Thinking of switching from DSLR set up to Leica RF

[alexlowyh]

Yes, a Dslr or a RF will equally take photos, however, the whole process or "feel" of taking photos with a RF and a DSLR feels different for me. It's like driving a Porsche convertible with the top down or a Toyota Sedan, both gets you to the destination you intended, but the experience you get is different kind from both vehicles. I felt that some of the shots that I've taken with the RF could not had been possible with a Dslr, I shoot street, therefore having a small and unassuming camera helps as the subject will be less likely to notice you and alter their behavior in respond to you. TS, I suggest you do lot's of reading/research and if possible, try and borrow/rent a RF system to try out. Follow what your heart yearns for once you've done enough research , ultimately, you have to feel good with the equipment you have. no point shooting with a setup that you do not like as chances are, you won't feel more confident or passionate about your photography . Go for the best equipment you can afford, if the photos don't turn up nice, you know it's your fault, not the camera's. Then again, we live in a real world where we have to pay our bills and sometimes, what we want we might not be able to get . I recently switched from a DSLR setup to a Leica M and I never looked back ever since.

You buy a Leica with your heart, not your head. :heart:These are all my humble personal experience.

 

[AutoFocuz]

Yes, a Dslr or a RF will equally take photos, however, the whole process or "feel" of taking photos with a RF and a DSLR feels different for me. It's like driving a Porsche convertible with the top down or a Toyota Sedan, both gets you to the destination you intended, but the experience you get is different kind from both vehicles. I felt that some of the shots that I've taken with the RF could not had been possible with a Dslr, I shoot street, therefore having a small and unassuming camera helps as the subject will be less likely to notice you and alter their behavior in respond to you. TS, I suggest you do lot's of reading/research and if possible, try and borrow/rent a RF system to try out. Follow what your heart yearns for once you've done enough research , ultimately, you have to feel good with the equipment you have. no point shooting with a setup that you do not like as chances are, you won't feel more confident or passionate about your photography . Go for the best equipment you can afford, if the photos don't turn up nice, you know it's your fault, not the camera's. Then again, we live in a real world where we have to pay our bills and sometimes, what we want we might not be able to get . I recently switched from a DSLR setup to a Leica M and I never looked back ever since.

You buy a Leica with your heart, not your head. :heart:These are all my humble personal experience.

:thumbsup:That i have to agree with you .. all my other cameras are in the cabinet collecting dust ever since i met Leica . lol .. By the way .. with regards to pricing.. i heard from my friends that you can try going to Alan Photo .. they even sell 3rd party batteries for Leica Cameras..
didnt know they were soo desperate ... :nono:

Kinda spoilt Leica image ... :devil:

 

[Agetan]

Alan photos don't sell the 3rd party batt. I check they say "don't have lar".

Yes, it is a joy to photograph with rf.

Regards,

Hart

 

[AutoFocuz]

Alan photos don't sell the 3rd party batt. I check they say "don't have lar".

Yes, it is a joy to photograph with rf.

Regards,

Hart

haha .. they really said " don't have lar" ?
alright i should go down to ask again .. i will try to get the guy's name..
then will let you know who to look for.

no worries.. consumer should help consumer.

 

[chiif]

Go down to my neighbour... SG Camera. They sell...

Neighbour should help neighbour...

 

[AutoFocuz]

Go down to my neighbour... SG Camera. They sell...

Neighbour should help neighbour...

lol ...

 

[third3rdwheel]

Good choice and good luck with your liquidation of the DSLR system.

Hi guys, I need help deciding if I should switch to a Rangefinder setup. I currently own a d300s, 70-300mm VR IF-ED 4.5-5.6, 18-55mm 3.5-5.6, 50mm 1.8D setup. I was wondering if i sold all of my gear what kind of leica RF set up can I get hope to get? I prefer leica because their known for their reliable systems. The reason of me thinking of going to RF is because I want to enjoy just shooting pictures of the streets and people and don't want to lug around a dslr. Thanks a lot for your help!

 

[Yoricko]

All these 'feelings', are just opinions and IMAGINARY twinkly conjured in your mind.

