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Leica M Compendium: Handbook of the Leica M System (Hove Compendia S.) | 
 enlarge | Author: Jonathan Eastland
Publisher: Hove Books
Category: Book
List Price: $49.95
Buy New: $31.32
You Save: $18.63 (37%)
New (12) Used (7) from $15.95
Avg. Customer Rating:  3 reviews
Sales Rank: 716530
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1st English Ed
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 208
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.9
Dimensions (in): 9.8 x 7.6 x 0.9
ISBN: 1897802056
Dewey Decimal Number: 771.31
EAN: 9781897802052
ASIN: 1897802056
Publication Date: May 1, 1994
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Brand New, Perfect Condition, Please allow 4-14 business days for delivery. 100% Money Back Guarantee, Over 1,000,000 customers served.
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Product Description
The Leica M system has been with us since 1954. It rapidly became, and has remained the favorite instrument of photographers, especially photojournalists, who, like Henri Cartier-Bresson, seek to ""catch life in the act"", to record ""the decisive moment"". In this Leica M Compendium Jonathan Eastland describes the whole Leica M system from his experience as a professional photographer. He explains how to use, enjoy and get the best out of the cameras and lenses, regardless of age. The latest lenses can be used on the earliest cameras, and vice-versa, and the Visoflex, although no longer made, is now much easier to use with the M6 and its TTL metering. Advice on planning and shooting a story with the Leica and extensive tables of technical data complete this ideal companion for the practical Leica M photographer, as well as for the Leica collector and enthusiast.
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| Customer Reviews:
 Leica M Handbook by Jonathon Eastland July 25, 2007
If you are a Leica M enthusiast, this book is for you. Well written, well illustrated, and a wealth of information on cameras, lenses, and accessories up through and including the M6 classic. Profusely illustrated with mainly B&W photos, and a lot of good practical advice on how to make best use of the equipment. Highly recommended!
 The best independent user review of classic Leica M system February 9, 2007
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
This handbook by Jonathon Eastland is probably the best independent user review of the more than half century old reknown Leica M rangefinder series of 35mm manual focus film cameras.
I am glad to have read this book before I purchase my first used Leica M series camera, it had helped me made my informed choice for purchase ownership and use.
This book featured the Leica M series, the Leica M1 to M6, Compact Leica CL from the first introduction of the Leica M3 (introduced in 1954), M2 and M1 to its incarnation in the form of Leica M6 with ample coverage and discussion on M-lenses accessories and special commemorative (collector's) models.
From this book, I have learnt that the Leica M series of camera has remained unchanged in layout and design without major substantial product modification and a new Leica M still carries a hefty price tag since 1954. The latest Leica, the now out-of-production M6 as featured in the book with the basic machine (yes it is a photo making machine) as the M3 introduced in 1954 and unlike the digital stuff today, mechanical Leica Ms (other than the M7 & M8) and the CL can fully function as a camera without batteries. Majority of the interchangeable M-lenses designed and produced since 1954 are top performers in 35mm photography and still could be used with the current production model, the mechanical Leica MP, the latest M-lenses could also be fitted on the same bayonet mount on older Ms. In fact except for the CL and M5, all Leica Ms has the same exterior.
The author has a little of everything for everybody from the student photographer, professional photographer, weekend shooter, camera collector-investor-speculator to a general reader who had randomly pick this up from a bookshelf. This book also has generous examples of nice photos made by the author.
Readers should be forewarned that the subject of photography is NOT the main discussion in this book but discussion is centred on the tool, the Leica M camera and how it would add value to your kind of photography.
If you intend to buy and read this book for a understanding of the Leica system you may like to know that despite its detail coverage of the Leica M system, this book is NOT updated with the most recent development because the Leica M rangefinder camera has just recently (in 2002/2003) gone semi electronic/automatic with the introduction of the M7 (a muted WoW for being 30 years behind the Japanese in technology) and had gone into the arena of digital photography with the recent introduction of the Leica M8 camera-the digital M in 2006 (a BIG WOW) while without Autofocus M-lenses.
IMHO a radical update of this book may not be due despite the recent changes with the introduction of the digital M8. As far as analog photography is concerned the Leica M system is near perfection and the technology would reamin very much the same as long there is 35mm film cartridge and a darkroom available.
I am speculating that once this handbook goes out of print it could instant become a collector's item for Leicaphiles and collectors like the many vintage out of production Leica M camera reviewed in the book.
For readers who are doing research on 35mm "analog" film photography and Leica, I would heartedly recommend this handbook together with the Leica R Compendium by the same author as compulsory read. Reading both handbooks would give the interested reader an understanding of the German side of the development of the 35mm film photography.
Not a "Leica M camera for dummies" book but an overall balanced and informative special interest book which deserves 4 stars.
Very good discussion of M version Leica equipment. September 23, 2004
10 out of 11 found this review helpful
It is written intelligently and to a good depth for a sort of advanced overview book. The author goes in depth as needed without boring with excessive technical details and the author's experience shows with good comments. He covers a bit on how rangefinder cameras are unique. M6 and old Leica M bodies are introduced with moderate detail. Film loading is shown for early and late cameras. He comments on new and old lenses but not on all lenses (1994 copyright with reprint of the same in 2001) so the only Aspherical lens mentioned is 35mm F/1.4. Visoflex is discussed. Overall this is a sort of advanced beginners book written for the Leica's more intellectual market yet it has a personal edge that endears.
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