Images that could only been taken with a Leica/RF and why?

As much as all/most of us applaude the Leica rangefinder system,

many of us also use other photographic tools, but are there

photographic opportunities that can only be taken with a

rangefinder? Please share the photo and tell us why.

 

Part of the reson for asking was that I was scanning my portfolio

and it was fairly obvious that most, if not all, of the photos could

have been taken with almost any type of photographic tool/system,

perhaps apart from some available light photos shot at very slow

speed.

 

I realize that one can argue that perhaps there wouldn't been a

photo at all since if one didn't have a pocketable M around (since

many of us simply leave a larger SLR system at home). Perhaps that

is a valid explanation as well.

 

Happy long weekend to the US members!

I don't have any photos to support this, but... Alot of people get

nervous when you put a huge SLR in their face, where as a Lieca

looks less threataning. I'd also imagine the quite shutter would

allow photography in places such as churches or silimar

settings where it needs to be quite.

Not to be a smart alec, but if you don't have any photos to support a contention, then perhaps you're just repeating things that others claim about RF cameras, but that your own photography does not verify? For instance, the claim that Leica M cameras are so quiet is mostly nonsense, at least when comparing it to many manual SLRs of recent vintage, to digicams, the Hexar AF, the Rolleiflex, etc.

Here is a shot where camera's were NOT permitted, of course they never heard of anybody shooting without using the viewfinder, and they never heard my Leica going off! Taken with a M4-P, 50mm Summicron, F2, around an 1/8second zone focused, Kodak Gold 100 film, indoors, color corrected.

 

I could not have pulled this shot off with any noisy SLR!

 

Gerry<div></div>

Except in situations that require specilaized equipment, you can take practically any kind of picture with any kind of camera. However, IMO, Leica rangefinder cameras are the best choice for taking candid shots of people---i.e. street photography. Why? Mainly because the camera is quiet and unobtrusive; and it is simple and uncomplicated to operate. You can shoot fast without drawing much attention. The icing on the cake is that the Leica lenses produce such sharp, pleasing images.

 

Dennis

Some court rooms only allow Leicas, as does the President's photographer, if I'm not mistaken.

 

Can any photograph be taken with any camera? Pretty much. For that matter, one could use a pinhole camera if you wanted to. Let's not forget that RF's and SLR's aren't the only game in town. I've got a TLR, a 4x5 bellows, and a very old "spy camera" that looks like a miniature movie camera.

 

I'd guess that strictly speaking, the only photo that can ONLY be caputured by a Leica or similar RF camera is one where that is the only camera allowed by some external restriction on equipment.

Features I love my Leica M for:

<p><center><img src="http://www.konermann.net/gallery/swan.small.jpeg">

<p><i>Pocketable... </i>(Travel)<p><p><img src="http://www.konermann.net/gallery/violinist.jpeg">

<p><i>...unobstrusive... </i>(Street)

<p><p><img src="http://www.konermann.net/gallery/blumenmaedchen.jpeg">

<p><i>...quiet. </i>(Wedding Service)<p></center><p>

Did I mention tack sharp and a snap to focus (hard to display on the net...;o)?

PS: The first shot was taken at 1/8th - a shot usually ruined by shake/mirror slap with SLRs. I would not have carried any heavy gear that day, anyway. I was just changing trains on a normal working day.<p>Shot #2 was taken at f1.7 with a 35 pre-asph lux just a meter away from the subject - perfect focus, violinist perfectly at ease...<p>#3 was taken inside a church without hardly anybody noticing that I was photographing.<p>Cheers

You can even snap folk at prayer without them knowing...<div></div>

...and people at play...<div></div>

Which is more quieter, Leica M or leaf shutter cams such as TLRs or Mamiya 7?

 

Paul, is that at The Shrine in DC?

<I>Which is more quieter, Leica M or leaf shutter cams such as

TLRs or Mamiya 7? </I>

<P>

 

My digicam is probably quieter than both.<BR>

<P>

 

<center>

<img src=

"http://pages.sbcglobal.net/b-evans/SF2-9-03/image/friends.jpg"

><BR>

<I>Shot at night, handheld.</I>

</center>

Leo: no; it's in Brecon Cathedral, South Wales, UK!