The only PHYSICAL DIFFERENCES between a SLR camera and a RF camera is that SLR views though the lens and RF has a separate viewing window. All else is imaginary other than the mechanical differences based on the way of viewing.

Same thing about film vs. digital. Most people DWELL on the 'spiritual' differences for no particular reason.

"Film teaches you to make the pictures count, because each shot costs." Well, you can do the same with a digital camera if you cared about your pictures and meticulously constructed your pictures. You might be 'forced' to do so with film; but as a matter of fact, it's all in the mind. A few months back, I shot 2.5 rolls a day on average; which was 10 times more than what I shot on average with an M8.

A camera is a camera. All of them create pictures. The only issue is whether the camera is suited for your kind of work. 8x10" for Singapore F1 --- why not? You can if you want to; but, does it HELP you create the visualized picture?

 

[pinholecam]

There is certainly no need for a RF or a Leica to do street photography.
Even the size thing is over rated. You still need to pop it to eye level and point it in the direction of the subject. A DSLR does the same time. Admittedly, a D300 is a rather big camera which makes the user more self conscious. An Iphone can do very well as well and most ppl will not even take the photographer seriously.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sionfullana/5669597129/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/50721844@N03/5531105038/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sionfullana/5558557155/

Banana_man's thread is one of the best posted in the streets subforum and he uses a D300 and a 24-70/2.8 IIRC.
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/threads/644960-Banana_Man-Perfected-Imperfections...

There are also lots of other choices other than a Leica.
Many film SLR's are pretty small (esp. pre 1990's).
My Pentax ME Super is the size of a FED2, except for the lens

There are also cheaper rangefinders to try out on film to just play around w/o giving up your DSLR.
Get a cheap RF film camera, and see if the RF way of focusing and its limitations is what you really want.
If it is, its not going to be that hard selling it away in BnS to go for a digital RF.


Think it through if its really a need or a want.
If money is no object, then its really up to you at the end of the day.

 

[baboonish]

All these 'feelings', are just opinions and IMAGINARY twinkly conjured in your mind.

The only PHYSICAL DIFFERENCES between a SLR camera and a RF camera is that SLR views though the lens and RF has a separate viewing window. All else is imaginary other than the mechanical differences based on the way of viewing.

Same thing about film vs. digital. Most people DWELL on the 'spiritual' differences for no particular reason.

"Film teaches you to make the pictures count, because each shot costs." Well, you can do the same with a digital camera if you cared about your pictures and meticulously constructed your pictures. You might be 'forced' to do so with film; but as a matter of fact, it's all in the mind. A few months back, I shot 2.5 rolls a day on average; which was 10 times more than what I shot on average with an M8.

A camera is a camera. All of them create pictures. The only issue is whether the camera is suited for your kind of work. 8x10" for Singapore F1 --- why not? You can if you want to; but, does it HELP you create the visualized picture?

Couldn't agree more :thumbsup:

 

[alantcs2010]

I didn't know I-Phone4 can take so natural shots. The shots are so inspiring that I even thought of selling most of my stuff away and just use my iphone will do.

 

[skarekrow24]

There is certainly no need for a RF or a Leica to do street photography.
Even the size thing is over rated. You still need to pop it to eye level and point it in the direction of the subject. A DSLR does the same time. Admittedly, a D300 is a rather big camera which makes the user more self conscious. An Iphone can do very well as well and most ppl will not even take the photographer seriously.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sionfullana/5669597129/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/50721844@N03/5531105038/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sionfullana/5558557155/

Banana_man's thread is one of the best posted in the streets subforum and he uses a D300 and a 24-70/2.8 IIRC.
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/threads/644960-Banana_Man-Perfected-Imperfections...

There are also lots of other choices other than a Leica.
Many film SLR's are pretty small (esp. pre 1990's).
My Pentax ME Super is the size of a FED2, except for the lens

There are also cheaper rangefinders to try out on film to just play around w/o giving up your DSLR.
Get a cheap RF film camera, and see if the RF way of focusing and its limitations is what you really want.
If it is, its not going to be that hard selling it away in BnS to go for a digital RF.


