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So Leica.. so good (for now)

For those new to my photography exploits it's worth explaining that I've been through some cameras in the past 3-4 years.

Nikon

I started conservatively with a Nikon D70, a lovely camera with a great ergonomic feel but for which reliability was not to be its strong point.  After only 4 months it packed-up on a cold misty afternoon in Delamere forest, worse still Nikon quoted me 6-8 weeks to turn the camera around. In disgust I severed my love for 'Nikon' and turned to the dark side, buying a Canon 20D only 3 days after packaging the D70 off for repair.

Canon

Although the Canon 20D didn't have the same feel as the Nikon it was a fantastic little DSLR, and together with the Canon EF-S 17-85 a good all-rounder consistently producing great quality images.  Even when the D70 returned 'fit and able' it was immediately sold to fund more Canon glass, including the wonderful (if somewhat heavy) 24-70 f/2.8.  

Late in 2005 and with ambition riding high I upgraded to the full-frame 5D, a camera that to this very day I am still passionately in awe of. It was at this point that life got in the way..

So, what went wrong?

Finding most of my day tied up with a new job and house move I found the 5D staying tucked away in its KATA protective body-armor; thinking about this over subsequent months I realised that time wasn't the issue - I was!

It wasn't so much that time wasn't available to fill with photography, but that the opportunities tended to be much more informal and less organised; with this came an inherent fear that removing a whacking great DSLR with a huge lens that was quite frankly more trouble then was worth to my enjoyment.  Looking back the signs had been there, carrying round my Leica M6 to informal gatherings and parties because it was easy, and even kinda cool.

Leica

Almost simultaneously reviews of the Leica M8 began to appear in the magazines; seeing the wonderfully natural and film-like pictures coming from the camera I saw the opportunity to use the many Leica lenses I had inherited from my father - and I took it!

Trust and believe me when I say this wasn't an easy decision, far from it; I mulled over the complex arguments for each for over 7 months, and even with the reported issues with the M8 I still decided this was the right decision for me, I only wished my finances could have stretched to keeping the 5D.

So what? .. get to the point

I found myself at Focus On Imaging messing round with a Nikon D3 thinking that with my new abundance of time and project ideas I would surely need something much better geared towards organised shoots. However within minutes I couldn't stand it, the weight and inconvenience of it descended on me like a black cloud; I walked away confused.

Then like an epiphany, whilst sitting on the exhibition floor playing with the Leica M8, a gentlemen came over with a massive grin on his face, "Another Leica M8 user eh?  Fantastic aren't they.. I love mine". I found myself enthusiastically rabbiting on and singing my heartfelt praises for the instrument.  The answer was now clear - this was the camera for me - even if not for all of my photographic ambitions.

What to do

I'm still left with some excellent project ideas that will require a style of shoot to which I don't think the Leica is suitable, at the same time I don't want to go getting an expensive new DSLR that I may little use. As such I'm considering getting an old 6x4 medium format (like my Dad's old Bronica) and trying to attach a digital back I can tether to Aperture, or getting a second-hand 5D again; my old romantic heart quite fancies the first option.

What do you think?

Let me know your thoughts, especially if you have experience of using medium format cameras with a digital back I'd love to hear from you.

two comments

Hi Ian, I enjoyed reading your article as i made the same route. Started with Nikon D70 than Canon 20D and finally canon 5D.
Now i own Leica M8(had to sell the 5D)for the last 6 months.
I love the M8 i think it is a fantastic camera with great pics
I love the special film like colours,the old feel of leica the weight which is just perfect for me ( could’nt stand the canon +70-200 over weight). The small compact razor sharp lenses are great. The viewfinder is great once you get used to it
I have never enjoyed a camera the way i enjoy the M8
No cookies please

Danny - 24-04-’08 07:25

I would love to own an M8. Especially considering you’ve got some glass to go with it. A 5D (or D3) would be an optimal DSLR, especially if you lean toward portraiture, studio and landscape work, which I know you do.

I can certainly understand how the M8 wouldn’t suit every scenario. I don’t think there’s any one camera that really does. I have a Canon S5 IS and a Nikon D300 currently (with a D70 as a backup). This is fairly complete for most of my needs.

I’m a romantic as well. I often dream about building a darkroom, dusting off one of my film bodies and leaving my DSLRs in the attic. :)

Jim Reverend (URL) - 12-08-’08 15:25