I would never give up on film for digital. Digital seems so soulless, like you said, it's perfect, too perfect for me. I love the process of film and the resolution. I embrace the imperfections that come with film. Nice video!
I agree! I grew up with film back in the early 70's. I too don't really like digital for the same reasons, too perfect. I love the experience of loading the film and thinking about exposure and metering for a certain look.
Hello Matt. Its your “student” Baladino. I had all but given up waiting for you to post a new video. It seems ages ago when i had embarked on exposing B&W film stock and you generously reached across the vast divide of the internet and gave generously of your knowledge and opinion as well as your encouragement. Your video on B&W development armed me with confidence to start developing. Shortly after that around that time i acquired a new M-A. Then a 50mm Summicron Version 5, both of which i used for a year. I gained a considerable degree of proficiency just using this combination relentlessly for a year. I then purchased a new MP in black paint and then shortly after a new 28mm Elmarit which i have also been using for almost a year. Both cameras have been as you say Perfect ! Through an estate sale recently i bought my first ? 2nd hand Leica gear : a silver chrome brass version ASPH 50 Summilux F/1.4 which has led me down a path of making more portraits. About a year after we last communicated i had my film images displayed at Photo Paris at the Grand Palais with about 20-30 prints being sold. I had a chance to try out the M11 monochrome recently and wasn’t impressed. It renders digital grain better than what i’ve seen in other cameras though the grain seems to be overlaid on the image rather being inherent like B&W film. With the birth of my son I recently embarked upon making images of him and a memory unbidden of how i came to this point came to fore which spurred me to check your channel. Thank you Matt.
It is precisely for people like yourself. Firstly thank you for your thanks. It's greatly appreciated and you are more than welcome. If what I say in any way fuels, inspires and encourages then it is all worthwhile. I have just uploaded a vlog on Family Photos. I am thinking your son/children,,? may well be the benefactors of some very special photos depicting their childhoods. Wonderful. I do wish I were able to glimpse your Paris photos, and many congratulations on having the exhibition. Uploading or not, I am always here Baladino. Lovely to hear from you.
Yes- get an m10m and be happy. They’re incredible, and very economical compared to $20 a roll (purchased and developed). I have an m3 if I have that itch, and older m-p 240. Film is wonderful, but honesty I’m beginning not to justify the time investment and actual cost.
Brilliant you’ve summed it up perfectly. Hit the nail on the head. I owned an M10M and an MP. The MP was used but the M10M took over. It swamped my analog practice and I tried to adopt the Monochrome camera as my main camera but something was lacking. I now own an M11 as my digital and have sold the M10m. I love the analog and want to get back to it. Love to hear about your passion for analog
Agree Matt. I don’t currently own a Leica: I had an M240 but sold it as the ecosystem is so expensive and it’s just a digital camera after all, whereas a film M would be a different thing and worth the investment IMO. I currently own an old Nikon D610 for my digital ‘needs’ (which are increasingly rare), and I mostly use my F3 and FE2. Similarly money is a factor right now (mostly a long hangover from my own divorce!) but hopefully an MP or an M-A will be an option in the future. I’d consider spending the necessary £ on a film Leica, but not on a digital one again. Same again I just don’t like the perfection of digital images.
I empathise completely. I have the F3 also (see my F3 vlog). Hey they're only tools at the end of the day. If you have an F3 and some great glass you're all set IMO. I sometimes like to shoot with my old Pentax Super A for fun with some great Pentax glass - a 50mm 1.7 or 1.4 and I'm as happy as a pig in muck! Good to hear from you Ben,
Matt nice to stumble across your channel. Subscribed. I’ve an m4 and iiif and I know exactly what you mean by “not perfect”. I always prefer my film images over my digitise Leicas. You might like my channel, I shoot an m8.2 as well where the files can look like my tri x out of my m4. Been shooting my m8.2 and m4 both for around 13 years and I’ll never sell either. Ever. You’ve a gorgeous setup with the mp and that 50. MP was always the dream camera for me. Cheers from Ireland. ☘️
All welcome. And likewise, I've just subscribed. Really lovely piece you did there with an equally great looking M10R? I do love and miss Ireland. It's a combo that I've had for a while now. I used to use a 50 cron but it got stolen so now the Summarit has stepped up and in many ways I prefer its size/balance. Lovely to hear from you Colin.
