Why do we persist with the M cameras?

The question was "Why do we persist with the M cameras?"

Because they are good cameras that work very well and have good lenses.
Including the digital models.

Next question please.

G
 
Mmmmh, I hope I don't get into arguments with anyone and especially not with moderators but aren't we being a bit over-polite? I like digitals (see my other post) but I could never feel offended by someone who doesn't for that silly reason. After all what's the point of being part of a forum if one re-read always one's own opinion? A guy asks what's the point of using an M and everyone write why they do/don't, if that's interesting then also reading from people with very different taste is, if it is not then maybe one can take a rest a go develop a couple of rolls...

GLF
 
giellaleafapmu said:
Mmmmh, I hope I don't get into arguments with anyone and especially not with moderators but aren't we being a bit over-polite? I like digitals (see my other post) but I could never feel offended by someone who doesn't for that silly reason. After all what's the point of being part of a forum if one re-read always one's own opinion? A guy asks what's the point of using an M and everyone write why they do/don't, if that's interesting then also reading from people with very different taste is, if it is not then maybe one can take a rest a go develop a couple of rolls...

GLF
Click to expand...

Agree 100%. It's a legitimate question, and that was a legitimate answer.
 
Simple Cameras?

Simple Cameras?

thegman said:
I'm going to agree with this.

I won't go so far as to say all digital cameras are junk, but I will say that I am tired of reading about better technology this, better technology that. Who gets to say what is a better technology? Of course, manufacturers, that's who.

What exactly is it about $7000 worth of Leica, Nikon or Canon that makes it the better camera than my Zeiss Ikonta III? Resolution of images? Probably not. Colour? Debatable. Convenience? Well, to get the images, yes, but portability? No.

As it happens I have not persisted with M cameras, I have a IIIf as my only Leica, and the rest of my cameras are medium format. Why I persist is that I much prefer the experience. If my reasons were for technical image quality, combined with ease of use, then I'd still use medium format.

There is of course the engineering principle of KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) that basically says that it's best to keep an engineering solution as simple as possible. Film cameras are of course a lot simpler than digital, and therefore, to me, the superior engineering solution.
Click to expand...

If you ever saw the inside of a Zeiss Ikonta III, you wouldn't say there was anything simple about it. The film advance and exposure counter mechanism is a nightmare of gears, springs and levers. I hope yours keeps working :). I finally had to disable the film counter in mine, and check the frame numbers through the little hole in the back. ---john.
 
I finally sold all my film Ms expect my M2, which I just cannot part with. It was hard to get rid of that MP thought I tell you. Good news is that they have actually APPRECIATED in value since I acquired them over the past few years. I want to say that I still shoot film but the truth is I just don't, at least not often enough.

Here is my M2 that's i'm keeping :)
8292059553_102591c739_c_d.jpg
 
Sorry, no. The quality of the discussion was halted as soon as someone got offended over nothing.

One must be careful on the internet, of putting venom into someone else's words. Calling a camera "junk" is not in and of itself something to get worked up about.

Using your words: "next question".
 
Guys, just because a moderator gives his opinion on something doesn't mean that you aren't allowed to have an opinion back. Of course, you are allowed to think the Fujis are crap, but those of us who use them are free to respond back as well.
 
jsrockit said:
Guys, just because a moderator gives his opinion on something doesn't mean that you aren't allowed to have an opinion back. Of course, you are allowed to think the Fujis are crap, but those of us who use them are free to respond back as well.
Click to expand...

... so why did you tell me only yesterday that I should post my opinions elsewhere?
 
I do not now nor have I owned a Leica M ( I do use CV M bodies). I suspect the reason that you all are using the M camera is that they do it for you and allow you to immerse yourselves in the art of photography.
 
Sparrow said:
... so why did you tell me only yesterday that I should post my opinions elsewhere?
Click to expand...

It was a suggestion, not an order. I just felt that if you have a problem with Fuji using rumors to market its products it may be better to complain somewhere other than a thread where people are excited about the rumors. You did nothing wrong, it was just a suggestion.
 
In my case?

Because M-mount glass.

Because M-mount glass + traditional silver film = distinctive pictures I like the look of.

Because a digital black & white camera that takes M-mount glass costs the price of a used car. And it doesn't even produce a physical image, just static electricity.

Because using a film camera, with its limited capacity and cost-per frame, forces me to edit my shots before I compose them.

Because owning and using interesting, well-made kit is a joy in itself.

All those reasons.

