Thanks for all the encouragement, it is refreshing.
IT is also very nice to see all the amazing images from others.
I have a question - I am very new to Leica.. As a matter of fact I just my M8 a few days back. I really like the system (rangefinder).
There's a lot of things I like about my Canon stuff - but with Leica the best part are 2 things (1) I can take it anywhere and no one really even looks twice. Today for example, one person commented 'nice camera' - who seemed to be a photographer, with the Canon stuff I feel very self-conscious while taking photos. This by itself is reason enough for me to stick with Leica, because it really lets me focus on photography instead of the heavy equipment I'm having to carry otherwise (2) The second reason I like this system is because of all the famous and amazing lenses that are available! I need not go into detail re: this.
My question is regarding (2)!
I'm thinking of buying 1 or 2 lenses in the near future - like the 50/1.4. But it seems to be sold out everywhere!
Is this a normal Leica phenomenon?
Thanks for all the encouragement, it is refreshing.
IT is also very nice to see all the amazing images from others.
I have a question - I am very new to Leica.. As a matter of fact I just my M8 a few days back. I really like the system (rangefinder).
There's a lot of things I like about my Canon stuff - but with Leica the best part are 2 things (1) I can take it anywhere and no one really even looks twice. Today for example, one person commented 'nice camera' - who seemed to be a photographer, with the Canon stuff I feel very self-conscious while taking photos. This by itself is reason enough for me to stick with Leica, because it really lets me focus on photography instead of the heavy equipment I'm having to carry otherwise (2) The second reason I like this system is because of all the famous and amazing lenses that are available! I need not go into detail re: this.
My question is regarding (2)!
I'm thinking of buying 1 or 2 lenses in the near future - like the 50/1.4. But it seems to be sold out everywhere!
Is this a normal Leica phenomenon?
(1) I agree This is the reason why I sold my 5DII and lenses, to fund a backup for travelling, as I was tired of lugging my DSLR gear around. With doubt, RF and DSLR's are very different so really depends your needs, or whether the RF systems gels, without having to divorce it after the "honeymoon" period. IMO, the Leica lenses are extraordinary, and not cheap!
(2) Leica lenses, are in short supply as more M9's become available. But you can hunt around for second hands lenses and they become available if you are patient. Good luck hunting!
charles.K wrote:
I do prefer the rendering with 50 Lux over the 35 Lux IMO. I would strongly suggest if are finding a niche with 50 Lux, the 28 Cron would a great lens to seriously try.
From what I've seen the 35 Lux ASPH II can produce somewhat harsh bokeh. The original 35 Lux ASPH seems to do it a bit smoother but the 50 Lux ASPH has it beat in that regard. Overall I think the 50 has an edge in both rendering and optical performance but 35mm is really my favorite focal length. I can work with 50 but usually I need to think more especially when trying to balance background/foreground objects. 28mm isn't my focal length. I can work with 25 but prefer 21.
lovinglife wrote:
My question is regarding (2)!
I'm thinking of buying 1 or 2 lenses in the near future - like the 50/1.4. But it seems to be sold out everywhere!
Is this a normal Leica phenomenon?
Currently that's normal. The waiting period right now if you go through a regular reseller is 4-6 months for the 50 Summilux ASPH. If you are in a hurry you can usually find new copies on ebay, but count on the price being 20-30% higher compared to regular US retail prices.
Nice shots by the way! One suggestion though - when you post multiple shots in sequence, don't post each in a separate post - put them all together in one post.
Wow...go away for a weekend and look what happens. That was a ton of good stuff to go over
Luka, Joe, Charles, Phil, Lovinglife, Ty....great stuff! Luka - that last series with the 50 Lux is amazing. Especially the first shot. I have only seen Zeiss stuff look that good....if that good. Wow!
A note about the Leica system...focusing at f/1.4 with the 35 Lux is surprisingly very easy. I honestly have not missed a shot b/c of poor focus. I was expecting horror based on what I read but that is not the case. I tried the 35 f/1.2 Nokton and it seemed damn near impossible to hit focus. I didn't suspect the lens, just me at the wider apertures. I put it on a tripod and found it was slightly off, but not bad. So I try the Lux and totally different story. EVERY shot is 100% nailed. The sharpness wide open beats anything I could get in Nikon mount. This lens (and system) is really amazing.....even on an M8
Step 1 complete...Nikon D700 is packed and on the way to the new owner today. Officially on the lookout for an M9
Kinda OT: Is anyone using GND-filters on their rangefinders? I'm a big fan of Lee-filters and since I'm considering buying a M9 in the future I'm a bit concerned if the positioning of the filters are a pain in the butt or not.
Lovinglife, nice pics this page. Since Leica lenses can be hard to find and somewhat more expensive, you could also try to experiment with various focal lengths with Voigtlander or Zeiss lenses and see if you like them. you may decide that these are adequate for you and there is no need to "upgrade" to Leica glass. For instance, on the 50mm FL, the Zeiss ZM50/2 has a nice rendering and is also reasonably priced. For faster speed, you can consider the 50Lux pre-ASPH or even the CV Nokton 50/1.5.
Luka, another very nice set. #1 is my favorite.
Charles, love the rendering of the 28Cron. Nice dog
denoir wrote:
Currently that's normal. The waiting period right now if you go through a regular reseller is 4-6 months for the 50 Summilux ASPH. If you are in a hurry you can usually find new copies on ebay, but count on the price being 20-30% higher compared to regular US retail prices.
