Comments on: Leica M6: Impressions thus far

By: By Request: More thoughts about the Leica : Paul Lester Photography

By Request: More thoughts about the Leica : Paul Lester Photography — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 05:01:40 +0000

[...] own experience with the camera has been quite favorable. I wrote about it here in September of 2009. Nothing’s changed. Ergonomically, I like my D300 better. It fits my [...]

By: JOn

JOn — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 03:38:02 +0000

Thanks for your comments on the Leica M6. As a long term M6 user I tried a Canon Digital SLR for a month and was impressed by the immediacy and versatility but freaked at the complexity. The gadgetry took over from the simplicity of the image. I returned to the M6.

By: Anita Jesse

Anita Jesse — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 23:57:43 +0000

I am having a good time sitting out here in the bleachers watching and listening. It’s a bit like watching a game for which I don’t know all the rules and its “lingo”. But, I’m enjoying it nontheless. While I don’t have anything to contribute—being one of those “digital guys” Earl mentions, I just wanted to say that I am enjoying the conversation.

By: Earl

Earl — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 17:26:15 +0000

@Paul: I don’t know, like I said it may just be me. You have to make allowances for us digital guys.

By: Paul

Paul — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 16:04:40 +0000

@Earl: I’m using the same film type, FP4+, and developer, Rodinal, for both types. Now you have me curious.

By: Earl

Earl — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:53:29 +0000

@Paul: It’s not subject selection. I’ve only seen the photos you’ve posted here so my opinion on this might change if i saw them printed or larger screen versions. It may have something to do with grain and perceived stronger mid-tones–perhaps film related. Just thought I’d mention it!

By: Paul

Paul — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:26:34 +0000

@Earl: Very interesting. I’d like to hear more. Perhaps it has to do with subject selection? Grain? Focus fall-off? Format? Just last night I was looking at some of the 645e shots and, of course, they have much lower grain. Perhaps that’s not quite accurate: They have the same amount of grain, but they require a smaller amount of magnification. Anyway, I’m guessing. If you can put your finger on it, I’d be interested to hear about it. As a matter of fact, I still have one roll that sits undeveloped. I think that I’ll put that in the soup tonight.

The medium format cameras certainly have a nicer, much sooner, focus fall-off.

By: Earl

Earl — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:00:00 +0000

Paul, I’m going to toss my two cents into the ring and hope it doesn’t get tossed back at me. While recent photos taken with the M6 have been excellent, I’ve personally found there’s something I liked better about the earlier Mamiya 645e photos. They had a different feel and I can’t put my finger on the exact reason why they seem “better” to me–it may be a matter of personal taste. I’d be interested to see if anyone else agrees or disagrees.

By: Paul

Paul — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 14:32:35 +0000

Andreas: I’ve shot a number of images that have shallow DOF and really like the results. What is a bit difficult is imagining what it will look like ahead of time. With the SLR I can see what it will look like at a wide open aperture, or a couple of stops down. Now, I’ll just have to get a feel for how it will look.

By: Andreas Manessinger

Andreas Manessinger — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 12:52:52 +0000

Well, you use a 50/2.0 and even that is very fast, but part of the legendary appeal of Leicas is, that there are lenses like a 21/1.4 or a 50/1.0. Sure, they cost a fortune, but you get what you can’t get for any SLR, and these lenses are even small. On the other hand, usin them at hyperfocal distance means using them at around f8. Pure waste, if you ask me. I wonder how you’ll like it when you begin to experiment with shallow DOF. But maybe you won’t. Maybe you’ll reserve your D300 for that?