What have you done with your Leica?

Ray, You do not have much idea about Leica?

What makes you think that only M cameras are made by Leica?!

I use my Leica M6ttl weekly for personal projects. I am forced to buy film and processing from the local Wal-Mart which actually does a pretty decent job. I really miss Mystic Color Labs and the outstanding work they used to do. I also use a Nikon D300 and Canon G9 when their use warrants or I am lazy

Vivek, your response to Ray's (entirely reasonable) question is nasty for no reason. Your tone typifies much of this forum lately. If your aim is to communicate to people that they should stay away, and not participate, you are succeeding.

Whether Ray meant to say "Leica M" instead of just "Leica" is irrelevant. People who shoot Leica R (or Leica anything) could just as easily respond, and say so, without detracting from the original idea of Ray's post.

Don't you have better things to do than lurk around this forum and snipe at people? Honestly...

Digimon 8888, Contrary to your claims, apparently my post made you register here today and make a post! !

What digimon said. Moderator please delete Vivek's response as irrelevant and disruptive. He's free to either respond, add to, or start his own thread. Vivek, give it a rest already. Your constant sniping at me for no reason other than you seem to have nothing better to do has manifested itself here as a real pain in the ass.

I like to make lenses for them. [img]http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2034/2388042218_c733d0e715.jpg[/img]

Well, that did not work.

Cool Brian.

Happy Sunday Vivek. Leica R is of course is a valid entry. Now let's get this show on the road..

To be a more informative (accurate) poll, I think you need to add E) I use medium format film cameras and haven't used my Leica within 6 months, F) I use digital cameras as well as medium format film cameras and haven't used my Leica within 6 months, and G) I use digital cameras and haven't used my medium format film camera or Leica within 6 months. There are some other categories as well that might avoid skewed results vis-a-vis Leica use.

Leica is but one instrument that many of us use. Anyways, an interesting question.

My answer is a mix of A. and B.... I do occasionally use my M2, but I use other M-mount cameras more often, including M8, as well as medium format.

A. I use my M6TTL daily for B&W fun. I don't like to use digital for B&W.

A. I shoot more film than digital.

A (IIIF, near daily)

After a brief stint with digital including an RD-1 that I sold, I am back using my M6 and M3. Feel much more at home again. This is a really good question. So, I would now have to say A. To add my two cents, I agree that sometimes there is no need for such caustic answers. It would be a joy to see a more friendly atmosphere once again. Cheers.

AAAAAAAAAAA -- I use my four Leicaflexes and my five threadmounts and my "new" M2 (I had forgotten how incredibly smooth the M2 is!) as much as I can. I have found CVS to be a decent 35mm developer -- they will even give you Matte finish! It's my lousy HP Officejet 6310 "All in One" Scanner/printer/fax that's crappy. Please recommend a scanner that goes well with an Apple Macbook.

C) Sold it to finance a medium format swing lens panoramic camera. Just was not using35mm format. it - shoot 99% digital in the . Kept the 50 Cron tho...I'm sure I’ll get an older M3 one day...if just for poseur rights :-)

!@#$%& mouse pad!

The above should have read --> C) Sold it to finance a medium format swing lens panoramic camera. Just was not using it - shoot 99% digital in the 35mm format. Kept the 50 Cron tho...I'm sure I’ll get an older M3 one day...if just for poseur rights :-)

I sold my Leica R equipment many years ago. The cameras and lenses were nice when they worked, but they were the least reliable I ever owned.

Sad to say I had to use my M6 and 50 mm Summicron as a partial trade-in for a new Nikon D300 and an 18-200 mm zoom Nikkor.

A) I use my M3 about as much as I do my D200 (which is weekly).

50% Canon 5D (with Leitz lenses only) and 50% Leica M or LTM.

(A) Professionally..

Good question. My answer is A, and I like to add that I don't use a digital camera (yet). I simply continue loving the sound of the old M's and the not so old M6TTL that I use, plus I like the concentration on shooting and leave the evaluation of the results later.

Ray,,

I collect them, I use them Ms, Rs and thread mount. But what I do not do is reverse the pictures.

I try not to insult those of you that show your vulnerabilities. I aso do not get insulted when you show mine.

Jerry

I always pair my M8 with a film M-mount camera, usually a Leica. I don't shoot as much film as I used to but I have far from given it up.

