Q&A

Leica’s Anniversary.

2024, Favourite, Inspiration, Leica M3, Leica M9(P)/M-E (CCD Lives!), Print, Q&A, Teaching point

As the 70th anniversary of the Leica M camera system nears, I just want to humbly suggest a digital remake as part of the celebration.

Prosophos Open Letter to Leica

(723 signatures — and counting)

The most popular digital M and the most sought after digital M — the Leica M9.

 

I also hope they do something to commemorate the granddaddy M, the Leica M3:

 

Leica’s M11 problem(s).

2023, Favourite, Inspiration, Leica M11, Q&A, Teaching point

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I can’t believe these problems are still happening with the Leica M11.  The main one being the intermittent freezing that will inexplicably occur, necessitating a stoppage of use and a battery removal to reset. Despite a few firmware updates from Leica to correct it, the problem (aka “fatal flaw”) persists.

The video above is a single data point but you can find many such accounts from frustrated photographers.

As you know, I love M rangefinders and used them for many years, documenting my trials and tribulations here.  On the whole, my experiences were positive.  With them, I have created some of my most cherished personal photos, and also content for paid/professional work.  I still believe that Leica M digital cameras and their accompanying lenses are a wonderful piece of photographic kit… when things are working.

Over a year ago I switched back to Nikon and into a Z9.  It’s obviously a completely different animal — the opposite end of the spectrum as far as cameras go.  However, if I’m going to shoot with AF and use big lenses, I prefer a large, robust body.  The output I’m getting with this set-up is simply wonderful.

But…

As expected, I no longer carry my camera everywhere I go.  Not an insignificant penalty to pay.

This lack of portability has been tempered by the fact that I now have a system that just works.  All the time.  Moreover, despite its size, the Z9 gets out of my way in use.  I’m no longer distracted by the camera (specifically, its bugs/limitations); it is completely transparent in use.  Which is interesting, because that was the promise of the digital Ms, and that promise was not far-fetched, since it was already fulfilled by the film Ms before them.

People often wince at the price of Leica gear, but in years gone by the price was less bitter to swallow because you knew you were getting a premium product that would last a lifetime (and beyond).  That’s of course no longer true with digital cameras.  But is it too much to ask to have a camera that you can depend on?

I hope Leica fixes this.  I’ve been silently hoping that since the M11 was released, and the bug(s) first reported.  I haven’t commented about it until now.  But something about the fanfare accompanying the release of the cosmetically nicer M11-P with, reportedly, the same internals (except for more memory) struck me as a little tone-deaf.

Maybe the reports are false and the M11-P has been quietly sorted out, with respect to whatever software/hardware issues plague the M11.

One can continue to hope.

—Peter.

Is photography dead?

2023, Favourite, Inspiration, Q&A, Teaching point

Serious question:

Is photography dead?

I know it’s still being practiced, and valued.

But first with digital, and now with AI, are we heading to a different destination… and to a point of no return?  A process where photography is simply a “made up” thing… more like a sophisticated painting vs. a record of reality?

In which case, is film-based photography not only the first but also the only “authentic” form of photography?

—Peter.

My advice to Leica from 10 years ago.

2023, Inspiration, Q&A, Teaching point

Back in 2013, I wrote an Open Letter to Leica.

The letter was primarily aimed at trying to get them to keep a CCD sensor in M cameras.  However, Leica had already introduced the CMOS-based M240, which was larger in girth and features (hello video?).  In retrospect, it’s clear they were never going to go back to an M9-type camera.

And now in 2023, even I have to concede that I’m using a CMOS-sensor camera (though I’m no longer shooting with a Leica).

Despite the dominance of CMOS, all these years later the M9 commands a premium on the used market.  The M240, not so much.

And as I consider the current M11, and the QA troubles it seems to be facing, and — perhaps more importantly — the hints it provides with respect to where Leica is going with future M cameras, I feel compelled to repeat some of what I wrote 10 years ago (with some commentary):

 

“We place an emphasis on high quality still image photography, and therefore have little interest in video.”

They seem to have learned this.

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We value the intuitive, quick, and precise rangefinder focusing mechanism, and therefore have little interest in Live View.”

