patricks Posted October 10, 2003 Share Posted October 10, 2003 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! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg_smith4 Posted October 10, 2003 Share Posted October 10, 2003 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
douglas k. Posted October 10, 2003 Share Posted October 10, 2003 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerry_szarek Posted October 10, 2003 Share Posted October 10, 2003 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> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dennis_couvillion Posted October 10, 2003 Share Posted October 10, 2003 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobflores Posted October 10, 2003 Share Posted October 10, 2003 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lutz Posted October 10, 2003 Share Posted October 10, 2003 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)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lutz Posted October 10, 2003 Share Posted October 10, 2003 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul hart Posted October 10, 2003 Share Posted October 10, 2003 You can even snap folk at prayer without them knowing...<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul hart Posted October 10, 2003 Share Posted October 10, 2003 ...and people at play...<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leo_djiwatampu Posted October 10, 2003 Share Posted October 10, 2003 Which is more quieter, Leica M or leaf shutter cams such as TLRs or Mamiya 7? Paul, is that at The Shrine in DC? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad_ Posted October 10, 2003 Share Posted October 10, 2003 <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> www.citysnaps.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul hart Posted October 10, 2003 Share Posted October 10, 2003 Leo: no; it's in Brecon Cathedral, South Wales, UK! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew n.bra hrefhttp Posted October 10, 2003 Share Posted October 10, 2003 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. :?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beau 1664876222 Posted October 10, 2003 Share Posted October 10, 2003 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charles_stobbs2 Posted October 10, 2003 Share Posted October 10, 2003 Some of you have bigger pockets ( figuratively) but now I know you also have bigger pockets (literally).:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad_ Posted October 10, 2003 Share Posted October 10, 2003 <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. :=) www.citysnaps.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beau 1664876222 Posted October 10, 2003 Share Posted October 10, 2003 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allen Herbert Posted October 10, 2003 Share Posted October 10, 2003 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;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_neuthaler Posted October 10, 2003 Share Posted October 10, 2003 I wish my neck, or a*s, was strong enough to hang a Noctilux from it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sammer Posted October 10, 2003 Share Posted October 10, 2003 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fotografz Posted October 10, 2003 Share Posted October 10, 2003 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grant_. Posted October 10, 2003 Share Posted October 10, 2003 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dennis_couvillion Posted October 10, 2003 Share Posted October 10, 2003 "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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grant_. Posted October 10, 2003 Share Posted October 10, 2003 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... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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