stephen_jones8

Leicas are only good at one or two things??? Not true, If you've used them for a while you'll

know that they are good at LOTS of things, landscapes, theater, portraits, candids, travel

etc. They are only not good at macro and long tele work. That's two things!

Out of all the lenses i've used over the past thirty years, leica lenses are the only ones

that consistently surprise and amaze me with their image depth and quality. I've seen

similar sharpness with Nikon lenses. Minolta lenses and similar color quality with Canon

lenses, but across the board,tonality, depth, color, sharpness,clarity...I'd rate Leica glass

the highest based on WHAT I SEE as opposed to what I read..The cameras themselves are

not perfect.NO CAMERA IS.

I believe that the Leica M8 is probably worth the investment as long as you realize that ALL

digital cameras soon become outdated by the next technology. For me 10mp is more than

enough but for you..a few years down the road, it might not be. I think it's not a good

thing that we have to keep updating our cameras. I want to use the same model for ten

years or so , so that I can get to know it well. I'm still using my M6ttls for that

reason.Digital is convenient but a nuisance to keep upgrading. hasn't done my eyesight

much good either, all that editing on computer screens for hours on end.

Ah..the good ol' days of film. Camera systems all had their own character. i never get

excited by going to the camera store to look at digital cameras whose controls and design

layout are pretty much the same.I think to be honest film leicas were a good buy because

of their longevity in terms of use. you'd be using them for years and years. But it's a fact

that the M8 will almost certainly be superceded fairly quickly by the M9...M10? and so on.

The nature of the digital marketplace and technology control this game...that makes the

M8 rather expensive for me. if money was no object, I'd go for it.

Well, just a few things to think about.

Bought the original Fuji Klasse here in Japan,as POP photo rated the lens as one of the best

and, as a long time Contax T2 and Ricoh GR1 user, I was curious. Try as i might i could

never get better images with this camera than the others. images seemed to be 'flat' in

tonal range. not nearly as good as the other cameras listed above and no where near good

enough to convince me to spend this much money on the Klasse W.Another thing,after

only six months use the body finish deteriorated quickly.My original T2, many years older

still looks and functions good as new..Wouldn't want to put anyone off buying it...it's YOUR

money after all, but just thought I'd share my experience. List price of 95,000 Yen is

terribly expensive for what this reaslly is.

Thanks again, Robert. You are explaining things clearly that i couldn't find answers to in

all the fancy digital tutorials on the net. I am at present simply using the humble i-Photo

software that's installed on my mac. i will invest in more sophisticated software ( Aperture

or Adobe Lightroom) later in the year when I get my new computer.

I see. So to keep things simple, i would be better off setting the camera to use Embedded

Adobe color space? I assume the color management is probably built into the Epson

printer and it will then be able to read this. Anyway, I'll try it and check the results.

Thanks.

Yes, the Leica M's are great for landscape photography. You won't lose any quality in fact

film will give you more quality than digital with the Leica M glass, and the lenses are sharp

at widest apertures if you need them. The Leica cameras were designed to be used as

lightweight cameras for travel and outdoor photography and I always get sharper images

with them than on any of my other cameras. as other Leica owners will tell you it isn't just

about the sharpness but the contrast and tonal quality is wonderful...you notice it in skies

and distant objects like hills and mountains where detail always seems clear using the

Leica optics.

The M cameras are small and the M body is more comfortable and balanced than an SLR

when carried against the body. you can carry an M camera plus a couple of lenses all day

without feeling tired. It makes a difference. Rangefinder screens are the best once you get

used to them and you won't be wasting time with LCD's, navigating menus, recharging

batteries and transferring data. This is a GOOD thing. You'll be looking more at the

lasndscape and seeing the shots.Wides only need to be scale focussed or set to hyperfocal.

The Leica R system is soooo heavy. It's not just the body... check the weight of the lenses!

Leica MUST develop a digital M body if they are to survive and i expect to see it sooner

than most people anticipate.Panasonic ( Matsushita) is one of the best Japanese electronic

companies and Leica were smart to team up with them. Many have invested heavily in

Leica glass and will want to continue to use it. Leica needs to make that practical and

possible...if not, they'll go the way of Minolta, Contax and others.