I sold my M3 when a gallon of regular gasoline was 32 cents.

My IIIf used to be my regular camera, but, even though it has film in it at the moment, I haven't used it much at all in the past few years. This is partly due to the fact that I've been busy trying out some of the (mostly fixed-lens) rangefinders currently flooding the market, and partly because I feel more conspicuous nowadays using a camera with such antique styling. But I don't see myself getting rid of it anytime soon - I love the reliability, the sturdy construction, the complete manual controls and the lack of dependence on batteries.

Recently received a like new IIIc with some lenses. I'm fascinated with it! Even brought out my trusty Yashicamat! Using both several times a week.

Now to learn about developing B+W film . . .

(My D200's a mite dusty.)

Like Vincent, I have 3 R lenses and no bodies- threw my 2 R 5's into the trash in a fit of their screwed up electronics. All dressed up and nowhere to go, leica wise.

I use a Leica R3, R5, IIIa, IIIc, M4-P, M6, Leica 0 (Null) series 40% of the time, an Olympus E510 with Olympus and Leica R lenses 50%, a Canon 10D with Canon and Leica R Lenses 9%, and a Canon D30 (that's D30 not 30D) with Canon and Leica R lenses 1% of the time. But I have fun with any of them 100% of the time.

A. I use the Leica all the time. My personal project is to capture the moment - interesting and routine. It has been interesting to look back and see how friends (new and old) have changed over time. Just posted some recent events, both film and digital stuff, on flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29253239@N06/

I really liked everything about my Leicas, and had used Leicas constantly since around 1967, but after waiting for an up-to-date technology digital from them (I know, I know--expecting them to lead rather than follow a half-decade or so behind everyone else is unreasonable) I gave up and sold all of my Leica stuff at the start of this year and replaced it with a Nikon D300 kit. Aside from the weight issue, I'm not sorry I did.

The reason I sold is because I realized that digital technology is changing so quickly there is no way that such a hesitant and backward company can keep up with the speed of things now,and I'd always be wishing I had something more modern than what they were offering. I was willing to put up with some of that because I really like the equipment, but I couldn't deal with how very far they've fallen behind everyone else, and it seems like they're falling farther and farther behind by the month. Aside from the support of fanboys (of which I was one for a very long time) I don't think they have a viable product in today's world, so I jumped ship, the same as I had dumped my darkroom while someone still wanted it.

A, but there should be the option of also using digital and other formats weekly.

B. Haven't used the film bodies since buying the digi.

D. Ive never used a leica, despite having two screwmount setups, one being a fake Luftwaffe in gold and dark wood that probably never functioned (very well) to begin with.

This will give you a laugh:

Once I shot a 12 ex. roll with the other one, all the pictures came out blurry and some as circular images on the film. I though that I had a zoom lens, and one finder was for zoomed in and one for zoomed out. I guessed at the focus distance, hence the out of focus nature of the whole roll.

A. Personally, I actually made my self put the digi away a few months ago and packed my bag up with my IIIc and M3 and went to town. I forgot how much shooting Delta 3200 at night was.

B. Professionally, I have to. It just isn't cost effecient to shoot film for sports photography. Though for old school themed photos I will pull out a Lomo 35mm or Holga for a customer.

A. (M6). And it forms the core of my graphic expression, even thought I also use a D80 Nikon, especially when I "must get the shot" (taking pictures for events, etc.) or am going to a place where I don't want the additional worry of securing my Leica (trade shows at hotels, etc.). And even though I am finally working through how to take a good photo with a digital camera.

Over the last year I have used the M8 more often than my M7. However, when I go on a trip I do take the M7 with me and I always like to take some pictures using BW film or a Portra color film. The outcome always pleases me, although I am not sure if there is a big difference in the quality of the prints or in the way I choose a subject and thus take a picture.

I just visited Krakow in Poland. It is a very religious place and if you want to take pictures in churches while people are praying, you want to do it with an analog M because of its much quieter shutter. At the end of our visit we went to a wedding and I took pictures with the M7 - quiet and simple as it is, it provided me with the tool I love to use in such moments.

I have gotten into the Leica cameras because they are more like an analog music instrument, e.g. Steinway piano, instead of a digital synthesizer. The system has plenty of disadvantages and is expensive but the analog M's are always a pleasure to play on - no other camera, not even the M8, gives you this sound.

