Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2002/12/20
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Hi, After just getting my first M6, I notice I may have to modify some 25 year old shooting habits, which doesn't come easy. I may just as well ask you experienced long-time users, before adopting some bad techniques! One basic (but very important) concern is the need to modify my camera hand grip, actually both ways. Don't laugh, but this is a bit different than a SLR at first. With my Nikon FE I have always held the camera cradle-like, with the body resting on the palm of my hand and with 3 fingers doing the focusing from the underside while providing stability to the lens. This has proven very fast and stable, with the mirror disengaged in lowlight conditions (w/ slight selftimer) I usually get 1/4 or sometimes longer with proper breathing. My only gripe throughout the years have been the momentary finder black-out (while selftiming) of this technique, i.e. never really capturing the moment. Finally I figured that a Leica would be the solution: great low-light optics, a shutter curtain with very little vibration and a finder that allows exact focusing while never blackening out. To fully take benifit of my new camera however, I need to learn how to properly hold it for maximum stability/fast focusing action. I still experiment, so I am open to suggestions before I settle on my handheld technique. a) horisontal: With my smallish Leica 35/2 Summicron lens on, there is little room for 3 fingers gripping the lens. Instead I find myself holding the focusing tab just between my thumb and the index finger, but that means stability seems a little less provided, actually more wobbly than with my nikon. Any other suggestion? What to do with the tab...? b) vertical: I have always used a "bottom" grip, ie with my right hand pressing the shutter at the bottom and my elbows tucked into my ribs for maximum stability/compactness. With the M6, I sometimes find that my "leftover" fingers, when not fitting around the lens tend to obscure the rangefinder in this position, giving me focusing problems. Anyone experienced this? Do I have to relearn the "top" stance? It would considerably slow me down for a while. Perhaps a larger non-tabbed lens would be easier, or if I chopped off a finger or two? Richard (and yes: large hands) Ellips Arkitekter AB Stadsgarden 17 116 45 STOCKHOLM T: +46-8-702 9919 F: +46-8-702 2233 e: richard.torsleff@ellips-ark.se - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html