Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/02/27

[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]

Subject: [Leica] Re: Leica Top Plate Lunacy
From: apbc <apbc@public1.sta.net.cn>
Date: Sat, 27 Feb 99 17:50:03 +0800

Well I am astonished that we are getting reports of Porsches on top of 
Leicas (one or both presumably without motors) and Metz flashes on top of 
Leicas: the former supposedly an even match for the suspect R8 but the 
latter beyond the supertough M to handle. Surely some mistake...

I can concur with the reports of Metz 40s (MZ-2 in my case) distorting 
the top plate and throwing the vertical RF alignment slightly, though 
temporarily, off. It is okay again once the flash is removed. This is 
clear proof IMHO that Leica R&D is pathetic these days: I mean how many 
flashes are out there that worked properly with the M6TTL when it was 
released? By my count only two: both from Metz. The new SF20, also by 
Metz, works okay FWIW but if the new M6TTL is promoted by virtue of its 
enhanced flash facility it should be at least physically up to supporting 
the flash. FWIW all my other Ms work fine with the Metz 40 for all it's 
bulk and clumsy design.

Do the guys at Leica ever take photos with the cameras they make? Why is 
it that they consistently produce the most boring brochures of any major 
manufacturer: surely they must be able to get hold of some of the images 
of the famous Leica photographers out of goodwill or at least in barter. 
The latest general catalogue is a start but they could do better: if only 
that they make numerous typos and put in quotations from photographers 
saying they prefer the M lenses right in the middle of the R lens section 
and so on. Where is the German precision? What is it that is so cool 
about these tools? Some of us know but not from anything Solms has told 
us...

Now back to photography and the great outdoors.

Bests


Adrian Bradshaw
Editorial and Corporate Photography
Shanghai, China