Official Talk Leica thread

[zx9]

Having a little review of the year on an other forum and I notice that my two most viewed photographs on Flickr were both taken on my Leica M (240)
This one from May using a LTM color skopar 35mm f/2.5 was my second most viewed.
Barbican in the Rain L1000048edit by Keith Hudson, on Flickr

This was my most viewed taken with a LTM Canon 50mm f/1.4
London Wall L1000217editBW by Keith Hudson, on Flickr

Interesting that in the year I have owned the M240 I have only taken around 300 frames, I still think of it as a proxy film camera taking more care with each photograph than I do with my Canon M6 mk11.
I have always said that the camera does not matter, in a way a 10 year old digital Leica with a fifty year old lens both proves and dis proves this, what have I learned this year?

Just a quick Happy New Year to all the people who Talk Leica.

@ecniv, pass the whiskey this way please mate.

 

[Adam Bonn]

I use Lightroom for my M9s and my D-Lux Typ109 then export as either TIFF or JPG to finish in Photoshop. Although my LR is old (V6.14) and it won't support RAW on my Fujis later than the X-T2 and GFX 50S it will support DNGs from all the newer Leicas up to and including the M11 (I have downloaded DNGs on all the later models to check). AFAIK newer versions of LR/PS can still be updated for the new models of any camera it's just that Adobe are no longer supporting my version (too old).

It’s relatively easy to get the profiles for newer cameras into older LR, let me know if you need assistance

 

[Topsy]

It’s relatively easy to get the profiles for newer cameras into older LR, let me know if you need assistance

Thanks Adam, I may take you up on that. At the moment all my digital cameras are covered and as long as they keep working I've no reason to change them, however, my X-T2s are getting on a bit and they are my real workhorses and I often wonder how many more rainstorms they will cope with. Once they are dead I will need to think about a newer model I suppose then I'll need to be able to read the RAW files so again thanks for the offer.

 

[Adam Bonn]

My most viewed flickr picture of 2022 was one I took in 2018 but only uploaded this year! It also became my most viewed ever photo (by a considerable margin) ironically its predecessor of most viewed photo was taken in the same month and year (Jan 2018) I’m starting to think I must of made better photos back then

The Winter Walk by Adam Bonn, on Flickr

Most viewed picture that was actually taken in 2022 is this one

Nuns on the Walk by Adam Bonn, on Flickr

Which pleases me as I’m very fond of it and I consider it my personal picture of the year

in third place we have a shot from 2021, but only uploaded in 2022

Red, Green and Blue by Adam Bonn, on Flickr

Seeing as my most popular 2022 Flickr pics are two out if three that I’ve ignored for months and years, I’m starting to think that my ability to select my best work (well as far as Flickr users are concerned) is deeply flawed

 

[zx9]

My most viewed flickr picture of 2022 was one I took in 2018 but only uploaded this year! It also became my most viewed ever photo (by a considerable margin) ironically its predecessor of most viewed photo was taken in the same month and year (Jan 2018) I’m starting to think I must of made better photos back then

The Winter Walk by Adam Bonn, on Flickr

Most viewed picture that was actually taken in 2022 is this one

Nuns on the Walk by Adam Bonn, on Flickr

Which pleases me as I’m very fond of it and I consider it my personal picture of the year

in third place we have a shot from 2021, but only uploaded in 2022

Red, Green and Blue by Adam Bonn, on Flickr

Seeing as my most popular 2022 Flickr pics are two out if three that I’ve ignored for months and years, I’m starting to think that my ability to select my best work (well as far as Flickr users are concerned) is deeply flawed

All good pics Adam but the Nuns are great.
A look back on old files from time to time can reveal some gems that were not noticed previously.

 

[Adam Bonn]

Thank you @zx9

I really had to work to get the nun shot, and it came out as I pre-visualised, which is my personal metric of a shot I’m happy with.

(not that I won’t take the win when it happens with luck)

 

[justpix]

Hi, my last pics this year ... (M9 - LEITZ Summicron 2/35 f 2) :






New Year's Eve preparations :










And rehearsal :





A HAPPY NEW YEAR to all viewers and contributors here.

I like this thread very much. - A friendly group of experienced owners showing and discussing their Leica pics.

All have used - or are using - other camera systems. So, no one is singing the Leica anthem Leica, Leica über alles

But. - I must confess:

Leicas are the cameras I like using most ... ---

 

[Adam Bonn]

I have only 2 non leica cameras, one a circa 2010 fuji compact and a lx100, neither of which I’ve used this year (maybe 7 years for the fuji)

 

[justpix]

I have only 2 non leica cameras, one a circa 2010 fuji compact and a lx100, neither of which I’ve used this year (maybe 7 years for the fuji)

Hi, I use NIKONs (D500, D850), SONYs (A7, A7R2) and an OLYMPUS PEN EP-1, too ... ---

 

[PJH99]

Leica is now my only camera apart from my phone. I do fancy a D850 though. @justpix how do you rate the D850? By the way, I’m jealous of your new year caviar!

