Hello Eric Regarding metering, when using the OVF stick to centre weighted metering as using evaluative or spot metering will slow your camera down as it has to open the shutter meter close the shutter and take the photograph. Centre weighted metering is done with the reflected light of those grey and white stripes on the shutter reflecting into the photocells. You can use the other metering modes when using the electronic viewfinder as this mode slows your camera down anyway. Focussing a Leica M takes practice. If you have never used a rangefinder you will need more time than just a week to adapt. Do some workouts when enduring commercial breaks and focus on a variety of subjects far and close. I tend to leave all my lenses at infinity as a starting point and focus in this way as I know the patch is going to coincide in the same direction. Once you are more proficient you can try to focus from different distances. You can experiment with zone focussing as you have a depth of field indicator on your lens. As the 50mm Zeiss is not a 6 bit encoded lens I would advise to use the Leica Summicron 50mm Asph profile in the menu to eliminate cyan drift in the corners and vignetting. If you want to experiment with different lenses I can advise you some of the Voigtlander lenses. These are affordable, compared to Leica glass, and made in the same factory in Japan (Cosina) as the Voigtlander counterparts. Happy shooting
From one Leica dad-tog to another, you'll get the rangefinder focusing on kids down in no time. Granted, I'm mostly shooting an M6, but one thing that helps me when shooting wide open is to set the focusing distance on the lens, then lean my head forward or backwards until the rangefinder patch lines up. Works wonders for shots close to minimum focus distance.
That’s the Leica way… you make the image, the camera is your tool. You’re the sculptor, the camera is your chisel. I love my M Typ 240. My 5D has not seen the light of day in a very long while. Congratulations on the purchase. Welcome to the world of Leica. Others may never get the Leica way and culture, the discipline, but I’m glad you did.
Great honest video dude. I think the camera suits you and allows you the headspace to find that creative flow you are looking for! Great review, those images definitely hit and I like the video quality! Good stuff homie. 👊🏼
I like to keep my focus ring set to infinity by default and then adjust from there. You'll always know what direction you need to go and you won't have to hunt for it.
The M240 is a great camera and it's so easy to handle, if you get used to it. I started on the digital M eight years ago, and I haven't regret one single moment. I recently bought the 50 Summilux instead of the Zeiss Sonar 50/1.5. It's a noticeable improvement. Keep on rolling with your M240. BTW: nice review.
Love your video. Made me feel the same way when I got the 240. Shooting with a 28mm f2.8. An all manual approach to making pictures makes one feel involved in the creative process. When you nail it, the satisfaction gained is so much more.
I enjoyed your honesty, having to learn focus on a film ranger finder to my m240 has been quite a journey so I know exactly how you feel. All part of the fun with Leica though!
It the point and spot on. About the choice of lens I would have gone (i did go) for a 35mm for 2 reasons, 1- great for environmental portraits, you still can get close and no distortion (i have the Zeiss 35mm f2.8, very small) 2- Zone focusing, wider means more depth of field, so at f5.6 I get everything from about 1.5m to 3 meters, then I move in and out of the zone. That’s my tip. You’re going to love it more and more the more you use it.
Love the M240, have had one for about 5 years and never felt I wanted to change, have had numerous other cameras in that time too but all have gone over the years, the M240 is a keeper though. I have the Zeiss 50/2 and 28/2.8 great lenses too. The camera just has soul and feels right, anyone who has never had a Leica probably wouldn’t understand, it really does feel like an extension of your eye. Enjoy 😀
Maybe you could get a look at the Voigtlander 2/50 Apo-Lanthar before a final decision is made. I just bought it and it's a very good choice in my opinion. It's true to say that you have 95% of the Leica 50 Apo Asph for 1/7 of the price. I should indicate that I used to own two 50 Summilux and one 50 Summicron with my previous Leica M.
I just bought the M240 as my first digital M, it literally came in the mail 5 days after you posted your unboxing video. I laughed at myself as I waited for the delivery to arrive, acting exactly as you did in the video. This is purchasing my "dream" camera as well, I was excited to find your video and channel so I can follow along your journey parallel to mine! I look forward to seeing the images you create and what you think after some more time with it. Enjoy! P.S. I bought a thumb grip for mine and completely agree, is it a necessary addition for ergonomics.
Great video, camera looks great. Looks like it's forced you to emotionally connect to it, that in itself is a beautiful thing. I kinda get that feeling with the Fuji XPro1 it's slow , clunky but once you understand it the results are amazing!
