View Full Version : What is it about M cameras ????
I'm sure that I'm not the only one to have experienced this, but whenever I see any Leica M camera (except an M5) I get an incredible urge to snatch it and begin fondling it immediately.
Similarly, any photo I see of an M3, M2, M6, M7, M4 or MP drives me towards the idea of buying another one, simply because they look so.... you know!
Worse yet, I've also found myself unconsciously "petting" my M2 at times when I should be taking photos with it instead.
There's something about the way these cameras feel and look that is highly un-natural, they're almost too pretty for their own good sometimes.
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Ronald M
11-25-2006, 03:02
Because they fall in a class of things that are the very best ever created by man.
Dutch masters paintings and Ferrari autos are as captivating.
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"hm...that reminds me, I need to feed my Leica"
-One of you guys
Just kidding but yeah, I get the same way, I always have to fondle the damn camera whenever I see one in a shop.
Michael I.
11-25-2006, 04:35
I got the leica bug and hopefully will be able to get an m2 for my bday in february. I need to liquidate some equipment(got the list in my blog)
Nachkebia
11-25-2006, 04:46
Nothing :) really, after having M7 for a whole day I can say I prefer to work with Zeiss Ikon, but, there is but, it feels and looks so elegant it is almost as diamond :) but I will still shoot with it for some time maybe I just need to get used to it, I love the silent shutter, also love the way film is loaded :D
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Nachkebia
11-25-2006, 05:11
Yeah MP would be a marvel, but again vewfinder is smaller, it is contrastier though but I like zeiss ikons less contrasty but its huge :) again one day I am sure I will buy chrome(silver) is MP as heavy as M7? after ZI, M7 feels very very heavy :)
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Nachkebia
11-25-2006, 05:34
Anyhow, I still love it :D
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I admit I used to feel like this about my Nikon F4, and took it everywhere. Ergonomically it too is a great camera, beautifully functional. The flaw is that the F4 is far too big and heavy. I used to come home from shoots and immediately rush to the medicine cabinet for ibuprofen, with soure neck and shoulders fro a couple days. I usually leave the F4 at home unless I have a reason to take it out (inclement weather, plans for tele or macro work).
After messing around with a HexarRF with misaligned RF patch, I finally put that too aside for M6, then finally two M7 cameras. They are functional and simple in a way that is can be perfect for not distracting you from your surroundings. The beauty of the cameras themselves can be distracting, but I try to avoid this trap. I may fondle a bit at home or on the bus or subway when nothing worth photographing presents itself, but not when I'm seriously occupied with shooting.
>After messing around with a HexarRF with misaligned RF patch
Don at DAG can probably fix this for you. He fixed mine.
Todd.Hanz
11-25-2006, 08:50
"what is it about M cameras?"
Simplicity, everything you need and nothing you don't.
Todd
Nikon Bob
11-25-2006, 08:55
"what is it about M cameras?"
Simplicity, everything you need and nothing you don't.
Todd
I will drink to that. Sort of the way I feel about Nikon's FM/FE series of cameras too.
Bob
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Nachkebia
11-25-2006, 10:01
Okey here comes another one, I have FM3a and I hate it :D
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Nachkebia
11-25-2006, 11:19
I am trying to sell it with Zeiss ZF 50 f/1.4 but without luck :)
anyhow update on M7, more I shoot with it more I love it, expecialy sound and feel of it :D
SolaresLarrave
11-25-2006, 12:22
Sorry, need to set the record straight.
I have two M6TTL and one M3 and see no difference in design. The famous 2mm difference is really insignificant, and using it to demean these models is nothing but a very flawed argument. The cameras still work and do the same other Leicas do.
... but whenever I see any Leica M camera (except an M5) I get an incredible urge to snatch it and begin fondling it immediately.
Similarly, any photo I see of an M3, M2, M6, M7, M4 or MP drives me towards the idea of buying another one, simply because they look so.... you know!
Good! One less person in the M5 market place. That will keep the price down for Trius who is lusting after my Bigfoot or Bubba. :cool:
Just for that, I'm going to load Bigfoot. That rascal has been empty for a week now and surely feels neglected.
Might be because I'm left handed. I heard that we are the only people who operate in our right mind!
Sorry, need to set the record straight.
I have two M6TTL and one M3 and see no difference in design. The famous 2mm difference is really insignificant, and using it to demean these models is nothing but a very flawed argument. The cameras still work and do the same other Leicas do.
you could say that again.
