One Camera One lens. The M262 and 35mm Summicron in Athens
By Kenneth Moller
A few months back, I took the plunge. I sold all my Canon gear, L lenses an all, and got a Leica M262 with a 35mm ASPH F2 Summicron.
That meant goodbye autofocus, goodbye focusing closer than 0.7 meters and, since I got at 262, goodby live view and video. It also meant one camera and one lens because I could’nt afford more than the Summicron. I’m still in the honeymoon faze with this camera and the only complaint I have, is not being able to get closer than 70 cm. But, for what I typically shoot, this is the perfect, minimal setup. At some point I hope to be able to afford a 50mm of some kind, but for now I really enjoy this combination and how it forces me to really get to know the lens. It’s so versatile and compact. And the build quality is amazing.
Now about the photos: I had a few days in Athens and brought my camera everywhere I went to test it in all kinds of light. So below you’ll find a few night-shots, some street shots and a few touristy ones. Hope you like them. I certainly enjoyed taking them.
Best wishes
Kenneth Moller
Copenhagen, Denmark
What people don’t understand about using a Leica M is that it’s not about the glass. It’s about how you see through the rangefinder window. Not looking though the tunnel of an SLR or EVF everything from near to far is sharp in the RF window. You can work looser and more freely.
I bought a used X100s in August 2016 and since then, I have hardly touched my other gear (Nikon 1, Canon DSLR, Panasonic and analog cameras). The X100s is amazing, but not perfect (focus is far from it).
As the X100s’ lens (23mm) is the equivalent of a 35mm full frame, could you please enlighten us how, in your experience, the Leica is different/better?
Hi Ivan. Sorry for not answering before, I’ve been on holiday. But, great question. I’ve had both the X100 and the X100S and I think they were the reason I fell in love with the rangefinder experience. The big differences, to me at least, with the M vs Fujis lovely compact are probably simplicity, control and obviously build quality. The M doesn’t have AF, only manual. And that experience is unique to the M nowadays. It’s so simple and all the frustrations I remember so vividly (especially from the old X100) are gone, once you get use to the rangefinder focusing. Is it faster? No. Is it perfect for huge zooms and fast sport or wildlife photography? Absolutely not.But I know what I focused on and I get what I expect. Top that off with the obvious advantages of being more aware of whats going on around what your’e farming. Personally this a big reason for loving my M. And the simplicity of the center weighted spot metering. On the M262, thats all there is and I know how it behaves now and get the results I expect. Then there’s the amazing design and build quality. Unmatched. Just holding it in my hands make me smile. I know the best camera is the one you have with you, but having a camera you love using, holding and even looking at is an immense bonus. Also, I have to add that the results I get from my 35mm Summicron never stop amazing me. Sharpeness, contrast and character. Just wow. built like a tank and smooth as butter to focus. It might be overpriced and you might be able to get similar results from other lenses. But I’d rather get by with one lens and wait until I can afford a used 50mm Summicron than by a cheaper Zeiss or Voigtländer lens. My personal opinion, feel free to call me a snob etc ; )
Trying the same type of effort myself with a Fuji X100S with a TCL-X100 attached to give a 50mm FOV. After decades with a bag full of lenses, I am enjoying the lighter weight in retirement. I prefer monochrome images but see some b&w possibilities in your compositions! Enjoy the setup you have and keep experimenting with it!
Thank you : ) Yea, a lighter, simpler setup means you have the camera with you more. Had the X100 and the X100S for a while too. Fuji does it right. Great cameras.
Leica is your destiny. Great images 🙂 Buy a really old collapsable 50mm – they can be had for a good price and are plenty sharp for making art. København er Nordens perle…
Haha, tak ; ) And yes, after trying a M9 for 30 minutes I knew I’d have to switch.
Isn´t København full of “refugees” by now too? Good luck Europe…
Lucky you to have landed the gear that really opens things up in a new way for you! Your pleasure in experimenting comes over in your pictures. I like the third one and the last five in particular. I’m getting to know the 35mm field of view with an X2 at the moment. (JN – near Copenhagen DK !)
A brave decision, but you have been rewarded with some good images
Thank you!