I got the Leica M-A and was thinking of getting the M10 Monochrome. BUT I got a Sony A7ii instead for my classic lenses and I shoot it in monochrome mood. Always wide open. I love it. I know there are plenty technical advantages to a dedicated monochrome BUT I dont want them cuz I prefer film too. So the Sony is only for my classic lenses shot wide open
Wise choice to keep your film camera. Especially for B&W pictures making. Your smartphone can capture few images at night (even if they would look a bit boring compared to images captured from a proper camera lens with a wide open aperture). At the end film looks and feels just better. Use it as much as you can and you want to :)
The best things in life are analog. Digital is for speed and efficiency. Apply the monochrom in high-iso and you’ve got your grain, apply a characterful lens and it translates to the photography. What matters is the result - on photo paper and what feels best to you as a creation tool.
M4 1967 is the essential camera for film to me. And the most essential lens is a SLX50preasph. Meanwhile I used a M11 the last two years with a NLX50f1.2 and thanks to the lens that camera took over, but without the lens, I’d be very disappointed - nothing against the camera, but it doesn’t feel much better than using a Fuji X100 it’s a package full of gimmicks. It’s the pictures you make and the tool that makes you make these photos you like. And the Lens is obviously your creative eye and the camera should cut any distraction from the exercise of making the photo with the lens. If I’d start with a new camera and a new lens from a 2024 market: I’d pick a M-A in silver and a NLX50f1.2 for slow photography and a SLX50 for faster or a wider variation of photography. Develop Film and have it printed. I have a Scanner - I don’t use it. This was a choice when I thought analog should be backed digitally or even shared digitally - what a foolish idea. If it’s not worth a decent print, it’s not relevant to be shared, neither digital nor analog.
I was just again very annoyed seeking around a few shops for a battery for my ricoh film compact I sneak into my motorcycle jacket for a ride-out. Next time the Barnack goes with me and the ricoh gets ditched. Same frustrating battery search happens all the time with my M6’s. They go, too. Worse, an borrowed M7, ultra wonderful shutter feel, but a bug to get enough batteries to support that buggy electronic tool. Shops would only have 1, not 2 needed batteries… and only 1 of 10 shops. Yes, I can carry batteries around for spare. Sorry, I rather carry food for cute dogs.
@@mattbentley-walls3106 Thank you very much for listening to your subscribers! I enjoy your videos and agree with many of your points especially regarding the value and reality of film photography. I like your photos. I'm looking forward to your further videos. Best wishes!
You are more than welcome Sergey. Please always remember that it's not so much about having people agree with me as getting people to think and question everything for themselves. Questions are alway infinitely more interesting than answers. Bottom line, well it's probably all about the banter, the story telling and good conversation. Thanks for reaching out Sergey..@@sergeynikitin9321
I think the M-A is just perfect. If money were no object I’d want one of those, I’d actually have the 50mm 2.5 summarit also (for the square hood 😂) and 28 and a 90 elmarits. The issue is for me it’s film, the cost per roll plus the cost for developing and scanning, if you’re coming into this new then it’s a big spend on top of what you’d already pay for a Leica body. I’m interested in older digital cameras like the Fujifilm xe1 and canon 5D ‘classic’ - if they go wrong you can replace them cheaply. I’d love an M8 or M9 but just cannot trust the sensors and I’d be constantly worried about them corroding or developing another fault. Aware this is all financially based reasoning which is a bit boring - some can afford it and that’s great. I would if I could.
@@mattbentley-walls3106 never bulk loaded but my fave film is FP4 and it can be got for relatively cheap. I used to dev and scan at home years ago. I did enjoy it I must say, not sure how I’ve arrived at this place where I have no Leica kit having previously owned several M2s, and m6 and varios summicrons including the 35 ‘bokeh king’ 28 elmarit, and 50 summarit too - what happened?!?!
I would never give up on film for digital. Digital seems so soulless, like you said, it's perfect, too perfect for me. I love the process of film and the resolution. I embrace the imperfections that come with film. Nice video!
I have the M-A and can't imagine getting rid of it. I also have the Q2M and I am seriously considering trading it in on an M10-D.
Beautiful combo.
I agree! I grew up with film back in the early 70's. I too don't really like digital for the same reasons, too perfect. I love the experience of loading the film and thinking about exposure and metering for a certain look.