The CCD size difference is an unfortunate problem that is hard to overcome.Not many

Leica fans myself included, will be happy about their 24mm lens becoming a 36mm on a

digital M!

I just bought a KM Alpha sweet Dslr ( Maxxum 5D in U.S.A. ) and I have an apple i-book

and EPSON PMA700 printer.

On the camera menu there are two settings for color.

Adobe RGB and Embedded Adobe RGB. My question is which one should I use? I don't

understand the difference between plain Jane Adobe and embedded Adobe?

Could anyone explain this to me? by the way I'm currently making A4 size prints

and I'm only using JPEG. I'm not planning to use RAW until i get a new computer and

appropriate software later this year.

The camera is terrific! Sorry to see Minolta go.

The only way to get the best from your camera is by experience so why not take your 20d

and enjoy using it? Chances are you'll get some great shots especially since it has a

reliable exposure system.

However I'm going to india this month and I decided to stick with film. Here's why.

As wonderful as digital cameras are they have still not reached the point where they can

replace a film camera in the field when it comes to travel photography.My opinion! They

still rely on batteries which have a nasty habit of running out of charge just at that crucial

second when the most amazing photo opportunity is happening.Even with spares you'll

have lost the shot by the time you've rerplaced the cell.

Next problem is how long it takes to transfer the data to a storage device and recharge

batteries and sort out India's various AC outlets.This is assuming of course the electricity

doesn't cut out due to a power shortage. Do you really want to spend time dealing with

this at the end of a hard days shooting?

This isn't so bad in cities but on the road in smaller villages...hmmmm.

You'll have to be brave to trust your precious images with a store in India that offers

burning to a CD, It's so easy to delete them by accident. Portable storage devices are

expensive and vulnerable to shock.

Also film still has greater resolution and in the future as scanning technology increases

you'll be able to get improved scans at higher res than you can now. With digital you'll be

stuck with your current 20d pixel rate.The reason that most movies are still shot on film

rather than digital media. It might seem good now but in three years time..?

Finally when it comes to tonal quality film has lots of choices. You can change color quality

ARTIFICIALLY with post processing but you can't reproduce the NATURAL characteristics of

many film emulsions.

Having said all this I think most photographers take the best images with the camera that

feels most comfortable in their hands, so if in your case, that's the 20d by all means take it

and you'll get good results most of the time.The biggest advantage to digital in my

experience is that exposure lattitude is good wheras with film you have to be more careful

or bracket a lot. Image QUALITY is another matter. I bet we could argue for months about

that one! But I agree with your photojournalist friend use film and scan the negs.

Concerning safety. India probably is no more dangerous than anywhere else.Don't carry

the camera in a way that attracts attention.Stick a piece of black tape over the brand name,

the word CANON is synonymous with expensive camera,even to most non photographers

since it's used heavily in advertising.Display your camera only when you're actually

shooting and you should be fine.

Best of luck! and please put some pictures on line so we can all enjoy them!

Isn't photo net great? I was surprised to get these replies so quickly! Thanks for your

replies, it's all genuinely useful stuff.

I'll be visiting the Taj Mahal anyway but at least I know now what I'm up against in terms of

good weather.If it's overcast or poor lighting I'll just make the best of it and photograph

details or switch to Black and White. I'm not planning to stay in Delhi very long, my other

destinations are Johdpur, khajuraho, orchha, Ellora,Ajanta and finally Mumbai. About two

days in each place.Varanasi is not on the list this trip so thanks for the suggestion about

the river at Agra.Glad that you confirmed my thinking about leaving the tripod behind. I

used to lug one of those around S.E. Asia with an SLR system in the heat. Never again,

especially after the time it jammed in Thailand ( it wouldn't collapse down) and I had to

struggle with it fully extended on the bus! I think I can handhold the Leica as I have steady

hands, but I'm sure I'll miss the tripod for shots of buildings where i have to keep things

level. Oh well...

