I like this guy. I honestly don't know anything about him, but I can tell he's an old style type of photographer that gets to the point and is all about the craft. That's commendable in this day and age
A really nice video, and from one of the current great Leica photographers. No matter how long you use these fine cameras, every new look at them--such as in this video--is like another breath of fresh air :)
I like the way your explaining. Plain and simple 👌 Im thinking to get Leica for the first time, which lens you recommend me to start (and stuck with for a while) since its pretty expensive?
Leica M love it. It is more than a camera brand, it is an iconic brand, historical and well made piece of metal that allows you to concentrate on the essential with no complicates menus or buttons... it is simplicity
Still trying to understand how he got the shot of the “glasses” push cart guy, I am assuming he was setup for that distance using a preset focus distance/zone focusing, as he brings the camera down to his hip, he’s cracking off shots and gets the pic, but the video leading up to the shot being taken and then the still they show after doesn’t make sense to me, great video to learn from
Congrats for this video and your channel! What about if I'm in full manual mode (I choose my ISO, shutter speed and aperture)? I guess it doesn't matter which light metering mode you choose (spot, evaluative etc...). Am I right? I've done some tests, and the metering mode makes no difference when I'm in full manual.Could you confirm (or not...) please ? Regards.
You are correct. Metering mode just affects how your camera meters light. In full manual you control the exposure. But the camera might still meter and show you if it thinks you are over- or underexposing. Using this as a guide to your exposure is much like using an external light meter. If you use this as a tool, choosing the metering mode is still relevant, as you will want to know what the camera is metering for.
I tried the rangefinder with manual focus, and the fuji xt3 with the viewfinder , (autofocus and the eye detection). In real life with my kids, the fuji gave me much sharpers images. With the fuji i can compose my image at f2 without loosing the focus. And it's a small camera to carry too.
It doesn't demands more. It can produce wonderful results but so can an SLR, digital or film. My film SLR is fully manual. Does a Leica M require more from me? It could in that it's harder to focus, IMHO. The tiny focus patch is tricky to use. I prefer to see the depth of field and the focus point across the viewfinder.
I wonder if they’ve patented the device that officially makes it a rangefinder, and that’s the reason why. Leica designed the first rangefinders in history after Barnack, and the rangefinder principal stayed mostly the same ever since- its a small mechanical device with several mirrors that moves back and forth in the viewfinder as you turn the lens. That’s literally it. Anyway I’m just speculating. I certainly didn’t have enough for a leica so I got an Xpro 3, however it’s immediately clear that the xpro isn’t a true to life rangefinder, it’s more like an imitation
@@johnwayne8114 the mechanical nature of the rangefinder needs calibration and you can do it at home to a certain degree but if you don’t drop your camera or do any out of the norm thing it will stay calibrated
it's actually hard to manually focus usiong this system--the ghost image may seem to line up but the scale is so reduced, it's impossible to be really precise. You have to have some way to magnify a part of the subject. LCD liveview is the only way to go with manual focus lenses.
Rangefinders are about the experience of shooting and compactness of the device. It's much harder to get the image you want with a rangefinder vs. an SLR which lets you see through the lens. You can almost liken it to DSLR vs. Mirrorless in the sense that the rangefinder has no mirror, but a modern mirrorless has an EVF, which is an even more exact representation of your final image as you can preview exposure and DOF. The idea that a rangefinder is advantageous beyond size and shooting experience is a load of BS indeed. Buy a Leica because it makes you happy, not because it takes good images. There's a reason professional photographers stick to modern DSLRs and full-frame mirrorless.
Many have probably been fooled by “line up the two images and voila! your subject is in focus”. In this case, the subject’s shirt sleeve edge was in perfect focus 🤩
I hate all the menus, buttons and flashy settings on modern cameras. I don't need software in the camera to set different 'scenes' for me, I'm a photographer and can judge the camera settings required with my eyes. Leicas are bombproof yet simple and thats the way I like it,
How can it be he's using the Summicron-M 35 mm in the video when it's stated here that he uses the Summilux-M 35 mm? leicaliker.com/2012/05/25/4-craig-semetkos-gear/
almost impossible to focus these things below f2.8 which is where I mostly shoot as a portrait photographer. Kinda forces you to shoot at around F4 or higher which will give you an image similar to an iphone in terms of depth of field kinda negating the reason why you'd want a larger sensor in the first place.
Well, I don't know... The nikon FG with a pancake lens is smaller than my M5 (not the greatest example, I know). I think Leica is a luxury brand which of course offers some perks such as the durability of the construction but you can get the same results with a slr. And I'm saying this so you don't get the idea that you'll only be a good photographer if you get a leica.
I don't get his point about looking trough the viewfinder of a rangefinder and looking to trough the viewfinder of an SLR. I mean I have this super useful tool for that called eyes. You should try it the auto-focus is amazing.
you can see outside of the frame lines, meaning you can time your shot a lot better. it's makes you think more before shooting. he's not saying one is better, he's saying why he prefers this, and why he finds it good. and the same could be said to you. you should try manual focus on a leica m camera. it's amazing.
khosrow Using your eyes you can't see what is going to appear into the shot, only what is in the approximate area! Looking through the viewfinder you will see the framelines (i.e. the shot) and around them the immediate surrounding area. The more obvious feature of not having a TTL system is the lack of a pentaprism though which reduces weight, size and vibration.