Hello Matt. Its your “student” Baladino. I had all but given up waiting for you to post a new video. It seems ages ago when i had embarked on exposing B&W film stock and you generously reached across the vast divide of the internet and gave generously of your knowledge and opinion as well as your encouragement. Your video on B&W development armed me with confidence to start developing. Shortly after that around that time i acquired a new M-A. Then a 50mm Summicron Version 5, both of which i used for a year. I gained a considerable degree of proficiency just using this combination relentlessly for a year. I then purchased a new MP in black paint and then shortly after a new 28mm Elmarit which i have also been using for almost a year. Both cameras have been as you say Perfect ! Through an estate sale recently i bought my first ? 2nd hand Leica gear : a silver chrome brass version ASPH 50 Summilux F/1.4 which has led me down a path of making more portraits.
About a year after we last communicated i had my film images displayed at Photo Paris at the Grand Palais with about 20-30 prints being sold. I had a chance to try out the M11 monochrome recently and wasn’t impressed. It renders digital grain better than what i’ve seen in other cameras though the grain seems to be overlaid on the image rather being inherent like B&W film. With the birth of my son I recently embarked upon making images of him and a memory unbidden of how i came to this point came to fore which spurred me to check your channel. Thank you Matt.
It is precisely for people like yourself. Firstly thank you for your thanks. It's greatly appreciated and you are more than welcome. If what I say in any way fuels, inspires and encourages then it is all worthwhile. I have just uploaded a vlog on Family Photos. I am thinking your son/children,,? may well be the benefactors of some very special photos depicting their childhoods. Wonderful. I do wish I were able to glimpse your Paris photos, and many congratulations on having the exhibition. Uploading or not, I am always here Baladino. Lovely to hear from you.
@@mattbentley-walls3106 hi Matt. I will add a link sometime today of some of the images.
Yes- get an m10m and be happy. They’re incredible, and very economical compared to $20 a roll (purchased and developed). I have an m3 if I have that itch, and older m-p 240. Film is wonderful, but honesty I’m beginning not to justify the time investment and actual cost.
Brilliant you’ve summed it up perfectly. Hit the nail on the head. I owned an M10M and an MP. The MP was used but the M10M took over. It swamped my analog practice and I tried to adopt the Monochrome camera as my main camera but something was lacking. I now own an M11 as my digital and have sold the M10m. I love the analog and want to get back to it. Love to hear about your passion for analog
Thanks Daniel, kind words. I was momentarily distracted by digital too. Actually it served a purpose. But back to what I love now, film.
Agree Matt. I don’t currently own a Leica: I had an M240 but sold it as the ecosystem is so expensive and it’s just a digital camera after all, whereas a film M would be a different thing and worth the investment IMO. I currently own an old Nikon D610 for my digital ‘needs’ (which are increasingly rare), and I mostly use my F3 and FE2. Similarly money is a factor right now (mostly a long hangover from my own divorce!) but hopefully an MP or an M-A will be an option in the future. I’d consider spending the necessary £ on a film Leica, but not on a digital one again. Same again I just don’t like the perfection of digital images.
I empathise completely. I have the F3 also (see my F3 vlog). Hey they're only tools at the end of the day. If you have an F3 and some great glass you're all set IMO. I sometimes like to shoot with my old Pentax Super A for fun with some great Pentax glass - a 50mm 1.7 or 1.4 and I'm as happy as a pig in muck! Good to hear from you Ben,
Matt nice to stumble across your channel. Subscribed. I’ve an m4 and iiif and I know exactly what you mean by “not perfect”. I always prefer my film images over my digitise Leicas. You might like my channel, I shoot an m8.2 as well where the files can look like my tri x out of my m4. Been shooting my m8.2 and m4 both for around 13 years and I’ll never sell either. Ever. You’ve a gorgeous setup with the mp and that 50. MP was always the dream camera for me. Cheers from Ireland. ☘️
All welcome. And likewise, I've just subscribed. Really lovely piece you did there with an equally great looking M10R? I do love and miss Ireland. It's a combo that I've had for a while now. I used to use a 50 cron but it got stolen so now the Summarit has stepped up and in many ways I prefer its size/balance. Lovely to hear from you Colin.
