From Canon to Leica M

I plan on moving almost completely to Leica M in the next couple of years. Anyone else out there doing the same?

Went all Leica for a while this year.. It was fun, I appreciated the smaller size and I got along well with the RF focusing. After a few months I picked up an A7R to share the M-mount lenses with and actually found it more flexible in a similar size, and obviously muuuch better low-light performance (even the M240 wasn't in the same league). The MM would hang in there ISO-wise but the value prop isn't there for me. In the end though I kept the Sony and sold the Leica, bought back the Canon gear. I can certainly see how one can appreciate the image quality / and physical design. I actually liked the CMOS sensor on the M-E better than the CCD on the M240 for some strange reason.

I'm definitely picking up a used M6 at some point, but unless Leica does something radical in the digital world, I don't see myself going back.

Nope.

I love my M, and i use it a heck of a lot, but it doesn't really work for my day to day job, which frequently requires long lenses, remote flash, and all the other stuff that the M doesn't do well.
Luckily work supplies me a pair of 1DX and a bunch of lenses, covering from 14mm to 600mm.

I do use the M as much as possible though, i find it a joy to use, compared to the big heavy Canon.

Probably what attracts me to Leica M is exactly what would drive many away. I think my MM has to much automation LoL. Seriously.

I am actually waiting to see if Leica puts out a very striped down version on the M240. Something without live view, without video, kinda like the CCD ME only with CMOSIS. If not I will probably grab a used M 240 and maybe a used M9 as backup. I just prefer the rangefinder shooting experience so if all goes well I will dump all or almost all of the Canon stuff and pick up a couple of color M bodies and a 90 cron and a 21 or 24 lux. I do use my MM on some commercial assignments when B&W is called for and the M 240 has plenty of low light performance for what I do.

airfrogusmc wrote in post #17316326
Probably what attracts me to Leica M is exactly what would drive many away. I think my MM has to much automation LoL. Seriously.

I am actually waiting to see if Leica puts out a very striped down version on the M240. Something without live view, without video, kinda like the CCD ME only with CMOSIS. If not I will probably grab a used M 240 and maybe a used M9 as backup. I just prefer the rangefinder shooting experience so if all goes well I will dump all or almost all of the Canon stuff and pick up a couple of color M bodies and a 90 cron and a 21 or 24 lux. I do use my MM on some commercial assignments when B&W is called for and the M 240 has plenty of low light performance for what I do.

The 90 cron is an awesome lens.. I had the -M (circa '97 or so), not the ASPH/APO and even that was really good. I know the ASPH is better, but I just can't visualize it.. the -M was so good. Damn, now you're getting me nostalgic..

airfrogusmc wrote in post #17316326
Probably what attracts me to Leica M is exactly what would drive many away. I think my MM has to much automation LoL. Seriously.

I am actually waiting to see if Leica puts out a very striped down version on the M240. Something without live view, without video, kinda like the CCD ME only with CMOSIS. If not I will probably grab a used M 240 and maybe a used M9 as backup. I just prefer the rangefinder shooting experience so if all goes well I will dump all or almost all of the Canon stuff and pick up a couple of color M bodies and a 90 cron and a 21 or 24 lux. I do use my MM on some commercial assignments when B&W is called for and the M 240 has plenty of low light performance for what I do.

There is menu options to turn off the LV and video modes, the buttons are still there, but they dont work
I have Movie mode switched off on mine, but still use LV occasionally (typically for accurate framing, when using a tripod)

Or if you want really stripped back, no LCD, there is always the M60

Echo63 wrote in post #17317774
There is menu options to turn off the LV and video modes, the buttons are still there, but they dont work
I have Movie mode switched off on mine, but still use LV occasionally (typically for accurate framing, when using a tripod)

Or if you want really stripped back, no LCD, there is always the M60

I prefer them not to be there period. If they put the M60 in regular production at a price point where the current ME is I would by two.

airfrogusmc wrote in post #17317970
I prefer them not to be there period. If they put the M60 in regular production at a price point where the current ME is I would by two.

I dont see that happening any time soon

i would like to be able to reprogram the buttons on the M though, like fuji do with the raw and multifunction buttons on the X100, that focus assist button is like an ugly wart on the front of the M (in my opinion)

I'm not ready $$$ yet to make the switch. Maybe next year late? If they don't come out with a body that is more like the current CCD ME with the new CMOS then i will pick up an M240 and maybe an M9 or and ME for backup and of course I have my MM. A 21 or 24 and a 90 cron.

airfrogusmc wrote in post #17329701
I'm not ready $$$ yet to make the switch. Maybe next year late? If they don't come out with a body that is more like the current CCD ME with the new CMOS then i will pick up an M240 and maybe an M9 or and ME for backup and of course I have my MM. A 21 or 24 and a 90 cron.

I think the "ME240" will be announced about the same time as the next M, kinda like how they have announced the "SE" (typ006) in the blue/grey, at photokina, when they also announced the new S (typ007)

I will try to get a 28 elmarit and a 90 of some variety, probably the summicron later this year.
I already have one body, i will probably wait till the next M body is released before i pick up another one.

As i typed earlier, work issues me canon gear, and for a lot of what i do it is the best option (long glass, fast AF, TTL viewing, good reliable, easy to use RF flash system** etc) but for everything else, pics of the kids, an every day camera, and my personal projects, i pick up the M. I have sold most of my personal Canon gear (still have a 350D/18-55, 2x1dmk1 and a 50mm compact macro)


** i really wish canon would "stupidify" the ST-E3/600EX-RT system.
Its a brilliant system, but it only works on Canon cameras, even in manual mode.
If i could put the transmitter in manual, then trigger it with any camera with a hotshoe, i would be a very happy man.
For now i will continue using my combination of 580EX, EX2 and Olympus T32 on manual triggers

Well, I reckon I fall into this slot somewhat, although the path from Canon digital to a Leica M film camera involved a few intermittent procurements before the full conversion occurred.

sjones in my opinion you fell into good slot. Off topic but we lost a great one last month but thought you might be interested if you didn't know already know.

http://www.washingtonp​ost.com …t-lewis-baltz-dies-at-69/

I have the canon 5D mk 3 and an assortment of lenses, I liked it a lot but bought a new Leica "M" and 3 lenses 50 35 and 28.
all I can say is its a different world all together, I like shooting the Leica more and carry it more due to size . I think it brought me back to taking my time , selecting the shot more carefully with the Leica and I am sure its due to the manual focus. if your looking at straight cost its hands down a better selection to get a sony !!! I spent 20K on Leica love it but really cannot justify it if I had to .
The canon is a great camera but found myself shooting tooo much and not getting the quality framing I was after.

$$$ aside I still like the feel of the lead anchor Leica. I will be taking the Leica to Japan and a Fuji X100sT as a back up with it . canon stays home !!!!

Bill

I've thought about doing this same thing. Maybe dumping the 5D MII along with the 70-200 and 24-105 as well as some lighting gear I'm not using. But I don't know if I can get the $$$ I need to get the Leica I want brand new. I've been eyeing the Monochrom for some time now.

CameraMan wrote in post #17342657
I've thought about doing this same thing. Maybe dumping the 5D MII along with the 70-200 and 24-105 as well as some lighting gear I'm not using. But I don't know if I can get the $$$ I need to get the Leica I want brand new. I've been eyeing the Monochrom for some time now.

There are some rumors about a new CMOS Mono. If that happens the price of the older CCD Monos may come down some. They are really high now. Usually only a few hundred bucks cheaper than new.