Does any of you have suggestions/experience getting speed skaters in focus with a Leica M?

During the 88 Olympics I had close access to all the speed skating events, I could walk/stand anywhere along the track. So I took with me an M4-P and an M4-2 both with motor wind and some lenses. To my horror it was pretty wel impossible to pre-focus on the lane markers, let alone on the fast moving skaters. There are so many lane markers,( look like red hockey pucks) and ther number increases with the split image range finder. So I could not tell with markers should coincide. I concluded that the M is not suitable for this type of sports photography. Am I right or did I miss something?

-- Hans Berkhout (berkhout@cadvision.com), January 26, 2002

Answers

Hans:

You're right. And I think this is a perfect example of where an auto- everything, 8fps motor-driven SLR with an IS/VR lens attached becomes a blessing. However, that does not mean that if I'm there and all I have with me is my M6 and 135 lens, that I won't at least try to get a shot. Moreover, if I'm there with my M6 and my normal assortment of lenses, you would most likely find me wandering around looking for interesting images of the spectators spectating, not of the atheletes competing.

I do not think there is anybody on this forum that believes the Leica RF is the best -- or only -- tool for all subjects. Heck, some of us put up with the antiquated technology in the body just so we can use the glass! Others claim the simplicity and lack of sophistication enhance their creative input. Still others just like the retro, non- professional look. All are good reasons if they work for the user. But in the end, the Leica is just a tool and nothing more. And if it is the only tool you have, you learn to make it work it for you -- as often as is possible...

There is an old adage that states we should always use the proper tool for the job at hand. I believed in that adage for years, and had the equipment to prove it... Then one day I watched a brick-mason as he cut a piece of glass with a small masonary trowel. I now have a different perspective on tool use, as well as tool needs.

:) Cheers,

-- Jack Flesher (jbflesher@msn.com), January 26, 2002.

Hans: I agree that an SLR would be the eaiser to use and is the body style of choice, but expect you still got some good shots. The Leica M series has recorded some great war action photos, and before SLR's, fast lens and fast film there were excellent action sports photos taken with many types of cameras. When the racers are passing in front of you, Zone focus and pan the camera. When the skaters are coming at you, direct or an angle, again Zone focus but you can use a slower shutter speed. I envy your access to the Olympics, hope this helps.

-- Earl Belofsky (belofsky@pacbell.net), January 26, 2002.

for shooting sports you generally need an auto focus camera and a 80- 200 f2.8 zoom. you can shoot with other cameras but this should give you the best results. while every one has limited budgets you should also consider that some times you while have once in a life time photo opportunities and you will need the right combination of equipment to make the shot. every camera has it's strengths and weaknesses and the leica m is no different.

-- greg mason (gmason1661@aol.com), January 26, 2002.

Turn the camera to a 45 degree angle, it wil now be easy to focus on the markers.

-- John Collier (jbcollier@powersurfr.com), January 26, 2002.

Hans. I agree with the others. The situation in which Leica M (or for that matter, any all mechanical manual SLR, not just a RF) is not the best tool is any situation in which you need to go from cold start (eg., camera hanging down on chest) to photograph a moving scene that comes up suddenly. This to me is really the only situation in which AF/auto everything is best because it will get a reasobaly well exposed and focussed image.

If you practive, over time you can come close with the Leica M, but it takes experience. (HCB must have had this experience to capture the 'decisive moment', since I don't imagine he had much time to make the proper camera settings). You need to have the camera pre-set for the appropriate exposure based on the ambient lighting, and you need to be able to focus very quickly. I personally find that it is not hard to focus on a pre-existing spot under almost any conditions, but you need practice viewing the RF patch (takes experience).

You can do the kind of photography you describe w/ Leica M. I took a series of very nicely focussed and exposed images w/ a 90 mm Tele- Elmarit-M indoors at a marshall arts school. Hardly missed a shot.

-- Eliot (erosen@lij.edu), January 26, 2002.

If you truly had the access you say, then I say this:

Go wilder, get closer, tighten that aperture and get in the zone.

What's that old adage? F/8 and be there. Or how about Robert Capa: "If your pictures aren't good, you weren't close enough," or something like that.

-- Tom Nutter (tmnphotos@erols.com), January 26, 2002.

Also, look a little further down this list of threads to "Tips for Fast-Focusing M6." They have some neat ideas.

-- tom nutter (tmnphotos@erols.com), January 26, 2002.

Wow! You mean those martial arts guys can actually move at 40+ kph? I thought it was just special effects when they did it in the movies . . .

-- Mike Dixon (mike@mikedixonphotography.com), January 27, 2002.

Actually photographing speed skaters is one of the *relatively* less challenging action-type shot to get with a Leica because the subjects are not moving erratically like birds or children. In a way it's similar to auto racing. Unless you are trying to photograph them coming directly at you, you can prefocus on a facsimile (John's advice of rotating the camera if necessary is perfect). If you're good at estimating distances you also can focus on anything the same distance from you, in a 360-degree radius. If you'll be panning the shot, you can drag the shutter and close the aperture for more DOF fudge-factor--the background will blur and you'll still get the subject isolation without needing a wide aperture. That said, I would choose an AF SLR with some type of advanced predictive AF, but as others said, the Leica can work. This is an instance where I would definitely dust off the motorwinder.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), January 27, 2002.