I was thinking about getting a M8 to compliment my D700. I know another D700 would make sense, but I don't know, I love to shoot RF and I've got the lenses. Was just wondering if anyone here was shooting weddings with Leica M on the regular?
Jerms, ya can't bust out the same photo twice in such a short time period, ruins the impact!
I like the idea of the X1, but I'd rather have the interchangeable lenses that the M8 offers. It'd just be a back up that I'd use in good light simply because I like RF better, the M9 is awesome, but at 7k its a little steep.
phatnev wrote:
Jerms, ya can't bust out the same photo twice in such a short time period, ruins the impact!
I like the idea of the X1, but I'd rather have the interchangeable lenses that the M8 offers. It'd just be a back up that I'd use in good light simply because I like RF better, the M9 is awesome, but at 7k its a little steep.
I've used it about 5 times in the last 10 minutes. It's less for others to laugh, more for me to see a funny mustache.
Bad idea, because the Leica digital Ms lack an optical anti-alias filter, and this causes weird colors in areas where there is netural gray or white and fine details. Such as a bride's wedding dress.
notice the test shot with the ruler (which is neutral gray), and see that the Leica has weird colors on the ruler, but the comparison shots from the Canon and Sony full frame cameras don't have that problem. Do you want weird colors on your bride's dress? I don't think so.
I wish I could afford an m9 system and I would totally buy it if I had the cash. Would love a 28/50/90 setup for the unobtrusiveness and potential marketing possibilities. Someday.
I've have to this point admired all your responses to posts here, your answers are logical, constructive and very helpful.
BUT
But now I sense a weakness in your illogical logic and now the red badge is calling you with the possibility of your own signature on the top plate.
Clients will love that and the
"potential marketing possibilities" you will reap rewards beyond the dreams of mere mortals
When i click my fingers i want you to wake up, you have forgotten what this thread was about and will go back to writing Marketing and Business Sense 202 version 3
Click fingers now
TRReichman wrote:
I wish I could afford an m9 system and I would totally buy it if I had the cash. Would love a 28/50/90 setup for the unobtrusiveness and potential marketing possibilities. Someday.
Yup, welcome to my irrationality. I shot a bit with an m8 and I found it to be a great experience. It really did make the process of photographing different. Having said that, the whole thing is kind of an excersize in ridiculousness when you consider the price. Then again, take a look at Leica's brand message (which the price factors into). I think they have a very compellingly built brand identity.
C'mon! How many photographers are making their name solely on the fact that they shoot film? How many are trying to branch into medium format to set themselves apart? We live in a time where art is judged as much by the method of its creation as the aesthetic value of the art itself. A savvy photographer could market the hand-crafted cameras and lenses, the all manual control, etc. Sure its BS, but if it makes you happy and it works who are we to judge?
back to rational thought - who wants to talk and managerial accounting?
TRReichman wrote:
I wish I could afford an m9 system and I would totally buy it if I had the cash. Would love a 28/50/90 setup for the unobtrusiveness and potential marketing possibilities. Someday.
- trr
The one thing I love about you is that you try to make EVERYTHING into a business related scheme. You're a constant reminder that we're just as much business people as we are photographers.
Having said that, I have no idea how you would be able to "market" an m9 camera to your advantage aside from telling the bride it's "unobtrusive".
Saad Syed wrote:
The one thing I love about you is that you try to make EVERYTHING into a business related scheme. You're a constant reminder that we're just as much business people as we are photographers.
Having said that, I have no idea how you would be able to "market" an m9 camera to your advantage aside from telling the bride it's "unobtrusive".
Is that a challenge?
Think about what a Leica is. Its a precision instrument, hand assembled and tested. Its an elegant system, eschewing modern automation for the exacting eye of the artist. It doesn't do the work for you, it simply records what it is the artist creates. The lens system is the finest of its kind, offering the finest image quality available. Sure, they are a little more difficult to use, but in the hands of a master they produce the highest quality images possible.
Think BS like that. Say you are a PJ primarily. You can evoke the classic PJ legacy and separate yourself from the rabble that shoot with hot rodded, automated cameras. You can leverage the fact that you are a prime shooter, emphasizing that its harder, but that your mission statement as an artist is to work harder to create the highest quality of work for your clients.
See, things mean what we make them mean. People come up to me all the time at wedding and as how much my cameras cost. Tell them that little slab of Leica in your hands clocks in at an easy 5 figures with the lens and you're talking about a precision instrument that may impress. Think about Canon. They branded that luxury grade lens and many folks (myself included) totally accepted nothing less even though there are great substitutes for far less. The camera can become a symbol of the ethos and approach if you market it properly.
Somebody mentioned Riccis V. Regardless of what you think of his work the majority of us know him as the Leica guy. Jose Villa is the film guy. People brand on the strangest of things. Anything that you can make work and use to set yourself apart has value.
I just like them, plain and simple. They don't really make alot of sense as my Nikons do everything I need and more at a very high quality. But if I were to invest/indulge in them I would need to find a way to get the value back. I don't want to paint a picture that I'm just a heartless, money-grubbing capitalist pig. I actually do have a creative impulse and emotional side, I've just learned that making money lets you do the creative stuff more and at a higher level. One doesn't preclude the other, they mutually benefit each other.
Think about what a Leica is. Its a precision instrument, hand assembled and tested. Its an elegant system, eschewing modern automation for the exacting eye of the artist. It doesn't do the work for you, it simply records what it is the artist creates. The lens system is the finest of its kind, offering the finest image quality available. Sure, they are a little more difficult to use, but in the hands of a master they produce the highest quality images possible.
Think BS like that. Say you are a PJ primarily. You can evoke the classic PJ legacy and separate yourself from the rabble that shoot with hot rodded, automated cameras. You can leverage the fact that you are a prime shooter, emphasizing that its harder, but that your mission statement as an artist is to work harder to create the highest quality of work for your clients.
See, things mean what we make them mean. People come up to me all the time at wedding and as how much my cameras cost. Tell them that little slab of Leica in your hands clocks in at an easy 5 figures with the lens and you're talking about a precision instrument that may impress. Think about Canon. They branded that luxury grade lens and many folks (myself included) totally accepted nothing less even though there are great substitutes for far less. The camera can become a symbol of the ethos and approach if you market it properly.
Somebody mentioned Riccis V. Regardless of what you think of his work the majority of us know him as the Leica guy. Jose Villa is the film guy. People brand on the strangest of things. Anything that you can make work and use to set yourself apart has value.
I just like them, plain and simple. They don't really make alot of sense as my Nikons do everything I need and more at a very high quality. But if I were to invest/indulge in them I would need to find a way to get the value back. I don't want to paint a picture that I'm just a heartless, money-grubbing capitalist pig. I actually do have a creative impulse and emotional side, I've just learned that making money lets you do the creative stuff more and at a higher level. One doesn't preclude the other, they mutually benefit each other.
Very interesting points. Oh and my original comment wasn't intended to imply that you're a "heartless, money-grubbing capitalist pig". I honestly meant what I said in the literal sense. I really do love the fact that you always remind us of the business side of things. I just started full-time in January and a lot of ideas and philosophies you mention are really inspiring. Granted I want to be an amazing and inspired photographer one day - I want to be an amazing and inspired businessman even more.
Jeff Ascough used to, but switched to a Canon kit.
Actually I remember Jeff Ascough saying that David Oliver now uses Nikon D3...
But you can find a very interesting thread at the Leica Forum about the M8 and Wedding Photography with nice examples, including the forementioned Riccis Valladares.
