I am a bit embarrassed to ask such a question here. But on the other hand there are quite a bit discussions here about other gearhead stuff, too. So here it goes:
Does anyone of you use a rangefinder for wedding work? As an additional body? Alone?
What are your opinions on this (best first hand)
There are a few, quite successful photogs doing so: I thing FlashGordon Photo here from this site, Otto Schulze of course, Fer Juaristi as a third body and I know a few more.
I for myself have a love-hate relationship to it. Use mainly DSLR but sometimes a M9 with a 35 and a 85 on a Nikon.
My main complains with the rangefinder is the inaccurate viewfinder (parallax) and the slow focus. Actually it is not that slow but fast moving, candits, wide open and fairly close - itīs a challenge my Nikon with a prime handles much better.
As I think treats with pics are always nicer to read, so here are one or two (M9, 35 Summilux):
Swoop here uses one quite a bit. I started to implement an M9 into certain parts of the day where I can take the time to really use it, but I still rely on my Nikons for 99% of what I shoot on the wedding day.
I love love love the m9 and was like moments away from buying one...
Realistically unless you are rich it is a poor business decision to shoot with one. No one will be able to tell the difference and I am sorry "I love the feel of a Leica" is not a reason to spend almost 10,000$ on a camera and lens.
Fuji should (if they are smart) have a full frame mirrorless setup in a few years with focus peaking (perhaps in a few weeks even at photokina). Once that comes out Leica will only sell cameras to rich Leica people. Everyone else will shoot something else that is 1/4 the price and 99% the same on the output.
I experimented with the m9 earlier this year. I was pretty jacked about it but IMO the image quality is garbage given the price of the system. I thought I would supplement with a fuji but the Olympus OM-D ended up doing everything I wanted the m9 to do but better and more economically. The m9 is totally usable, but for what you're spending I had to expect more performance and not paying so much for the name. Old men did pay an enormous amount of attention to it at weddings though. That's a benefit to some but a turn off to me.
Never had one, but I'm still calling it as not worth it. However, Sony just announced a full frame P&S-sized camera, so it won't be long until other manufacturers follow.
I have used one as a third camera to my Nikons. The Leica system for me fits my style and my desire to capture moments with minimum amount of gear. I am getting out of shooting weddings after I finish one more and will sell all the nikon gear and shoot 100% Leica for mostly Street Photography. The red dot is a very expensive camera to get in to but for me its a lot of fun and I love the ergonomics and the controls. I use the M9 with 35 lux and 50 lux. https://dl.dropbox.com/u/12631892/m9bag.jpg
I use a M9p all the time for daily walk around and fun stuff. IMHO I could probably use the M9p exclusively to shoot weddings if they were outdoor or indoor events with tons of natural light. The reality of the situation is I wouldn't.. Simply it's to much of a hassle and the IQ gain from M lenses isn't worth it by the time I filter all my photos etc.
Honestly, if I were to put up with the hassle, it would be for a MFD setup. Again, a pain (I've shot a wedding with one) but I think the images are more unique when shot with a MF camera over say the M9.
Just an opinion, but something to think about if you're looking to stand out.
I donīt think the image quality of Leica is any better than the rest. Worse in low conditions actually. But it is just pure fun to use IMHO.
What about marketing considerations? I am tempted to believe they are better with Leica equipment. Just the possibilities to post pictures with names and websites in different blogs generate backlinks to the website.
I found Otto Schulze just because I googelt wedding and Leica.
I'm familiar with rangefinder shooting from the film days M6/MP and I'd love to shoot Leica's at weddings. I've considered the switch a few times. The main appeal from my POV is the reduction in weight and clutter. I carry a lot of crap on my person at a wedding and it definitely retracts from my aim to be quiet and discrete. A dual M9 system is certainly appealing in that way. It also appeals to a guy who shoots a lot of B&W. On the flip side, I adore the lowlight capabilities of modern dSLR cameras. Leica gear doesn't get close in this regard.
Now that Sony has a FF mirrorless cam Fuji will have to answer.
if Fuji can do it right with FF, focus peaking, and decent autofocus they will destroy everyone.
I agree with Chuck no viewfinder or some hotshoe viewfinder is not going to work. I need to see shutter, aperture, etc in the viewfinder.
I'd love to shoot weddings (and everything else) with a Leica (and probably will in the near future. Or a Zeiss Ikon). But I'd be using their film bodies. The M9 just seems too expensive (and old. Maybe the M10).
Mainly for the size, quietness, and rangefinderness (sometimes I like to see full dof).
The Rx1 sure does look nice, but as the others mentioned, no vf (and hat ridiculous hotshoe thing doesn't count)? Are they crazy? I wish Zeiss would put out a digital Ikon... (though I'm fine with the film versions).
