chuck_t Posted April 13, 2004 Share Posted April 13, 2004 "Oh, and on the question of do clients express surprise at me using such little cameras-yes quite often. I have had trouble convincing people that they are serious cameras capable of doing a good job." Quoted from Craig Hoehne in previous post. I feel the same way after reading it. I like the M very much, indeed, it is a better camera than Nikon and Canon in term of quality and tone scale. A pleasure to use on street because it looks friendly to strangers. Unfortunately, almost no one recognize it and I get no respect when using the Leica M in wedding or graduation situation. My term of "no respect" means that people tend to focus their attention more on the bulky SLR than my Leica M3. Maybe my camera is too old but my 50mm lens is not. What can I say! Well, in reality, couple fall in love in first sight. I agree. Reality TV shows have proved it too. What can I say! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
working camera Posted April 13, 2004 Share Posted April 13, 2004 I still often use an M3 with 35 �cron (with eyes) and a Leica Meter MR on top, so the camera looks a little exotic buy today�s �ugly monster camera� standards. I simply tell the client that yes it is 40 years old and it is the best 35mm camera ever made (BTW I don�t actually believe that �Leica Ms being the best camera in the world� guff) If it is the M7 that is in question, I just tell them what in cost. In Australia the list price for an M7 is $5200 (Aust) and lenses come in at around $5000 (Aust) and above. So 10 grad sounds impressive. Adding that if they want me to use a $2000 dollar Japanese camera like everybody else, I�ll go and buy one but the job will cost more. In all seriousness, to avoid all this I regularly have an R9 with a large looking lens conspicuously hanging off my shoulder when I first meet the client. Then I put it back in the bag and get to work with the appropriate M. When I use the R9s I�m instantly pegged as a Pro, even when I�m out for personal shooting session, and this can be a distinct disadvantage. In this day and age people are suspicious of photographers with professional looking cameras. You can get away with a lot more with an R6 or M than you can with the R9. A Leica M is a much less threatening instrument than a DSLR, F5, EOS or R9, which makes it a good tool for portraiture. Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_evans4 Posted April 13, 2004 Share Posted April 13, 2004 I bought a Bessa R and a Nikon digital camera at roughly the same time. The Nikon came with a daft sticker announcing its "resolution" (number of pixels). I carefully unpeeled this and attached it to the Bessa. You probably know somebody who knows somebody who's recently bought a digital camera and has such a sticker; if people see that your M offers at least 5 megapixels, perhaps it will get more respect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_perkins2 Posted April 13, 2004 Share Posted April 13, 2004 Carry a lightmeter, and wave it around mysteriously. That always impresses people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
working camera Posted April 13, 2004 Share Posted April 13, 2004 Peter, Is your Bessa 5 MP interpolated or straight up? Now you don�t need to invest in the Cosina-Epson RD-1, brilliant! Fantastic suggestion, but I think in this, MP counting equals quality environment that persists around here, the Leicas will need at least an 8 to 10 MP sticker. Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffascough Posted April 13, 2004 Share Posted April 13, 2004 "Unfortunately, almost no one recognize it and I get no respect when using the Leica M in wedding or graduation situation." Never had a problem with this. I shoot ALL my weddings (81 last year) with three M6TTL's. I wouldn't shoot with anything else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon_kemp2 Posted April 13, 2004 Share Posted April 13, 2004 When I shot weddings with an M6 and M4P, nobody said anything. I think if you've got a couple of cameras around your neck nobody says anything. Sad isn't it, judging by appearances ? A lot of people need reassurance to be fair that their money is being well spent. Perhaps a decoy 5" x 4" on a wooden tripod would be a good idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike dixon Posted April 13, 2004 Share Posted April 13, 2004 I try to win clients with my pictures, not my cameras. If I decide the M is the right tool for the job, that's what I use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
douglas_green1 Posted April 13, 2004 Share Posted April 13, 2004 Just buy a nice huge RB67 with 90mm lens for around $350. The sheer size will awe them. And then take your photos with your Leica M. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddie y. Posted April 13, 2004 Share Posted April 13, 2004 Just a side story... I always get people asking me why I'm taking a picture of my hand while I walk around the room, as I figure out exposure and lighting in each area I plan on shooting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin m. Posted April 14, 2004 Share Posted April 14, 2004 Hire bikini-clad assistants. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
__jon__ Posted April 15, 2004 Share Posted April 15, 2004 >Kevin Mendenhall Photo.net Patron, apr 14, 2004; 08:52 a.m. >Hire bikini-clad assistants. Just don't have Kevin in a bikini. Not good for client relations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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