Ron - excellent winterscapes. I really like the first shot on this page. Regarding the M240, is there any place around there where you could rent one for a day? May be a good way to see if you really gel with the camera. I have really enjoyed using the M240 (over a year now) and have not regretted the purchase one bit. BUT - I went direct from M8 and skipped the M9. Although I tried an M9 at a few different times, I did not use it extensively. If I owned the M9 already, the decision would be somewhat more difficult to make. Even then, I would have probably sprung for the M240. For me, the benefits of the M240 would be:
1) Live view. I use this a lot for landscapes and it may come in handy for you shooting wide so often. Instant magnification (if enabled) upon focusing is also great for portraits. Using the EVF can also be pretty good but I really don't like using EVF's at all so rarely do so. Focus peaking works well too but not as good as some other cameras I have used.
2) Illuminated framelines. This may seem like a minor upgrade but I love it. The focusing seems much more precise and the image just snaps into focus when you hit the right point. I always feel confident I have a shot in focus. My keeper rate is much higher than with the M8 (and M9).
3) DNG files. Once you adjust, working with the files gives you more flexibility. There seems to be more exposure lattitude in PP (especially recovering highlights). I originally came up with a good recipe for processing M240 files in LR to give them that CCD look. However, I decided I actually liked the regular output of the M240 files a little better. But there is still something special about some of the M9 shots I see posted here. A matter of preference I suppose.
4) Battery life. The M240 battery lasts so much longer than the M8/M9. Maybe some others will chime in but I would guess twice the battery life. The cost about $200CDN though...
5) Buffer. I rarely shoot continuous but when I do, it works quite well.
6) Shutter. Shutter is fairly quiet...
There are also some other things which are important to me that I like but I don't think you would be as big a benefit to you (auto exposure bracketing, etc). I'm also sure the cold weather performance is better with the M240 as I have used mine in -35C-ish tempererature and it worked like a champ (but I froze my arse off). You should be able to find a used one for around $6000. TCS here in Calgary have three black ones in stock but the price just jumped $300 to $7300. I could help with the transaction if you want to go this route. Also let me know if you want me to put some M240 files up on Dropbox for you to play around with....
rscheffler wrote:
Thanks Andrew. I recall your post about your upcoming trip and my suggestion to just go with the Leica.
Of my typical 21/28/50/90 general purpose kit, I use the 90 the least. It's a reason I'm hesitant to upgrade to the 90AA, in addition to its larger size. But I do think it's a very good lens. I've yet to try the 35 Summarit, though have heard many good things about it, including its rendering. I've seen it as low as $1100 and have been tempted...
Thanks Cal. I recall from playing with early M240 files that they definitely felt very pliable and highlight recovery was much better. I don't doubt using both is quite seamless. I think there are minor rear button differences, but that shouldn't be substantial. I've had to endure that with 1D upgrades as well...
A last look back at the ice. The last frame of the day and the last lock-up at which I called it a day. Sensor reading here is -11C..
Again I am mostly a 50mm shooter, but the 35mm Summarit is an incredibly nice lens. I tried a number of other 35s including the current 35/2 Summicron ASPH and the v4 "Bokeh King", but find the Summarit has a more pleasing rendering for my tastes and the speed difference is negligible. I haven't tried any of the 35/1.4 lenses as they are just bulkier and more expensive than I want from a 35mm Leica lens.
I would just bring the Leica if this was a photography trip, but its my 20th anniversary trip and my wife wants color and not to stand around while I play with a bag full of lenses. The 6D and zoom lens should make an excellent travel companion. I'd also be a lot less upset if something should happen to them.
Thanks Gary, I appreciate you taking the time to post your thoughts and offer to broker a deal. Coincidentally, I sent a message to TCS via their website inquiring about their stock and if $7300 is still current, but haven't heard back. Everyone else around here has bumped the body up to $7600... But I may have found a fairly local option at similar to TCS's price. Might be a bit cheaper after the shipping cost from AB to ON. I would consider used, though if it's ~$6000 US, then for the extra money, I'd probably just get a new one. I don't really care about dodging GST/HST either since it's for business and will qualify as an input tax credit.
From my inquiries yesterday, pretty much everyone has the camera in stock, so I currently don't feel a huge rush to get one. Though the current exchange rate situation was mentioned as being unstable and possibly causing more price increases soon...
Gary - I heard back from TCS - they seem to really want the sale. Are you getting a commission on this, eh? It's not like Alberta needs any more money flowing in! Maybe I should look for a job out on the sands to pay for all this fancy German gear.
Thanks Andrew, I'm sure it will work out well for you. As I've mentioned, I'm currently playing with a loaner Sony RX10. I was skeptical about it at first and barely wanted to use it. There are a number of UI aspects that bother me about it. But you know... I've been bringing it along the last few days and it's growing on me. I'd be tempted to say it could be a better travel camera than a DSLR solution. It's not perfect and at times I miss the FF look... but keep it at lower ISOs and it's pretty decent. I think where it will suffer though is wide open higher ISO shooting, especially if you're looking for shallow DOF. A lot of my walk around stuff is somewhat the opposite and the small sensor coupled with more generous focus depth works nicely...
Anyway, this is getting way OT...
