as the lovely Zeiss lenses and the good autofocus. But you might want to carry around spare batteries as I understand the power consumption is on the high side. The mirror slap is going to be quite significant as it is quite huge, although the weight of the camera will dampen it slightly. I was using a Hasselblad 503CW with the motor winder and it is quite fun to shoot 120mm film held like a 35mm. I always wondered how the Pentax 67 felt like... kekeke!

I think Chiif and the others did meet up over coffee to drool over their Leica/Canon/Nikon rangefinders. Look for the thread in the Rangefinder forum...

 

[FLiNcHY]

Yeah got a Contax 645 with 80mm f/2 lens for $1400 US. Can't be as heavy as a 5D with the super heavy 85 f1/.2 right?


Can spare Contax batteries be bought in Singapore? Or must i buy online again?

 

[Neo]

Nope... it's using 2CR5 Lithium Batteries... easily found in most electronic stores selling a good range of batteries. Camera stores such as Cathay Photo should have em!

Since you're asking about batteries... the Leica M7 is a totally different story... the battery is a PITA to find. Forget about Cathay Photo or Best Denki... most stores in Singapore dun carry it. I found mine in a specialist battery store at Sim Lim Square. If you manage to find a place carrying it, buy 2-3 pieces. They are lithium and can last quite long in storage, so keep a couple for convenience. They also last quite long in the M7 as well... just remember to lock the shutter release button when not in use!

 

[FLiNcHY]

Waita minute... so the m7 batteries are non rechargeable? Fwa lau... really back to the stone age.

So which store did u get the batteries from? Cathay sells the camera but no the battery. Lol

 

[Dennis Thong]

Waita minute... so the m7 batteries are non rechargeable? Fwa lau... really back to the stone age.

So which store did u get the batteries from? Cathay sells the camera but no the battery. Lol

i m using M6 & M7, n getting my batteries fr Ruby Photo.

the model is DL1/3N, 3 volts battery. can't remember how much, but it's lithium battery, will have much longer shell life.

for the M7, if u choose to use LR44 (1.5V) batteries, it requires 4 of them. If u choose the DL1/3N (3V) batteries, u only need 2.

 

[DoveVadar]

Thanks for your kind words. I like the look of contax 645 and with f2 planar, its another story altogether. It is an awesome camera for more serious work. I never use auto focus as i find it slower than my dslr, so you know the deal but surely faster than the nikon AIs lenses Im so familiar with.

M7... very well. Im sure you will have fun with the lux 50. It is considered to be technically perfect and cost alot. But I prefer less perfection. There are alot of gurus here in cs. we have a whole bunch of hasselblad experts and leica collectors you can ask. have fun

Are there regular leica meet ups or something? I could learn a thing or two from the gurus here...

I have no clue how to operate a rangefinder. it's like learning how to walk all over again.

DoveVader, i chanced upon your flickr page while searching for Contax 645 and leica MP pics. Powerful pictures man...

My Contax 645 and leica m7 should be arriving next week. haha. I have a 10k budget, so i think a Summilux lens would fit in just fine.

I wonder what my wedding clients would say about me switching to film. I'd have to shoot 10 rolls of 120 film just to get 120 pics off my Contax 645... and not all of them are guaranteed to be keepers.

 

[OM4]

the Leica M7 is a totally different story... the battery is a PITA to find.

Isn't CR 1/3N an equivalent to DL 1/3N?

 

[Dennis Thong]

Isn't CR 1/3N an equivalent to DL 1/3N?

i think they r the same, DL 1/3N was manufactured by Duracell.

i just went down to Ruby Photo today to get a few more batteries, it was printed CR 1/3N.
they still have stocks.

 

[FLiNcHY]

Oh yeah, one quick question on developing film and scanning. What exactly is the deciding factor on whether a photo comes out beautifully scanned?

Is it the developing process? Or the scanning machine and software?

Can i just go get my film developed at any photo shop, and go home and do my own scanning to ensure quality digital files?

Or or is where i go to develop my film important as well?

 

[Yatlapball]

A resounding yes to all the above.

 

[FLiNcHY]

Ok so where i develop my film is just as important as doing the scanning myself?

Can i just go the Clubsnap recommended places like ruby photo, photohub, to do the developing and expect good results of a pro level?

Or do i have to do everything myself? Cuz scanning i don't mind doing, but i'm not going to do the whole messy darkroom stuff at home. No time!

 

[tan131]

why bother so much... go out and get some pictures

 

[FortyNine]

and while we're on this topic of going back to basics, here's an article on how to bring the film discipline and Zen into your digital photography.

Simple.

Stop checking the camera LCD. :bsmilie:

That's make film so intense. You're in the moment, thinking exposure, focus, lighting as the scene unfolds, be it shooting a RF or SLR.

See the article below

http://menuez.wordpress.com/2009/04/10/the-zen-of-film-vs-digital-gratification/

 

[Yatlapball]

why bother so much... go out and get some pictures

:thumbsup: Leica. Just shoot. :bsmilie::bsmilie::bsmilie:

 

[FLiNcHY]

ok my leica m7 arrived, also got a 35 summilux from a fellow CSer

Really learning how to walk again man...

Shutter so soft, i dont even know if i'm doing it right. lol

Cannot see replay, so even worse. Is the fastest shutter speed 1/1000 only? That's like really low.

Don't know anything about setting film speed, and how to do exposure compensation on this cam. Even if i do try it, i don't know how my pics will turn out.

I guess i just got to keep shooting till i get it right...

Are there any classes i can take? Or would any kind Leica expert here care to teach me? I can pay!

 

[Red Dawn]

Is the fastest shutter speed 1/1000 only? That's like really low.

This evoked a smile from me. Welcome to Leica rangefinder photography!

 

[FLiNcHY]

Stresss
my contax 645 came in today as well


GAHH, all new and foreign to me. Don't know how to use. The manual is in french and spanish.

Wowww

 

[DoveVadar]

now u got me all excited.

well, at times I find myself in a difficult position to choose a system for the day too. But do not compare a leica with a contax.. they are different class (just wait till you see the negatives).

M7 is a good camera (least you have AE) just work on the manual focusing and composing. iso speed just set it to the film you use (100, 200, 400...) compensate will be +-2 (100iso will be 400iso if you +2). welcome you to the film club. hehe

contax is auto universe. much like your dslr but only need to set the film speed like your m7. gone were the days of 3200 or 6400 iso.. making you work your brain abit

have fun and show us some pictures with both system!

Stresss
my contax 645 came in today as well


GAHH, all new and foreign to me. Don't know how to use. The manual is in french and spanish.

Wowww