Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1996/12/23
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]> I've an M4-P that I picked up in a swap - my cost basis is quite low. Ser > no. is 1620XXX. No dings, some scratching, clear VF, CLA'd this year, small > chip on back door. Brassing at the lugs otherwise very pretty. I'm looking > at a mint F3HP w/ 55/2.8 micro Nikkor, also mint. The Leica may be worth a > bit more than the Nikon (within $150.00). I really would like to focus on my > son's face and hands while they're still small and cute. A micro and SLR w/ > meter would be a nice option to my M6. > > Any feelings? I use my Nikon FE2 with 55/2.8 for exactly what you describe (my girlfriend isn't that small though). For portrait-details this lense works exellent. I never found the distortion in perspective that is reported for this focal lenght to be a problem. Anyway, the 105mm Micro MF is also worth a look if you prefer a "classic" portrait lense and need more distance from your subject. About my feelings: I somehow fell in love with the 55mm as it is very versatile, compact and of high quality optically and mechanically (focusses not *that* smooth but very good for a macro lense). As for the F3 I decided against it some years ago as I felt a little bit left alone in manual mode. It just tells you that you are of the right exposure more than 20% and in which direction but doesn't give you *any* info how much. 1/2 f-stop off or 10 f-stops off the display says only "+" (over) or "-" (under). I found this a little bit frustrating and in the end bought a FE2 which is smaller, more handy and takes a motordrive i could afford. But nevertheless: I now would prefer to have a F3 HP for it's superior undistorted 100% finder because now I have to make some repros from time to time. About selling the M4-P: I decided to move into the opposite direction. I ordered a M4-P and if I like it I will keep it and part from one of my SLR's. If I don't come along with the M4-P I will sell this one and become a member of the SLR-only league again still moaning for a quiet camera that isn't a plastic+electro-brick (and takes different lenses). I am also on a quite limited budget and can't maintain two expensive systems. I think a SLR for close-up and macro is a nice addition to a M-system but i cant't tell if you will regret having sold the M4-P after some time. If you can afford it I would recommend to keep them both for some time and not to make the decision in a rush On the other hand *I* would never sell the 55mm again although I could easily make a 60% profit of it as I buyed it used, it is still mint and prices have gone up a lot in the last years. I hope this makes your decision a little bit easier ... :^) Stefan - -- Stefan Kahlert, Medizinische Poliklnik der Universitaet Bonn uzs13b@uni-bonn.de