Nice piece o' glass! Not that huge, but then again I came from Canon. Anyway I'll be shooting with it this weekend. Where's everyone going for some photos? I plan to check out the sand dunes here in Colorado soon. An ice sculpture event is also this weekend, at Breckenridge.

One question, has anyone accidentally bumped their rear element on that metal deal hanging from the top of their M6? I haven't, but seems like it could be a hazard. Maybe it's impossible to do this?

I'll see about eventually posting some of my results with my Leica outfit sometime in the near future. I don't have a scanner, but I'll start by having photo CD's done at the lab. Then, maybe a Canon 4000 dpi scanner will be my next toy.

Or maybe the 50mm noctilux... ; )

-- James (snodoggydogg@hotmail.com), February 01, 2002

Answers

Good for you. A great place to shoot is in a museum with fast film. You can shoot pretty wide aperture which will showcase the potential of that lens. Personally, I try NOT to shoot above f4 as all that you've paid for isn't showcased. I don't know what your talking about with the rear element bumping into the rangefinder arm. Its recessed enough so that this is physically impossible. Even with the 35 Summilux ASPH I can't see how you can do this. Don't dwell on impossibilities and shoot.

...and don't be afraid to share.

-- John (ouroboros_2001@yahoo.com), February 01, 2002.

I assume you mean the rangefinder coupling arm? Yes that is a real hazard with today's wide aperture lenses and their huge rear elements. I have bumped mine many times but no ill effects yet. It helps that the arm moves easily but it does also mean you have to change lenses carefully. If the shooting is going to be hot and heavy, a body for each lens is the way to go.

-- John Collier (jbcollier@powersurfr.com), February 01, 2002.

Good advice about the museum. I have yet to visit the Denver one.

Yah, I kind of figured given the exposed element that it could potentially be a problem. Not for the 75mm however. 2 bodies...does sound like the way to go. Maybe when the M7 comes out? I'll have to see if my shooting requires it.

Thanks for the advice!

-- James (snodoggydogg@hotmail.com), February 01, 2002.

A tangential question. How do you people shoot in portrait mode. With an SLR it is easy, the right hand is on top and the left hand cradles the lens. With the M6 the left hand gets in the way of the viewer. Going the other way is awkward. With a big fat lens like the 75 it might be different than the 50 or 35, my two lenses. Plus with the Leica grip it is more uncomfortable. Pressing the shutter with the thumb is random as far as sensitivity.

-- Vikram (VSingh493@aol.com), February 01, 2002.

A tangible question. How do you people shoot in portrait mode?

Index finger over-top the right side, middle finger of right hand trips the shutter. No problems with this method.

-- John (ouroboros_2001@yahoo.com), February 01, 2002.

I usually shoot portrait format with my right hand down and the VF at the top of the camera. I find I can tuck my elbows in better for stability, and as you point out, my left hand can cradle the lens without blocking the finder. Different people do different things. You'll figure out quickly what works for you.

-- Paul Chefurka (paul@chefurka.com), February 01, 2002.

Welcome to the world of the 75 'Lux, James. I'm confident that you will enjoy the lens and the images it produces.

As to portrait-mode technique, I keep the Leica grip mounted, as it gives something extra for my short, stubby fingers to grab onto (in addition to putting the tripod socket back in the middle, where it belongs). Thus, for me, portrait mode is easier with the right hand on top, with the index finger doing double duty of adjusting shutter speed and pressing the shutter release. The left hand usually cradles the left side (now the bottom) of the camera, with the middle finger used for focus and aperture adjustments, while the back of the camera is planted against my forehead (or at least the brow ridges - I'm much older than I look) for additional stability. The 75 'Lux is excellent, by the way, for photographing those paintings we used to do in the caves in France. ;-)

Not a 75 'Lux shot, but what the heck:

-- Ralph Barker (rbarker@pacbell.net), February 01, 2002.

Thanks for the post Ralph.

I find the handling of the 75mm reassuring! It's easy for me to cradle the camera with the sizeable lens. Easy to adjust focus as well, seems to be better handling than my 35mm lux.

That's a nice portrait! What did you take it with?

-- James (snodoggydogg@hotmail.com), February 02, 2002.

I'm a "shutter-button-up" vertical shooter. The image below was shot in the mirror (reversed image). My grip is essentially the same with any of the lenses; my fingers are just closer or further from the camera body.

-- Mike Dixon (mike@mikedixonphotography.com), February 02, 2002.

Hello James. Congratulations on that lovely new hunk of glass. Coming from Canon country you may not find your lens bulky.But for Leica users this lens is big and handles differently to say a compact 90mm.I use a "first version" 90mm Summicron which is relatively bulky and heavy like your 75mm and have found that the extra weight cradled in your hand actually helps rather than hinders available light exposures. Regards.

-- Sheridan Zantis (albada60@hotmail.com), February 02, 2002.

James, I keep coming back to the 35 and 75 combination in the Leica system. I keep a 50/2 mounted on my M3 (unbeatable combination), and the 35/75 with my M6. I have often thought of dedicating the M6 body to the 75. I have Nikon F100, and it sits unused in a case. The M3 has turned out to be my favorite camera of all time. I'd love to fit my 75 to it. I suppose I'd guesstimate the framelines off the 50, or fit a Voightlander 75 viewfinder... any ideas?

Best of luck with your 75 this weekend. It is an amazing portrait lens.

BTW, this is my first posting. I'd like to thank all the experienced hands on board who make new Leica users such as myself feel welcome. I really appreciate the open and supportive atmosphere.

Looking forward to corresponding with you all.

-- Alex Kemos (tig@adelphia.net), February 02, 2002.

Thanks Ralph and Alex. I'm a first-time Leica user, and this is a graet forum for information.

Before getting my lens, I watched some of the movies on www.leicapages.com, and that got me even more enthused. The quality from beginning to end and the testing! Amazing. It shows in the end product, 10 aperture blades should render some nice painterly bokeh. 9 for the 35 lux.

Anyway, I'll post later my experiences. Have fun this weekend fellow Leica shooters...

-- James (snodoggydogg@hotmail.com), February 02, 2002.

Re: Vikram's question about portrait mode technique. I'm like Paul Chefurka & prefer to have the VF side on top & use my right thumb (& sometimes index finger) to release the shutter. It just seems more natural to me (& stable, since, as Paul points out, you can tuck your elbows in more easily to support the camera).

-- Chris Chen (Washington, DC) (furcafe@ NOSPAMcris.com), February 02, 2002.