Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2002/07/09

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Subject: [Leica] M7 or not to M7, c'est la question - LONG
From: Alastair Firkin <firkin@ncable.net.au>
Date: Tue, 9 Jul 2002 17:42:29 +1000
References: <04BABAFC-8E0C-11D6-8B27-003065D4DE46@sohogurus.net> <004601c22232$900ee680$633f4d18@gv.shawcable.net>

G'day all,

yesterday I wrote a wonderful comment on the M7, which seems to have 
gone missing in the ether: well you are not spared, so here we go 
again, only now I'm so flu ridden, it may not make any sense at all 
;-)

Clearly the M7 is a wonderful camera. Doubtless it is expensive, and 
perhaps, it will hold its value and deliver wonderful service over so 
many years that it will more than pay back it owner. Perhaps the M7 
was slow in coming into the world, but its here now, and provides an 
alternative for those who want it, but beware!!!

When I came to Leicas, I had a CLE and M3. I'd bought the M3 because 
it was born the same year I was, but I'd hardly used it --- what 
could one do with a camera without a lightmeter? The CLE had 
convinced me about the quality and versatility of the rangefinder 
system. Then on my 40th, Helen got me an M6 with 35 summilux, and the 
back balance has never looked the same ;-)

I joined the LUG, and learnt all sorts of things. Automation was 
clearly not everything. I had learnt from the meterless 
Bronica/Hasselblad experience, that slowing down, thinking, & 
metering carefully led to a definite improvement in my photography. 
Of course I now had to learn how to handle street scenes etc, so I 
delved into the comments made on HCB, and some personal advise from 
Fred Ward. Soon I was pre-focusing, I was surveying the scene around 
me more acutely, I was getting myself increasingly aware of the 
changing light, the combination of shadows, and how it would affect 
exposure. I learnt to judge light, and began to use and external 50mm 
finder. I was going backwards, but my photography was going forwards.

Pre-focusing meant I was fast, pre-judging light meant that I was 
having fewer and fewer exposure problems, and by using an external 
finder, I was composing the scene WITHOUT centreing on the 
rangefinder patch. The M6 meter was useful in lower light conditions 
and especially with the Noctilux, but in daylight, I can usually hit 
within one stop.

I'm sure the first time I wrote this it was more "intelligent", but 
what I'm trying to say, is that it is ok for Ted to use automation -- 
he knows how to use it. For me, automation had lead to laziness, and 
there is a lot to be learnt by keeping out of automation. This is why 
the R8 now suits me. It is designed to be used on Manual, in fact the 
first stop on the dial is "m".

By all means, buy the M7, but remember the lessons the M3/6 can teach 
you, or you will fall into lazy habits.

Cheers --- does this make sense ??????? Oh well
- --
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Replies: Reply from Ted Grant <tedgrant@shaw.ca> (Re: [Leica] M7 or not to M7, c'est la question - LONG)
In reply to: Message from Allan Wafkowski <allan@sohogurus.net> ([Leica] Re: To M7 or not to M7, c'est la question - LONG)
Message from Ted Grant <tedgrant@shaw.ca> (Re: [Leica] Re: To M7 or not to M7, c'est la question - LONG)