andrew_cranmer Posted December 21, 2003 Share Posted December 21, 2003 A bit of a lurker here up to now, and thanks to all those who have posted some very helpful stuff. I took the plunge last week and got a Leica M6TTL with a 50mm/f2. So far I've shot off a couple of rolls although I haven't yet seen the results. I probably should have waited until then before I posted, although I doubt I'll ever pluck up the courage to post any pictures here anyway. I haven't owned many cameras and would not describe myself as in any way an expert. I started off when I was about 14 with a zillion-hand Box Brownie and spent a great part of my paper-round money on film and processing. Still have many of those photos. Then at the start of the 1980s I got a new K1000, followed by an ME Super (great camera), together with a 35mm, 50mm and 85mm (superb lens). Plus an 80-200 zoom I added later for a safari trip (good for that purpose, gathered dust afterwards). That kit lasted me for about 20 years until, as with so many camera outfits, it went off, much loved and battered, without my permission, to be sold on some street bazaar. After much thought and many voices trying to persuade me to go digital, or at a mimimum AF, I went for the M6. If I was a pro with a deadline or absolutely having to get wedding shots and process them back that day, I'd no doubt go digital. But I'm not and I don't. Yes, I know, Leicas are expensive relative to other cameras. But people spend more on a TV nowadays. And this is almost certainly the last camera I will buy and I hope to be taking pictures for another 25 years at least. I'm certainly no luddite and do a lot of stuff on my Macs, but for me photography is a pleasurable pastime, not a way to make money. I love the tactile interaction of a manual camera and, for what I do, I can't see any advantage in AF. Not to criticise those who think otherwise. Regarding digital, I don't need images back fast but, far more importantly, for me taking a picture is just half the process. The other half is the processing. I'll never tire of the magic of producing a print. In the short term, unfortunately that second part of the experience is out due to 2 small kids and only one bathroom, but only on a temporary basis. I don't aspire to having a style, but most of my pictures are people (many of my kids), street scenes, Polish rural life (horses are still more common than tractors in many parts of the country - very photogenic), broken-down ex-Communist factories, etc. The places I go. I very rarely have a special trip to take photos but almost always have my camera with me. I suppose on average I shoot 2-3 rolls a week, in the vain hope that once or twice a year I'll get a picture I really like. As for other kit, I'll soon get a portrait lens (probably the 75mm) - I just love that kind of length - and probably a 35mm, although I don't often use wide angle. Plus the Leica flash for occasional indoor use. And that's it, really. At the moment the 50mm, some PanF, FP4 and HP5 and a light tripod are all I need. Oh, I got one of those Crumpler backpacks (Formal Lounge) in place of the CCS bag my old gear was (and maybe still is) in. Excellent choice, comfortable, good protection, unobtrusive, and with room for a laptop when working or for the paraphanalia that goes with small kids when I'm not. Gosh, I've really rambled on here. I'll stop now. Cheers Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_hoffman Posted December 21, 2003 Share Posted December 21, 2003 Glad you're having fun and welcome, Andy. I'm rediscovering that good old 50mm myself these days....I never post shots here either; my fragile ego couldn't take it. :^) www.stevehoffman.tv Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
godfrey Posted December 21, 2003 Share Posted December 21, 2003 But a thread without a picture is hardly a thread in the Leica forum... Godfrey<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dennis_couvillion Posted December 21, 2003 Share Posted December 21, 2003 Welcome to the club, Andrew. Dennis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norman_mayersohn Posted December 21, 2003 Share Posted December 21, 2003 You're going to fit right in here, Andrew. Welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raymond_wong7 Posted December 21, 2003 Share Posted December 21, 2003 Welcome Andrew...Hope that you will eventually get up the courage to share some of your photos and looking forward to that day. Happy Holidays!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerald_widen Posted December 21, 2003 Share Posted December 21, 2003 Welcome, Andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
george_b1 Posted December 21, 2003 Share Posted December 21, 2003 Hi, Andy - Welcome to one of the more interesting forums in existence. More to the point, welcome to the small (but dedicated) legion of Leica shooters. Your choice of a 50mm, IMHO, is on target, as using that lens will let you learn what we're all about. Yeah, our more advanced brethern will profess that other lenses are to be preferred. In most instances, they are correct, in that is what they now use - - - but many started with the ubiquitous 50mm, as did I, in 1945. It's a "natural"lens - - no wide-angle distortion nor telephoto compression. Yes, I use other lenses, but the 50mm still my mainstay after 58 years of Leica photography. Anyway, welcome aboard! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim_mcbride Posted December 21, 2003 Share Posted December 21, 2003 Welcome to this forum, Andy. I am very glad that you have joined. I hope that you will be a frequent contributor of both words and pictures. Photographers who use Leica equipment are a small minority on this forum and I would be happy to have some company. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
__farnsworth_clapstonestac Posted December 21, 2003 Share Posted December 21, 2003 Yipee! That would make a pair. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad_ Posted December 21, 2003 Share Posted December 21, 2003 <I>Photographers who use Leica equipment are a small minority on this forum... </I><P> Anyone care to venture a guess as to why? www.citysnaps.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roberto_watson_garc_a Posted December 21, 2003 Share Posted December 21, 2003 Wellcome Andrew, and any how we can contribute to make the selection of your next lens even harder count on me. Three rolls a week, that´s not bad, in the last month I have finish one, second is still in the M4P. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_kastner Posted December 22, 2003 Share Posted December 22, 2003 Hi Andy, I'd like to say hi, too! Your TTL and a 2/50 are IMO the best way to start here. Hope your pics turn out great!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luisarguelles Posted December 22, 2003 Share Posted December 22, 2003 I just would love to see pictures from Poland made with a Leica M. Welcomed aboard and don't hesitate to share you pictures!. Greetings from Spain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew_cranmer Posted December 22, 2003 Author Share Posted December 22, 2003 Many thanks for the welcoming words. Maybe I'll yet pluck up the courage to post some piccies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allen Herbert Posted December 22, 2003 Share Posted December 22, 2003 Maybe I'll yet pluck up the courage to post some piccies. Welcome. Stick some photos in the W/NW's posts. Generally you are pretty save there. They are sharing posts, nobody will come and get you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allen Herbert Posted December 22, 2003 Share Posted December 22, 2003 Maybe I'll yet pluck up the courage to post some piccies. Welcome. Stick some photos in the W/NW's posts. Generally you are pretty save there. They are sharing posts, nobody will come and get you. Hey, they have not got to be the ultimate, just more enjoyable to share. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allen Herbert Posted December 22, 2003 Share Posted December 22, 2003 Safe there...sorry about the spelling, Mr Applebury. At least i spell your name right, so there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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