RE: [Leica] 6x9/6x7/6x4.5 rangefinders

["George Kenney" <georgekenney@earthlink.net>]

Thanks all very, very much for suggestions.

With great reluctance I decided against a Zeiss Ikonta, after having 
had repaired/overhauled a "mint" Rolleiflex. I love my Rollei, but I 
don't want any more hassle with old cameras.

So, after much deliberatin, I decided that Fuji was out because of 
1) its shutter that sounds like a 'zippo lighter' according to many 
internet sources, and 2) the shutter, again, which requires on "T" to 
rotate the ring to close (can you imagine the mind-boggling stupidity 
of this design?); despite very high recommendations overall for its 
quality of glass. Bronica was out because 645 seems more like a 
weeding photographer's camera -- so phhftttt! Alors, the Mamiya... I 
tried ordering via fax from Robert White in the UK (about 45% 
cheaper than US mailorder -- so why does Mamiya USA try to 
ripoff US consumers this much??). But after asking Robert for 
shipment via (billed to my FedEX account) overnight priority, I still 
haven't got, after 1 1/2 days, even an acknowledgement of my 
order !!!???WTF??? If I don't hear from him by late tonite, early 
tomorrow Brit time, I'll cancel that order and try another UK vendor. 
FWIW, when I read recently (on Drudge) that the British army is 
now paying for sex change operations for its personnel, I knew the 
end is at hand for the British nation!!!!

If I ever manage in fact to acquire a Mamiya 7 II from the UK I'll 
report on its picture taking quality...  vs. Leica, of course!

G.