Re: [Leica] Leica quality MF system ?

[D Khong <dkhong@pacific.net.sg>]

>
>
>D Khong wrote:
>snip:
>
>>   My impression about Hasselblad and Rollei is that these two are built to
>> last
>> and withstand rigorous use without faltering.  Hence this quality is
>> reflected in their prices in the used market.
>> I suspect the same is reflected in Leica prices to some extent.  In other
>> words, the used stuff is still quality stuff when you buy Hassies, Rollies
>> and Leicas as compared to Mamiyas, Bronicas, Pentaxes, Ns and Cs.
>>
>> Dan K.
>
>  In the end it really makes sense, to spend the extra bucks to get a quality
>camera as mentioned. However not all of the less expensive makes are
unreliable
>or prone to excessive wear.
>1970 I bought an original Pentax Spotmatic with a 50mm f1.4 lens. this camera
>had an enormous amount of hard and rugged use. I normally use it, if I think
>the Leica may get dented or to much scratched. (a few light scratches on a
>Leica don't really matter, but dents , I don't like).
>The Spotmatic was many times caught in the rain and mud. It slid down a stony
>100 feet cliff, with me hanging on to it. My children used it and until
now, it
>never had an oil change. The shutter still sounds like the original. Also
once
>in Germany with 25 C below zero, my M3's shutter went slower and slower,
until
>it stopped halfway. I know, it should have been winterized with the right
>lubricant and all that, but the Spotmatic didn't need to be winterized, or
for
>that matter, sommerized. It seems to have the right oil all the time.
>It works as well here in Australia with + 40c above as it does in the
Antarctic
>with - 40C below.
>Just one thing is missing: It doesn't quite have the Leica feeling.
>
>

Every now and then, a great camera is produced and the Spotmatic was one of
them (circa 1960s).  Then the legend died, a pity..... as Pentax is now no
longer considered to be in the cutting edge of photography.

Dan K.