I recall a photographer, active around 1960, talking about the living that some camera techs made cleaning the lint out of pocketed Leicas.
I'd like a Leica but ...
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As we now hit post number 103 on this thread you will all be glad to hear that I am nearly there ...... thanks for all the comments and opinions and so on, even if sometimes they did diverge wildly!
I've decided the best thing for me lens-wise is to get a new 35/1.4 Nokton. A Summicron is out of my league, I could go for the Summaron but I think I would really value the extra stops that a 1.4 lens gives me. I also won't have to worry about the uncertainties involved in buying a 40-year old lens.
So, my final question! There is a single-coated and a multi-coated version. The blurb on cameraquest says
"The SC is excellent for color while giving slightly more shadow detail for B/W. The MC version gives the maximum amount of flare prevention while giving slightly higher contrast in B/W but less shadow detail. "
Is this bullshit? Anyone got an opinion about which to go for? I would envisage using it mostly outdoors and for b&w ....
I've decided the best thing for me lens-wise is to get a new 35/1.4 Nokton. A Summicron is out of my league, I could go for the Summaron but I think I would really value the extra stops that a 1.4 lens gives me. I also won't have to worry about the uncertainties involved in buying a 40-year old lens.
So, my final question! There is a single-coated and a multi-coated version. The blurb on cameraquest says
"The SC is excellent for color while giving slightly more shadow detail for B/W. The MC version gives the maximum amount of flare prevention while giving slightly higher contrast in B/W but less shadow detail. "
Is this bullshit? Anyone got an opinion about which to go for? I would envisage using it mostly outdoors and for b&w ....
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Definitely not bullshit - the SC lens gives you the opportunity to buy a new 1950s/1960s-style lens, the MC has all the characteristics of state-of-the-art lens design (in practice, you might find the contrast excessive - the choice is yours).
I have the 40mm sc Nokton and absolutely love it! I really don't like MC lenses that much. So easy to underexpose. The sc version has a great deal of grace. If you like grace, that's the way to go. But, you know, my first RF camera was a Contax II with an uncoated f/2 50mm Sonnar. I'd love to have another one of those!
Of course this is subjective. Those of us who loved the qualities of the photography that we saw in LIFE Magazine, etc. may sometimes have a tendency to be disappointed in the exaggerated contrast at the expense of shadows that I nearly always see in the lenses everyone else seems to love. I never have been able to understand why they want it that way.
Try this with the MC. I bet you'd be unhappy.
Of course this is subjective. Those of us who loved the qualities of the photography that we saw in LIFE Magazine, etc. may sometimes have a tendency to be disappointed in the exaggerated contrast at the expense of shadows that I nearly always see in the lenses everyone else seems to love. I never have been able to understand why they want it that way.
Try this with the MC. I bet you'd be unhappy.
Attachments
Or f/3.5. I have an f/3.5 in the LTM mount. I like the 40mm f/1.4 Nokton a lot better, but the Summaron is a pretty good lens if the price is right. Slow, though. If you ever want to work at night (I MUST work at night) it would be an endless frustration.
The single coated lens are more forgiving, especially in high-contrast situations.
I'm using several older single-coated lenses from the 1950s, and while they're prone to flare, I like that they produce a lower-contrast image. A lens shade helps, although with wide angles, there's only so much that you can do.
Because I know it flares, I'm a bit more careful about where light sources (such as the sun or lamps) are in the scene.
I'm using several older single-coated lenses from the 1950s, and while they're prone to flare, I like that they produce a lower-contrast image. A lens shade helps, although with wide angles, there's only so much that you can do.
Because I know it flares, I'm a bit more careful about where light sources (such as the sun or lamps) are in the scene.
Like other members said before, just get a M6. That's the best Leica money can buy. The German engineers just reached the summit when creating this beauty. The best-built of the M line. The M7 is less solid, has some cheap parts because of budget cuts! What a shame!
I have owned a silver finish M6 and now owns a M6 TTL in black finish equipped with a Summicron 35 wide-angle f2 aspherical. A deadly pair!!
M6 forever!!!!!
I have owned a silver finish M6 and now owns a M6 TTL in black finish equipped with a Summicron 35 wide-angle f2 aspherical. A deadly pair!!
M6 forever!!!!!
I think that if you want a Leica, don't settle for anything less.
It's like going to a restaurant, and you really want a steak, but then you let people around you talk you into getting a hamburger. Sure, it's still beef, but it's not the same.
