New Leicas

Posted by: Kevin-W on 17 September 2012

Leica unveiled a lot of new cameras and lenses at Photokina in Cologne this evening. The new flagship M (an M10 I guess) looks quite interesting but not sure about the aesthetics, particularly at the rear - it will work with R lenses as well as Ms though.

 

The M9 seems to now be the M-E, with a £2k price reduction. There's also a new S medium format camera and some lenses.

 

Details [click on the link following] here

 

Posted on: 08 October 2012 by Quad 33
Originally Posted by Kevin-W:

If anyone doubts just how good a Leica is in the hands of a decent photographer, check this guy's M9 pics out:

 

Here

 

and here

Kevin where & where?

 

Graham.

Posted on: 08 October 2012 by Kevin-W
Originally Posted by Quad 33:
Originally Posted by Kevin-W:

If anyone doubts just how good a Leica is in the hands of a decent photographer, check this guy's M9 pics out:

 

Here

 

and here

Kevin where & where?

 

Graham.

Graham -

 

Click on the words "here" and "and here" - should take you to her (I've since found out that he is in fact a she and her name is Joanne Puyet) - just tried it and it works for me!

Posted on: 08 October 2012 by Quad 33
Originally Posted by Kevin-W:
Originally Posted by Quad 33:
Originally Posted by Kevin-W:

If anyone doubts just how good a Leica is in the hands of a decent photographer, check this guy's M9 pics out:

 

Here

 

and here

Kevin where & where?

 

Graham.

Graham -

 

Click on the words "here" and "and here" - should take you to her (I've since found out that he is in fact a she and her name is Joanne Puyet) - just tried it and it works for me!

Thanks Kevin. What a brilliant portfolio. Must say I enjoy your posts on the 'nice photos forum'. Keep up the good work.

 

Regards Graham.

Posted on: 08 October 2012 by Steve J

Kevin,

 

Your photos alone had convinced me how good the Leica is. The portfolios are very good indeed. The sharpness of the images is so good and there seems to be a greater dynamic range than with standard digital SLRs. Leicas do seem to be very well suited to architectural studies and portraiture. Probably where their weakness lies is with low light situations and action shots but I'm sorely tempted to save up for one.

 

ATB

 

Steve

Posted on: 08 October 2012 by Kevin-W
Originally Posted by Steve J:

Kevin,

 

Your photos alone had convinced me how good the Leica is. The portfolios are very good indeed. The sharpness of the images is so good and there seems to be a greater dynamic range than with standard digital SLRs. Leicas do seem to be very well suited to architectural studies and portraiture. Probably where their weakness lies is with low light situations and action shots but I'm sorely tempted to save up for one.

 

ATB

 

Steve

Thanks Steve, that is very kind of you. If the M9 can make an average snapper like me look good, then it's worth he money! As I've said here many times, the M - despite its faults - is such a joy to use. It is the most fun I've ever had with a camera.

 

In Joanne's portfolio - especially the Noctilux shots - I love the way the camera/lens combo creates a wonderful, dreamy, almost 3D quality - never seen any gear apart from Leica do that. The Nocti just seems to suck light out of darkness, it's amazing!

Posted on: 08 October 2012 by Steve J

Kevin,

I agree. Stop now or I might have to cancel my DR upgrades and sell my CD player.

 

Steve

Posted on: 08 October 2012 by Kevin-W
Originally Posted by Steve J:

Kevin,

I agree. Stop now or I might have to cancel my DR upgrades and sell my CD player.

 

Steve

Steve, just to tempt you...

 

Another well-known M9 photographer in the Flickr community, Toni V from Zurich, uses a 35mm Summilux - check out his awesome pics.

 

I love the one of the Mini:

 

Toni V's Flickr

Posted on: 08 October 2012 by Kevin-W
Originally Posted by Quad 33:

Thanks Kevin. What a brilliant portfolio. Must say I enjoy your posts on the 'nice photos forum'. Keep up the good work.

 

Regards Graham.

Thank you very much Graham.

Posted on: 08 October 2012 by BigH47

So you can only take great pictures if you use a Leica? 

 

Judging by most of the pictures entered for the Leica "self portrait" book, most  could have used a disposable with a red dot on it.

Posted on: 08 October 2012 by Kevin-W
Originally Posted by BigH47:

So you can only take great pictures if you use a Leica? 

 

Judging by most of the pictures entered for the Leica "self portrait" book, most  could have used a disposable with a red dot on it.

When did anyone say that Howard? Stop being so silly.

Posted on: 09 October 2012 by Steve J
Originally Posted by Kevin-W:
Originally Posted by Steve J:

Kevin,

I agree. Stop now or I might have to cancel my DR upgrades and sell my CD player.

 

Steve

Steve, just to tempt you...

 

Another well-known M9 photographer in the Flickr community, Toni V from Zurich, uses a 35mm Summilux - check out his awesome pics.

 

I love the one of the Mini:

 

Toni V's Flickr

Kevin,

 

The 35mm is a classic lens. Pity about the dent in the Mini. I had a close look at the image and was surprised by the lack of noise given the high ISO. Good hand held shot for 1/12sec exposure, especially with such a small light camera.

