Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2004/10/27
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]First things first. You should (as suggested previously) RENT the equipment, and use it for at least a week. May cost you short term but save you long term. I did not know of anyone who rented Leica equipment in Sydney (where I live) so I bought an M6 + 35 f2 'cron. I love it. Not all do. I have friends who hate RF systems no matter who they are made by. Even though you can get your cash back, can you really be ARSED to sell something two months after you bought it? I can't it ends up cluttering up my room(s) ie my subminiature camera phase. Second: Even a week may not be long enough. Look at your prints/negs. See if you like 'em. Keep in mind that if you have been using AUTO SLR systems you may have trouble changing to an RF system. The only SLR i have owned has been the perrenial K1000. I had few problems in the change over as it (K 1000) is manual everything like the Leica. A friend of mine who is a pro and has used SL systems for years forgets to do fundamental things, like focus, or expose correctly or obscures the RF window etc..... Third: Leica glass is beautiful (an F*#king expensive even for old stuff, contradict me I dare you), but you may hate the way YOUR stuff looks when using a Noctilux. ie I love Larry Burrows' work and I do not use the same lenses 'cause I just can't seem to use it the same way he does. Don't get me wrong one day I may adopt similar sizes/techniques whatever. But start easy else you may be dissuaded before you get a chance to have real fun with it >From my limited experience I can tell you that a VERY shallow DOF lens ie >50 f1 @ f1 is far more difficulty to focuss (on your subject) than others which have more "Give" in em. By no means are any of my photos perfect but my 50/f2 and 35/f2 at f4-f2 give me the benfit of the doubt anyway. They are nice to me. Fourth: BY NO MEANS sell your other entire system. You may want it/need it/prefer it. Fifth: Shoot Heaps of celluloid. Cartons of the stuff. Carry the camera, USE it, at lunch at home on the way to work. See if it fits you if it doesn't, who cares. Plenty of great photos have been taken with cameras that cost a shit load less. ALex _________________________________________________________________ Smart Saving with ING Direct ? earn 5.25% p.a. variable rate: http://ad.au.doubleclick.net/clk;7249209;8842331;n?http://www.ingdirect.com.au/burst6offer.asp?id=8