Here's one before the light got really interesting - 50 Lux ASPH:
rscheffler wrote:
Gary - I heard back from TCS - they seem to really want the sale. Are you getting a commission on this, eh?
Too funny. I called them to see how much stock was left and find out the pricing for you. They mentioned that their last one was just put on hold from some guy in Ontario. I am usually pretty slow but I managed to put two and two together and figure out the rest.
rscheffler wrote:
Gary - I heard back from TCS - they seem to really want the sale. Are you getting a commission on this, eh? It's not like Alberta needs any more money flowing in! Maybe I should look for a job out on the sands to pay for all this fancy German gear.
Thanks Andrew, I'm sure it will work out well for you. As I've mentioned, I'm currently playing with a loaner Sony RX10. I was skeptical about it at first and barely wanted to use it. There are a number of UI aspects that bother me about it. But you know... I've been bringing it along the last few days and it's growing on me. I'd be tempted to say it could be a better travel camera than a DSLR solution. It's not perfect and at times I miss the FF look... but keep it at lower ISOs and it's pretty decent. I think where it will suffer though is wide open higher ISO shooting, especially if you're looking for shallow DOF. A lot of my walk around stuff is somewhat the opposite and the small sensor coupled with more generous focus depth works nicely...
Anyway, this is getting way OT...
Here's one before the light got really interesting - 50 Lux ASPH:
I have the RX100 mk ii (traded my Leica X2 for it and an M lens) and am quite pleased. It will come to Europe as well, mainly for the wife to use or when I don't want to carry the 6D such as when out for a fancy dinner. Same sensor as RX10 I believe, and it is excellent. Not FF, but better than I thought it would be.
rscheffler wrote:
Thanks Andrew. I recall your post about your upcoming trip and my suggestion to just go with the Leica.
Of my typical 21/28/50/90 general purpose kit, I use the 90 the least. It's a reason I'm hesitant to upgrade to the 90AA, in addition to its larger size. But I do think it's a very good lens. I've yet to try the 35 Summarit, though have heard many good things about it, including its rendering. I've seen it as low as $1100 and have been tempted...
Loving these winterscapes Ron!
My lens lineup is similar to your from an FL standpoint, with fairly fast lenses (21 f/1.8, 35 f/1.4, 50 f/1.4, 90 f/2). Like you, I use the 90 least, and am contemplating trading it in for a 75 f/1.4, which I think I would enjoy a lot more for the subject isolation and light gathering ability.
Speaking as a mostly satisfied M240 user, I don't think my stay into the Leica universe would have lasted very long if I bought an M9. I used an M9 for a week, after I tested the M240. To me, the LV makes and better high ISO performance makes the M240 a much more versatile camera, and I really value that versatility. I love the "one camera for just about everything" philosophy, and the M240 is the closest I've been able to get to that ideal camera for me. Being able to take images over fences or people's heads while focusing/composing through LV, or seeing a landscape composition through a wide lens without having to fumble with external finders, is extremely useful to me. I much prefer to use the RF to focus, but it's not always the best way to solve a photographic problem. For example, I know for a fact that my 90mm focus-shifts substantially. LV makes it possible for me to use that lens without having to surrender my camera to a service-person for a weeks at a time. I know I have should adjusted eventually, but LV preserves the camera's usefulness with that lens.
Also, since most of my casual and street shooting is done at night, I really value the high ISO performance of the M240 sensor.
Hi all!
I am still in Finish lapland and having today a resting day. On the Camp Site where i am right now i can get via my iPod touch and wlan a Connection to the internet. So far i had a Great Time but as always the Weather her in lapland is Not always as Great as One would like! But i try to get the best Out of it. Temperatur Range is between -8 to -34 but i am very happy about the flawless performance of the m9-p, she was icy all over and i had really some nasty stormy weather but Never gave me a Problem. i am really Looking forward to Share some Pics once i am back. My iPod touch Drive me Almost Crazy While i am tiping, it changes constantly my tiping. Problably i have to deactivate some of the Standart Settings.
a try to upload five pics which I like a lot. They had just a minor pp on the laptop, I also liked to show one of each single lens I have with me. As I mentioned in my last post, every thing works flawless. The one problem I had was with the really right stuff L- Braked, my nose got frozen to it. I even lost some skin on the side of my nose, but every thing has heeled already. On the first day when this happened, I applied some tape and the problem was solved. I am also surprised to see, that the 28 Summicron isn't free of the color cast in the corners.
A lot of gear talk lately. I think it is really difficult to give an appropriated recommendation, it depends to much on the photographer and it's shooting style.
For me as a landscaper I still don't regret my decision to get the M9-P. I was very curious how the M9 stands up to the some times rough conditions I am in, but it has worked just flawlessly, knocking on wood! But since the feedback on the M240 is in many ways very positive I am convinced that it is a camera that I would like to shoot as well. To me it was just the price along with the new futures which didn't convinced me to 100%. So I skipped it, and as a new Leica user, I invested in the glass and will probably get the next generation.
Peter, your winterscapes are spectacular! I love them... sorry to hear you lost part of your nose to the RRS bracket. I have one, but think here in Texas I would get a 3rd degree burn before I'd ever get it frozen to anything.
