Re: Leica Alternatives

[Steve <cameras@jetlink.net>]

Stephen Gandy wrote:
> > >   Not true.  The alternatives are the Canon 7s with lenses from 19 to 135, the Nikon SP with lenses from 21 to 135, and Contax IIA with lenses  from 21 to 135.  All also have provision for longer lenses and Macro.
> >

Peter Jon White wrote:
> > Oh please!
 
Please???? This is a discussion group.  Please has nothing to do with
it.
 
> > I think we're going off the deep end here. I don't know when the
> > Nikon or Contax was discontinued. I believe the Canon was gone by
> > 1970 or so. But whenever it was discontinued, by then the other two
> > were long gone. Many of the lenses available have fungus growing on
> > them and still command ridiculous prices by collectors.


Peter, go back to your original post.  You stated that there were no
alternatives, regardless of price.  Now that you are called on it, you
are adding  all kinds of qualifiers.   While some of the lenses are very
expensive, overall as a system, working kits from 28-135 ALL sell for
FAR less than new Leica M.

> > Sure, if you look long and hard enough you can assemble a useable
> > system among the cameras you mentioned. But very few people can
> > afford to use cameras that can't be serviced. And who has the time to  try and find all of the components? Old or new Leicas and lenses are
> > available everywhere you look.


What makes you think that these specific four cameras can not be
serviced?

How many do you own?   I own all of them. M's, SP's, IIA, 7s.

I have classic cameras serviced on a regular basis before reselling
them.  Perhaps the local repairman has difficulty, but there are more
than enough specialty repair people to handle it.
 
> > Need a bellows? There are 15 or 20 advertised in Shutterbug each
> > month. Need a 200mm lens and a Visoflex? No problem. You can have it
> > Fed Ex tomorrow.
> 
Again, a qualifier not included in your original post.  The same Viso
for Leica fits the Canon 7s just fine.  They use the same mount.   Nikon
and Contax Reflex housing are expensive, but they are available and your
own words were REGARDLESS OF PRICE.
 
> > Canon doesn't make parts for the 7 anymore. I assume Nikon doesn't
> > make parts for the SP anymore, and Zeiss Ikon is only a fond and
> > distant memory to people with too much time on their hands. My M3
> > from 1955 can be rebuilt practically from the ground up with brand
> > new parts. Try that with the Contax.
> 
As pointed out before, there are specialists who can keep these cameras
repaired and working.
> 
> > So let's be realistic.
> 
Well Peter,  one person's "impossible" can easily be another person's
every day reality. I am being realistic.
 
I know that these things can be done, because I do it.
 
Stephen Gandy