Your mileage may vary.

cheeseshopreflecto-haarlem.jpg
 
FrankS said:
IMO:
The more effort and input (hands-on) one has in a process, the more satisfaction one can obtain from the results.

This is why I persist with manual cameras, film, and the wet darkroom. Lots of satisfaction there for me.
Click to expand...

Me too. I'm a control freak. I don't want to give any credit for how my pictures came out to anything but myself. I have a Bessa, and although I damn myself for buying a camera that has such ridiculously high prices for lenses, I love how it works and how easy it is to take candids of friends and strangers with. I also use a lot of SLRs, but I use the same kind: I have a K1000 and a Canon New F-1. I hate automation. My girlfriend was recently talking about a photographer friend of hers, and his shiny new D8000 (or something) and showing pictures he was taking with it, and only attributing how good they looked to the camera. I like to do it the hard way, have a hand in every single process, take responsibility for the development and exposure, so that at the end of the day I can be proud of what I made. If I get nothing else out of photography, that's fine with me. I like puzzles and challenges. Also, it's always a lot of fun trying to imagine the depth of field and finally seeing your picture and if your mind got it right once you develop the film with a RF as opposed to a more close to life version in an SLR.
 
Nostagia addicts? Cartier-Bresson wannbes?

I'm on both sides of the fence, I have a Canon 6D and love it, I have a Fuji XP1 and love it, I have a bundle of fixed lens RFs and a Epson RD1 and really love them but in the case of the film cameras, it's gotten to be too much of a bother and in the case of the Epson, its just a toy with too many limitations that inhibit a lot of the stuff I like to do.
 
I don't know what to day , but in the last 4 months that I have sold my Nikon D 7000 and picked up a leica M2 , I have never looked back. It has made me happier than ever before. The big,bright viewfinder, the smooth turn of the focus, the simplicity of the buttons along with the thoughts you out into each frame have certainly made me a much better photographer in the last 4 months than I have learnt in the last 2 years.

Its one camera that inspite of being the oldest still has an appeal to me. Its like the best tool that I have learnt composition with.

Not sure if its a true saying about the Leica having a soul .. But certainly to me its the one camera i cant ever pass on.. It goes everywhere with me..
Its now engraved into my hands..

These are all words you can realize once you start using it and slowly succumb to the Leica Poison..
 
Thank you all for your input... But please don't let this become a digital bashing thread.

If you shoot digital and enjoy it, please carry on.

And most of all do what is right for you! :)
 
Some of the comments on this thread have made one thing abundantly clear.

You may kick a man's dog, question his mother's morality, dispute the paternity of his children, even (and this is right on the limit of acceptability) pour scorn on his driving ability and his capacity for holding hard liquor, but NEVER, on pain of RFF dismemberment, criticise his choice of camera(s).... ( !!! )
 
jbrubaker said:
If you ever saw the inside of a Zeiss Ikonta III, you wouldn't say there was anything simple about it. The film advance and exposure counter mechanism is a nightmare of gears, springs and levers. I hope yours keeps working :). I finally had to disable the film counter in mine, and check the frame numbers through the little hole in the back. ---john.
Click to expand...

I'm sure it is very complex, I've never had a nose about inside! It's working for the moment, but I understand that it may break down at some point.

I will say that compared to any digital camera, it's extremely simple, the complexity of modern electronics is just mind blowing. A single person can get their head around how a mechanical camera works, I doubt any one person could ever get their head around how the *whole* of a digital camera works. There is just too much going on, even the standard USB interface is 100 times more complex than the serial interfaces of old.
 
I am a card carrying member of "The Flat Earth Society".
i use film and i use it in a Leica-M.
A camera that becomes part of one.
An extension.
It needs you.
To Command, to select, to do the settings and get focus.
A hard task in age of being an onlooker.
i use digital.
i use film. They are both good.
Film in my Leica though is a journey of the spirit..
 
dabick42 said:
Some of the comments on this thread have made one thing abundantly clear.

You may kick a man's dog, question his mother's morality, dispute the paternity of his children, even (and this is right on the limit of acceptability) pour scorn on his driving ability and his capacity for holding hard liquor, but NEVER, on pain of RFF dismemberment, criticise his choice of camera(s).... ( !!! )
Click to expand...

:D:D:D:D:D
 
I'm using a Nikon S3 now and just lovin it! it just slows the process down
a little and you think before pressing the shutter button, Sometimes I don't
even use a meter I just wing it. and it's the sound the Click wrrr of the gear's
at the slow shutter speeds always gets me the new cameras are just click plunk.

Range
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top