m. Miranda @ Nemesis
mua. Bekki Mitchell
sty. Zoey Hughes
#ilovemyleica.
M9, 50mm Summicron.
So I use the ilovemyleica hashtag alot (A LOT) so I’m guessing it goes without saying that I really do indeed love my Leica. Why? is often the question I get asked, I kinda of feel the photographs I create with it answer that question but perhaps that’s a little short sighted of me (and glib of me). So I’ve been thinking of a non fan boy / preachy way of explaining why it seems that the Leica M is the tool I’m happiest using.
Compared to many other cameras on the market the M9 loses when it comes to statistics and tech specs and all that dull fluff. To me that stuff is just noise and sales crap, I live with my cameras, day in day out. It’s how using the camera makes me feel, it’s how it allows me to connect with my subject, how it gets out of the way and just lets me create the photographs I want to create with it. I understand it and it’s ways and in return it rewards me with beautiful colour rendition and stunning clarity. It handles light so very beautifully, it inspires me to hunt out interesting light and interesting situations. It just gives me a connection and intimacy with my subject that all other cameras I’ve used can make a little more awkward. The M9 allows me to concentrate on signal (Zack Arias) the sheer simplicity of it, camera, 50mm lens, aperture, shutter dial, iso setting. No autofocus, no HDR, no auto, no super high iso, no zoom, no snake oil, no magic wand. It makes me work to create photographs and more importantly it makes me think. I helps me put something of myself into my work by simply letting me work.
So hopefully without sounding like a sales pitch that explains a little my feelings towards the M9. It’s no review, it’s simply a statement of my opinion of how I work with the Leica.
Perhaps another reason is how my assistant once put it “Perhaps it’s because it isn’t the accepted tool.” I kind of agree that despite using a 5D2, I really do get sick of the same looking images coming from the same cameras. Plus I’ve never been one to follow the crowd. The 5D2 is (at the moment) a vital tool in my bag, however it is gradually getting dusty.
Do I lust after the new M? To be honest not really, yesterday I shot at iso 1250 and the images are beautiful. Yes there’s noise but there is also feeling and emotion. The one and only thing about the new M I wish for is the shutter noise (sad I know)
Do I lust after a Monochrom? hmmmmmmmmm . . . . . . 🙂 I wouldn’t say no to one but for my work It couldn’t be a one or the other, I’d still use the M9 that has so captured my admiration.
bang | Photography 