I had also considered taking a digital camera for this trip but decided the power (battery)

and transfer problems to storage devices etc, would be just too much hassle especially

afer a hard day taking pictures. I think film is still best for travel photography.

thanks agian,

Steve

Travelling to India with Leica M and 3 lenses in December, Would like advice from anyone

who has been there especially concerning problems they may have experienced while

travelling around. Safety tips for example, or advice for dealing with entrance fees for

photography at tourist sires etc,Planning to carry gear in small Lowe Pro waist bag where I

can keep an eye on it at all times.Not taking a tripod.

I am intending to take pictures for exhibition. Would normally use reversal film stock but

am thinking it might be better to use negative film which I could also get good scans from

as well as large prints. What do you think?

Appreciate any advice from photographers who have 'done' India.

Steve

Japan is a great place for buying M camera equipment and I should know, I've been living

here for fourteen years! There are times when prices are high because of exchange rates

but there are great bargains too. I was in the market for a tele lens and was looking at a

used Tele-elmar f4 which I had seen priced at 107,000 yen at MAP CAMERA in Shinjuku (

which usually has prices much cheaper than many other stores) when I happened to stop

by LEMON CAMERA in Ginza. There I found a new condition ( not a scratch) Apo telyt-M

135 complete with box, warranty etc for just 97.000 Yen! If that isn't a bargain in any

currency I don't know what is! This lens is like new. I guess some rich Japanese amateur

bought it, decided they didn't like it, and traded it in after using about 2 rolls of film.

There are people here with that much money to throw around...which is why if you keep

your eyes open you'll spot real bargains. most used gear is in much better condition than I

see in other countries including my native England.Especially the M and CL bodies.

Lemon camera comes highly reccomended. I bought a voightlander 25 skopar there only

last week and it was just 30,000 yen. 40,000 yen everywhere else.I'm happy! Service is

excellent too.

Yodobashi camera isn't as good as it once was and is now heavily digital but it's worth

checking out.I usually find their leica prices very expensive but one time I went there, they

were clearing out M6 TTL stock and I got a second body, brand new for a REALLY good

price.

Shimizu camera ( Just around the corner ffrom lemon) has small selection but sometimes

good stuff and is worth checking out.

New stuff list price will usually always be cheaper in the U.S.A. but if you hit the stores in

Japan at the right time you'll find amazing bargains and there is a lot of used M equipment

here in very nice condition including user stuff not just collectibles.

When in Japan suggest you check Lemon first, then Shimizu, then Map Camera and finally

the big stores like BIC camera and Yodobashi.

Good luck!

Stephen

I now have a copy of this book (latest edition with English translation.) which I obtained

from Amazon on the internet. After all the comments i read I thought it would be

something special but....It's a dull read. There is no doubt that there is a wealth of

technical information here but that's the problem...it's too technical. I'm interested in

using and handling the camera not reading plodding descriptions of optical formula and

color principles.I want to USE my Leica not BUILD one!

I got half way through the book and was still wondering when Mr.Osterloh would give me

some useful advice based on his experience, about actually using the camera..hints, tips

or simply anything that wasn't a technical description of which part fits what.He even

repeats himself. One paragraph begins on P215....

This book does not provide specific operating instructions for the use of the various Leica

M cameras,,,,

OK... i got that, I

bought it because I wanted to find out stuff that the manual doesn't tell me about using

the camera in actual picture taking situations,,pre- focus etc.

Then..in the SAME PARAGRAPH.....

Since detailed descriptions of specific equipment handling requirements can be found in

the respective Leica and Leitz user manuals, they are not presented in this book.

OK I got it the first time,

Under PRACTICAL techniques...we find sections on...spectral sensitivity! Good grief!

and one more thing...the color pictures look decidedly under-exposed for shots taken by a

Leica expert.

Not all bad but not a great book either,Better to get Brian Bower's Leica M book.

Leica users desperately need a no-nonsense guide to using these wonderful cameras

without all the convoluted tecnobabble.

It's a sunny day in Tokyo. I could spend two pages telling you about how Leica lenses

gather light rays on sunny days compared to cloudy days ( in the same way presumably)

and explain what happens when those rays are focussed by the lens on to the film surface

but hey instead....

I'm off to take some pictures!

I have just obtained a copy of this book, and Mark, I'm also surprised at your comments!

