Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/11/08

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Subject: [Leica] T i t a n i u m K i t
From: Andre Jean Quintal <quia250249@yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 8 Nov 1998 23:27:48 -0500

At 08:53 -0500 07/11/98, TEAShea@aol.com wrote:
[ . . . ]
>I have chrome, black and titanium M6's.  I am a collector (and photographer).
>There is no practical benefit to a titanium model.  It is very nice looking,
>but there is no other benefit.
>
>Tom Shea
	On the matter of TITANIUM,
	I went shopping for watches last week,
	mine having been stolen with >95% of my CD-ROM (25 ! );
	and i had just had my locks recoded for new keys...
	My place is becoming like some zocalo, it seems !

	Tissot makes titanium variants of their stainless
	steel "diving" models, both for men and women.
	I was SHOCKED at the feather-light weight
	of the titanium ones, for a very reasonable price
	increment.
	The feel, color and look of titanium, 100% new to me,
	were a revelation, too.
	That brownish gold satin tint sure got me.

	Is not a Titanium Leica M6 and associated lenses
	MUCH lighter than the regular black one ?
	Would not titanium be even more rugged ?

	I was SO impressed by the
	weight difference of the titanium watches that
	i am going to have to take a second look at the
	Leica M6 system, compared to the Leica R8,
	as i intend to acquire this lifelong LEICA dream
	by Christmas. I'm a seasoned mini Rollei 35 user,
	but SLR i miss, often, since my N.... FTn and
	QUAD Acoustical stereo were stolen.
	Going on a borrowed N.... FM2 meanwhile.
	I always had the little "toy" Rollei with me
	but it died on me after >20 years.
	This may be a "get a LEICA M6" argument, i agree.

	The Rollei 35 was diminutive and never induced
	paranoia in me when travelling. The  optical quality
	is equal or better than my N.... / Nikkor - Vivitar Series 1 shots.
	I'm very much autofocus aware but my general
	photo needs don't require autofocus
	as proper quick focussing has become an instinct to me
	and i've tended to stay away from wide open
	shots for the last 20 years, except when i have
	no choice, "soft focus" NOT being something i like,
	sometimes for selective depth of field control, ...even then.

	In LEICA M6, i suppose a 28 or 35,
	a 75 and/OR a 90 Elmarit-M f/2.8
	would meet my true photo needs. + Flash and case.
	A 28mm and 75mm probably closer to my "basic needs".
	I hope these lenses are available in titanium
	if i decide to go that way. Unlikely, though.
	M6 Titanium VS M6 TTL black, B-A-D choice situation . . .

	A LEICA R8 SLR system remains 4 to 1 favorite for me :

	In LEICA R8,  black, i dream of a 28 or 35, a 60, a 100 or,
	perhaps, a APO 70-180 or Apo 180 2.8;
	actually, a 19mm would prime over APO 180 f/2.8 or zoom.

	A 28 PC / 60 macro / APO 100 [ and Elmarit-R 19mm ? ],
	[ plus an APO 70-180 [ ? ], but it's big and the APO 100 i like
	and am not telephoto prone ]
	is my #2 alternative Leica R8 "kit" + SF20 flash + filters,
	quite close to 100% of my usual photo needs,
	covering most of the relevant "range" for me.
	The 28mm PC's capability expanding my "creative control"
	and this #2 kit may well be what i end up buying,
	all considered.

	If there was an optically comparable LEICA APO-Vario-
	Elmarit 35-105mm f/2.8 or 3.4/4  premium zoom,
	or a really good LEICA 28-105mm f/3.4-4, or so,
	i'd possibly choose that, to minimize system size and weight;
	i'd even pay a premium price for such to that end.

	If there's a serious "negative" to the 28mm PC,
	I'd like to know, but it sure "seems" like
	a beauty of a lens; i shoot buildings VERY often.
	Then shots where image composition involving
	a fair degree of perspective control is prominent.
	Q: is FULL R8 functionality retained with the 28 PC ?
	No bad trips like mandatory mirror lock-up ???
	Or loss of light metering functions ?
	Is the 28 PC more prone to flare or loss of contrast
	in 3/4 or backlight situations ? VS a 35mm model.

	A grid / split finder focus screen i want.
	Especially if one with extra large split finder
	/ microprism AND "thirds" reference grid is available.

	Filters would be LEICA deep yellow or orange,
	one size at least, plus LEICA warm polarizer, LEICA UV or 1a,
	ND 6 or 8, and/or "warming" filter for heavy overcast days,
	like N.... A12. I shoot >99% color.
	To me, black & white is a digital "reduction"
	for advertising, or lay-out proofing, otherwise useless.
	Zone System i love, but color gets me every time.

	[ Perhaps a second tier ND 0.6 type filter, eventually,
	as this seems to resolve a problem i have had
	with some landscape photography (can't turn mountains
	around or "place" the sun . . .  ).  Haven't tried ...
	the filter that is ! ]

	Any comments from you seasoned connoisseurs ?
	I'd appreciate critical input.
	Wide aperture is NOT a priority, but image
	definition ( acutance, shadow detail, useable highlights,
	hopefully not easily "bleached" out, high edge definition,
	"micro-contrast", 16" x 20" or better enlargement ability )
	definitely prime over all else.

	Bracketing and remote control systemic capabilities
	would follow shortly, through a motor drive unit.
	Possibly outfront: not decided at all. Very favorable,
	though. Question: is that DEPENDABLE in extra cold
	Winter weather ( I'm in Quebec and it's ridiculous
	at times; very often below -20 / -30 degrees,
	so cold in fact that Winter coats "krinkle" ) ?
	Does it require to be "winterized" with special
	arctic weather lubricants and such ?
	Any significant shutter speed drifts below a certain point ?
	Is the motor drive easy and fast to put on / off
	the camera body ? Or cumbersome and demanding precision fit ?
	Or is the R8 OK "out of the box", in real life situations ?
	Or do the seasoned users find it useful / necessary to
	use a sort of "winter glove" with inner heat pad or
	battery technology ? Expensive ? Weight ?
	Specific brand / model recommendations ?

	I'm also getting a camera body case; used to such.
	Plus a Manfrotto 075b/222 joystick tripod
	and a Lowepro ProMag AW 2 black seem "gelled",
	unless i find much better.

	Phase TWO :
	I'd like to have ONE f/1.4 or f/2 in my kit, though,
	and DON'T like 50mm lenses where results look
	bland and conventional to me. Wide-angle "glorification"
	is a priority as i shoot well over 75% at 35mm or lower.
	I'd rather have PC function than wide aperture, though.
	A 35mm f/1.4 probably, or a 35mm f/2 if MUCH better,
	but an Elmarit-R 19mm would, sooner still, more
	likely enhance my overall system creative flexibility;
	the f/1.4 or f/2 "coming in" in the next year .
	Would there be a LEICA-R f/2 28mm or 24mm,
	Elmarit grade or better [ ! ], that would be a done deal.

	The Macro-Elmarit-R 60mm is definitive, however,
	for casual portraits and flowers. Day one.
	Same for the APO-Macro-Elmarit-R 100 mm .

	Thank you in advance. I hope this is useful to others, too.

	I love you, Santa Claus !

	Andre Jean Quintal

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Music for today :

	G. Faure/ Romance / Op 28
	Ravel / Concerto en Sol (G) / Adagio
	F. Poulenc / Concerto pour orgue en Sol (G)
	Quincey Jones / What's Going On ?
	Michael Jackson / Man in the Mirror
	Elton John / Love Song
	Paco de Lucia / Espiritu
	Carlos Santana / Stone Flower + Aquamarine