Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2007/01/20
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Hi Marc, yes I've read with great interest previously when you have posted regarding the Contax cameras. I got the 111c because it was in a local camera shop (very rare indeed) and modestly priced. It is a very interesting and elegant piece of history for me to use and enjoy. The Contax designs are very appealing also although I currently don't know if they are able to be serviced here. I do have a conduit for the Leica gear to be maintained as well as sources for lenses etc. The dealer (interstate) where I purchase most equipment from, would typically have a decent range of Leica on hand. The Contax much less so. Still maybe one in my future at some point. Still a bit of an M and LTM shopping list first. Cheers Hoppy -----Original Message----- From: lug-bounces+hoppyman=bigpond.net.au@leica-users.org [mailto:lug-bounces+hoppyman=bigpond.net.au@leica-users.org] On Behalf Of Marc James Small Sent: Sunday, 21 January 2007 12:08 To: Leica Users Group Subject: RE: [Leica] Leica 111c instructions -- dinky VF/RF Some folks do have problems with the LTM camera's squinty VF and RF. I do not, but then I've been using these for donkey's years and have accomodated. The LTM cameras have issues with this, with their short RF baseline, with film loading, with the slowness of lens exchange, and with the fiddlin' nature of the shutter speeds. Another option is a Contax II, the camera Oscar Barnack wished he had designed. These can now be had rather cheaply on eBay (though prices are rising) or in their Ukrainian clones, the Kiev RF line. These cameras have a magnificent combined VF/RF, a combined speed dial running from 1 second (if you know the trick) to 1/1250", an easy lens exchange by a bayonet mount, an opening back, conventional film loading, AND they offer cassette-to-cassette film transport for those of us Scots-descended tightwads who roll our own film. And most Contax lenses can be found at prices lower than those for their late Leitz equivalents -- AND the lenses are properly coated with the Smakula process. Marc msmall@aya.yale.edu Cha robh b?s fir gun ghr?s fir! _______________________________________________ Leica Users Group. See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information