[Leica] Re: So much for superiority of Leica lenses?

[Ken Wilcox <wilcox@tir.com>]

The Contax has, as you know, an electronic rather than mechanical
rangefinder. This part, I am told, is exacting and expensive to make when
compared to the electronic type. It will be interesting to see the new
optical rangefinder cameras out of Japan and compare them to an M rangefinder.

As for Medium Format, My Mamiya 7II and lenes we NOT less expensive than
Leica items.

Ken Wilcox


At 03:07 PM 10/2/99 EDT, Ruralmopics@aol.com wrote:
>
>In a message dated 10/2/99 3:52:10 PM, ewelch@ponyexpress.net writes:
>
><< The head of NPS once told me that Nikon looked into making a rangefinder 
>camera to compete with the Leica, and the found out it would end up costing 
>more than the M6 and its lenses. (Limited market I guess). >>
>
>I think the pricing of the Contax G1/G2 cameras and lenses casts some doubt 
>on this  statement (the NPS guy's not yours). Aren't the Contax bodies about 
>$1,000 and the lenses all about $600 or less? Surely Minolta/Fuji/Mamiya or 
>somebody could make a manual focus, interchangeable lens camera for less
than 
>the price of a Leica. In fact, I haven't checked but it seems to me that
even 
>the medium format rangefinders and lenses are less than Leica, aren't they?
>
>I'm not really complaining too much about Leica prices. Buying used, it's 
>quite conceivable to put together a two-body, four-lens outfit for less than 
>$5,000. Still I can't help thinking Minolta (I keep coming back to them) 
>could do it for a lot less. It's possible, that MIGHT open up the "serious 
>amateur" rangefinder market. Maybe I give the photo companies too much
credit 
>-- since when have they brought out products with photographers in mind?
>
>Maybe the best solution if for Contax to bring out a real manual focus body.
>
>Bob (reverting back to his photo marketing days) McEowen
>
>
- ------------------
Ken Wilcox					Carolyn's Personal Touch Portraits
LAW LHSA MEA						          <wilcox@tir.com>