Hi Jono, many thanks! A chat about your experiences in rangefinder photography over a beer in a cozy pub would be outstanding! Have you ever been interviewed about your life as a photographer? A pale second best to the chat in a pub would be a phone or zoom interview and resultant Macfilos article, which I am certain would delight the reader community.

Thanks also for the tip regarding mono vision contact lenses. What a great idea! I am seriously tempted to look into that. All the best, Keith

Thanks Kathy! I am regularly telling Mike that in some ways it’s probably for the best that I do not have a Leica Store nearby, so that I am prevented from popping in and perusing their line up of cameras and lenses. I feel fortunate being able to own this gear, for all the reasons you describe. Joerg-Peter has provided everyone with a less expensive, non-Leica route into the rangefinder world through his M-Files series and so I hope like me, many more people will have the opportunity to give this kind of photography a whirl. It really is great fun. All the best, Keith

Hi Mark Walch, thanks for reading and commenting. I have purchased a used M-To-L adapter and so also plan to use my new 35mm lens on an SL2. The EVF and focus aids are so good on the SL2 I am sure I will be able to get my manual focus spot on each time. All the best. Keith

Hi John. Many thanks! I am glad to hear you found the article helpful, even if it has been to discourage you from heading in this direction! All the best, Keith

Thanks Ed! I don’t know how many potential ‘first time users’ there are out there, as opposed to committed Leica-M shooters who are upgrading to new versions, but there must be some, and I hope the article will be of value to that niche group. I am very happy with my choice of 35mm as an initial focal length. I do sometimes miss that extra field of view my Q2 gives me, but I think I would have been frustrated if I had chosen and been restricted to a 50mm lens, given my interests. All the best! Keith

Hi Slow Driver. Yes, a slippery slope indeed! Mike has consistently warned me of this risk, and I can see the temptation to add lens after lens to a collection. I shall try to exercise iron discipline, at least for the time being, and focus on learning how to use my current set up correctly. All the best, Keith

Hi Bill, many thanks! I did give quite some thought to a reissued M6 but eventually decided that tackling a simultaneous jump to both rangefinder and film photography would be too big a step for me. Perhaps down the road I will be able to summon the courage to at least try a film camera again. Your articles about your exploits in China certainly provide plenty of inspiration for giving it a go! All the best, Keith

Thanks Le Chef! I am glad the article was helpful. I hope you have a Leica Store in the vicinity that can help you. Unfortunately, we do not have one in San Diego and I rarely visit LA, so I have relied on advice from the Macfilos community – which of course has been been both generous and insightful. I look forward to hearing what you decide to buy! All the best, Keith