What have you done with your Mont Blanc fountain pen? I replaced it with a laptop, of course. And how often do I wish I had the time to sit down in a coffee shop and think long enough about the next sentence so that I could write it down with a fountain pen and not make a mistake, which, if I would write the sentence on a laptop, I could always delete? Quiet often and yet it is nothing but a nostalgic moment in today's world. I often take a Pelikan fountain pen with me, but rarely find the time to write with it.

Our sensation of what we are doing is different in the analog and the digital world. Practically we cannot but follow the digital world but philosophically we may try to operate at times in the analog sensation, as it is a different sensation of time, an intimacy with ourselves, and the moment. It is slower, more inefficient, and yet that slowness may provide us with more time to reflect on what we are doing, play with a perspective of here and there, being the photographer and at the same time having the opportunity to distance myself from me and reflect about what it is that I am seeking to take a picture off.

What's my excuse for so much philosophical gibberish?

Lars

To keep it simple, A.

A (since we moved past the original question being for M users only)... my IIIc and R4 are my main cameras in use... have some Canon crap and a digital that doesn't get used that much... only kidding about the Canon/digital being crap... kind of ;)

A. Don't own a digital camera but scan color slides to get hi res digital files. print b&w mostly, the resolution of a silver print far exceeds any computer monitor.

C. i sold my M3, MP, M7 and all my M-lenses. now i shoot with Nikon D-SLR.

Wow, lots of cool stories, and Lars, thoughtful take on how technology changes us and how we go about things..

Well, I just got back from my half day trip and managed to shoot 2/3 of a roll with the M7. It would have been more had I not had a digicam with me, and also if the M7 electronics hadn't acted up a bit. I was reminded though how the M viewfinder is still second to none as far as I'm concerned. With that clear window I can see every little thing going on with the subject and how it's framed at the time the shot is made. Somehow it's not quite the same with a (D)SLR.

Now time to figure out what's up with the electronics, fix it if need be, and maybe trade it off for an M6TTL.

make that 24 months..

make that 24 months..

???

(A)

If you can read this thank a teacher.

If you are reading this in ENGLISH thank a soldier.

Sayonara

A -- Last week hiking in the mountains. Used slide film. Still really enjoy using film, although I have digital. Also really enjoy viewing previous slides. (M3, M6 -- both get a good regular workout. Must run a film through IIIa soon as well.)

A. used the M7 yesterday and will use my R9 all next week in Hawaii.

'A'. A year ago it would have been closer to 'B'.

...and nice post Lars. Signed in spirit with my Pelikan - Richard

<8*)>

B. If I use a Leica it's my M8. But mostly I use a 5D. I would love to use my M6 Classic, which is quiet and sleek, but the results of colour negative film processing are always disappointing irrespective of which firm or lab I use.

A. I use my M3, M4-2, M6 and the two IIIf every time. I don't like digital world. Last week, my wife gave me my first digital camera, a Leica C Lux 2.

Following Lars. I always write with a fountain pen and I don't own a laptop!

I use my M7 almost everyday. Currently I live in Japan and it is still quite easy (and cheap) to buy, process and scan black and white film.

All my Leica R and M fetish stuff has died in the line of duty or been sold off. Same for CaNikon. Apart from XPan kit - just shoot MF and LF these days film and digi.

Great Paul!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! I use all the time my M2 (with 15/4.5 CV) - M7 (with Summicron 35/2 goggled) - MP (with Summicron 50 DR) and M5 (with Summicron 90 dechatable head) with colour slides and negatives. With BW films, i use my M3 with Summaron 35/2.8 goggled and Nikkor 85/2 LTM. As support, i own a Nikkor 135/3.5 LTM. I own, also, a Leica CL with Summicron C 40/2 and Jupiter 9 85/2, that i use when travel with my trekking bike Olympia Condor Hi-Light. In M39 i own and use, occasionally, a Leica IIIf with Summitar 50 and a Canon 7 with CV 35/1.7, with CV 90/3.5 as support in the medium tele shooting. In the SLR 35 mm i own many Nikon (F, F2A chrome, FAS black, Nikkormat FT3 chrome, Nikkormat FT3 black, Nikon FM, Nikon FM2n, Nikon FM3a black, Nikon FM3a chrome and many Nikkor lenses). I own also a Nikon F100 with some AF lenses, that i use when shoot at my two lovely little nephews and at friends of mine which play in a rock and blues band. Also i own a little Canon FL/FD system (FP, F-1n and FT-b QL) and M42 system (two Pentax Spotmatics, a Zeiss Ikon Icarex 35 STM, a Voigtländer Bessaflex TM and a Mamiya Sekor MSX) and a Rolleicord Vb as medium format camera (with waist level finder and ground glass from a Rolleiflex 2.8 F). However, i'm not a collector but only a user (crazy, maybe). I use all of these items in the course of the year. Yet, i'm not against the digital capture, that simply consider as another way to make photography. I use only the film and mainly the mechanical cameras for a simply question of feeling: i find the film congenial with my spirit. Because, take a picture is, mainly, a need of the spirit.