Think it through if its really a need or a want.
If money is no object, then its really up to you at the end of the day.

Not sure whether the size factor is overrated, but i certainly do find that I have been carrying my Leica M8 around in my daily bag a lot more, while my Nikon D700 sits in my dry cabinet at home. To quote Chase Jarvis's overly-abused statement: "The best camera is the one that's with you". Sure, it may not be necessarily true that everyone has their rangefinder with them more often than their DSLR, but at least it is for some of us.

Last I shot with Bananaman, he was using a Nikon D3 with 24-70 & 85/1.4. And he certainly does produce fantastic street portraits with that setup.

IMHO, the difference in size between DSLR n RF doesnt make much of a difference for street portraits, but does affect my success rate when i want to capture a candid street photo. From my personal experience, passers-by do seem to be more aware of a DSLR pointed at them than a smaller-sized and more harmless looking rangefinder.

I agree that an RF or Leica is not necessary for street photography. Whether it is a RF, DSLR or compact, end of the day, they are just tools that accomodate different styles of shooting and different budgets.

 

[theRenaissance]

All these 'feelings', are just opinions and IMAGINARY twinkly conjured in your mind.

The only PHYSICAL DIFFERENCES between a SLR camera and a RF camera is that SLR views though the lens and RF has a separate viewing window. All else is imaginary other than the mechanical differences based on the way of viewing.

Same thing about film vs. digital. Most people DWELL on the 'spiritual' differences for no particular reason.

"Film teaches you to make the pictures count, because each shot costs." Well, you can do the same with a digital camera if you cared about your pictures and meticulously constructed your pictures. You might be 'forced' to do so with film; but as a matter of fact, it's all in the mind. A few months back, I shot 2.5 rolls a day on average; which was 10 times more than what I shot on average with an M8.

A camera is a camera. All of them create pictures. The only issue is whether the camera is suited for your kind of work. 8x10" for Singapore F1 --- why not? You can if you want to; but, does it HELP you create the visualized picture?

Technically speaking, it is true. It doesn really matter which medium or kind of camera but more often than not, people are attached to objects and certain way of doing things, although it may not be the most efficient/convenient.

E.g. Like when I look thru a rf vf, its different. the heighten awareness allows me to see what is moving and coming in/out. Super crucial for street work, but I am resisting... :sweat:

Not sure whether the size factor is overrated, but i certainly do find that I have been carrying my Leica M8 around in my daily bag a lot more, while my Nikon D700 sits in my dry cabinet at home. To quote Chase Jarvis's overly-abused statement: "The best camera is the one that's with you". Sure, it may not be necessarily true that everyone has their rangefinder with them more often than their DSLR, but at least it is for some of us.

Last I shot with Bananaman, he was using a Nikon D3 with 24-70 & 85/1.4. And he certainly does produce fantastic street portraits with that setup.

IMHO, the difference in size between DSLR n RF doesnt make much of a difference for street portraits, but does affect my success rate when i want to capture a candid street photo. From my personal experience, passers-by do seem to be more aware of a DSLR pointed at them than a smaller-sized and more harmless looking rangefinder.

I agree that an RF or Leica is not necessary for street photography. Whether it is a RF, DSLR or compact, end of the day, they are just tools that accomodate different styles of shooting and different budgets.

Yah if I recalled correctly he uses a D3 and 24-70 too. To a certain extent I agree with you, size does matter in varying degrees. When I use the GSN or F3, it allows me to capture some shots that I will never be able to when using a DSLR.

But more often than not, an issue us photographers always overlook is our approach, how we interact or observe. Our body language, degree of intrusion. All these also play an important part while on the streets.

 

[sim4nee]

Did somebody say iphone?

Best camera is the one you are using, if you know how to use it.

 

[Royale With Cheese]

Yes!!!! iPhone!!




Ricoh GRDIII



All shot in low light, hand held

I think the Ricoh is even more compact than a RF & faster heehee....

