Auni, I can see how you might think I am anti-M.... but as I said, nothing could be further from the truth. I would love to have an M9 but can not afford one. Photography is 95% hobbyt for me.. the other 5% is work that supports the hobby.
Your post just came at the wrong time and I have a degree of frustation here because I can't seem to communicate in a way that is not fodder for comments such as yours. I know that no ill intentions were meant by you.
So post some picks, don't tell me that you have stopped using your DL4 completely?
Jim, how would the M9 overcome the limitations you experienced with the M8? (some of which you've previously documented: limited 100% of the time to manual focus, overall lack of flexibility, and a high price
erformance ratio) .Here's the confusing part about reading your posts (at least, from my vantage): on the one hand, you've determined that Leica does not offer a product that suits your needs and you've decided to look elsewhere. On the other hand, you wish to remain with Leica, but Leica does not offer what you want... and 'round and 'round the cirlce we go...
The M8 was sold because I wanted a camera with more flexibility.. I have that camera now. I still have a desire to have a rangefinder for those things I shoot in which MF is not a problem. Do you know one good mechanic with just one tool in his toolbox? That's what I tried with the M8... it just didn't work.Jim, how would the M9 overcome the limitations you experienced with the M8? (some of which you've previously documented: limited 100% of the time to manual focus, overall lack of flexibility, and a high price
I have no problem with the rangefinder.. I could not and will not use the M as my only camera. The M9 is even more desirable beause it is FF and the IR issues have been addressed.
I would not use the M9 for the situations I tried using the M8.. very simple.
I want more than a rangefinder from Leica.. doubt it will ever come. The S2 is stupid money for a hobbyist like myself and not really the camera I want. The camera I want would be much like the GF1 with an APSC sensor and interchangeable Leica lenses... very good high ISO and low noise.
Which is why I think I will only read this forum for a while rather than post. Most of what I had to offer was my photography anyhow and now that that is gone I'll just read and hope to learn something.
Glad you enjoyed those.. I've been meaning to redo that site.. those are old and not as good as my newer stuff from the coast.
No, not really true. I am a hobbyist who is willing write about the cameras I have paid for and use (I was given one loaner, the rest I bought) and post photos taken with them. I make my decisions of buying based on the photos from the cameras rather than the gearhead reviews and pixel-peeper reports.
Nope.. wrong again. I am not about the technology.. I am about the photograph.
Yes and no... the Leica camera I really want has never been made and probably never will be.
My frustration level is not as high as may be perceived. I am happy with the gear that I own now. I wanted to have a new system to take to New Orleans for Mardi Gras and my upcoming trip to the Pacific Coast. The GF1, 20mm, 7-14mm, 14-45mm and 45-200mm all fit in the same small bag I used for my M8.. and there's even room for my trusty D-Lux 4. So, I am happy with what I have chosen.
Thanks for that. I am passionate about photography. It is my only creative outlet and enjoying photography, no matter what the gear, is always rewarding to me.This particular topic has grabbed and held onto my interest, however, so here's some more commentary
I sense your frustration and suspect that many may misunderstand you. There may be reasons for this, but I think it's because you do say what's on your mind, with emphasis, and at times, this can feel like a barb to someone (not me, I think I catch your vibe in general). I have read your posts in detail for long enough to see the passion behind your words, and while I may not agree with all that you say, I find your comments to be valuable and challenging to my perceptions as a photographer
I'm just going to give it a rest for a while. This forum has been my "home" for a long time and I enjoy seeing what others do with their Leica gear. It's difficult to not post when you feel strongly about something but I think it is best that I give myself and the other forum members a "break". I'm not leaving.. just taking a bit of time off from Leica Land for a while.
If we all felt the same way about things it would be a very boring world.
The M9 appears to be the camera Leica should have produced rather than the M8, that said, the M8 is still a very capable camera. With Leica, it has always been about the glass. The bodies will come and go.. but the glass is their jewel in the crown. You should be happy with your M9, it's a great camera.
I think there is room for the classic M line as well as some form of new camera from Leica, preferably a small one with great IQ and glass... and yes, I think AF is something that is needed.. that doesn't mean they should do away with the rangefinder at all.. just another choice for those who appreciate and know the capabilities of their fine optics and workmanship.
while I admire Micheal Reichmann's website, I find his opinions often provocative at the expense of being sensible
Well, I'm in both of these camps. Rangefinder is the best framing/focusing method for perhaps about 90% of what I shoot and care about in photography, good IQ and compact size are important for close to 100%.There seems to be 2 camps of M lovers (note that one can belong to both)
- Those who like the rangefinder experience for itself
- Those who like the M system for its ultimate IQ in a compact size.
Especially with digital, this is not at all important for many users. I can and will crop in post. The framelines are not that inaccurate after all.
There is potentially a gain here, if not now then pretty soon. But this point goes hand in hand with the framing experience.
As I said in a previous post, there are two approaches (TTL: an additive process, non-TTL: a subtractive process) and to me there really is no better or worse in this game. They are simply different and which I prefer depends on the situation. I would like to have both on a single camera and as long as that isn't an option, I want to be able to choose the type of camera for the type of stuff I'm shooting. Most of the time I prefer a rangefinder, but obviously that doesn't cover all needs.
However, since the camera would be using he's using live view, its presumably is using contrast detection. But contrast detection needs repeated image samples to determine the point of maximum contrast. Since the user is controlling the lens it would require the user to go past and come back, probably several times.
However he still suggests using a live-view LCD for viewing. But that view is going to be very noisy when shooting through a stopped down lens.
I agree, a new horse in the barn would be a smart thing. And i agree with your comment about keeping an open mind. Leica should keep on making the M just as it is until the end of time, until the end of human history, or until the sun burns out, whichever comes first -- so that no one should ever feel threatened by the disappearance of the M. However, it would be a good idea to build on their strengths and make other small, high quality cameras that utilize their great lenses. The X1 could have been that new horse, but instead it's a dog without a viewfinder and with only one fixed f/2.8 lens. The S2 could have been that new horse, but instead it's more of a gorilla, a large exquisitely beautiful and expensive studio gorilla.
