[Leica] Leica Porn

Sun Sep 21 22:59:10 PDT 2014

Actually, the body prices are more of an issue for me. I might be willing to spend some obscene amount on a lens because one can regard a Leica lens as a purchase that will last a lifetime. Indeed, among my current favourite Leica lenses are a 50mm Summilux and a 90mm Tele Elmarit, both several decades old. And among the new lenses, there are some less expensive options, like the Summarit M line.

In the film days, the same could be said about the bodies; but not now. My M8 is six years old now, and by the standards of most of you, it is hopelessly out of date. And as various gremlins occur with increasing frequency, I can see that within the next couple of years it will simply conk out and not be worth repairing. So, with an expected life of less than a decade, I simply cannot justify paying the prices Leica is asking for the M, the Monochrome or even the M-E. I might at some point buy a used M9, as prices are now approaching my “reservation price” level of 2500 EUR, but it will have to be one from a dealer with a warranty, given Leica’s spotty reliability.

So for this Leica user since 1998, it is the body pricing that has done that I am unlikely to ever again buy a new Leica camera.

Cheers,
Nathan

Nathan Wajsman

Alicante, Spain
http://www.frozenlight.eu
http://www.greatpix.eu
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YNWA

On 22 Sep 2014, at 07:28, John McMaster <john at mcmaster.co.nz> wrote:

> I have several Leica bodies some bought new, their value pales to insignificance compared the value of the lenses! Yes the limited editions are silly but it is lens prices as much as standard body prices which keeps it out of range for most people...
> 
> john
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> 
> Hi George,
> I'm not talking  about the M8-9 and a couple of others. these cameras are cool as I use M8's for all my  medical work and assignments without the blink of an eye.
> 
> What I'm referring to are the multi-multi thousand dollar ones that quite probably 99% of photojournalists today can't afford! ergo: LEICA HAS DISOWNED THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS OF THEIR DEDICATED USERS AND BELIVERS.
> LIKE MOST OF THE LUG CREW!During much of my career I bought and had on hand and in use 8 or 9 LEICAS, various bodies and a bag full of lenses and always of the newest versions available along with lenses from the 15mm super wides to 400mm 2.8 and a bunch in between. I was and have been an absolute believer in and follower of LEICA for at least 50-55 years damn near every day on assignments of some kind.
> 
> I Lectured on the beauty/quality and efficiency of LEICA gear as the lead lecturer at the world famous LEICA SEMINAR held on Cape Cod for 16 years.
> Making me a senior none staff Leica user responsible for many hundreds of thousands of dollars of sold "LEICA GEAR DURING THAT TIME." As I was informed by a Leica Sales REP in the USA! And quite frankly I'm quite proud my influence was responsible for those sales and certainly that amount.
> Which of course doesn't take into account the hundreds of lectures to media groups, professional photographer associations and universities. 
> 
> And an endless number of amateur groups across North America! ALWAYS PLUGGING AND SHOWING SLIDE IMAGES BY THE THOUSANDS FROM REAL-TIME ASSIGNMNETS USING LEICA GEAR AND LENSES!!!!!!! And not once did I ever receive a free Leica camera or lens in all those 50 years!! In most cases I had already bought the newest gear on the market so no need of a free one!.
> 
> It's just today every time we , that's we all of us on the lug can't just walk in to a camera store and say... "hey I'll take the new LEICA B&W camera." Why? Hell man how many have $22,000 in yer back pocket to pay for it ? The M cameras? Heck they're also at the top end of cost. AND AT THE MOMENT BEYOND MY REACH! :-(
> 
> Yeah so my previous post was a tad bitchie. But I can say quite honestly in my regular assignment days I would have 3 R8's with motors attached... 2 on my left shoulder and the third on the right and it usually with the 280mm
> f2.8 And that didn't include the usual 3 M cameras hanging around my neck.
> All with different lenses!
> 
> And yes I think there might be the odd LUG member who were attending the CAPE COD SEMINAR 1993?-1994? when I had all my gear with me? One year or the other?
> 
> But as I've said many times about the LOTTERY? ;-) If I win big? DOLLARS THAT IS! :-) I'LL BUY WHATEVER LEICA IS THE HOTTEST and looks great with my new suit! ;-) If it's easy to use? That'll be even better! :-) :-)
> 
> cheers and good night.
> 
> Dr. ted :-)   
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: LUG [mailto:lug-bounces+tedgrant=shaw.ca at leica-users.org] On Behalf Of George Lottermoser
> Sent: September-21-14 8:46 PM
> To: Leica Users Group
> Subject: Re: [Leica] Leica Porn
> 
> Bullshit.
> The DMR, M8, M9, M (240), M Moncrom, S2, and S are fully capable professional tools; as well as complete system cameras which use some of the finest lenses available for photography.
> 
> Professional work is being done and published with these tools right along with the other fine cameras available from other mfgs which sell for as much or more money.
> 
> a note off the iPad, George
> 
> On Sep 21, 2014, at 8:27 PM, Ted Grant <tedgrant at shaw.ca> wrote:
> 
>> These new DINKEY TOY LEICA's aren't made for real photojournalists!
> They're
>> made for hanging around your neck if you're some  dumb ass dilettante 
>> who knows absolutely nothing about photography but has far too much 
>> money for his/her own good!"
> 
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