Above: Egyptian revolution? Shopping cart security, Below: black and white with the 15mm. Right: surreal dereliction.
the results the Leica glass gave me. If it’s coming out of my pocket and I have to justify it, the Voigtländer lens wins hands-down; the difference in cost is enough for a professional DSLR outfit. If the M9 body is the cover charge for that digital rangefinder club, you don’t necessarily have to eat the most expensive meals whilst there after all. Wandering up the range, the Zeiss 85mm ƒ4 completed the trio of non-Leica glass I was equipped with. Despite the slower speed and odd focal length in Leica terms, it stayed on the camera for a fair period. As a portrait lens it excels (though portraiture with an M9 is an interesting proposi- tion) giving a nice, full frame at just shy of the 90cm minimum focus, mimimal distortion and as befits a product from the Zeiss range, more accurate range- finder coupling and a nicer, more solid feel. Unfortunately I was provided with one sans lens hood, so in Egypt’s bright sunshine a lot of shots are lost to flare; Leica’s 75mm ƒ2 incorporated a retractable metal hood. As you’ll be wanting that hood and if you use the glass in the field, a UV filter, it’ll be £700+VAT for the kit, though £615 will get you the bare lens. During PTO’s seminars, the M9 was not really the ideal camera. I’d be lying if I said it or I handled everything I demand of my usual kit, and it would – had weight allow- ances been feasible, had my faith in baggage handling been unshakeable – have been my third, candid, shooting around the towns and villages cam-
era. Which is exactly what it’s intended for. Instead, I tried to push the ISO for interior shots, I tried to use a ringflash for some lit candids, I manually tracked my moving subjects. Once taking pictures for the pleasure of photography, the M9 excelled – with beautiful colour and sharpness, and completely unobtrusive handling.
On the other hand, the sense of accomplishment, of really connecting with photography whilst surrounded by this inspiring group and location, was absolutely perfect. And for those few who value brand over substance, who desire to show their wealth – I’m terribly sorry. Despite being the most expen- sive camera (except, perhaps, Kevin’s ‘blad), the attention it garnered from delegates and tutors alike was not a result of the price tag, but of knowledge of the camera’s history, curiosity about the format and relevance, and enthusiasm for a craft of photography that is rapidly be- ing eroded by technology. That alone makes me fall for the camera every time I pick it up; the knowledge that when I’ve mastered it, when I get the framing, the light, the decisive moment (I’m sorry, I couldn’t resist)... then I will cease to feel like a technician, and instead will dream of being an artist.
Ë See:
www.leica.co.uk
See us at Focus on Imaging – Stand H20 MASTER PHOTOGRAPHY 18
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