 

[Angel Of Harlem]

It might not be wise to trivialize the effect of “feel” in photography. The “feel” that you get from certain photographic tools may just be as powerful as the emotions that inspire you to compose photgraphs. Photography, to some, is a form of art - it is a way to make tangible our emotions, feelings and all those things that grow in and struggle to burst out of our minds and hearts. It “feels” more sensible to let oneself be taken, driven, stirred by these “imaginary” things tat are “all in the mind” because they are fundamental to the creative process.

The same thing applies to the “feeling” that you get when using a flim camera. Those who dwell in the “spirituality” of the concept might just be drawing a tiny bit of inspiration from how these photographic tools work and “feel”. Film and analog cameras, in reality, do force you to value every shot, it is ever-real and ever-present, it is true, it is there, something that has been taken away from digital. The fact that you shot 10 times more with a film camera over an M8 might be a clue to another meaning other than a re-enforcement to the “it’s all in the mind” argument. Disclaimer: I have nothing against digital cameras, I use one, as a matter of fact.

Photography takes on a few forms, when it pops up alongside art; emotions, feelings and sense become essential to the composition process. Sure, the final image is what matters, but the final image is actually a product of the “imaginary” things that inspire us. In essence, the sadness of the night, the scream of the F1 car, the feel of your camera, the ever-burning presence of God, the kind words of the beautiful lady bside you are very much a part of the final image as the final image itself... And then there is war photography… where emotions and feelings are better kept deep in the pocket.

All these 'feelings', are just opinions and IMAGINARY twinkly conjured in your mind.

The only PHYSICAL DIFFERENCES between a SLR camera and a RF camera is that SLR views though the lens and RF has a separate viewing window. All else is imaginary other than the mechanical differences based on the way of viewing.

Same thing about film vs. digital. Most people DWELL on the 'spiritual' differences for no particular reason.

"Film teaches you to make the pictures count, because each shot costs." Well, you can do the same with a digital camera if you cared about your pictures and meticulously constructed your pictures. You might be 'forced' to do so with film; but as a matter of fact, it's all in the mind. A few months back, I shot 2.5 rolls a day on average; which was 10 times more than what I shot on average with an M8.

A camera is a camera. All of them create pictures. The only issue is whether the camera is suited for your kind of work. 8x10" for Singapore F1 --- why not? You can if you want to; but, does it HELP you create the visualized picture?

 

[pikapig]

All these 'feelings', are just opinions and IMAGINARY twinkly conjured in your mind.

The only PHYSICAL DIFFERENCES between a SLR camera and a RF camera is that SLR views though the lens and RF has a separate viewing window. All else is imaginary other than the mechanical differences based on the way of viewing.

Same thing about film vs. digital. Most people DWELL on the 'spiritual' differences for no particular reason.

"Film teaches you to make the pictures count, because each shot costs." Well, you can do the same with a digital camera if you cared about your pictures and meticulously constructed your pictures. You might be 'forced' to do so with film; but as a matter of fact, it's all in the mind. A few months back, I shot 2.5 rolls a day on average; which was 10 times more than what I shot on average with an M8.

A camera is a camera. All of them create pictures. The only issue is whether the camera is suited for your kind of work. 8x10" for Singapore F1 --- why not? You can if you want to; but, does it HELP you create the visualized picture?

Not really these opinion are limited to just feelings

I think de issue about shooting with different system, analog or digital is more about the experience..as well as picking up more knowledges.. I agree that camera is just an equipment.. but de experience is different.
Of cos not everyone will like it..but at least u experienced it

 

[alantcs2010]

I-Phone4

 

[idi0tekue]

ideally.. this would be what I want to have for SP -

a) DSLR for fast work and/or low light
b) RF for slower work, daylight and bnw only
c) Compact PNS for going out with friends
d) iPhone when I don't have any of the above with me
e) Even without any camera, I still have my eyes and mind to capture the picture i see :bsmilie:

 

[zixaw]

Did somebody say iphone?

Best camera is the one you are using, if you know how to use it.

Very nice shots, Shanghai's antique street?

The size thing is really over rated unless sensor size matters to you. You are talking full frame when using film and the M9 and a slightly cropped sensor with the M8/8.2.

If size is your only concern, then a m43 or a Sony NEX is really small as well. Even the Panasonic GH2 is very small and it has a wonderful EVF.