The zeiss planar is what I first got for my leica m4 when I started shooting leica. its the only lens that I prefer over the leica. I have a 50mm summicron version 5 right now and it is fantastic but I think I prefer the zeiss look. additionally the other lens I recommend is the voigtlander 35mm color skopar f2.5. its like 400$ new and it created fantastic images for me. also having a focus tab makes me quicker at focusing. Congrats on the m240! I have been eyeballing one myself as I am still shooting a film m7
I have been lusting after an older range finder Leica and thinking of selling my X-Pro3 and some glass to feed my urge to own/use one... Thanks for the video...
Also M 240 user here since last year (until then I shot Leica M film cameras which I still use in parallel to the M 240). You are correct - always underexpose a bit with this sensor! Clipped highlights can't be rescued. Getting the focus right wide open on moving sublets is very hard to achieve. Stopping down the lens a bit allows to zone focus which works in this kind of situation. But you might lose the bokeh wide open by doing so. Try as compromise to use f/2.8 with your lens.
Hi Eric, is Voigtländer Nokton 40mm 1.4 + leica T = good pairing? Will it become manual mode bec lens is manual ?? I m using it for portrait photography. Thanks Guru for your advice!!! 😄
As long as your happy with your purchase, it's all good. I've considered getting a Leica many, many times but always refrained from purchasing one due to the cost. However, they hold value extremely well so if it doesn't work out, you'll get your money back easily. I'm happy with my Fuji system and M43 system cameras so won't personally be buying a Leica but enjoy the M240 and keep taking photos.
The example images look very film like for sure. I'm so tempted to try one of these as I want to go back to film but don't want the hassle. I like the idea it encourages you to "make" images :)
It helps to start with focus further away and memorize the rangefinder patch movement in one direction vs two. In other words, having focus in the ballpark means you end up wasting time focusing back and forth as its confusing. Unless I’m zone focusing, I try to have the focus further away and as my subject enters the frame, I pull in one direction only and know what to expect with the movement of the rangefinder patch. Hope this helps.
I recommend the Leica Handgrip M (14496) for a substantial grip, it doesn't add too much to the size of the camera overall. Also, the Leica Summarit lenses are wonderful. I had 6 or so Zeiss lenses over the past 11 years, but have replaced the 35mm Biogon and 50mm Planar with Summarit f/2.5 versions, and have no regrets. I find the focus tab on the Summarits useful, the focus action is smoother, they are small and light, and the colors are not as punchy as the Zeiss lenses. Also, I can't live without the EXIF data written to the files, and the Leica lenses have the 6-bit coding for that.
First of all, congrats for your first M camera. Second, try using a lens with a thumb lever. If you set the thumb lever facing downward that instantly means your focus is distanced around 1.2 meter, when you rotate the thumb lever to your left (clock wise), it goes to close focusing around 0.7 to 1 meter. You rotate to the right (anti clock wise) it goes to 3, 5 and 10 meters or infinity respectfully. So, first you guess the distance from you to the subject before you shoot your image, and while lifting your M to your eyes, you simultaneously starts to rotate that lens lever towards that said estimate distance. By the time your eyes reached the focusing patch, you are that closer to focusing accurately, that all you need to do is to re adjust slightly. Hope this makes sense. This technique helps me instantly. FYI I myself am using the same silver M typ 240 with a 35mm F/2 and 50mm F2.5. I owned it for around 3 months now and I've been using it for my works. All I can say is, enjoy every mistakes, because once you get the hang of it... I'd tell you.. there's no feeling like it. Hope this helps. Good luck to you!
A lot of things that resonate with me in this video. I also bought into the M system thanks to a second hand deal. It’s beautiful and frustrating, simple and complex, but that’s exactly the point of it. Oh yeah, and my 1 year old son also limits my video recording opportunities 😂
The 28 is driving me mental from driving cars. i'm trying to nail the focus but i always seem to get blurs with hardly any sharp focus. It would be nice if leica had an option too put it on af. i've missed many moments as it wasn't clear enough. love my x100s and gets my mood and stuff, yet the leica just makes moments a rage moment. i'm also left eye dominant.
I find that for tighter portraits, even a 90 is not long enough. But in a lot of ways, a 28 and a 50 are all you really need, if you're prepared to lose 50% of your pixels from time to time. 😉 Selecting lens sets is a Leica owner's favourite armchair past-time. Do you base your set around the 50 or the 35... 🤔🤔🤔
You got the black Planar on your silver leica m240 and I have the silver Planar on my black leica m240 lol! With your exposure woes try what I do and that is use classic metering. Look at the brightest object or area in your scene and set your exposure to X O O. Set your darkest area and see if it is O O X. If it is, take the shot and you will be able to recover your highlights. X O X means proper exposure. O X X means one stop under. O O X means 0.5 stops under. FYI. Do not use the auto exposure in classic mode with exposure comp. fyi. It is not metering the entire scene so you will get shots that are under or over too frequently imho.