In terms of color quality and sharpness most of the Leica images here are incredibly sharp

and clear. if anything, they demonstrate clearly the amazing quality of the Leica optics.

Just look at the full size images on pages 61 and 72. The few images in the book taken

with the Hasselblad system pale in comparison.

I live in Japan ( a great place to be if you're into cameras and photography!) and I have

every chance to try out many of the camera systems and have been through quite a few of

them. I often take landscape shots where some features on the far horizon are often quite

hazy.A few years ago i bought a Leica M6 TTL and a couple of lenses to see what all the

fuss was about. I was really surprised.

The clarity of the photos is always better than with any other lenses I have used (including

Zeiss optics).Is it better sharpness? better color? better resolution? I'm not sure and I don't

care. Zeiss lenses are certainly sharp, but there is some kind of special quality to the

images that I can produce with the Leica lenses, that makes them a joy to look at.

Something about the richness of the color, the contrast or the 'real' 3D quality of the lens.

Anyway brian Bower's images here are superb and if after looking at them you don't feel

like you want to rush out and buy a Leica and a roll of Kodachrome 25, there's something

wrong with you!

Yes,you might wonder why anyone would want to use a macro lens with a rangefinder.Here's the answer.I like to do travel photography.If you do travel photography size and especially weight )is critical.I have tried taking an SLR outfit around asian cities and beleive me it is no fun in tropical heat so when I switched to using Leica M it was wonderful.My M6 and three lenses all go together in a tiny Lowepro bag

and I can haul it around all day,jump on and off boats and not feel at all tired.But here's the problem...if I see a beautiful hibiscus flower or a tiny detail I want to record I'm dependant on carrying another camera with a macro lens for the close ups.I don't want to do that because that brings back the weight problem.So actually,the M macro lens is exactly what I need and want.I know you can get a good close up shot with a Contax T3 for example but I don't think it's a 1:3 reproduction ratio and it is not the same focal length.I haven't bought one yet but I'll bet this will be a lovely addition to an M-users camera bag.It's small,light,short tele focal length,can take close ups and has Leica contrast and image quality.Why would you NOT want to have a lens like that if you're an M user?

I admit I'm not too happy about f4 either but if the quality of the photos are as good as my other M lenses.I won't complain.

Good for Leica for extending the system,that's what I say!

Why not a Leica M6 and 50mm 2.8 Elmar? For the same reason as other

Leica/lens combinations.You can't take close-ups!!

I have the above Leica/lens combo and it is excellent.Before I bought

the Leica I was sceptical that there is a difference between Leica and

other brands but the contrast and detail(especially in landscapes with

distant features) is easily better than with any other lenses I have

ever used.BUT having used several pocket size cameras over the years

including the venerable Contax T2 (I've still got it!)I learned that

you can't beat a tiny compact camera when you need to work fast or in

difficult situations.For me there are always times when I travel when

I need a close up shot (not macro) say from about 12 - 14 inches with

a 35mm lens.Leica lenses can't do it.Leica doesn't believe there is a

market for a close focus lens for the m series.They are wrong.Bet you,

that if they introduced one, they would sell loads!

So,at this moment in time there are three options.

CONTAX T3, ROLLEI AFM35/FUJI KLASSE or RICOH GR1v.

All have excellent lenses.No point in arguing which is the best

because they are all capable of quality results.

T3 might be best all rounder but is actually a little too small for

good handling and has poor flash range.Best construction though with

Titanium shell.

Ricoh has interesting finder.You can see outside the frame area just

like a leica M!!and with illuminated frames and LCD very easy to use

in the dark.I speak from experience.

Rollei/Fuji has a nice big flash,is comfortable to hold and simple to

use .In Popular photo.magazine lens tested slightly BETTER than T3's..

and that is no mean feat!!Finder has the dreaded blackout problem when

you don't center your eye..and in my opinion camera designers need a

rap on the knuckles about this problem!!

Whichever of these you choose though you'll have a camera that can

deliver the goods!I wouldn't like to say which is the best.I want all

of them!!Then after travelling around India for a few months with

several dozen rolls of film..I'll let you know.