[Leica] more questions

[henningw at archiphoto.com (Henning Wulff)]

At 10:09 PM -0400 8/12/04, Jonathan Borden wrote:
>On Aug 12, 2004, at 6:10 PM, Emanuel Lowi wrote:
>
>>Thanks y'all for the responses. They've helped clarify
>>the incredible digital phenomenon I'm witnessing here
>>on the LUG.
>>
>>Here's more questions.
>>
>>Over the years, I've introduced many people to Leica.
>>Without exception, the people who bought M cameras on
>>my advice have made those cameras a big part of their
>>photographic lives.
>>
>>Now, in 2004-2005, while the MP and M7 (best Leica M
>>cameras ever, IMHO) and all those great new lenses are
>>for sale:
>>
>>Would you recommend a new Leica M to someone today? Or
>>not? What reasons would you give?
>>
>
>Digital does not give you higher quality than film in this day and 
>age. The only advantages of digital are:
>
>1) convenience.
>2) price -- once one has paid off the $$$ cameras and computer 
>equipment  and factoring expense of film.
>
>Indeed someone once said that since the early 1900s, the only 
>advances in photography have been in the area of convenience over 
>image quality -- food for thought.

That person has not, in that case, used some of the latest lenses and 
films. Some of the finest lenses that I like to use (wideangles) were 
not designed until recently. The multicoated Super Symmar XL's Super 
Angulon XL's and Apo-Grandagons are truly generations away from the 
lenses of the early 1900's.

If, on the other hand, you are talking about prints, then I agree. 
And if you are talking about content, then that is another completely 
different matter that is far more complex, but if you are talking 
about the technical items between the imaged world and the developed 
negative, then there have been huge advances.

>In any case the reason to buy a new MP is that the used M3 doesn't 
>have a through the lens meter, and meters are, in my experience, 
>helpful. Of course if you are concerned about price then an M3 or 
>used M6 is a comparative bargain.
>
>Perhaps the best reason *not* to buy a new MP is that the used M6 
>takes the same quality photos for > 1/2 the price.
>
>Jonathan

As does any M camera (possibly with an external meter) as long as you 
put the same lens on it.

-- 
    *            Henning J. Wulff
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