Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/03/16
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]LUGgers: I have some good news. I have been playing with a Contax G2 and three Zeiss lenses for 2 weeks with generally good, yet inconsistent results. Inconsistent because the metering area is not well-defined and because the AF is quirky and sometimes unreliable. I have used Nikon F5 and Leica R8/R4 for a while now and I love Leica quality. Don't ask me why I thought I would like a G2 better than an M6, but I did. For a few days, that is. For the past few rolls with the G2, performance has slowly slipped. The first few days, the AF was flawless. (Many people have said it takes 4-5 rolls before you get perfectly focused shots but I got only 1 out of focus shot in 10 rolls. It may be because of my experience with the F5.) It never bounced, wavered, or hesitated. I was merely lucky I guess. Lately, even in bright daylight, shooting under normal circumstances, I have had more trouble focusing than ever before. Finally, after giving the G2 a good two weeks of testing, I gave up on it. I would have to summarize by saying that the lenses ARE superb. At least as good as Leica, not inferior at all. All images I got back were amazingly sharp and contrasty. "Microcontrast" was very very good. The only things keeping me from keeping the G2 are the same things that made me think it would beat the M6 in usability......the metering and the AF. So, today, I returned my loaner G2 and lenses. As I walked into the store, planning on buying the 28/2.8 R lens instead, I noticed 2 M6 bodies in the M6 display section. I thought it odd, so I examined more closely. A small "0.85" on the front of the new one was the only thing to distinguish it as being different. I realized I was staring at the new M6 0.85!!! I immediately fell in love and grabbed in from the shelf before some other guys could see it. John told me it had just come in today in their Leica shipment, and he was probably correct since the camera was not there 2 days ago when I was in. Without even looking at the 28/2.8 R I had intended to buy, I decided on the black 0.85 M6 and got a 35/2 ASPH to match. John said it was 1 of only 2 on the entire West Coast. The other being at Samy's in LA. I felt good. I have always loved this list for the occasional comment on R equipment, but now I feel a bit more connected to all of you since I own an M6. And a fine M6 it is! By the way, I got the handgrip too.....very nice! Francesco Sanfilippo, Five Senses Productions webmaster@5senses.com http://www.5senses.com/