Hmm, I use both slr and RF. My M2 with a 35 doesn't allow me to see outside the frame lines neither does the M3 with a 50. And the argument that somehow an slr makes you invisible is total bs. My FM is no bigger than a Leica. They both have their strengths and merits. Don't be fooled into believing that one might make you a better photographer than the other or one will allow you to take better pictures...total nonsense. The Leica has a nicer tactile feel but the F is way more utility and allows me to shoot much quicker and more precise. Shoot what you like and ignore the sales pitch.
U don't focus with a rangefinder. U zone focus it. The great things about Leica is their lenses. I guess just use what fit u best. And it just happen Leica M is my favorite to go. People have to stop thinking that Leica just selling because of their brand.
vr psp i had an a7iii and numerous Sony crops with zeiss lenses . Amazing specs but boring, uninspiring cameras. I bought an m6 ttl and have fallen in love with Leica.
I’m trying to understand why Leica is so desirable in 2020 and when I watch these videos I get the feeling that the only thing u get that’s sets them apart from the other brands is that red Leica sticker.
Well leica is a smart company. They are the best, but they are not 4 times the price of a fuji best. People pay, leica sells. If people would stop buying, the prices would drop drastically
It’s about the experience of shooting a Leica. I own a M6 and Q2. It’s an inspiring tool to use. It makes you want to go out and shoot, the history of it, and of course the look of the images. It’s also something you can invest in, and always get your money back. That can’t be said about a lot of other cameras. Buying something, use it to hell and then being able to sell it for what you paid or more. Once you use one the bug bites you. There’s a reason people want them. It’s not just because it’s a Leica. Maybe to some degree but after that phase passes the other reasons take hold.
+Enzo20061234 Those cameras won’t give you manual mechanically-linked rangefinder focusing, which means that the experience of using them is completely different than using a rangefinder camera.
+Tycho343 Not if you know what you’re doing. The guy in this video can pre-set his focus distance by feel using his finger and take pictures all day without needing to focus again. That’s faster and more accurate than autofocus.
As an M owner, I think it's more accurate to say that it's harder to take the photo with the M, but easier to get the photo you want. I own and have used many DSLR's and mirrorless cameras and it's easier to take an in-focus picture, but more difficult to get the photo you want. Let's be honest, the easiest way to take a photo is with our smartphones, but fewer are keepers compared to moments I capture with the M. I think a lot has to do with the fact that there's zero latency looking through the optical viewfinder, so you can snap the shutter at the precise time. Also, having everything in focus does help with composition. I end up not always trying to shoot wide open, but rather based on the background separation I want. Just my $0.02.
I don't know and excuse my ignorance but you make lots of references to the particulars of the camera but it's not different then reading a usual manual so im not sure what the purpose of your video is....
Haha very nice review, but something is wrong. A Leica M will make it easier for your to shoot what you want, while an SLR is much tougher to both control and make it work for yoy picturewise. A Leica demands much less from a photographer instead of more. Street photographers tend to have arty assumptions, while it's actually a lazy branch of photography.
I can't find any new insights in here. It's what we hear each time about rangefinder... and he sound like he want so sell them at the market. Don't get me wrong - I really really want that camera ! Leica should have a look at the Hasselblad ONE videos and not chew the old stuff again and again.
the reason you hear the same things about a rangefinder is because those are the reasons people like them. leica is sticking to the philosophy of the M system because people who love shooting M want that philosophy to in a new camera with modern technology. leica doesn't want to change the philosophy. it's a choice.
sultanabran1 Yes nice - I like the Leica M too - but it's sound's a bit stupid to tell and convince the people with this nice to have properties and then ask for douple the price of a top of the line pro camera. I think Leica should sell a M for a reasonable price and then we can talk about stealthy cameras, bright frame lines and connection to the subject. Right now it's a luxury good that departs from the photographer and leave us behind with pointless marketing clips.
Yes it can... It also can be not. Depends on the way you do it. Looking back and learning from the greats like HCB, Robert Frank and many others will point you the way. I think Nat Geo photographers are great examples of taking people pictures candidly. (Note I don't say "street photography" because I believe it to be a very limiting term insufficient to describe photography involving people.) Contrary to what this video would have you believe, they normally use SLRs (though some like David Alan Harvey do use rangefinders). They also take candid shots AND take portraits with permission depending on the situation. Only enforces the point that it's not so much the gear you use, more than your technique and your body language. Of course, gear still matters but you get the gist. :)
I believe camera is just the tool that lets a photographer create an image, be it a Leica or a Canon or a Sony, all can create great images in the right hands, but... I was just looking at the sample images in the Leica website and realized 90% of it are crap. Uninteresting photos taken with very expensive cameras. Some people think that horrible photos are interesting or artistic just because a Leica was used, or film or whatever lens or B&W. People, please don't do that. Leica, please select better your photographers, I know there are and there have been legendary Leica users, why not calling them?
A whole load of Leica manure. Ah yes I had an M4 and M6 with 21, 35 and 90. Cool stuff but slow to work with, thus limited. The lenses are special, the bodies are not.
If you can really shoot then try using film and an old M3 and no light meter, just 'Sunny 16'. Digital gives a person a false sense of accomplishment. It makes you impotent as the camera does everything for you.
oh the hate, we get it you find it expensive and pointless, you don't get the system, now go and buy a sony, we know the are awesome cameras, like for real, WE KNOW !