For focusing with a Leica it's always good to have a lens with a focusing tab so as soon as your finger touches the tab you know (if you practice what distance a subject is with where the lens tab is) if something is pretty much in focus or not. It's still not 100% but you should see your hits go up a lot. I just Googled and it looks like you can get tabs that attach to lenses that don't have them as standard.
These are the sort of feelings I have about my Leica M6. Chasing kids around with a rangefinder can be incredibly frustrating. You’ve already made some awesome photos with it though. 👍
You will get better with the rangefinder, you can try always keeping it at infinity then you only need to focus pull one way. Also you should get a 1.3x magnifier for the rangefinder so you can see the 50mm frame lines and patch better. Finally don’t worry about perfect focus, slightly out of focus images can look great. More organic and can feel more like real memories you have captured.
You’ll get better if you just keep using it but if you’re having difficulty with critical focusing at 50mm try a wider lens for a few years. Shoot with a 28 or 35 then work your way to the 50 once you get more comfortable
I've recently got a M240 with an Olympus EVF as well. I understand what you mean by it forces you to make vs take a picture. I struggle also at focusing at wide aperture, like at F2, but I try not to use the external EVF so that I can train myself and get used to using the camera. Btw, do you have problems with dusts going on the sensor? To avoid misfocus, I sometimes use f5.6 or f8; but if there's dust on the sensor, it's easily visible. I never had that much dust on my Fuji sensors, but I guess that's because Leica doesn't have the sensor cleaning function.
Awesome vid. Rangefinder becomes a part of you after a little bit, to the point where one can focus on moving subjects because you can ‘feel’ the lens and the camera. I tried and keep trying all sorts of modern gear but always return to Leica. It ruined all other cameras for me :-)
@@ericrjennings There are several camps of digital Leica fans out there - M9, M8, Q, etc.. and the vast majority bash the m240, unfortunately, mostly because it dared to introduce live view, video, and change the color from the m9. It's more of an outcast in the Leica family. :-) I tried M9, M8, m240 & Q and Q2. I pixel-pipped many m10 files and really wanted to like or get myself interested in the M10 , but I saw nothing special in it. With the battery downsized, in fact, I feel like it was a step backward. However, I find the m240 rendering, with it's deep colors, mesmerizing. The new colors was a bold step for Leica, and only true artists dare do that and go against the 'opinion of the masses.' I even love the video - if done properly, it feels 'alive' and unique. Leica put a lot more thought into the m240 than people give it credit for. It's the most special digital rangefinder they've produced, still. m10r is the only recent rangefinder that picked my interest. It seems they changed the sensor science on it, and I find the rendering pleasing.
A 35mm lens would help getting better at quick shots, not that critical of focus, just stopped down a bit. Except when close up. But it lacks on high ISO at 3200 and up go in b&w
Do all Leica cameras come with a music file that you can download? All Leica reviews seem to have that off beat, like, if you don't like the music you won't like the camera...?
You also have to calibrate RF.My gripe with Leica is close distance which is only possible with EVF jammed on the flash shoe.For the money Fujifilm xpro is better choice especially if you ever used Contax G.Now day's I use only my M6 since M-D model is a bit on a expensive side.If I ever get digital Leica it gone be M-D.
Hm.. You talk like my brain.. I bought an M-P 240 last summer. (almost the same). I love it, and it frustrates me.. I also bought adapters, so that I can use my "old" lenses. With the camera I got a Summarit f2,5 75mm. So, my conclusion so far: I'll probably never sell the camera, I like it more every day, and that "cheap" summarit (that nobody talks about) makes me want to throw my other lenses in the garbage.. So, I fear I'm in it for the rest of my life, and I think it will be expensive.. :)
I think you are dead on with the make vs take pictures comment. Using a Leica is a deliberate act and your successes and failures are truly earned. And be prepared to fail at first. I scoffed for years and years at using rangefinders - I only saw the negatives, such as parallax. But about 18 months ago, I ended up with my first Leica and I've never looked back. It has weaknesses but those constraints are beneficial to forcing you to find creative solutions and to get much better and much more observant and present when shooting. No camera is best - they are deliberate, creative tools, just as lenses are. This mindset and camera isn't for everyone, and the tools that assist the user with DSLRs and mirrorless offerings have their place. For me, the place for my Nikons and Fujis was selling them to someone who'd be happier than I was with them.
Going by the videos you made immediately after and ever since, the change didn't take 🤣 M240 is *perfect* for some types shooting. Little which could be improved. But for everyone else, it's not the right kit at all. Those in the M240 niche are SUPER lucky. Don't have to fall into the GAS cycle and constantly use new bodies and lenses instead of finding gratification in the process itself.
