Leica M-P Pick n mix

Like a pin ball, this post is likely to bounce from one thing to another and back again in no particular order.

So lets open the post with the camera in use. All the images presented here have been taken with the
Leica M-P type 240. And very nice it is to. Slimmed down menus from the M9. More back to basics. Having wanted the M-P since I found out about it. The big thing is the 2mb buffer, as small an increase as it is, it makes such a difference in real world shooting. I do like the minimalist front, no red dot. But lets face it, a Leica M with no red dot, is as invisible, as a Mercedes without a  Tri Star. Yeah right. But, nice non the less. So having wanted the M-P over the M9 for the buffer benefits, I am already looking to the M10.

Is that because the M-P is no good? No. Far far from it. I thought going to CMOS from CCD would be an issue, it's not. The M9 CCD produced beautiful images. The M-P CMOS produces beautiful images.

So why the desire for the M10? Human nature I guess. The biggie here, is the slimness of the body harking back to the M3 (my first Leica) and no video. Have I used the video option on the M-P? Yes.
More just to see how it works and how well. All quite acceptable and novel. But the likelihood is I would whip out the mobile and use that.

 Where the CMOS really scores is the live view mode. Realy like that. Just brilliant for those critical focus shots.

One thing I would like to see is the option for a second type of live view focus as found in the Ricoh GXR.
You really can pin down the focus and the depth of field. (dear Leica firmware upgrade?)

Unlike a lot (most/all) Youtube reviews of Leica cameras. I'm putting my own hard earned cash on the counter. No freebies or test pieces here. (yes, I'm open to offers. but not holding my breath)

So as happy as I am with the M-P, as I was (and still am with the M9) I'm working my way towards an M10.

So what have I been shooting with it? Nowt special. All very boring with little technical skill, but I'm shooting for me, not commercially.

As ever, no fiddling about, all straight off the chip. No cropping, curves, contrast, sharpness, brightness or owt else.

Testing out the 90mm 2.8 in table lamp lighting. iso 2500 @1/8

Grain. Grain what am I talking about. Noise. Not bad for a handheld shot.

Brook side path (Elmar 50 f2.8)

Parallel lines (Elmar 50 f2.8)

More parallel lines (Elmar 50 f2.8)

Happens (Elmar 50 f2.8)

Bench (Elmar 50 f2.8)

 Berries (Elmar 50 f2.8)

 Tree (Elmar 50 f2.8)

 Delicate (Elmar 50 f2.8)

 Bowl

 Black and white (Elmar 50 f2.8)

 Or, Colour (Elmar 50 f2.8)

 

 2 front (Elmar 50 f2.8)

 2 rear (Elmar 50 f2.8)

 

Voight 15mm Selection

 Skyscape

Leica M8 with Taylor Hobson 2inch f/2 Anastigmat

Does not come out very often but thought I would exercise the Taylor Hobson Anastigmat on the M8.

Even just looking at, the 16 blade iris is something to behold. Does produce a lovely circular aperture rather than hex or octagonal.
Smooth operation no click stops on the aperture ring, infinitely variable which works very well with the M8 metering when in manual. You can get the exposure just as you like. Distance scale is in imperial "Feet" only. Close focus 3.5 feet. For the Leicaphiles out there or the curious the f stops work in reverse. f16 to the left f2 to the right. Also for those that care, the lens collapses into the M8 with not issues.

I can see me using this lens more often as I am very happy with the results.
On the M8 it looks like this.

 Hmm blades.

Above images taken with Ricoh GR.


Some snaps taken in late afternoon light.

Couple of shots taken long after daylight had gone to bed.

 Have to say rather quite the atmosphere here. Bumped the ISO up to 640. f2 @ 1/45 handheld.

Leica M8 with Voightlander 15mm

Really need to use this camera and lens combo more often. Really can throw up some shots. Cracking lens, small, light weight,very well made good to look at. Some would say it's a bit slow, yes it is, if you are a low light shooter. If not, not a problem at all. Focus is .3m to 2m infinity. Push it to f5.6 and anything further away than 1m is pretty much in focus. Talk about point and shoot.

This version is the LTM version. Lighter and cheaper than the M version. Screw on an LTM to M adapter and job done. Many £££ saved. This is not range finder coupled so zone focusing only. But hey, everything is in focus anyway.

Obviously there are no frame lines. So a little practice is required to hone your own composition skills. What I have found, is whilst looking through the viewfinder of the M8 if you move your eye around the extremities of the viewfinder that is what will be taken. The max you can see, will be recorded. And some.

If you are working up close then you can expect the usual characteristics you would expect with a 15mm lens.

I think this is a very underrated combo. Especially as Leica do not produce anything like this lens no matter how many £,000s you give them.

So here we are at the pic point. Straight out the cam no fiddling.

Leica M8 with Leica Summar again

Have always liked this lens, uncoated, slight cleaning marks on front element, flares like a bitch if you are not careful, ancient style f numbers on aperture ring, but lovely smooth focus, small and light and by default cheap. This example was made in 1934 and works as well today as it probably ever did. How many of today's lenses will still be in regular use in 80 years time.
Just like the look and feel you get with vintage lenses. Still, cranking it up to f5.6 + and sharp enough for me.

Here is a selection of shots taken whilst out and about.

 No fiddling. Straight out the cam.

These taken at Wistow.

 And to finish on something completely different.

Light, Leaves and Benches

What a beautiful start to the day. As is the law, I made my Saturday pilgrimage to Thrussington Village Store to pick up my weekly Hambleton Bakery seven seed loaf.

Even though I am only going out to collect a loaf of bread I always take a camera with me. And if you are reading this, I imagine you do the same.

Today I was armed with my early Leica M8 (2006) and a very early 5cm Leica Summar f1:2 from 1934. No coatings and the usual evidence of cleaning marks on the front. But so what. If I had been around since 1934 I would expect to have some marks as well.

Any way, as you know this lens is a low contrast lens and can flare like a bitch if pointed towards the light. So don't do it. Or, you can cheat and shield the front element with your hand. A simple and effective  workaround.

This lens can be used as a complimentary portrait lens as it does not have the biting ly sharp characteristics of today's lenses. Like wise today's lenses cannot replicate the feel and bokeh of this lens. It can, depending on the situation exhibit a wonderful out of focusness. Perhaps the Summitar has borrowed "it's" look  from this lens.


Makes you wonder. Here I am, composing this in 2014, hoping that someone might stumble across it via the wonders of the interweb to look at images taken with a lens made in 1934. Strangely, I suspect this 80 year old lens will still be producing images long after I (we) are long gone.

Anyway enough rambling, here are today's images. Straight off the chip, no fiddling about.

Fire and Love

Out and about for a drive round the local B roads. Stopped off at one of my favorite spots and took some shots of my chariot of fire. When in a serendipitous moment a nice lady in her chariot of Love pulled up.Shared some pleasantries and then got busy with the M8.
Lady I spoke to runs the following business silkandsatinweddings Did not get her name, such as serendipitous moments are.

Chariot of fire

Chariot of Love. (had just been used as a wedding car)

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