rscheffler
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 p.1 #9 · What do you use your Leica M for? | |
Currently my Leica M system is an alternative form of asset reallocation. 
In all seriousness, my use of the M system has evolved since I got into it in 2010 with the M9.
At that time I was unhappy with DSLR AF performance with wide angle lenses (frequent mis-focus) and the rangefinder system provided a fast, precise manual focus solution that I integrated with my DSLR system. I used both side by side for ~10 years often in quite fast-paced situations. I very much think M can work well when responsiveness is needed. There are few, if any, electronic layers between pressing the shutter release and it taking the picture to throw off timing, such as AF delay or mirrorless EVF lag. I still find it to be one of the best cameras I have (or have used) when I want consistent, repeatable timing of 'peak action' capture in a single shot.
M was also my 'fun' system to take on trips, wander around, go on hikes, carry less gear, etc. in part because it was smaller than my DSLRs, but also because it was a very different approach.
My transition to mirrorless in ~2022 has seen that 100% replace my M system for work purposes because on the whole it is a better solution for what I cover, but it's not better than M at everything. Using a single system keeps things simpler and at times faster during events. It also reduces certain post production workflow hassles introduced when working on files with characteristics that require different approaches, different handling, when trying to achieve a consistently unified finished look. But mirrorless EVF lag remains the 'achilles heel' for me. I just simply find it's much worse at timing single frame 'peak action' capture than the M and instead lean on its ability to shoot at 20, 30, 40 fps with pre-capture in such situations. This hints at the 'tip of the iceberg' of other problem I have with mirrorless. I'm a prolific shooter at events, chasing fleeting moments and shooting a TON to do so. The volume of image generation is considerably more than pre-mirrorless and I can see that AI-powered culling is going to become an increasingly necessary 'evil' if I want to keep my sanity (and enthusiasm for this work).
At a recent wedding, while covering dancing during the reception, at times I was frustrated by the inconsistency of mirrorless AF to focus where and when I wanted it to. I know it would have been a simpler, more consistent process of finding and keeping focus with the rangefinder, also the simplicity of knowing where the preset zone of focus was at a given moment. So there are certainly situations where I prefer the M system, even now. But for matters of simplicity, I now rarely bring multiple systems and have to make some tradeoffs to otherwise benefit from the other performance advantages mirrorless has over the M.
I still like shooting with the M and do take it out now and again, but at the moment, even for my casual personal work, I often lean towards certain conveniences offered by mirrorless not available from the M. But here is also a bit of a problem, not related to gear: I've let my enthusiasm for personal work wane, for various reasons, which has resulted in less use of the M system in general.
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