@@ericrjennings Yeah, totally makes sense. I can't imagine most people using Leica. I feel lucky it makes sense for me but I'd never pretend it's some logical sensible choice. It's crazy for sure. I've been working through your videos. Fun stuff! You're a natural at this RUclips thing ha.
@@ericrjennings You mean like another photographer? Cause that's a hot ticket in photography videos right now. PaulieB's Walkie Talkie series blew up huge.
@SourPlanet no not like Paulie B. I don’t have that many photography friends so that wouldn’t work…. But I love his videos. Just more a vlog on the adventure and thoughts that go into the photos
With a M, you focus on pleasure to shoot "by hand" and image quality. You have to suit the camera. With other cameras, you focus on features and body's performance and you ask the camera to suit you. At the end, you don't make the same pictures.
all respect - but i cant get in to the "focus" on composition when i hear time and again with these leica vloggers seem to be zone focus shooting - and after a while with a prime you can almost shoot blind. I dont understand when other points shared around is that it's easier when you only get one square when it feels like the SLR film gives more room to see the whole focus. (me trying out friend's leica and various range finder film cameras in stores) (I still want to try/own a proper range finder film camera but it would come from one of those olympus built in lens that are also very compact and capable camera) I loved to get a leica (or at least the Q) - got a fuji adapter to use M mount to get M mount lens FIRST just in case I get a leica body later - but now im just over the GAS now haha - would still want to maybe get some of the voigtlander or zeiss m mount lens that have good quality but am happy to use it on fuji than spending the extra money on the leica. - mainly adapting this style lens is more compact than any other SLR film lens having much larger adapters. I know the criticism that the fuji pro series and X100 are not TRUE range finder but Im starting to feel thats more on purpose and that middle ground between true range finders on leica and having the alternative design to SLR style OVF. - that the benefit people share about range finder is that your face is more clear to the subject as well making that interaction more personal and close. So even though its not true range finder - the STYLE in of itself is the benefit to still have and doesnt make it a bad thing because its not going all the way "true" style. I sadly didnt get to really test the focus peaking between the leica and fuji - hope you can talk about it more please.
Fuji’s are nice, but Leica is a complete different league. I’ve adapted M lenses to my Fuji cameras before and didn’t like the results. Better stick to XF native lenses and get a Leica full frame body for those M lenses.
A rangefinder is not for quick shooting. You have to take your time, and that’s the special about it. I have the same combo and I love it. Brings you back to Photography, no stress, no point and shoot, simply enjoying photography. Have fun .
If one can easily afford a Leica lens, then yes, it's worth the satisfaction of ownership. But for a lot of working photographers, and a lot of enthusiasts, the good third party lenses are fantastic, and sometimes preferable. I'm talking Zeiss, Voigtlander, that kind of thing. Not the crappy Chinesium ones.
the DSLR is the revenue earning camera, the Leica is the camera that feeds your soul
Any camera can feed your soul, worry about the pictures not the gear.
For some, sure. And some people make their money with iPhones - hard to believe but it's true!
You must’ve never used a Leica before.
Hello Eric
Regarding metering, when using the OVF stick to centre weighted metering as using evaluative or spot metering will slow your camera down as it has to open the shutter meter close the shutter and take the photograph. Centre weighted metering is done with the reflected light of those grey and white stripes on the shutter reflecting into the photocells. You can use the other metering modes when using the electronic viewfinder as this mode slows your camera down anyway.
Focussing a Leica M takes practice. If you have never used a rangefinder you will need more time than just a week to adapt. Do some workouts when enduring commercial breaks and focus on a variety of subjects far and close. I tend to leave all my lenses at infinity as a starting point and focus in this way as I know the patch is going to coincide in the same direction. Once you are more proficient you can try to focus from different distances. You can experiment with zone focussing as you have a depth of field indicator on your lens.
As the 50mm Zeiss is not a 6 bit encoded lens I would advise to use the Leica Summicron 50mm Asph profile in the menu to eliminate cyan drift in the corners and vignetting.
If you want to experiment with different lenses I can advise you some of the Voigtlander lenses. These are affordable, compared to Leica glass, and made in the same factory in Japan (Cosina) as the Voigtlander counterparts.
Happy shooting
From one Leica dad-tog to another, you'll get the rangefinder focusing on kids down in no time. Granted, I'm mostly shooting an M6, but one thing that helps me when shooting wide open is to set the focusing distance on the lens, then lean my head forward or backwards until the rangefinder patch lines up. Works wonders for shots close to minimum focus distance.
That’s the Leica way… you make the image, the camera is your tool. You’re the sculptor, the camera is your chisel. I love my M Typ 240. My 5D has not seen the light of day in a very long while. Congratulations on the purchase. Welcome to the world of Leica. Others may never get the Leica way and culture, the discipline, but I’m glad you did.