And again. The continual denigration of other people's choices does not fit with the spirit of this forum IMHO.
What about the Canon T90? This was my first serious camera and I absolutely loved it. The way it just ripped up the rule book about what an SLR should look like. You can pick up any contemporary DSLR and see echoes of this 20 year old camera, something I still find absolutely amazing. As much a the M is the benchmark for all RF's so the T90 is the design that is the DNA for all modern DSLR design
Kim Coxon
11-25-2006, 14:05
Agreed. It reminds me of the argument about what happens when an irresistible force meets an unmovable object. :rolleyes:
Kim
And again. The continual denigration of other people's choices does not fit with the spirit of this forum IMHO.
What is it about shooting with an M? well, ....... I dunno, I just use mine and dare I say it I enjoy using it. Having said that I also enjoy using my Bessas also but somehow it's different, but not worse. for me. Odd really
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Nachkebia
11-26-2006, 04:17
Another thing I noticed on M7 from Zeiss ikon is exponometer, M7 it gives almost -2 on every exposure over Zeiss ikon, it feels that Zeiss ikon has been configurated for slides and M7 for BW negative, anyhow I will need to +1 or +2 on slides for sure :)
I am trying to sell it with Zeiss ZF 50 f/1.4 but without luck :)
anyhow update on M7, more I shoot with it more I love it, expecialy sound and feel of it :D
Which magnification did you get? You don't wear glasses do you? I think im going to have to get contacts when I get my m7...
Nachkebia
11-26-2006, 04:34
Avotius, I meant physical size of the viewfinder, not the actual frame of 35mm or 28mm, and now I noticed since it is 0.58 actual viewfinder is also wide angle ish :D I love it more :D
a .58 eh? Thats great, ive been trying to pick a black m7 with 0.58 up for a while since I sold my mamiya 6 last year, but everytime I find one something comes up and I cant pick it up, the world is so cruel!!!
Nachkebia
11-26-2006, 05:17
:D Yeah thats what I got black M7 with 0.58 it is a charm I have to admit, right now I have lovely chrome 35mm biogon on it without hood and it is looking sexy, ZM lenses feel more solid over Leica lenses as M7 over Zeiss ikon :D
hm...if I read that right you say the zeiss lenses feel more solid then the leica's right? Neat.
Question: With a 50mm lens mounted do you think the frame lines look a little small?
Another Question: What framelines pop up with what? For example do the 50 and 75 pop up at the same time like with a .72?
Sorry for all the questions, when I get mine I have to be 100% sure what I get because its ridiculously hard for me to "change my mind" after the fact since I live so far away from everything.
Nachkebia
11-26-2006, 05:35
hm...if I read that right you say the zeiss lenses feel more solid then the leica's right? Neat. - Yes (with british accent)
Question: With a 50mm lens mounted do you think the frame lines look a little small? - Yes (also with british accent) it is sligtly small but I like it, If I wont have any focusing problems, I love to see alot around the frame lines, besides I can use 50mm on ZI, I shoot mostly 35mm and up :)
Another Question: What framelines pop up with what? For example do the 50 and 75 pop up at the same time like with a .72? - Yes (british) on 50mm it brings up 50 and 75mm frames lines, combination goes likes this, 28-90, 35, 50-75, I guess :)
....- Yes (with british accent)....
Fantastic, you have answered a lot of my unanswered questions. I usually only shoot 35 and 50 so sounds great. I like to see around my frames too and shoot street and other places close up so I guess that could be a great combo. Great, now I know not to settle for a .72
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Nachkebia
11-26-2006, 06:33
:angel: :angel: :angel:
hm...if I read that right you say the zeiss lenses feel more solid then the leica's right? Neat.
I've tried/handled the Zeiss 35 & 50 and I think they're both a little heavier than their Leica counterparts, the aperture & focusing mechanisms are very, very smooth also.
Some of the modern Leica lenses have a slightly 'plasticky' feel IMHO, though I don't doubt they're still superbly constructed.
For my taste the Zeiss lenses are a little too large for the focal length / aperture they deliver, but they sure feel nice to the touch.
The mystique of M cameras is alive and well. I was recently at an event where REAL photojournalists were present - Canon and Nikon gods they were, making great photos for their respective publications. Two half-seriously asked if I would trade my M6/50mm Summilux combo for their digital rigs. "No thanks," I replied, "I already have a Nikon D70s for family snapshots..." I love to see the looks on their faces!
Gregg, that was cruel, but fair.
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