In the long run, it will save you the time and money that you'll spend on other products.
Buy what you want. Buy it once. And be done with it. Then all that's left is to have fun taking photos.
It's like going to a restaurant, and you really want a steak, but then you let people around you talk you into getting a hamburger. Sure, it's still beef, but it's not the same.
In the long run, it will save you the time and money that you'll spend on other products.
Buy what you want. Buy it once. And be done with it. Then all that's left is to have fun taking photos.
-^-
Agree 100%.
I like the Bessa, I like the Zeiss Ikon a bit better, I like my Nikon S2. I love my Leica. I have many antique cameras, none of which shoots pictures with more than novelty quality except the Leicas. I've got an 1,100,000+ M3 and people are shocked when I tell the it's a year older than I am.
Agree 100%.
I like the Bessa, I like the Zeiss Ikon a bit better, I like my Nikon S2. I love my Leica. I have many antique cameras, none of which shoots pictures with more than novelty quality except the Leicas. I've got an 1,100,000+ M3 and people are shocked when I tell the it's a year older than I am.
OP
OP
It's done! I am now the proud owner of an M6 TTL + 50mm F2 Summicron.
As soon as I manage to sell some more stuff I'll pick up the 35mm Nocton as well.
As soon as I manage to sell some more stuff I'll pick up the 35mm Nocton as well.
Congrats Hugh - I own the same camera/lens, and am very very pleased with it. Hard to see it fitting in with your original requirements about pocketability, but what the heck, it is a brilliant piece of machinery. Did you get the black or the grey version?
happy shooting!
happy shooting!
OP
OP
I know! I actually tried fitting it in my jacket pocket today and it kind of just about did, with the lens hood off. As has been suggested already, I'll just choose clothes with bigger pockets in future.
Black. It's in really good condition too.
- Joined
- May 18, 2006
- Messages
- 105
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- 35mm
Words of wisdom.
Great news. Sounds like you got a great deal! How do you like it now, two months later?
I was in your position not too long ago. I had been considering all the RF options in my budget and had sort of settled on the idea of the Bessa R3M kit (with 50/2 Heliar) and an R4M and wides to come later but around the same time I found a private local seller offering an M6 Panda with 35mm Summicron pre-ASPH IV for a song so I jumped on it instead. While I had been leaning towards the Bessas pretty heavily, I still wanted a Leica eventually so I thought it the better buy.
To paraphrase what elekm said back on page 2: There's no reason to get another camera if a Leica is what you truly seek.
I then started looking for a 50mm. I had a Summicron for a while and found a nice pre-ASPH Summilux that was much better shooting in dim clubs. I think my next step is an R4M with some wides followed by some more Leica bodies and glass. I'd really like to get a IIIf or IIIg, some older M's like the M2/M3/M4 and a tele (or both 75/90).
Happy shooting!
I was in your position not too long ago. I had been considering all the RF options in my budget and had sort of settled on the idea of the Bessa R3M kit (with 50/2 Heliar) and an R4M and wides to come later but around the same time I found a private local seller offering an M6 Panda with 35mm Summicron pre-ASPH IV for a song so I jumped on it instead. While I had been leaning towards the Bessas pretty heavily, I still wanted a Leica eventually so I thought it the better buy.
To paraphrase what elekm said back on page 2: There's no reason to get another camera if a Leica is what you truly seek.
I then started looking for a 50mm. I had a Summicron for a while and found a nice pre-ASPH Summilux that was much better shooting in dim clubs. I think my next step is an R4M with some wides followed by some more Leica bodies and glass. I'd really like to get a IIIf or IIIg, some older M's like the M2/M3/M4 and a tele (or both 75/90).
Happy shooting!
I know people who have bought a Canon P and Canon 35mm f/2, not liked them and replaced with a M7 and 5cm type IV cron.
But I'm happy with the Canon, given the outlay is about 50%, and I cannot see any difference.
The P is noisier but is quicker at reloading, just as comfy to hand and the lens flares less, - I do have an M as well, when I'm street shooting in an iffy area I use a Canon.
Noel
But I'm happy with the Canon, given the outlay is about 50%, and I cannot see any difference.
The P is noisier but is quicker at reloading, just as comfy to hand and the lens flares less, - I do have an M as well, when I'm street shooting in an iffy area I use a Canon.
Noel
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