Great honest video dude. I think the camera suits you and allows you the headspace to find that creative flow you are looking for!
Great review, those images definitely hit and I like the video quality! Good stuff homie. 👊🏼
I like to keep my focus ring set to infinity by default and then adjust from there. You'll always know what direction you need to go and you won't have to hunt for it.
The M240 is a great camera and it's so easy to handle, if you get used to it. I started on the digital M eight years ago, and I haven't regret one single moment. I recently bought the 50 Summilux instead of the Zeiss Sonar 50/1.5. It's a noticeable improvement. Keep on rolling with your M240. BTW: nice review.
Love your video. Made me feel the same way when I got the 240. Shooting with a 28mm f2.8. An all manual approach to making pictures makes one feel involved in the creative process. When you nail it, the satisfaction gained is so much more.
Yes 🙌🏻
I enjoyed your honesty, having to learn focus on a film ranger finder to my m240 has been quite a journey so I know exactly how you feel. All part of the fun with Leica though!
I enjoyed the images at the end thanks for the video!.
It the point and spot on. About the choice of lens I would have gone (i did go) for a 35mm for 2 reasons, 1- great for environmental portraits, you still can get close and no distortion (i have the Zeiss 35mm f2.8, very small) 2- Zone focusing, wider means more depth of field, so at f5.6 I get everything from about 1.5m to 3 meters, then I move in and out of the zone. That’s my tip. You’re going to love it more and more the more you use it.
Love the M240, have had one for about 5 years and never felt I wanted to change, have had numerous other cameras in that time too but all have gone over the years, the M240 is a keeper though. I have the Zeiss 50/2 and 28/2.8 great lenses too. The camera just has soul and feels right, anyone who has never had a Leica probably wouldn’t understand, it really does feel like an extension of your eye. Enjoy 😀
I just bought it too! Finally back to pure photography
Im looking at the Zeiss 50 f/2 for my Leica M7, Im glad I found your video.
So far I love it
Maybe you could get a look at the Voigtlander 2/50 Apo-Lanthar before a final decision is made. I just bought it and it's a very good choice in my opinion. It's true to say that you have 95% of the Leica 50 Apo Asph for 1/7 of the price. I should indicate that I used to own two 50 Summilux and one 50 Summicron with my previous Leica M.
I just bought the M240 as my first digital M, it literally came in the mail 5 days after you posted your unboxing video. I laughed at myself as I waited for the delivery to arrive, acting exactly as you did in the video. This is purchasing my "dream" camera as well, I was excited to find your video and channel so I can follow along your journey parallel to mine! I look forward to seeing the images you create and what you think after some more time with it. Enjoy!
P.S. I bought a thumb grip for mine and completely agree, is it a necessary addition for ergonomics.
Awesome. Look forward to connecting with you
I’m second to that +1
Great video, camera looks great. Looks like it's forced you to emotionally connect to it, that in itself is a beautiful thing.
I kinda get that feeling with the Fuji XPro1 it's slow , clunky but once you understand it the results are amazing!
I get it. Yeah it statistically doesn’t make sense but it’s an emotional thing
I have both Leica M240 and Fujifilm xpro1. Love them so much.
The zeiss planar is what I first got for my leica m4 when I started shooting leica. its the only lens that I prefer over the leica. I have a 50mm summicron version 5 right now and it is fantastic but I think I prefer the zeiss look. additionally the other lens I recommend is the voigtlander 35mm color skopar f2.5. its like 400$ new and it created fantastic images for me. also having a focus tab makes me quicker at focusing. Congrats on the m240! I have been eyeballing one myself as I am still shooting a film m7
I have been lusting after an older range finder Leica and thinking of selling my X-Pro3 and some glass to feed my urge to own/use one... Thanks for the video...
Also M 240 user here since last year (until then I shot Leica M film cameras which I still use in parallel to the M 240). You are correct - always underexpose a bit with this sensor! Clipped highlights can't be rescued. Getting the focus right wide open on moving sublets is very hard to achieve. Stopping down the lens a bit allows to zone focus which works in this kind of situation. But you might lose the bokeh wide open by doing so. Try as compromise to use f/2.8 with your lens.
Hi Eric, is Voigtländer Nokton 40mm 1.4 + leica T = good pairing?
Will it become manual mode bec lens is manual ??
I m using it for portrait photography.
Thanks Guru for your advice!!! 😄
As long as your happy with your purchase, it's all good. I've considered getting a Leica many, many times but always refrained from purchasing one due to the cost. However, they hold value extremely well so if it doesn't work out, you'll get your money back easily. I'm happy with my Fuji system and M43 system cameras so won't personally be buying a Leica but enjoy the M240 and keep taking photos.