Best light to all of you, film and sensor users.

Ciao.

A. I mainly use my M6TTL and R6.2 for colour photos and B/W. For landscape slides I use the Rollei 6008. Eventually I scan the photos and slides with a Nikon coolscan to put them on the web or send them by email. I prefer analog because of its quality and I like to do some laboratory work instead of spending even more time behind the screen for my hobby, as I am spending already too much for my profession.

Touche, Jerry.

I last used my Leica M2 in 2004 (I think). It is one of the heaviest, bulkiest cameras I own and when I am going out to take pictures my Retina IIa, Olympus Pen D, Olympus Trip 35, Konica C35's, etc always seem to be a better choice.

My answer should be accompanied with a prologue an epilogue and a number of footnotes. I just don't have time. :-) So I'll answer A. M6 and Tri-X is always with me. Great answers. I'd like to expand on my answer at some point but it's first day of school here in Fort Worth, Texas. (No, not first day of school for ME.......for my kids!)

"A". I would like to suggest that you summarize the answers, if that is not much trouble for you. Thanks.

C. sold my M7 (also previously owned an M6), never saw much difference in image quality with my Contax G2 and Nikons, no question about the craftmanship. Have since returned to rangefinders with a Zeiss Ikon and am having a ball with a Rolleiflex 3.5F Planar. Film still in my life, just not with Leica at this time.

-A- black and white only.

B, I traded in one body (m4) and some lenses as a trade in for a D3. But I'll get back to film once I've sorted out a dark room. I'm also waiting for a better digital m.

A. I use my film M's 80% of the time. Just got and M7 (my second M) about 2 months ago. The other 10% of the time is either a Canon 1V, a Stylus Epic, or a few $5 35mm P&S's. I've used my DSLR maybe twice since I got the M6/1V combo about two and a half years ago.

None of the above.

I shot film in my Leicas for over 50 years (until 2004), and I'd like to point out that they still represent to me the greatest non-human item for FONDLING in existance. A day seldom goes by when I don't pick up one (my current favorite is a Leica II), focus it, and wind and click it a few times while composing a picture through its squinty little viewfinder. I don't know why it gives me such tactile and emotional pleasure, but it does.

A is my answer.

I also use other film compact or slr cameras for smaller size or more reach.

I always have a CD made when developing film though. I don't take enough pictures to save much by going fully to digital so I don't own a DSLR yet, only a £25 kodak compact brick which I bought for taking cheap, convenient ebay pics and there is a camera built in my mobile phone which I rarely use.

A. Still using the M6 all the time. I have a DSLR as a fam-cam, but when I manage to get a good shot with it, I always wish it had been on film. I can't warm up to that "video still" look that almost all digital images have.

Beau, I've warmed up to the look of digital; I think it does color wonderfully, and I've finally figured out how to photoshop it to get great black and white. Has a look all its own, just different, not better or worse than film. Film is just another thing, another sound. But I can't find any camera with a viewfinder I can quite warm up to like a Leica M's..

Ray, I agree it's all just "different sounds" and not better or worse, but I'm cursed/blessed with an eye that's particularly inflexible about certain things. In fact it can't stand 98% of films, either, and insists on specific developers also, so it's not a film/digital thing so much as requiring a very specific look.

I know a lot of people are happy with their digital B&W conversions, but I haven't seen any yet that make me want to trade in my process.

As I said on an earlier thread, I've seen color images from the D3/D700 that appear different to my eye than other digital files I've seen -- a cleaner, richer, more nuanced look that is not like film but is nevertheless appealing. Digital is definitely making progress, and I'll always be open to trying new things if I like what it does...