Nice shots by the way! One suggestion though - when you post multiple shots in sequence, don't post each in a separate post - put them all together in one post.
Denoir -
Thanks - and awesome shots!
I'll remember to try to put all the images on one post.
Here's a few more.
M8+2.8/21 again (the only Leica I have as of now )
Joshua very nice example with the GND filter!
Lovinglife, really liking your shots!
Ty, nice essential duck shot. With respect to the 90 Cron, if it is well calibrated and repeatable, it should focus well with a little bit of practice. With the 90 frame lines, and that fact you can see outside the box, really helps with your composition as you can readjust. If it does not feel right, do get the lens checked out! I am sure there are many places within the US, that would check it out quickly for you
Lovinglife - more great stuff. I really like the PP
Ty - I would get the lens checked. I once bought a 75 f/2.5 and couldn't focus that thing worth a damn on my M8. I almost gave up on tele length unless I bought a magnifier. Well, I since tried a 75 f/1.8 and 90 f/2.8 and both of these are very easy to accurately focus. I think my 75 f/2.5 was just off looking back. It wasn't me, it was definitely the lens. I seriously can't miss a shot with my 90 f/2.8 even wide open. If it isn't the lens, you may want to have your camera checked...but I would start with the lens first. It shouldn't be that difficult
Charles - great shots from Bali. I can see the resemblence in the 50 and 75 Lux's. While the 50 may be killer sharp wide open the rendering of the two are still quite similar...especially the out of focus area
Here are more from the 35 Lux....can't put it down
For Ron....
For Luka....though an M9 would have really helped with this shot. May have to revisit it soon
rsolti13 and Charles very nice portraits and alley shot! I feel at home in an alley . I had the opportunity to use a local FMer's 35 asph and was blown away by it! Now I see why everybody loves this lens! And why it is so hard to get one!
Malkovic wrote:
Kinda OT: Is anyone using GND-filters on their rangefinders? I'm a big fan of Lee-filters and since I'm considering buying a M9 in the future I'm a bit concerned if the positioning of the filters are a pain in the butt or not.
Dan (thrice) posted a number of images here way back towards the beginning that he shot with the Zeiss 18 and grad filters. I think he discussed his technique a bit as well. Unfortunately I think he has abandoned this thread after a couple disagreements with others here...
My solution at the moment, while not necessarily ideal, has been to keep the M9 set at base ISO of 160 and expose for the highlights. In post I'll open the shadows either with the fill slider in LR, selective dodging, or making two or more conversions and masking the layers in Photoshop. There are certainly applications where using a GND is a better solution... it will depend on your preferences. The M9 at base ISO tolerates opening the shadows surprisingly well.
An example I posted a few weeks back:
In LR I opened up the bottom half of the image about 1.5 or so stops. I didn't use the fill light slider because it created a strange transition along the horizon..
joe88 wrote:
Lovinglife, nice pics this page. Since Leica lenses can be hard to find and somewhat more expensive, you could also try to experiment with various focal lengths with Voigtlander or Zeiss lenses and see if you like them. you may decide that these are adequate for you and there is no need to "upgrade" to Leica glass. For instance, on the 50mm FL, the Zeiss ZM50/2 has a nice rendering and is also reasonably priced. For faster speed, you can consider the 50Lux pre-ASPH or even the CV Nokton 50/1.5.
I agree with Joe and is essentially what I did. I got into the M system because I wanted a compact, high quality camera and lenses (like Charles), but was not stuck on it being from Leica. But since Leica is the only one offering this kind of camera at the moment, that part wasn't an option. In order to get to know the system better, and because I'm impatient, I decided from the outset to take the middle road and acquired primarily Zeiss lenses. It allowed me to build a fairly complete 4 lens system for about another $3000, on top of what I paid for a used M9. While I would like to eventually try and perhaps buy some Leica glass, I'm very happy with my ZM alternatives.
Ty: I borrowed a friends Zeiss 85mm f/4 when I first got the M9 and found it was hit or miss at first. I needed to pay very careful attention to the rangefinder patch to nail focus. I'm still not sure if perhaps my camera is off a bit, but you should make some tests on a tripod to see if you can consistently repeat hitting focus on a specific spot. And just practice a lot with it. If you're still having problems, you don't necessarily have to send the lens to Solms, rather there is Leica in Allendale NJ. It might take a few weeks to get fixed (Germany won't be any faster), but at least it's domestic, and they are very friendly.
rscheffler wrote:
...
I agree with Joe and is essentially what I did. I got into the M system because I wanted a compact, high quality camera and lenses (like Charles), but was not stuck on it being from Leica. But since Leica is the only one offering this kind of camera at the moment, that part wasn't an option. In order to get to know the system better, and because I'm impatient, I decided from the outset to take the middle road and acquired primarily Zeiss lenses. It allowed me to build a fairly complete 4 lens system for about another $3000, on top of what I paid for a used M9. While I would like to eventually try and perhaps buy some Leica glass, I'm very happy with my ZM alternatives.
This is the reason why I sold my 5DII and lenses, to fund a backup for travelling, as I was tired of lugging my DSLR gear around. With doubt, RF and DSLR's are very different so really depends your needs, or whether the RF systems gels, without having to divorce it after the "honeymoon" period. IMO, the Leica lenses are extraordinary, and not cheap! 
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