The example images look very film like for sure. I'm so tempted to try one of these as I want to go back to film but don't want the hassle. I like the idea it encourages you to "make" images :)
It helps to start with focus further away and memorize the rangefinder patch movement in one direction vs two. In other words, having focus in the ballpark means you end up wasting time focusing back and forth as its confusing. Unless I’m zone focusing, I try to have the focus further away and as my subject enters the frame, I pull in one direction only and know what to expect with the movement of the rangefinder patch. Hope this helps.
I recommend the Leica Handgrip M (14496) for a substantial grip, it doesn't add too much to the size of the camera overall. Also, the Leica Summarit lenses are wonderful. I had 6 or so Zeiss lenses over the past 11 years, but have replaced the 35mm Biogon and 50mm Planar with Summarit f/2.5 versions, and have no regrets. I find the focus tab on the Summarits useful, the focus action is smoother, they are small and light, and the colors are not as punchy as the Zeiss lenses. Also, I can't live without the EXIF data written to the files, and the Leica lenses have the 6-bit coding for that.
Great video. Not sure the camera uses spot metering.
First of all, congrats for your first M camera. Second, try using a lens with a thumb lever. If you set the thumb lever facing downward that instantly means your focus is distanced around 1.2 meter, when you rotate the thumb lever to your left (clock wise), it goes to close focusing around 0.7 to 1 meter. You rotate to the right (anti clock wise) it goes to 3, 5 and 10 meters or infinity respectfully. So, first you guess the distance from you to the subject before you shoot your image, and while lifting your M to your eyes, you simultaneously starts to rotate that lens lever towards that said estimate distance. By the time your eyes reached the focusing patch, you are that closer to focusing accurately, that all you need to do is to re adjust slightly. Hope this makes sense. This technique helps me instantly. FYI I myself am using the same silver M typ 240 with a 35mm F/2 and 50mm F2.5. I owned it for around 3 months now and I've been using it for my works. All I can say is, enjoy every mistakes, because once you get the hang of it... I'd tell you.. there's no feeling like it. Hope this helps. Good luck to you!
A lot of things that resonate with me in this video. I also bought into the M system thanks to a second hand deal. It’s beautiful and frustrating, simple and complex, but that’s exactly the point of it.
Oh yeah, and my 1 year old son also limits my video recording opportunities 😂
Get a 28mm and learn zone focusing and use your 50 for portraits
The 28 is driving me mental from driving cars. i'm trying to nail the focus but i always seem to get blurs with hardly any sharp focus. It would be nice if leica had an option too put it on af. i've missed many moments as it wasn't clear enough. love my x100s and gets my mood and stuff, yet the leica just makes moments a rage moment. i'm also left eye dominant.
I find that for tighter portraits, even a 90 is not long enough. But in a lot of ways, a 28 and a 50 are all you really need, if you're prepared to lose 50% of your pixels from time to time. 😉
Selecting lens sets is a Leica owner's favourite armchair past-time. Do you base your set around the 50 or the 35... 🤔🤔🤔
You got the black Planar on your silver leica m240 and I have the silver Planar on my black leica m240 lol!
With your exposure woes try what I do and that is use classic metering. Look at the brightest object or area in your scene and set your exposure to X O O. Set your darkest area and see if it is O O X. If it is, take the shot and you will be able to recover your highlights.
X O X means proper exposure. O X X means one stop under. O O X means 0.5 stops under. FYI.
Do not use the auto exposure in classic mode with exposure comp. fyi. It is not metering the entire scene so you will get shots that are under or over too frequently imho.
I use Leica Visoflex EVF2 and it was a game changer for me, it does zoom in automatically when u touch the focusing ring.
Haha.Great video.Its a great but frustrating camera but feels real good to use
For focusing with a Leica it's always good to have a lens with a focusing tab so as soon as your finger touches the tab you know (if you practice what distance a subject is with where the lens tab is) if something is pretty much in focus or not. It's still not 100% but you should see your hits go up a lot.
I just Googled and it looks like you can get tabs that attach to lenses that don't have them as standard.
These are the sort of feelings I have about my Leica M6. Chasing kids around with a rangefinder can be incredibly frustrating. You’ve already made some awesome photos with it though. 👍
Thank you.
You will get better with the rangefinder, you can try always keeping it at infinity then you only need to focus pull one way. Also you should get a 1.3x magnifier for the rangefinder so you can see the 50mm frame lines and patch better.
Finally don’t worry about perfect focus, slightly out of focus images can look great. More organic and can feel more like real memories you have captured.
What’s this magnifier you speak of
You can also get yellow tinted ones which help in low contrast conditions.
I have the same one, I totally agree with you, a very unique Camera
Great video I think it is very honest opinion. I felt the same
You’ll get better if you just keep using it but if you’re having difficulty with critical focusing at 50mm try a wider lens for a few years. Shoot with a 28 or 35 then work your way to the 50 once you get more comfortable
You gotta try the M246 Monochrome. I'm head over heals over it!
