Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/11/16

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Subject: Re: 'M'ing it and 'R'ing it?
From: Alfred Breull <puma@hannover.sgh-net.de>
Date: Mon, 17 Nov 1997 00:32:31 +0100

At 14:39 16.11.1997 -0500, Pete wrote:
>My question for the day - and it is sincere - is what do you that shoot 'M's
>get on film that I do not get on my R?

Pete,

Of course, you can use all those fine lenses with your R Leica, the Summar,
the 73 mm Hektor, all those early 50 mm Summicrons, the Summarit, Summitar,
the 4/21 or 3.4/21 SA, or the old 90 Summicron with it's creamy bokeh, etc.
You just need the corresponding adapter, and there you go - don't forget to
adjust the aperture from wide open to working aperture ... It takes a little
time, but as soon as you got used to it, it's no porblem anymore.

Additionally, there are several aspects you need to take into account. Dick
already described two of them, the more easy adjustments of distance with
wide angle glass or in low light situations. Besides, the M is more small,
more quiet, and - a drug (sorry, all SL & R users: this statement is
completely unbiased :)  ).

You need to keep in mind, that both cameras are basically completely
different: With the M, you need to anticipate your pic more strong. There is
no screen help, how the pic might look like. There is no help in DOF. And -
sometimes, with quickly moving objects/ subjects - the adjustment of
distance is even more slow than with your R8, specially with longer lenses. 

But, in general, you concentrate more on the pic than with a R Leica,
because you need to anticipate stronger. But, what's an advantage to one is
a disadvantage to others.

You need to find out for yourself, whether you are a VF/RF adict or prefer a
SLR and take the best pix in the world. 

Alf