[Leica] A few comments:

[firkin@netconnect.com.au]

Hi all, 

I know I'm chiming in late on many of these discussions, but here goes: 

• the Noctilux may be a specialist piece of glass, but it performs quite 
well as an all rounder. I've given it the gurnsey as my "standard" lens on 
trips, and not regretted its weight or performance. Stopped down the 
vignetting goes and the resolution looks fine to me. Its a bit slower to 
focus, but it has the same DOF as any 50 at higher f numbers. If you are 
looking for a non-conspicuous lens, the 35 series is probably easier to use, 
so I'd travel with a light 35 and the Nocti as good combination. 

• The rangefinder camera, and the M6 of course, are difficult to use  ----  
well. Unlike the better photographers on this list, I don't get the chance 
to use mine all the time, and I've learnt that when I know I'm about to use 
it "seriously", that I need about 2 weeks hard work. During that time, I 
carry it around the house, estimating distance, pre-focusing, guessing light 
levels, aiming checking and generally getting a feel for the camera and its 
controls again. After this 'training', the camera usually feels like an old 
friend, and I'm happy that I can use it as quickly as I can use any camera. 

• I also find the M6 a bit big to carry in my "briefcase" -- in part this is 
due to the 35 asph and its hood, which is my favourite all round lens, so I 
tried using a IIIg with an older elmar. It folded almost flat, and would fit 
in a small carry case on my belt, but really I think the Rollei 35S is 
better -- having said that, the light meter on the Rollei is a funny piece 
of work, and using it often slows down my picture taking, so I find I'm 
better off, estimating light and pre-setting it. In contrast, the light 
meter on the M6 is fast intuitive and accurate. By 1980's standards (and 
before) the M6 was small, but everything changes, and by 2000's standards, 
its quite big compared to some digital and Elf thingo's which do take 
"pretty" good images, but when you get those images side by side with the 
35mm M6 35 asph ones, they look pretty "sick"  ----- then I wish I'd put up 
with the "inconvenience" of my M. 

• a few have said --- get out there and take pictures, and the good images 
will follow -- but I'm here to tell you, at least for me, it ain't that 
easy. The more you take the better you might get, as long as you review your 
work, take critisism wisely, experiment, practice the good, and minimize the 
bad, but as FOM2 shows, the talent and experience of some will outdo the 
hard work and simple volume of others. This is where PAW and FOM2 projects 
are so good for those of us who really want to work hard on our photography, 
and become "better" -- what ever that means. I've been delighted by the 
number of comments from the group on how much they have learnt by reviewing 
the submissions made in year one. If you haven't seen all 775, you only have 
a few more weeks before we pull them off the server, and I'd suggest you 
spend some time going through them and perhaps trying to make up your own 
mind on which 100 you would have included. Most who have done this find that 
they agree with about 50% of the final selections, and everyone seems to 
have enjoyed the challenge, and many seem to have learnt more about their 
own work and bias. I see these projects as the 3rd great benefit of the LUG: 

1. General information
2. Fantastic opportunity to make new friends all over the world
3. Actual practical hands on workshops for all of us to enjoy 

So put your Leica where your money is, if you can afford the time (and I'd 
love to) get a PAW site, see what comments your images bring, select your 
favourites, and get them onto the FOM2 project and see if you can compete 
with the big boys/gals. The feed back I'm getting, is that you won't regret 
it. 

Cheers and here's luck
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