Digital camera frustration

Il you are happy with the M10 this is fine.I guess that you have no use of ultra wide lenses, never take pictures of birds, planes, and sport events. I do and I would immediately trade a M10 for a similarly priced super expensive super lens, e.g. an  500 mm f4 for my Nikon DSLR.

Christopher_M posted:

Haim Ronen posted:

Get yourself a Nikon df, nothing will get you closer to the old ways of taking pictures.

But how can you say that to someone who, I think, wants to buy into the whole Magnum thing?

Simply trying to ease or increase the level of frustration, depending on the point of view.

EJS posted:

I grew up with Leica Ms, sold them when I eventually had the choice between having to wait four weeks for sloppily processed slides, or an M8 that was frustratingly idiosyncratic. Since that time, I went through a number of systems: Nikon, Sony, and currently Olympus. They do the job increasingly well, but I'm finding myself more and more disconnected with the act of taking pictures. 

 

Well, it seems to me you have the perfect reasons to go for an M10. After all, if you like taking your photos yourself - manually, and you prefer a range finder full format camera then there isn't really any other choice.

I haven't tried the M10 myself but they say it's playing catch up with the low light abilities of the M246 - which Inhappen to use myself. I think the biggest benefit of Leica M is the contemplative approach to taking photos as it demands your full concentration. This you already know as you've owned these cameras before so you know how it is.

alainbil posted:

Il you are happy with the M10 this is fine.I guess that you have no use of ultra wide lenses, never take pictures of birds, planes, and sport events. I do and I would immediately trade a M10 for a similarly priced super expensive super lens, e.g. an  500 mm f4 for my Nikon DSLR.

 

 

Apples and oranges and why I said I also own a Nikon dslr I can also pack around 5-6 extra lenses in the space that would take up one to two Nikon lenses. I have lenses from 18mm to 135mm for the M10, and with an adaptor and using live view could always bolt that Nikon 500mm on to it (though missing AF etc). For the record I rarely or almost never take pics of the subjects you mentioned. I'm a people/documentary photographer. 

Plus I failed to mention that my five year old daughter's name is Leica. Really my wife's idea at first (predicated upon a joke while naming our son) but it combines my love of photography with her being from Germany. Most people just think it's a pretty name. And it is. 

My name is Leica
I live on the second floor
I live upstairs from you
Yes I think you've seen me before...

JamieWednesday posted:

My name is Leica
I live on the second floor
I live upstairs from you
Yes I think you've seen me before...

Practically her best song - The zenith of her career.

G

GraemeH posted:

JamieWednesday posted:

My name is Leica
I live on the second floor
I live upstairs from you
Yes I think you've seen me before...

Practically her best song - The zenith of her career.

G

Could have just called her Tessar. If I ever have a daughter, which is extremely unlikely, I might call her Noctilux 0.95.

I have a couple of Nikon DSLRs which I use when I have to, but really my favoured camera is the M9 (you can pick one up secondhand fairly cheaply - in Leica terms - these days because Leicamaniacs have moved ionto Typ 240s and M10s).

It is not without its faults, and the specs ain't great. But who cares about specifications? The M9 is a joy to use, great to hold and I love the concentration required to take pictures. And the Leica glass! Just the best there is!

I love the rangefinder system, and i love the fact that with the M9 you don't have to look at menus. You just shoot.

Well, the silver bodied's in stock, and short story even shorter: I chickened out - held the camera in my hands, but there and then just couldn't explain the price tag to myself. I did like it, though - it felt only slightly bigger than my pre-TLL M6 cameras, with the same weight, and the viewfinder magnification is back where it belongs, too. Shutter not as nice as a cloth shutter, but pretty quiet for a metal one.

EJ

What now?

What next? I'll probably resign myself to the current state of large(ish) sensor cameras  - I wasn't in the frame of mind to properly assess the X-Pro2 or Q cameras - both are superficially similar to the M, neither feels or handles like one. The Q is quite interesting, I could live with a 28mm prime and it doesn't seem overburdened with options, but after handling an M it doesn't feel as nicely made.

EJ

EJS,

If you are still undecided you could perhaps rent one for a week, start a relationship, get to know the camera better and then face a decision again. I was hesitating myself wether to get the expensive (in terms of Nikon) D810 and it was the wife who pushed me to cut it short and just buy it. Never had a remorse since I constantly use it with great pleasure.

