Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/12/28
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]It is important to note that you used 1/8 sec hand held. I have hand held my Leicas, both LTM and M, successfully at one second with acceptable negatives when enlarged to at least 8"X10". With Pentax, Canon and Nikon SLRs I get fuzzy negatives at anything slower than 1/30 and even at 1/30 I can have problems. Too much mass is moving. After a few SLR years, I returned to Leica. I don't need a zoom and I have Leica lenses from 35mm to 200mm, the later with a viewfinder. I haven't used a 35mm SLR in over a year. My pictures from my last trip were better than my earlier SLR trips. Roland Smith - -----Original Message----- From: Johannes A Dykstra <hans.mieke@bigpond.com> To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us> Date: Tuesday, December 28, 1999 3:50 AM Subject: Re: [Leica] Rangefinder or SLR? >Tom, > >My wife has done the same, but it's a second M6 body for me. I use both R >and M systems, and some Nikon and Canon stuff too. Based on my experience >(which is not great but perhaps relevant to your situation) if I was going >to be taking pictures of people, family, when travelling, at work, on the >streets, or just for the pleasure of it, I would definitely keep the M6. It >is superb, with its lenses, in these roles. > >Why? Here's why. I attended my cousin's wedding yesterday. Took my M6 and >50/2 with Reala (100 speed) for fun. The guy getting paid to take photo's >used Nikon SLR gear, with a battered medium format 'thing' for a few set >piece shots. Kodak Portra 400 VC in both. We chatted about the light >throughout the afternoon and evening. He was a nice fella. Said he wanted >my camera. > >The bride arrived in a vintage car, looking as lovely as you could imagine >(the girl, not the car). >The paid guy, using his 'what you don't see when you press the button is >what you get' SLR didn't see the bride's blink with his only shot of her >preparing to alight from the vehicle. This being the main problem with >SLR's and people photography. With critical, can't be repeated people >photography. I was 'that' close to whispering 'blink' in the guy's ear, but >he was working quickly and I didn't want to bother him. But I know now I >shouldn't have hesitated. If it had been me I would have appreciated it. >With an M6, there would be no doubt in a situation like >this, as you see the blink. > >Also, the fast lenses available with the M system could have avoided the use >of ambience wrecking flash, my other concern yesterday. As the paid guy was >clacking and blitzing away in the candle lit, stained glass illuminated >chapel, I was quietly clicking at f2 and 1/8th. People said the flash >wasn't working and couldn't understand when I said the camera didn't have >one and didn't need one. I'll get the lovely colour of the Reala proofs >tomorrow. > >However, if you are a dedicated nature or sports photographer or prefer a >truly flexible SLR system over a people friendly rangefinder, then an R8 >with suitable lenses might suit better. > >Seems your wife's a sport. Get both! And give her extra cuddles to boot. > >Regards. > >Rick Dykstra > > > >