Re: [Leica] Olympus v. Leica

["Bruce Feldman" <brucef@waw.pdi.net>]

When I lived in Tokyo, I used to go into the camera shops every few days and
play with the Olympus 3Ti that had just come out.  It is a sweet, sweet
machine.  Variable flash sync, adjustable dioptor (like the Contax G2),
super, built-in spot meter, and just a superb look and body feel.  I would
drool over it.

But when it came time to buy an SLR to complement my Leica M, my
photographic mentor, a seasoned pro whom I was studying with, told me
instead to get a Nikon FM2n (at 1/4 the price), a 55mm, 2.8 micro Nikkor,
and a Sigma 28mm, 1.8  -- two razor sharp lenses that focus down real close
and don't break the bank (I already had a 35mm 2.8 and a 50mm, 1.4).  He had
heard from a good friend at Olympus that Olympus would like nothing better
than to get out of the SLR business completely and concentrate on their
other more profitable interests, but were forced to stay in for the status
of having a flagship model.  He was afraid that the system might be
abandoned soon.

Well, I've never looked back.  Like an unrequieted lost love, I still drool
over that 3Ti, but I must say that the FM2n has given me zero problems and
has done everything I've asked of it.  And damn, they really got that
mechanical shutter just right -- it's sweet.  When I need something to sit
on a tripod for long exposures or to focus way down for close-up work, it's
there.  Slap some TMZ in there with the 55 micro and the images just go
Snap, Crackle, and Pop!

Bruce Feldman
Warsaw, Poland


- ----- Original Message -----
From: Guido Ridoli <guirid@numerica.it>
To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>; <peterk@lucent.com>
Sent: Saturday, February 27, 1999 7:20 AM
Subject: R: [Leica] Olympus v. Leica


>Dear Peter,
>Why do you say about my message:
>
>:It is kind of silly to post Olympus v. Leica on a
>Leica group. Each has
>:their own virtues. If you want a small SLR than
>the Olympus is the way to
>:go. If you prefer a small rangefinder than its
>the Leica. Each has a top
>:flash sync speed of 1/60 for the Olympus v. 1/50
>for the M6.
>:Granted there are Leica optics that are superior
>to the Olympus, but when it
>:comes down to it, if your wallet can only afford
>beer, and you like beer,
>:you don't need to buy champagne.
>:Peter K.
>
>
>and YOU have posted on the LUG
>
>:Data: mercoledÜ 10 febbraio 1999 18.14
>:Da: Kotsinadelis, Peter (Peter)
><peterk@lucent.com>
>:A: 'leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us'
>:Oggetto: RE: [Leica] Olympus OM cameras
>:
>:I think the OM system is great. Yes, you can get
>a 350 F2.8 and a Zuiko 16mm
>:F3.5 fish-eye (under $700) from KEH TODAY.  So
>its easier than you think.
>:Peter K
>
>AND ALSO
>
>:Da: Kotsinadelis, Peter (Peter)
><peterk@lucent.com>
>:A: 'leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us'
>:Data: lunedÜ 18 gennaio 1999 18.00
>:Oggetto: RE: [Leica] Leica v Olympus
>:
>:I had an OM camera and lens.  The 50mm F1.4 is
>great.  Superb sharpness
>:easily equal, and I think better than Nikon.
>Olympus put out some
>:outstanding lenses but never did make the grade
>when the world moved to
>:autofocus.
>:Other nice lenses to get, the 21mm F2, 180mm
>F2.8.  Quality of these lenses?
>:WOW! is the best word to use.
>:Peter K
>
>
>are you also "a  kind of silly"?
>:-)
>
>        Guido Ridoli
>  LEICA M SUPERFAN
>    guirid@numerica.it
>
>
>