 

[justpix]

Leica is now my only camera apart from my phone. I do fancy a D850 though. @justpix how do you rate the D850? By the way, I’m jealous of your new year caviar!

Hi, I bought is as a replacement of the D800 (I gave to my wife). It is used mainly with the Nikkor 4/70-200 for cars and bikes in action, and wildlife. I am happy with it.

The caviar I bought from amazon (€ 69 for 50g). One could see it as an alternative to fireworks ...

 

[justpix]

HAPPY NEW YEAR ! ... (M9 - ZEISS Distagon 4/18 f 5,6 ; crop) :










(I found the M9 difficult for fireworks pics. I set the shutter to 8 sec, ISO 160, and supported it on the window frame. 8 sec exposure and 10 sec noise reduction were quite long together,
which made me lose a lot ... Next year, I shall take another camera system.)

 

[wibbly]

Belated Happy New Year guys!

Resolution for the year is to get out and start using the M10-P more.

 

[justpix]

Hi, an MGA and the happy owner ... (M9 - Summarit 2,5/35 f 2,8 ; crop).

Arrival :







Among other cars :





"Cropped free " :

 

[justpix]

Hi, cropped free ... (M9 - LEITZ Summicron 2/35 f 2,8 ; crop) :

 

[PJH99]

Hi all

i’m thinking of trading in my Voigtlander 50mm 1.2 for a Leica Elmar 50mm 2.8. Does anyone here have any experience with the Elmar? If so, how is it? I’m mainly looking to trade to save weight. That Voigtlander is a brick!

 

[justpix]

Hi all

i’m thinking of trading in my Voigtlander 50mm 1.2 for a Leica Elmar 50mm 2.8. Does anyone here have any experience with the Elmar? If so, how is it? I’m mainly looking to trade to save weight. That Voigtlander is a brick!

Hi, it may help to state why I did not buy it. It is a good lens, but fiddly to use, especially with a lens hood. - Options: the ZEISS Planar (if it not too big for your taste) or the Summarit.

Reviews here : https://sites.google.com/site/wosim...leica-lens-reviews-40mm-60mm#h.p_HNWKpEFQW07W

 

[PJH99]

Thanks Immo. I certainly don’t want a fiddly lens. I think I may have to find one that I can try before I buy. Do you say it’s fiddly because extending it with a lens hood is awkward? i’ll most likely use it without the hood anyway. I’ve just watched a review on and have learned there are a couple of versions. I think I would prefer the newer one with 9 blades instead of 15, but I guess newer will mean more ££££

 

[justpix]

Thanks Immo. I certainly don’t want a fiddly lens. I think I may have to find one that I can try before I buy. Do you say it’s fiddly because extending it with a lens hood is awkward? i’ll most likely use it without the hood anyway. I’ve just watched a review on and have learned there are a couple of versions. I think I would prefer the newer one with 9 blades instead of 15, but I guess newer will mean more ££££

Hi, I see, you use your lenses differently. I always use hoods to reduce glare and to protect the front lens. -

The VOIGTLÄNDER Nokton 1,2/35 asph v1 is one of my least used lenses. I bought it years ago because of its speed and looks. But I never liked using it.

If I want to use a bulky lens now I take the ZEISS Distagon, which is optically better, too. ---

The view from Wergenstein/CH ... (SONY A7R2 - Summarit 2,5/35 f 8) :






This was taken in 2018, in my adapting days. But the IQ is good, I think. - The LUMIX S5 will be succeeded soon. Which will offer a low cost entry into the L mount sphere.

The sensor stack being thinner, and the adapter M -> L being a little thicker, it should work better than SONYs with M mount lenses. ---

But knowing me a little, the greatest risks here are the native L mount lenses, especially those from Leica ...

 

[Adam Bonn]

The Squashed House by Adam Bonn, on Flickr

cron 35 and M10R

 

[PJH99]

Hi, I see, you use your lenses differently. I always use hoods to reduce glare and to protect the front lens. -

The VOIGTLÄNDER Nokton 1,2/35 asph v1 is one of my least used lenses. I bought it years ago because of its speed and looks. But I never liked using it.

If I want to use a bulky lens now I take the ZEISS Distagon, which is optically better, too. ---

The view from Wergenstein/CH ... (SONY A7R2 - Summarit 2,5/35 f 8) :



View attachment 377757


This was taken in 2018, in my adapting days. But the IQ is good, I think. - The LUMIX S5 will be succeeded soon. Which will offer a low cost entry into the L mount sphere.

The sensor stack being thinner, and the adapter M -> L being a little thicker, it should work better than SONYs with M mount lenses. ---

But knowing me a little, the greatest risks here are the native L mount lenses, especially those from Leica ...

I watched a review of the S5 Mkii today- at last Panasonic are using phase detect autofocus. Overall the camera seems pretty good. As you say, they have the advantage of the Leica M (adaptable) and L-Mount glass so I’m now waiting to see if the Leica SL series will follow suit with Phase detect. I love the aesthetic of the SL bodies and the Leica zoom lenses are pretty spectacular.