I've recently got a M240 with an Olympus EVF as well. I understand what you mean by it forces you to make vs take a picture. I struggle also at focusing at wide aperture, like at F2, but I try not to use the external EVF so that I can train myself and get used to using the camera. Btw, do you have problems with dusts going on the sensor? To avoid misfocus, I sometimes use f5.6 or f8; but if there's dust on the sensor, it's easily visible. I never had that much dust on my Fuji sensors, but I guess that's because Leica doesn't have the sensor cleaning function.
No dust on my sensor yet but I’ll keep an eye out
I believe there is a sensor cleaning function in the menu for the M240??!
Such a sexy camera! Enjoy Eric :)
zeiss 35mm f2.8？
Enjoy your journey into rangefinders! I’m local to the area if you want check out the experience on film Leicas and different lenses.
Hey thanks... where do you live? I’ve been looking for people of similar interests to shoot with.
@@ericrjennings Rochester!
My man. Just down the road. I play hockey at the Onyx
Find me on Instagram and let’s chat @ericrjennings
Hey Eric. How is it going a month in???
Good but traded for an M8
Awesome vid. Rangefinder becomes a part of you after a little bit, to the point where one can focus on moving subjects because you can ‘feel’ the lens and the camera. I tried and keep trying all sorts of modern gear but always return to Leica. It ruined all other cameras for me :-)
I’ll be back at some point
@@ericrjennings There are several camps of digital Leica fans out there - M9, M8, Q, etc.. and the vast majority bash the m240, unfortunately, mostly because it dared to introduce live view, video, and change the color from the m9. It's more of an outcast in the Leica family. :-) I tried M9, M8, m240 & Q and Q2. I pixel-pipped many m10 files and really wanted to like or get myself interested in the M10 , but I saw nothing special in it. With the battery downsized, in fact, I feel like it was a step backward. However, I find the m240 rendering, with it's deep colors, mesmerizing. The new colors was a bold step for Leica, and only true artists dare do that and go against the 'opinion of the masses.' I even love the video - if done properly, it feels 'alive' and unique. Leica put a lot more thought into the m240 than people give it credit for. It's the most special digital rangefinder they've produced, still. m10r is the only recent rangefinder that picked my interest. It seems they changed the sensor science on it, and I find the rendering pleasing.
Rangefinder focus is a learning curve but also try to guess your focus using your eyes to know how far away your subject is and take the shot
A 35mm lens would help getting better at quick shots, not that critical of focus, just stopped down a bit. Except when close up. But it lacks on high ISO at 3200 and up go in b&w
Do all Leica cameras come with a music file that you can download? All Leica reviews seem to have that off beat, like, if you don't like the music you won't like the camera...?
Yeah. It’s a special Leica thing. Lo fi beats only
@@ericrjennings Looking for that elusive Leica colour? what's the bet that you will end up with a Leica film camera? They all do it in the end.
good
You also have to calibrate RF.My gripe with Leica is close distance which is only possible with EVF jammed on the flash shoe.For the money Fujifilm xpro is better choice especially if you ever used Contax G.Now day's I use only my M6 since M-D model is a bit on a expensive side.If I ever get digital Leica it gone be M-D.
Hm.. You talk like my brain.. I bought an M-P 240 last summer. (almost the same). I love it, and it frustrates me.. I also bought adapters, so that I can use my "old" lenses. With the camera I got a Summarit f2,5 75mm. So, my conclusion so far: I'll probably never sell the camera, I like it more every day, and that "cheap" summarit (that nobody talks about) makes me want to throw my other lenses in the garbage.. So, I fear I'm in it for the rest of my life, and I think it will be expensive.. :)
I think you are dead on with the make vs take pictures comment. Using a Leica is a deliberate act and your successes and failures are truly earned. And be prepared to fail at first. I scoffed for years and years at using rangefinders - I only saw the negatives, such as parallax. But about 18 months ago, I ended up with my first Leica and I've never looked back. It has weaknesses but those constraints are beneficial to forcing you to find creative solutions and to get much better and much more observant and present when shooting. No camera is best - they are deliberate, creative tools, just as lenses are. This mindset and camera isn't for everyone, and the tools that assist the user with DSLRs and mirrorless offerings have their place. For me, the place for my Nikons and Fujis was selling them to someone who'd be happier than I was with them.
Nailed it Robert. Spot on
The focus is just a practice thing. I find that you can nail focus even in poor light. But you will miss some for sure.
It’s a Leica that why .. I love it too .. bring back how to shoot . Back to basic .. very hard to explain to someone who does not use it
Maybe a Leica Q?