E. I keep selling them, and then buying other ones because I miss them. (Currently using a Fed 2 with a 50 LTM Summicron for my personal camera.)

Ray and Beau,

It's a funny thing that film. I shot thousands of images with a couple of DSLR's and yet... I tried out the new formulation of Kodak Portra 160 this spring. I'm in the minority, I think, in thinking that it's actually easier to shoot and process B&W digitally than to emulate color film, especially if what you are after is contrasty prints. Color gradation in current DSLR mode depends a lot on native contrast at the time the photo is taken, and of course it is easier to blow out the highlights.

I've shot about 50 rolls of Portra since the spring and am very pleased with it. It really does look good in prints, and has a look that I have a hard time matching with my D300.

Been even thinking I shouldn't have sold the M7. But I do get a kick out of shooting with an $85 body with a $40 35/2.8 lens (Oly OM4).

Answer A). as an amateur.

I use my M6 in the mountains (not battery dependant) and my M3 for B&W. Because I ENJOY it.

Very little use of digital. My only problem is about having enough time to scan the negs / slides...

A) -- however my kit includes a Leicaflex SL2 (black), purchased in 1976 and a Leica R5 (black) purchased about 1988 or 1989. My Leica lens include Super-Angulon–R:21 mm; Summicron–R:50 mm; Elmarit–R:28 mm; Elmarit– R:35 mm; Elmarit–R:135 mm; Vario-Elmar–R:35-70 mm; Vario-Elmar–R:80-200 mm; Macro-Elmar–R:100 mm; and Telyt–R:350 mm.

I use both of these bodies and most of these lens on a regular basis. I love my Leica gear and love the images they provide.

Answer is B ...I photograph mostly with Canon G7 bought it last year, although a very good camera with a excellent lens and easy to carry around, due to its small sensor it can never have the quality of 35mm film especially when taken with Leica equipment. One just has to accept the camera for what it is and live with it or don't buy it at all. I know that advanced DSLRs from Canon, Nikon, Olympus etc also produce very high quality and impressive results like 35mm film, I like to buy one some day, but at the moment they are not within my budget. After reading your post, I took out my Leica (I don't have Leica M camera) only Leica R5 (black Wetzlar Germany) with 28mm Leitz Elmarit put the little battery back in, pressed the battery check button red Led lit up. Looked through its bright and very sharp view finder, changed from spot to average metering, everything perfect. Clicked the soft shutter a few times beautiful mechanical sound and relatively quiet for SLR camera no mirror slap vibration etc. Played with the Schalthebel (film wind lever), all that mechanical/optical precision a very different world and l am in love again. I am going to go out and shoot some rolls of film with it and then digitalize them. (Here in Germany the cost and quality of developing film is still very good). So I shall try to make it AB from now on. Thanks for reminding me of my Leica. I shall never part with it.

I so much want the answer to be A:,...but in fact it is B:

18 months ago I sold most of my Leica film gear to finance my switch to digital, which now comprises a Digilux 3 with the kit lens and Summilux 25 F1.4. I kept an old Contax IIIa/Sonar 50mm that is in great shape for those days I was in a B&W mood.

Sadly, I get in those moods, think about film processing, contact printing and final printing and end up picking up the Digilux.

(A) I'm back to using film for the summer in my M4 and also asked my wife to go back to using her film P&S for the summer. I have a rather large backlog of digi photos waiting for me to edit, post-process, burn to CD and print and I really don't want the backlog to get any bigger.

Up until this past spring however, the answer would have been (B).

Let's face it: this is what every boy wants (as they said in the movie Risky Business)

C. I sold them all M4P (3), M6, Leica I, II, IIIC to buy an M8 and haven't looked back or regretted it. Wish I had more films to sell to buy a second M8 body.

i had a leica CL briefly in '06-'07. loved it, used it all the time. it was mint and had 40 and 90mm lenses, filters, close-up lenses, etc. just a beautiful, elegant precision instrument. couldn't believe the sharpness of the frames. i took a lot of tripod-mounted night shots. and then it was stolen. i've missed having it and recently bought a voigtlander bessa T. just waiting for it to arrive.

I shoot with it. It is a tool.

Leica M glass works very well with digital capture........no need to sell off "film" M gear.

The more I use digital, the more attractive medium format (especially B&W) looks .

I think you need an E. response: use digital and enjoy film as well.

A-An MP get 10 rolls a week.