This is the interesting part (about where the M line may be going).  Not sure that the M12 will have a mechanical rangefinder and OVF, for example.

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“…would welcome…improvements in processor speed, shutter quietness, LCD quality…”

Always welcomed.

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“Whatever Leica does with the next M, I would humbly suggest that they focus on… superior image quality and reliability…”

IQ has been improved with the (presumed) adoption of a Sony sensor.  The reliability part seems to be currently lacking however.  Leica is charging exceptional prices for a premium product that appears to be experiencing more than its fair share of issues.

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“Leica has always done things a little differently, by placing simplicity and quality above all other considerations.  As a consequence, Leica has traditionally wisely avoided making decisions based on a “focus group” philosophy.

We are requesting for this fierce independence in thinking and product differentiation to continue.”

I still stand by those words.

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—Peter.

The pilgrimage to Midland.

2022, Beyond 200 feet of My House™, Favourite, Film, Inspiration, Leica 50mm Summicron Dual Range f/2, Leica M3, Portrait, Q&A, Scanner - Plustek 8200i, Teaching point

In 1952, Leica opened a factory in Midland, Ontario, Canada.

(There are interesting discussions of how this came to be, here and here).

The “Ernst Leitz Canada (ELCAN)” location was initially intended to be a place for the assembly of cameras and lenses using parts from Wetzlar, Germany.  However, under the leadership of Walter Mandler, it became a high-tech research and development centre.

Although Mr. Mandler had planned to stay in Midland for only a brief time, he ended up living there for the remainder of his life. Some of the most groundbreaking — and beloved — Leica lenses were created in Canada during his tenure.

In 1990, Leica sold the plant to Hugues Aircraft.  In 1997, the plant was sold again, this time to Raytheon.

Today, I fulfilled a long-standing wish and made the pilgrimage to Midland. The distance — a 2 hr drive from Toronto — is short enough to be easily traversed, but long enough to be inconvenient (hence why I hadn’t previously attempted it).

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I knew one thing before I even started: the destination would be a disappointment.  The physical appearance of the building is… uhm… not pretty, and it’s under security (Raytheon is a USA defense contractor) so there was no chance of stepping inside and accidentally uncovering a treasure trove of lost Leica lenses/cameras.

Still… I had to go, and I’m glad I did.

I took my trusty Leica M3 (loaded with Kodak Portra 400) and 50mm Summicron Dual Range, and shot 3 frames.  There was really no point shooting more, LOL.

(However, I used up the rest of the roll in the surrounding region outside of Midland, but those images await another day.)

—Peter.

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↑ Leica M3, Leica 50mm Summicron Dual Range, Kodak Portra 400, and Plustek 8200i.

 

Evolution of a Rebuild.

2021, Favourite, Inspiration, Leica M3, Q&A, Teaching point

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I’ve had several of you contact me asking about who did the rebuild on my latest M3.

The answer is:

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集英堂写真機 SHUEIDO CAMERA

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They are based in Taiwan and they do amazing work, as you can see.

The results are not just cosmetically impressive — the camera functions exceptionally smoothly and accurately.

Having now commissioned two M3 cameras (first a Single Stroke and now a Double Stroke) from Shueido, I would say overall they are among the best rebuilds I have ever owned.

The customer service is also exceptional.

—Peter.

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NOTE:  As long time visitors to this blog know, I pay for my own gear and do not receive any compensation for endorsement.  My opinion is based based on my personal experience.

 

NT Team Photo – 2021/09/12.

2021, Baseball, Beyond 200 feet of My House™, Favourite, Inspiration, Kodak Portra 400, Leica M2, Leica M2-R, Portrait, Q&A, Scanner - Plustek 8200i, Sports, Teaching point, Voigtländer 35mm f/1.7 Ultron Aspherical

This season is officially history.

Speaking of which, the medium of film gives this photo a nice vintage vibe.

Lastly, I choose the skyline + clubhouse as a backdrop but I lucked out  that the field was empty and the sky was overcast (making for some gentle lighting despite it being midday).

—Peter.

↑ Leica M2-R, Voigtländer 35mm Ultron f/1.7, Kodak Portra 400, and Plustek 8200i.