Charles, if I had one, I would probably have thought the same way. My plan was, possibly to sell my M9 if I could get a hold of a M240 to help cover it's cost, and sell a nikon lens or two. I just find that I don't shoot as much as I used to now, and when I do, I choose Leica more than not. The freedom it affords me to focus on the photography more than makes up for the flexibility limitations that the ergonomics compromise on. What I mean there is, Nikon probably like Canon does have it's strong points. I will continue to shoot some Nikon, but I will limit it more to very special lenses that I wish to shoot. The top two will be the nikon Noct (58mm 1.2) and the 28mm 1.4D, both precision hand ground glass, making it similar to Leica in quality. To me, I want to shoot the best if I shoot Nikon, and I find that I gravitate toward those two lenses all I can, and a few other choice lenses. Keeping a lot of Zeiss primes and stuf for Nikon, just doesn't make as much sense for me now. I shoot Leica to much for that.
That image really shines Phil. nice job. To bad about the Noct. We all have regret pieces I think. It's impossible to not feel regret with passion.
Thank you Jamgolf. I just take what's there and enhance it to what I feel my eye see's, and add a little more for impact and contrast. I also typically add some black and shadow unless a piece is to dark to begin with. I find that really makes the color that is there pop. my edit workflow/technique is pretty simple really for most things.
Thanks Doug, Thanks Edward - yes it's in great hands of someone that really knows how to use it , Thanks Charles - very nice, I really love how you take your shots to the limit and your M240 where few dare to even go (push iso, high iso, etc.)
Actually speaking of that, I found if you shoot @ 3200 and push 1-2 stops it looks better then shooting @ 6400, less dramatic of a result if you shoot @ 1600 and push.
My 90mm Cron V3 doesn't recelive a lot of love, but it's a pretty capable performer, just not the easiest to focus finely... The detail is there if looked at closely, pretty nice lens. I don't remember what I paid for this lens, but it was a handsome deal as I recall relative to the 3,4, 5K and more prices my other 4 cost. . really in top shape for the age. I do need a red dot for it, I somehow lost my dot.
75APO - FANTASTIC LENS, honestly wish I used it more, I just tend to favor using a 50mm because of the FL.
I think I'll go out and shoot with it this weekend if the weather is good.
Honestly Adam, I never expected to be wowed by this lens to the degree that I am. Well, I knew it would be great, but just HOW great, I didn't know. They really produced a jem with this lens, that's a fact. It wows me every time I use it! I look for things to shoot with it, and back up if I have to, lol.
Gary, wild but suitable bokeh for that photo.
Doug, thanks for the colour treat I agree it's a great photo and the others too, do you enjoy the 24 Summilux for this kind of landscape work?
Phil, great use of the Nocti.
Charles, great photos from Ubud and from the beach
Joakim, honestly, I would have been as well off with a slower 24mm than the Summilux. I didn't need 1.4 speed for this lens at all, ok, maybe I didn't need it for any of my Lux's honestly, but I am glad my 35 and 50 are Luxes for sure. The 24, no, I didn't "need", but at the time I wanted to buy a great Leica lens. There was honestly nothing else in stock in new lenses! They hadn't really started turning out much slower glass at that point than Crons. So I figured I wanted a great landscape lens for Leica, I would honestly have bought a 21mm if they would have had it, but a 24 was what I found at the time. Even BH and Adorama didn't have any 24 luxes then. I found it elsewhere. IF I could get a great price for it, I would probably sell it and get a 21 slower lens and be happy. But if I have to take a beating to sell it, I'll just keep it as my wide and be happy.
It is an extremely good lens, no doubt! I don't shoot it as much as I wish, for what I have invested though. (Thankfully, I did beat the last 2 price increases though!) The 35 and 50 though, are bread and butter. the 75 I made myself pretty clear how much I like that lens. I recently cased my 24 and 90 together in my Leica backpack, in a protective Think Tank lens changer bag. Due to limited use, no point in them getting in my way most of the time. When I need it, it's there though and ready to create great shots like that tree shot.
Great shots Charles! You always keep this thread moving with wonderful portraits!
Doug - the 75 cron looks like a fabulous lens (in your hands, at least). Do post more!
I have been super busy lately ... but had a shoot for an architect and decided to grab some random shots on my home from the shoot. Getting lost in the middle of nowhere isn't always bad...
3D.Doug wrote:
Honestly Adam, I never expected to be wowed by this lens to the degree that I am. Well, I knew it would be great, but just HOW great, I didn't know. They really produced a jem with this lens, that's a fact. It wows me every time I use it! I look for things to shoot with it, and back up if I have to, lol.
Doug, I'm in the same boat.. I just find it harder to use the 75APO then you do, maybe I should try to make a point of using it more
Gary, actually, that's a railing. I was struggling to stay above the railing, but getting as low a view as possible. It's a VERY tall railing even for someone 6 feet tall. You feel like a kid trying to see over it. I guess they didn't want anyone falling off it, plus horses and riders go over the trail. Maybe that has something to do with the height of it. I don't personally agree with horses being on the foot trails in the Smokies, but they are, horse crap and all.
Longer exposures would have been a problem because it's a semi suspension bridge, and it shakes like crazy when people walk across it. It was actually pulsing up and down while I was on it by two different sets of people. So, maybe when not crowded could do that, or if very patient. Have to deal with that rail height though, getting positioned could be difficult
Beautiful rendering (to rub more salt in the wound 
)
. really in top shape for the age. I do need a red dot for it, I somehow lost my dot.