Paul, a 500CM sits and the M and me have spent 20 of every 30 days hiking. I do have to get the CM out, little negs make little prints. :)

Well, confession is good for the soul...

I use my M7 quite often, keep an M6 just in case there is a problem with the 7 and an M3 just because I like it and enjoy it now and again. It's like using an old preceision lathe, from the heighth of the machine age. But if I'm going to shoot 35mm film its generally going to be the M7, very nice in the street.

And then there's this silly IIIF which was bought cheap as a curio and i never use it. I alsoI shoot MF and digital. Lately, I've been shooting a lot more film than usual, though I just came off a 10 day vacation/shoot using a GRD which rocks.

I am between B and C. I have not shot film in a long while and my M6 rests in a closet. I have been using a DLux-3 because the cost of an M8 is beyond what I feel sane to pay for any camera that I will use on week-ends for unprofessional purpose. My big plan was to buy one secondhand after time, but because of all the reported troubles I am fearful to not have warranty. So I might become in category C soon, and find myself amongst the DSLR people.

A: M6, M2, CL and IIf.

C.

M8 just too flakey.

Using dSLR and Rolleiflex. Enjoying it immensely. No more lens-lust.

A - and it will be like this for the next quarter of this century -> 2050

... everyone who does not appreciate the simply and plain vanilla feel of an M is missing a lot ...

A., followed by using the M8 a whole lot too. I don't have the free time to shoot every day or even every week, but when I do I have gone back to shooting at least 50% film with Leica Ms. The rest is almost entirely digital with the M8. Then there's the Nikon S2 and the GRD-II...

Almost strayed into B territory recently, but now tending back towards A.

Those pesky film Ms just look at you from the shelf imploringly and each time I put another roll of film through them ... well it's like I need a cigarette afterwards (and I don't even smoke!) And they know I can only ignore them for so long!

A: Have an M3 (In the shop at the moment though) - use it monthly. Must admit that I do happily use digi compacts (Nikon S210 - Konica Revio) for happy snaps and family shoots though. Also have Nikon F80 with 35-105, 50mm, 70-300mm lenses that come out monthly on average too! :-)

All the Leica gear is gone, except a Digilux. When I shoot film now it is with various 4x5's... but to be honest that is for the experience of working slowly. The Nikon D-300 gives me better prints than even the 4x5s.

When Leica can make a full frame body I may be back.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAA Horses for Courses - also use DSLR

Also Screw Type Leicas

B now and some A planned. I only use one M the M4P and 5 lenses. I just got an VF for my Zeiss 25mm F2.8 Biogon, of all things its a Mamiya 50mm VF for a medium format camera that covers the same angle of acceptance, got it like new on Ebay for less than $20. I shoot mostly Nikon film with F3hp, F100, F801s and Digital with D70.

Last weeks we asked about how many bodies were manufactured with M mount for all brands to see what the size of the potential market would be for a reasonably priced DRF. The best guess was 1.1 million M's were made, I suppose that means at least 100,000 owners might be interested in a digital home for their lenses.

Will someone please give us a near FF digital rangefinder.

Not enough. I have 7 Leicas, 4 screwmounts. I tend to worry about taking these jewel-like treasures out into the world.

A)

I use digital professionally but still put a roll or two a month through my M6 for fun. Sometimes I find being stuck to a single focal length, single colour or black and white option and single ISO annoyingly restrictive, sometimes I find it liberating in it's simplicity.

E)

I got a bit bored with digital and bought an M2, four lenses and counting.

My D200 is a fine tool, but Tri-X in my Leica thrills me more.

A-ish; I use my M6 (bought this year, with 50mm Summarit) occasionally, when I particularly want to do so. Otherwise I use a Nikon D80. I think the two experiences are quite different, and I get different pleasures from each.

However, photography is very much a 'spare time' activity for me, so neither set of equipment gets a lot of use.

A. My girlfriend and I have two M6TTL bodies and the 21mm, 50mm and 135mm lenses. Because of some business travel, we have carried these two many parts of the world, including the US Southwest, Europe and most recently Moscow and Siberia. Just over a month ago we went to Krasnoyarsk, about 2,000 miles east of Moscow and 14 time zones ahead of NM, boarded the Aleksandr Matrosov and sailed down river (north) several hundred miles and as far as Vorogovo. We were taking part in a scientific conference while on board. We do carry a small Canon digital for "tourist" photos but the Leicas give us tremendous B&W photos. The film is processed by a professional studio in Santa Fe and we enlarge up to 11x14 and the studio does the larger prints. I am addicted to the super wide angle 21mm with an orange filter, which really enhances clouds.

a) m6ttl and m7. don't own digital although someday i suppose i will have to...