I got the Leica M-A and was thinking of getting the M10 Monochrome. BUT I got a Sony A7ii instead for my classic lenses and I shoot it in monochrome mood. Always wide open. I love it. I know there are plenty technical advantages to a dedicated monochrome BUT I dont want them cuz I prefer film too. So the Sony is only for my classic lenses shot wide open
Go with what floats your boat and what works for you. As you say it should be all about having fun.
Wise choice to keep your film camera. Especially for B&W pictures making.
Your smartphone can capture few images at night (even if they would look a bit boring compared to images captured from a proper camera lens with a wide open aperture).
At the end film looks and feels just better. Use it as much as you can and you want to :)
Valid points.
I share you with you that feeling of "wish I have shot that on film"
Thanks for your comment.
Ancient Creeks said: .You are definitely a wise man.Greetings from Greece.
Thanks Nick
The best things in life are analog. Digital is for speed and efficiency. Apply the monochrom in high-iso and you’ve got your grain, apply a characterful lens and it translates to the photography. What matters is the result - on photo paper and what feels best to you as a creation tool.
M4 1967 is the essential camera for film to me. And the most essential lens is a SLX50preasph. Meanwhile I used a M11 the last two years with a NLX50f1.2 and thanks to the lens that camera took over, but without the lens, I’d be very disappointed - nothing against the camera, but it doesn’t feel much better than using a Fuji X100 it’s a package full of gimmicks. It’s the pictures you make and the tool that makes you make these photos you like. And the Lens is obviously your creative eye and the camera should cut any distraction from the exercise of making the photo with the lens.
If I’d start with a new camera and a new lens from a 2024 market: I’d pick a M-A in silver and a NLX50f1.2 for slow photography and a SLX50 for faster or a wider variation of photography. Develop Film and have it printed. I have a Scanner - I don’t use it. This was a choice when I thought analog should be backed digitally or even shared digitally - what a foolish idea. If it’s not worth a decent print, it’s not relevant to be shared, neither digital nor analog.
I was just again very annoyed seeking around a few shops for a battery for my ricoh film compact I sneak into my motorcycle jacket for a ride-out. Next time the Barnack goes with me and the ricoh gets ditched. Same frustrating battery search happens all the time with my M6’s. They go, too. Worse, an borrowed M7, ultra wonderful shutter feel, but a bug to get enough batteries to support that buggy electronic tool. Shops would only have 1, not 2 needed batteries… and only 1 of 10 shops. Yes, I can carry batteries around for spare. Sorry, I rather carry food for cute dogs.
That MP looks just beautiful. I already have an M2 so can't justify buying an MP (even though I want one).
not the same camera
Maybe you make a video to give some tips and recommendations about making family photos with a rangefinder camera?
Done. Just uploaded. Hope it helps Sergey.
@@mattbentley-walls3106 Thank you very much for listening to your subscribers! I enjoy your videos and agree with many of your points especially regarding the value and reality of film photography. I like your photos. I'm looking forward to your further videos. Best wishes!
You are more than welcome Sergey. Please always remember that it's not so much about having people agree with me as getting people to think and question everything for themselves. Questions are alway infinitely more interesting than answers. Bottom line, well it's probably all about the banter, the story telling and good conversation. Thanks for reaching out Sergey..@@sergeynikitin9321
I think the M-A is just perfect. If money were no object I’d want one of those, I’d actually have the 50mm 2.5 summarit also (for the square hood 😂) and 28 and a 90 elmarits. The issue is for me it’s film, the cost per roll plus the cost for developing and scanning, if you’re coming into this new then it’s a big spend on top of what you’d already pay for a Leica body. I’m interested in older digital cameras like the Fujifilm xe1 and canon 5D ‘classic’ - if they go wrong you can replace them cheaply. I’d love an M8 or M9 but just cannot trust the sensors and I’d be constantly worried about them corroding or developing another fault. Aware this is all financially based reasoning which is a bit boring - some can afford it and that’s great. I would if I could.
Have you considered bulk loading film and developing your own film. You can buy good scanners at great prices. Cuts the cost greatly.
@@mattbentley-walls3106 never bulk loaded but my fave film is FP4 and it can be got for relatively cheap. I used to dev and scan at home years ago. I did enjoy it I must say, not sure how I’ve arrived at this place where I have no Leica kit having previously owned several M2s, and m6 and varios summicrons including the 35 ‘bokeh king’ 28 elmarit, and 50 summarit too - what happened?!?!
kids?!🤔😄@@greenbrightly