[Leica] G or Leica? Dr. Blacktape weighs in.

["B. D. Colen" <bdcolen@earthlink.net>]

Assuming that the Zeiss glass is, for all real-world considerations, the
equivalent of the Leitz glass - and that is an assumption Dr. Blacktape
leaves to others to fight out, Dr. Blacktape would urge your colleague to
consider the following:

- - There are far more lenses, including screw mounts with adapters, available
for the Leica;

- - There are more used bodies, of different vintages, available for the
Leica;

- - There are far more accessories, new and used, available for the Leica;


- - Leica bodies and lenses are, without a doubt, better constructed and with
a little care can out-live their owners;

- - M cameras are truly quiet and unobtrusive; Gs are not;

- - There is a good variety of fast lenses - 35 1.4, 50 1.4, 75 1.4, 90 f 2,
available for the Leica; there is only a single f 2 lens for the Gs;

- - Leicas will hold more of their value;

- - There is no way to manually focus a G camera - despite what the autofocus
override is called.

All that aside, the G2 is a nifty little pseudo-rangefinder that provides
auto-everything and good glass at a reasonable price. Dr. Blacktape, who
owned and got rid of a G1 - the autofocus was awful - admits that from time
to time he considers getting a used G2 body with a
21 2.8 rather than investing in a 21 2.8 ASPH and another M body for that
lens.

But, if your friend is a PJ and is looking for a second system, tell him/her
to bite the wallet and go Leica.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
> [mailto:owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us]On Behalf Of RICHARD
> ALAN HANNON
> Sent: Friday, July 09, 1999 10:30 AM
> To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
> Cc: tiwaabu@thestate.com
> Subject: Re: [Leica] Leica Users digest V10 #9
>
>
> dear Lug,
>
> A colleague of mine at work is contemplating the purchase of the Contax G2
> system instead of a leica m system.
>
> Besides the price difference, can you all give your thoughts as to why or
> why not this would be a good idea? Anyone out there use the G2?
>
> Albest,
>
> Rick Hannon
>
> --
> Richard Alan Hannon/photojournalist
> 240 Meredith Sq.
> Columbia, SC 29223
> 803.419.2456
> hannon1@mindspring.com
>