B. I haven't used my Leicas since about 2005, when I bought a digital camera. I'll sell them when I have the time.

Cheers

Alan

just sold my m7 (with a current 50mm summicron) to fund an m8. it's that viewfinder/size thingy, m's do it best (for me, at least). my 5d is great, but bulky with a decent lens. I have a m6ttl 0.58 (the best camera viewfinder EVER, IMO) i'm keeping. so b and c i guess.

How 'bout 'A' with an asterisk. I use my M6 and/or M3 every week but have accumulated lots of unprocessed b/w film that has been exposed exclusively for development in compensating or A/B soups. I need to get into my local rental lab as the water quality in Portland,OR is nothing short of abrasive to film emulsion even with Leedall filtration.

My Nikon D70 gets used much more often but doesn't make me feel like I'm strolling around Paris ca.1946.

B) bought an M8 and (regrettably) sold the M6 due to lack of use in 8 months. For me, new daughter = digital; not sure when I'll get to processing the left over exposed Hp5+...

I liken Leicas to old antiques, but not as you might think. Many people have some great antiques (I have a collection of 150 year old rose medallion china and I trot it out for guests I trust - most of them!). Hiding old antiques is like not using my M6 - wrong! I have taken it world wide and even had the neck strap separate and the camera fall to the hard floor of a men's room. It was fine! Needless to say I was "relieved"!

My answer is A. My Leica M2 gets the most use. It's not just the camera body, but the lenses. I prefer it to Canon G5 digital, Canon A70 digital, Nikon F, Canon P, Canon L-1, Canon FTb. Digital is OK, and I will shoot with it when I need something right away, but the M2 is a whole lot better for most shooting as far as I am concerned, and greatly superior for candid work in available light. I'm not a pro. I shoot for myself, mostly with Kodak 800 Max color print film, get it developed and scanned onto a photo CD at CVS, then edit and print using an old copy of Adobe PhotoDeluxe and occasionally Adobe Photoshop Elements. Not high tech, but it works for me. YMMV.

I confess. I sold my M8, since I hated its handling, and bought a D300, but kept my M6 and MP. I took my D300 to Rome (mainly using a 35mm prime lens - equivalent to 56mm) and took my MP and 50 Summilux Asph to Venice. Within a few days from coming home from Rome I was holding a nice hardbound Cewe photobook of my best Rome photographs. It is now three weeks since we came back from Venice and I am still mounting and scanning my Leica shots - a boring task. While I like fondling my beautiful MP/Summilux, the truth is that the D300 handles well, I can immediately see if a photo has come out as intended, and for an enthusiastic but busy amateur like me the fully-digital process is so much easier. A work colleague has a darkroom and loves the results of wet printing his FP3 negs from his Leica kit, but that is true dedication to which I don't aspire. I've now traded my "old" 5D kit for a D700 and 50 1.4 lens, and can hardly see myself using my Leica much from now on. Philip

Lord, this looks like a RFF sort of post.

Amazing to see the response in this thread...

C.

I couldn't justify having the M6 just lying around gathering dust while I shot everything on the D80, so I sold it.

Bought an M7 a la carte eighteen months ago as my last film camera. (I have thirteen other Leicas which get periodic use). The M7 is used nearly every day and the reason I still use film is projection. Solid state has its place and is complimentary. I don't subscribe to the argument that one is superior to the other except for projection. It is still not possible to beat the impact of two Leica 250W projectors running and dissolving onto an 8'x8' screen.

My answer is "A"... I always bring my M3 or M5 with me. I really like the feeling of these cameras. And they always produce lovely pictures for me....

AAAAAAA

A. Now exclusively with an M 7. Looking for a V 35 or a good late Focomat I c. You do what you love.

Steve, everyone knows God shoots with a Leica. ;)

A. Shoot with classic M6's. Also, Nikon F2AS, F3T, FM2n and Hasselblad 500CM, EL/M and SWC/M CF version. B&W and color slides. Scan selected images with Flextight Precision Imacon.