Wish I had some advice for you. Really nothing else like the M10 on the market. But I hear you on the price. Same reason I think I'll perpetually be at the DAC V1/NAP 110 level with my hifi. Priorities. 

One thing to keep in mind is that the high iso is so good on the M10 that it renders the need for super fast lenses somewhat moot other than for effect, therefore possibly saving $. 

I have the M, the model just before the new M10.   I like it but I rarely carry it because it is a lot to carry.   I love the Q when I have handled it, but it is not much easier to carry.  The iPhone is adequate for almost everything I do now that my kids are grown.

Skip posted:

I have the M, the model just before the new M10.   I like it but I rarely carry it because it is a lot to carry.   I love the Q when I have handled it, but it is not much easier to carry.  The iPhone is adequate for almost everything I do now that my kids are grown.

Interesting. I carry the M246, a 28 and a 50 everyday and I'm perfectly fine with that. There are even smaller propositions of course but not with the same quality and a range finder window.

EJS posted:

I wasn't in the frame of mind to properly assess the X-Pro2 or Q cameras - both are superficially similar to the M, neither feels or handles like one.

This I broadly understand. I use three Canons at work. The construction, button layout and feel of the of the two 1D variants is good, the other shocking.

EJS posted:

Well, the silver bodied's in stock, and short story even shorter: I chickened out - held the camera in my hands, but there and then just couldn't explain the price tag to myself. I did like it, though - it felt only slightly bigger than my pre-TLL M6 cameras, with the same weight, and the viewfinder magnification is back where it belongs, too. Shutter not as nice as a cloth shutter, but pretty quiet for a metal one.

EJ

You can still have the real thing and save a few quid too. I think Red Dot Camera has discounted M240s and MP versions bundled with a variety of lenses. It's only 3 mm thicker and lack the ISO button - which isn't really that nice after all. It may look better but I believe it's quicker to use the button and wheel to change ISO. And lets face it, the M10 isn't that big an improvement on the M240.

Mr Fjeld posted:

EJS posted:

Well, the silver bodied's in stock, and short story even shorter: I chickened out - held the camera in my hands, but there and then just couldn't explain the price tag to myself. I did like it, though - it felt only slightly bigger than my pre-TLL M6 cameras, with the same weight, and the viewfinder magnification is back where it belongs, too. Shutter not as nice as a cloth shutter, but pretty quiet for a metal one.

EJ

You can still have the real thing and save a few quid too. I think Red Dot Camera has discounted M240s and MP versions bundled with a variety of lenses. It's only 3 mm thicker and lack the ISO button - which isn't really that nice after all. It may look better but I believe it's quicker to use the button and wheel to change ISO. And lets face it, the M10 isn't that big an improvement on the M240.

The M10'is vastly better than the M240. It's colors are more vivid and real. Dynamically, its superb. It's marvelously built and feels hewn of billet steel. The minor changes in size make a big difference in how it feels in your hands. The viewfinder is bright and crisp. The ease of use of it's controls speaks to simple elegance. The older models and all other cameras simply pale by comparison. You can't put a price on real quality.

Mr. Fjeld 

I converted your thoughts to audiophile language so that it could be more easily understood by those reading this website.

True; the M10's quiet background as well as its ability to resolve more detail, in a round earth fashion, makes earlier cameras seem broken, even when using the same old lenses. Plus, it has wifi for streaming pictures!

EJ

Clay Bingham posted:

 

 

Mr. Fjeld 

I converted your thoughts to audiophile language so that it could be more easily understood by those reading this website.

 

That's scary. You mean the camera needs an external power supply to improve imaging?

No, but the choice of strap can make all the difference in how far the image extends. Question is, which memory card makes the subject seem as if it's actually in the room?

Inkier blacks surely!

G

charlesphoto posted:

No, but the choice of strap can make all the difference in how far the image extends. Question is, which memory card makes the subject seem as if it's actually in the room?

Ah! Just the man.

I use Sandisk Extreme Pro SD cards with 32Gb capacity in my Nikon D7200. I used to use Lexar but can't find them easily these days.

So.........which memory card will turn my Nikon into a Leica M10 ?