Re: [Leica] Equipment getting really cheap

["Jim Laurel" <jplaurel@nwlink.com>]

B.D.--
I guess my point is that M prices are taking a dive because of peoples'
ignorance.  Those who understand the special capabilities of the M cameras
(and exploit them) realize that there is no digital substitute currently
available.  As you say, the M is an old design, but I would argue that it is
still relevant today.  I'll be happy to abandon the M cameras when a digital
tool is available that allows me to equal or better results than 35mm, with
high speed interchangeable lenses, and with a similar form factor.  Right
now, the choices are either P&S digitals or gargantuan DSLRs with nothing in
between.  I am very fast with an M.  With the 10D, all the buttons, modes,
switches and whatever are a hindrance.  A larger part of my thinking has to
be about the technology rather than pictures because the camera requires it.

I'm no luddite and am learning the 10D rapidly.  And best of all, next year,
I'll get to throw out everything I know and switch to the whatever the
market forces on us next.  :-{  But all my upcoming assignmnents are
digital, so I'm getting with the program.

I just reviewed a few images shot on the Olympic peninsula.  Some JPEG, some
RAW.  Many of the JPEGs are ruined because the camera's default (0 setting)
sharpening turns chromatic aberrations into sharp lines that outline areas
of high contrast.  The first thing I did was to set my color space to Adobe
RGB.  Well, it turns out that you cannot use the Adobe RGB color space and
adjust in-camera sharpening at the same time.  Fortunately, the more
important shots are in RAW format.  So, a *default* setting buried 3 levels
down in the menu structure can result in a ruined photo.  Nice.  It's not so
much a problem with the better Canon fixed focals (the 35 f2 and 100 f2 are
great), but the Canon L zooms that everyone raves about are absolute crap in
comparison to the M lenses.  But hey, who cares about lens quality when
you've got Photoshop.

The other day, as a reward for having to learn the 10D, I treated myself to
an evening with the R6.2 and Summicron 35.  My kids and thier friends were
playing in the lake, which was very dark in contrast to thier faces in the
dimming light.  It would have thrown any matrix meter for a loop.  It was a
joy to work with the spot meter on the R6.2, focusing, shooting, using
familiar skills - making real photographs.  A breath of fresh air.  I'd post
some if it were not for the LUG embargo on pics of our children.  ;-)

Of course, I haven't seen the images yet, so it's off to the lab, which is
actually nice because it gives me a chance to get out of the house and away
from this bloody computer!

- --Jim


- ----- Original Message ----- 
From: "bdcolen" <bdcolen@earthlink.net>
To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Sent: Tuesday, July 15, 2003 11:50 AM
Subject: RE: [Leica] Equipment getting really cheap


> Jim - I can certainly understand your not liking the digital results, or
> preferring shooting with the M; I have trouble, however, you're 'not
> getting' the decline in M prices.
>
> First, as I said, the economy has taken a real dive; second, the M7's
> availability - with the AE most younger photographers now take for
> granted; and the digital onslaught have all come together to hammer all
> film camera prices.
>
> We may love the M - but face it; by current standards it is an obsolete
> curio - a throw back to an earlier age of mechanical rangefinder film
> cameras. The number of folks who use Ms is very limited to begin with.
> But most of those who use Ms are hobbyists, many of whom are attracted
> to the perceived advantages of digital.
>
> So M prices take a dive.
>
> B. D.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
> [mailto:owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us] On Behalf Of Jim Laurel
> Sent: Tuesday, July 15, 2003 2:35 PM
> To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
> Subject: Re: [Leica] Equipment getting really cheap
>
>
> I can understand why Nikon and Canon film bodies are taking a dive and
> that some people are jumping off the R ship, disappointed with Leica's
> digital R announcement.
>
> But I find drops in M prices a little puzzling.  There is no digital
> product on the market that fills the market niche of the M cameras.
> Nothing close. One day sensor technology will advance to the point where
> it is possible to mount to build a digital body that will mount M
> lenses.
>
> I have been playing with an EOS 10D for a few weeks now.  I just
> replaced my 17-35 to the 16-35, as the former lens' deficiencies became
> all too apparent on the digital body.  The 16-35 is a little better, but
> they are both mediocre.  I can't understand why these two lenses have
> become so popular. Convenience, I guess.  That seems to be what is
> valued most today.
>
> --Jim
>
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