I second the remarks that the Leica M is generally less threatening (or attention-

getting) for candid people photography than your everyday D/SLR.

 

I photograph a lot indoors in photo hostile environments (shopping malls,

supermarkets, department stores) - practically impossible to do with a SLR

due to lens 'wink', shutter noise, large camera body etc.

 

<http://4020.net/unposed> - (over 50 examples)

 

Furthermore, I was in the crowd outside Stadium Australia yesterday for the opening

of the Rugby World Cup. Lots of pro shooters with "trombone" lenses and washing-

machine sized DSLRs. Was amusing watching them trying to sneak candid photos of

people without overtly posing them. Waste of time. Even in crowds people stopped

and stared and mugged and pointed whenever they tried to take a shot.

 

In the end they had to resort to shooting from miles away, or else from behind (ahem

- butt photography).

 

OTOH, those in the crowd with small point n' shoots or yours truly with a couple of

Leica Ms didn't attract any attention at all. :?)

Brad, digicams are only quiet until the batteries run out and you start cursing.

 

There's no individual picture that technically couldn't be taken with cameras other than a Leica M. To me it's more a cumulative thing -- a body of work can be very Leica-specific, a confluence of all the little advantages they have.

Some of you have bigger pockets ( figuratively) but now I know you also have bigger pockets (literally).:)

<I>Brad, digicams are only quiet until the batteries run out and

you start cursing. </I><P>

 

In 2 years it hasn't happened yet. I can shoot all-day (at least 400

pix) before that becomes an issue. And a spare battery solves

that... But really, if you run out of film, you're in the same boat. :=)

Hey Andrew, all of your posts seem to make a deprecatory reference to photographing people's butts. You got something against all the talented and accomplished butt-photographers around here?

Who cares a monkeys arse about butts, or for that matter what camera is used. It's what works for you, that's what matters.

 

Talking about monkeys arses, are they ugly or what! Not that i make a point of looking at them, but sometimes you can't just help but notice. This photo will prove my point.

 

Only kidding Mr Rulette;)

I wish my neck, or a*s, was strong enough to hang a Noctilux from it!

The primary reason that I purchased a Leica M was for the ability to shoot in low light w/o flash. It is actually amazing how often I dip down to 1/8 or even 1/4 of a second and rarely have a blurry image (sometimes a bit soft, but rarely blurry). While I was aware of the other benefits, I wouldn't have spent the money if it weren't for the low light capability. In retrospect, I'm glad I made the purchase as I found my M alot more versatile than I had suspected.

 

Could I have used other equipment for the pictures I've taken? Sometimes yes, sometimes no... what I've found though, is that by taking the M with me, I have a better chance of getting the shot.

I'm not sure that just about any image couldn't be captured with

any 35 mm camera. The question is whether it is easier or more

accurate to do so with certain types of camera.

 

Shooting at one or two shutter speeds faster narrows the field,

but still leaves a fair amount of choices...mostly rangefinders.

Having a M3 or M6/M7/MP .085 makes focusing really fast lenses

like the Nocti, 75 Lux, 90AA a bit more accurate than most other

rangefinders. Process of elimination gets you your answer

Patrick. A better mag rangefinder coupled with really fast glass

is somewhat unique in performance.

digital has the ability to shoot one frame at 200asa and the next at 3200....<p>

unless youre carry two cameras, i dont see any film camera doing that...

<p>

as far as being unobtrusive, thats the photographer, not the camera, that decides that.

"as far as being unobtrusive, thats the photographer, not the camera, that decides that."

 

That is correct. Technique is paramount. However, while there is truth in that statement, let's just say I can be a hell of lot more unobtrusive with a Leica tucked in my hand than I can with a motor-driven Nikon. And, I have tried both... For stealth photography with normal and wide-amgle lenses, nothing beats a Leica.

 

Dennis

anything can and does beat a leica....<p>

show me a photo that could <i> only </I> be made with a leica...and i'll give you all my cameras...