 

[justpix]

Hi, I could see the old S5 as a body for adapting M mount lenses. High AF performance I have covered by NIKONs.

But the L mount field can be quite expensive to enter, especially if you look at Leica L mount lenses.

So, I hope my adapting remission will go over ... ---

 

[justpix]

Hi, ... (M9 - ZEISS Biogon 2/35 f 2 ; crop) :

 

[justpix]

Hi, Epiphany today ... (M9 - LEITZ Summicron 2/35 v4, f 2; crops) :

 

[Adam Bonn]

I visited one of my fav places yesterday. I was going to take a train ride to a place I like, then I found out the trains were on strike, so my GF suggested I take a bus then it occurred to me that the bus can me places that the train doesn't go!

You'll have to forgive me when I probably put one or so of these on Flickr and forget I shared them already and share it again!

I took with me the M10R and 28 elmarit, 35 cron and 50 lux. I think I used the 28 most... but these are all the 50

 

[justpix]

Hi, the Three Magi ... (SONY A7R2 - ZEISS Sonnar 1,5/50 , VOIGTLÄNDER VM-E Close Focus Adapter f 1,5 ; crop) :






(The Sonnar is a case for adapting it (for me). It has focus shift, and the M9 has no live view. But I could also use my SONY 1,8/55, which is quite good, and easier to use, having AF.
But it can show onion rings ... For me, the LUMIX S5 might bring some advantages when adapting M mount lenses. Thinking back about my usage patterns over the years, however, I suppose the S5 would become another little used system when the novelty wears off. So, R.I.P. ... ---)

 

[PJH99]

you could get an M10 they only cost 1 kidney instead of 2 if you buy used

 

[justpix]

you could get an M10 they only cost 1 kidney instead of 2 if you buy used

Sure, that's an option. OTOH I am quite satisfied with my M9s, and the previous owner of my last one, who bought an M10, was not very satisfied with his new acquisition ... ---

 

[PJH99]

I hear that colours are nicer on M9. Do any of your other Zeiss lens display focus shift or is it just the Sonnar?

 

[justpix]

I hear that colours are nicer on M9. Do any of your other Zeiss lens display focus shift or is it just the Sonnar?

Hi, ad1) this is the CCD (M9) vs CMOS difference; ad2) only the Sonnar does this. One can lean a little forward after focussing (at f 1,5, from f 2,8 no focus shift).
or one can take several pics (which is not a big deal with digital pics), but this is not comfortable ... ---

My other 6 ZEISS M mount lenses (18, 21, 25, 35 (2x), 50mm) do not show focus shift.

The Sonnar renders beautifully, which is why it is so popular ...

 

[PJH99]

Which version of Sonnar do you have? Is it the one from 2004 - present?

 

[justpix]

Which version of Sonnar do you have? Is it the one from 2004 - present?

Yes, that's the one. I bought it years ago to adapt to an OLYMPUS PEN EP-1, my first mirrorless cam ...

The one on the far right :

 

[gramps]

Well sadly the X2 had to go back today.
Turned it on with a fully charged battery fitted and nothing - dead!
Tried twice more and still nothing, blank rear screen. Tried once more and then had a vertical white line in the middle of the rear screen.
Very disappointed.

 

[PJH99]

Ah sorry to hear this @gramps. I hope this doesn’t put you off Leica. Might be worth looking at a Q if funding permits?

 

[gramps]

Ah sorry to hear this @gramps. I hope this doesn’t put you off Leica. Might be worth looking at a Q if funding permits?

Thanks Peter, no I enjoyed using the X2, great sharp lens and lovely colours. I've looked at a few Q2's on sale but TBH they all look a bit rough.

 

[justpix]

Well sadly the X2 had to go back today.
Turned it on with a fully charged battery fitted and nothing - dead!
Tried twice more and still nothing, blank rear screen. Tried once more and then had a vertical white line in the middle of the rear screen.
Very disappointed.

Hi, let's hope, it is a small well-known defect ... ---

 

[justpix]

Hi, at the Schwetzingen Classic Gala ... (M9 - ZEISS Sonnar 1,5/50 ; crops)

f 2,8 :













f 1,5 :




(The Sonnar has focus shift only wide open; from 2,8 on it behaves like a normal lens. )

 

[gramps]

Hi, let's hope, it is a small well-known defect ... ---

Unfortunately Leica no longer service or hold spares for the X2 so it's gone back for a refund.
Maybe look out for a clean Q (typ 116).

 

[justpix]

Unfortunately Leica no longer service or hold spares for the X2 so it's gone back for a refund.
Maybe look out for a clean Q (typ 116).

Hi, so no financial loss for you - apart from the hassle of returning it.

But anyway, not an experience one would like to have with Leica, or any other brand ...

 

[trevorbray]

Unfortunately Leica no longer service or hold spares for the X2 so it's gone back for a refund.
Maybe look out for a clean Q (typ 116).

Red Dot Camera have a quite nice Q listed.