 

Steve

Posted on: 13 October 2012 by Chris Bell

Just noticed this thread.  Great to see other Leica owners on the Naim forum.  I've been shooting with my M9 for a year now and I love it.  Leica glass is like Naim Audio, it's full of soul.  I've already had 2 of my shots selected as LFI Mastershots.  Here's a link to some of my pics, including my reportage work:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/64587100@N02/sets/72157629960656875/

 

Looking forward to the M10, better high ISO and the video option excites me.  

Posted on: 14 October 2012 by GraemeH

Hi Chris - Link is not working.  I post there too and would be keen to see your shots.  G

Posted on: 14 October 2012 by Chris Bell

Copy the entire link... for some reason only half of it highlights when you click on it.  Need to learn how to create a short link.  

 

 http://www.flickr.com/photos/64587100@N02/sets/72157629960656875/

Posted on: 14 October 2012 by Clay Bingham
Originally Posted by Chris Bell:

Copy the entire link... for some reason only half of it highlights when you click on it.  Need to learn how to create a short link.  

 

 http://www.flickr.com/photos/64587100@N02/sets/72157629960656875/

Chris

 

Admire all of your work but the friends and family plus dog were my favorites. Nice to know that kids are the same everywhere. Not a shy one in the bunch.

Posted on: 14 October 2012 by Chris Bell

I love shooting kids... they are so uninhibited and don't mind having their photos taken.  Street photos are another story, especially in the USA where people are very easily offended.  I loved taking street pics in Chile... nobody cared, and some even posed for me.  

Posted on: 14 October 2012 by Kevin-W
Originally Posted by Chris Bell:

Copy the entire link... for some reason only half of it highlights when you click on it.  Need to learn how to create a short link.  

 

 http://www.flickr.com/photos/64587100@N02/sets/72157629960656875/

Great set Chris - you really got into the heart of the action/story.

 

I usually use bit.ly to shorten links - it also tells you how many people have clicked on the link.

Posted on: 14 October 2012 by jamesw

Darn, I was just about set on selling my M6 classic, and now reading this has got me all wanting to use it again... 

Posted on: 15 October 2012 by Clay Bingham
Originally Posted by jamesw:

Darn, I was just about set on selling my M6 classic, and now reading this has got me all wanting to use it again... 


James

 

I have an M6 myself. There is still a place for film and its still a wonderful camera. Not saying don't sell but consider thoroughly. Not a decision to be made on the spur of the moment.

Posted on: 15 October 2012 by Kevin-W
Originally Posted by jamesw:

Darn, I was just about set on selling my M6 classic, and now reading this has got me all wanting to use it again... 

I agree with Clay, James, it's a great camera - what lens(es) do you use with it?

Posted on: 16 October 2012 by Mick P
Originally Posted by jamesw:

Darn, I was just about set on selling my M6 classic, and now reading this has got me all wanting to use it again... 


James

 

I also have the M6 Classic and it has been tucked away in a cupboard for years. My wife had her handbag stolen recently complete with her digital compact, so I got the Leica out until we bought a new compact. I have just recently returned from a 6 week tour of Spain and really enjoyed using the M6. My enthusiasm has been restored and thank goodness I never sold it.

 

Your Leica is something your Grandchildren should inherit when you are long gone.

 

Regards

 

Mick

Posted on: 16 October 2012 by GraemeH
Originally Posted by Mick Parry:
Originally Posted by jamesw:

Darn, I was just about set on selling my M6 classic, and now reading this has got me all wanting to use it again... 


James

 

I also have the M6 Classic and it has been tucked away in a cupboard for years. My wife had her handbag stolen recently complete with her digital compact, so I got the Leica out until we bought a new compact. I have just recently returned from a 6 week tour of Spain and really enjoyed using the M6. My enthusiasm has been restored and thank goodness I never sold it.

 

Your Leica is something your Grandchildren should inherit when you are long gone.

 

Regards

 

Mick


I have similar fond notions of giving my Leicas to my son but he's happier with his iPhone 5 camera....and good with it too!

 

He's only 15 mind.  When he gets on a bit, fogeyish nostalgia might kick-in.  G

Posted on: 16 October 2012 by jamesw
Guys, I agree with all your comments, but sadly had to sell my lenses to fund a 5Dmkii for making a film. The body is the last thing left and has been just sitting there for a couple of years now, which is sad! I get nostalgic about using it as I did for a number of years as my main and only camera, but then I remember how difficult and expensive it is to get film developed these days, chemical prints no longer exist really, and for the amount of photography I have time to do these days buying another lens becomes a difficult thing to justify.

I love it but its being wasted, and my little Sony NEX 5N is an insanely good little walk around and street camera which has good manual focus ability, much better ISO, frankly gorgeous image quality, and some increasingly lovely lenses (especially when I can put Leica glass on it if I wish For anything more, the 5Dmkii is very, very good. The thing miss about the M6 is actually the ergonomics and way of working- as you will all know, there's a different way of making images with a Leica which focuses your attention on different aspects of the moment...

Plus that £8-900 quid would buy some lovely HiFi