airfrogusmc
Well-known member
But even in a smaller market how can someone support a family on 30K a year?Photography is a very broad field. A huge part of that is outside major centers with work like event/wedding gigs.
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But even in a smaller market how can someone support a family on 30K a year?Photography is a very broad field. A huge part of that is outside major centers with work like event/wedding gigs.
Most likely through a two-income household. I know a few photographers that work more than one job. The median household income for the US is just over $60,000, which is the highest it has been since 2007.But even in a smaller market how can someone support a family on 30K a year?
I have found unique camera types can be very disarming. Most people are expecting a large DSLR. But anything that does not conform to that, whether bigger or smaller, seems to catch people unaware, opening possibilities. My favorite was a Widelux swing lens panoramic camera. The downside was in a crowded place: one person would notice the lens swing. In the next frame, that person would be staring intently at the camera just to confirm the lens did actually move.In answer to the original question, I have used the M10 for editorial and art photography, and in the past I have done a few weddings for friends on the M series cameras, though in general I am not a wedding photographer. It is a good camera to use whenever you need high image quality in a small, discreet package. There are other cameras that can arguably do this more successfully now. For most pros, owning an M10 is not a practical business decision, but one made because they have a little flexibility and would prefer to get a tool that they like to use, over the most cost-effective one. Not every business decision boils down to the bottom line. Still, the M10 is more than capable of helping in those situations. I remember once I was doing an editorial feature for a large food magazine. I was assigned to photograph a certain list of restaurants for a feature on the Icelandic food scene. I went to one on the list and explained that I was photographing for an international magazine and was hoping to take photos. The manager said no, I could not. I had my M9 on my shoulder and asked, "are you sure, I will be quick and I will not bother anyone". She looked at the camera and said, "Oh, I thought you meant a professional camera...sure, go ahead." Little did she know, haha. I still don't know what she had in mind...maybe lots of lighting and flash? But either way, the M10 can be very helpful in situations like that. It is also excellent for the classic use cases -- travel, documentary etc. It is even more useful today than it was before, since you can bring an EVF and a telephoto lens (adapted or otherwise). There was the visoflex back in the day, but the EVF makes the M very flexible if you have a Leica R telephoto etc.
I think Dave was looking for a more nuanced response about the commonality of photographers that use Ms professionally rather than simply unwarranted and undeserved contempt.Why is this even a question? Of course you can use a digital M professionally. Only a few do, but so what.
Keep the answers nice -- snarky responses like this one will not be tolerated. Consider yourself warned.Why is this even a question? Of course you can use a digital M professionally. Only a few do, but so what.
Good morning, Roger!:thumbup:Dave
I ve used M cameras from the 70 s and still use two M10 s mostly for street shooting . With whats available today s EVF AF alternatives ..I would never choose the Leica M for professional work .
The key to making a RF work for any type of photography is to master RF focusing techniques . This requires constant practice and usage . There have even been tutorials (PDFs) that set up a series of exercises to train your hand /eye coordination . (I looked and I can’t find my copy ). Using small apertures and pre focusing can work well but hardly yields the “no excuses” level off accuracy . If you can hit 85% “acceptably sharp” with a RF you are really really talented . This just does not match the best AF from most any modern EVF or DSLR camera and with eye autofocus ...you should be well into the 90-95% range .
The advantage of the RF comes in three areas ...(1) the ability to see outside the frame and with clarity regardless of the focal length (2) the size and therefore the less intrusive nature of a RF and (3) the ability to really use the small very high quality and fast RF lenses .
Conceded ......that if you can make a RF camera work professionally you are exceptionally talented . And for pure fun ....I will use no other gear for 90% of my shooting . But ...I don t have a client to satisfy and am considering the time coming when I will just not be quick enough to enjoy a RF . Even for street and travel ...two areas that RF cameras excel .....its hard to overlook the benefits of “eye AF’ or “focus tracking “ .
Roger
Rangefinders are very specialized and Leica in particular is very expensive. You just need to look to market force to show that--how many camera companies make rangefinders and what are their sales volumes? That will reflect photographer demand. The main advantage to the rangefinder/viewfinder cameras was the ability to make a compact camera and, with the exception of Leica, make them affordable--think Olympus XAs or Fuji medium-format film rangefinders, for example. Reflex cameras were limited by the mirror box. Today, we have mirrorless cameras filling in that need and have direct viewing. Rangefinders were always an acquired taste.There are relatively few photographers around actually making a living using the M10. Can this be correct? It is an amazing instrument yet it seems to be used more personal uses by choice.
Ydo,Way too much theory…..… let some pictures talk.
Here are some photos from a recent a food magazine, all pictures were made with a Leica M10.
Why do I use a Leica M? because I like it as a simple tool/instrument.
I could have done the job easily with a FuCaNiSo. I don’t need autofocus for this kind of shooting
It’s a joy to take the M and lenses in my hand. I can feel the craftsmanship behind it,
that is enough reason to work with it nearly every day.
Ydo
(sorry for my english)
My website: YDO SOL IMAGES ? YDO SOL IMAGES