"Who's chasing who now?" - The Sun
Zone focus
5:45:
Use zone focusing..
Going by the videos you made immediately after and ever since, the change didn't take 🤣
M240 is *perfect* for some types shooting. Little which could be improved. But for everyone else, it's not the right kit at all. Those in the M240 niche are SUPER lucky. Don't have to fall into the GAS cycle and constantly use new bodies and lenses instead of finding gratification in the process itself.
Love Leica… but it doesn’t fit all my needs sadly
@@ericrjennings Yeah, totally makes sense. I can't imagine most people using Leica. I feel lucky it makes sense for me but I'd never pretend it's some logical sensible choice. It's crazy for sure.
I've been working through your videos. Fun stuff! You're a natural at this RUclips thing ha.
Thank you. It’s just pure GAS. I’m thinking about trying to bring people along for the photo making process but not sure many would watch.
@@ericrjennings You mean like another photographer? Cause that's a hot ticket in photography videos right now. PaulieB's Walkie Talkie series blew up huge.
@SourPlanet no not like Paulie B. I don’t have that many photography friends so that wouldn’t work…. But I love his videos. Just more a vlog on the adventure and thoughts that go into the photos
top and bottom plates are not titanium, but excellent video
On the Xpro3 they are?
you sell the m240; the lack of focus would be a major downer.
With a M, you focus on pleasure to shoot "by hand" and image quality. You have to suit the camera.
With other cameras, you focus on features and body's performance and you ask the camera to suit you.
At the end, you don't make the same pictures.
Looks you are in love. Love is an emotional state, that does not last. This from an old cynic.Have fun, that is what matters.
Haha. True words have not been spoken
all respect - but i cant get in to the "focus" on composition when i hear time and again with these leica vloggers seem to be zone focus shooting - and after a while with a prime you can almost shoot blind.
I dont understand when other points shared around is that it's easier when you only get one square when it feels like the SLR film gives more room to see the whole focus. (me trying out friend's leica and various range finder film cameras in stores)
(I still want to try/own a proper range finder film camera but it would come from one of those olympus built in lens that are also very compact and capable camera)
I loved to get a leica (or at least the Q) - got a fuji adapter to use M mount to get M mount lens FIRST just in case I get a leica body later - but now im just over the GAS now haha - would still want to maybe get some of the voigtlander or zeiss m mount lens that have good quality but am happy to use it on fuji than spending the extra money on the leica. - mainly adapting this style lens is more compact than any other SLR film lens having much larger adapters.
I know the criticism that the fuji pro series and X100 are not TRUE range finder but Im starting to feel thats more on purpose and that middle ground between true range finders on leica and having the alternative design to SLR style OVF. - that the benefit people share about range finder is that your face is more clear to the subject as well making that interaction more personal and close.
So even though its not true range finder - the STYLE in of itself is the benefit to still have and doesnt make it a bad thing because its not going all the way "true" style.
I sadly didnt get to really test the focus peaking between the leica and fuji - hope you can talk about it more please.
Fuji’s are nice, but Leica is a complete different league. I’ve adapted M lenses to my Fuji cameras before and didn’t like the results. Better stick to XF native lenses and get a Leica full frame body for those M lenses.
These comments almost all apply to any M camera, from the M3 to the M-10R.
Rangefinders are rarely in perfect focus. That’s why John free uses a Nikon f3
Not familiar with him but I’ll check it out.
A rangefinder is not for quick shooting. You have to take your time, and that’s the special about it. I have the same combo and I love it. Brings you back to Photography, no stress, no point and shoot, simply enjoying photography. Have fun .
I notice that you don't have too many photos on your walls.
Newer home but I have a bunch printed that need to be hung
I give about 30 days for you to sell it. Nice images, tho.
Let’s start a prop bet
@@ericrjennings My money is on you keeping it.
It’s a solid bet
I should’ve made the bet. You sold the Leica within 30 days!
Ha. It was slightly more than 30 but I replaced it with another Leica. Does that still count 😉
Ahh, too bad. Never cheap out on the lens with a Leica. Part of the fun is the Leica look and feel and you don’t get that with third party lenses.
The Zeiss lens is very good. I’ll have to rent a summicron at some point to see how it compares
If one can easily afford a Leica lens, then yes, it's worth the satisfaction of ownership. But for a lot of working photographers, and a lot of enthusiasts, the good third party lenses are fantastic, and sometimes preferable. I'm talking Zeiss, Voigtlander, that kind of thing. Not the crappy Chinesium ones.
The truth is, camera brands won’t make anyone a better photographer. Period.
You’re right. But it can inspire and change workflow
Your brain is really trying work hard to justify this purchase, isnt it :-)
My brain is working. That’s a positive