Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/06/29
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]On Tue, 29 Jun 1999 09:02:29 -0500, Timothy J. Kamke wrote: >I have been losing sleep over a possible (imminent?) Leica purchase [snip] >Just wanting to; 1) refresh my photography with a more >thoughtful >system (meaning that I will be more thoughtful when making photos as opposed >to pointing and shooting with an F5) To play devil's advocate, you can train yourself to be thoughtful with any camera, though, granted, some cameras make being thoughtless more difficult than others. <g> >2) have a camera with me at ALL TIMES, >and 3) enjoy the experience of using the Leica for what it is, and isn't. Well, here's a radical idea, if you really mean nos. 2 & 3. Marc might be the only one here who won't think I belong in the loony bin for suggesting this. Buy yourself a screwmount Leica with a collapsible Summitar or Summicron (more expensive) lens. They are smaller than any of the M series, and, especially with the collapsible lens, are a *very* compact package that will fit in a pocket. They also have a certain something that even the M3 lacks, and, except for the IIIg, they are cheaper than any of the M cameras. Overall, this is true of the lenses, too. With today's print film, you can learn to guess the exposure well enough to get something printable most of the time. I guarantee that with a IIIc or IIIf you'll learn a meaning for the phrase "thoughtful when making photos" that you never dreamed it could have. >Have any of you felt remorse over spending this kind of cash on >a >Leica outfit (I'm looking at $3000 U.S.) As they might say in Wetzlar or Solms, Man lebt nur einmal (you only live once). Life is too short for these kinds of regrets. If you want one & can afford it, I say do it. >Should I buy it at B&H, Chatterton or where? If you are buying new, I second the suggestion that you try your local Leica dealer. You aren't going to get a significantly different price anywhere. If buying used, I've been very happy with (note alphabetical order) KEH, Midwest Photo Exchange, and Tamarkin. If you don't have to have it this weekend, seriously consider joining the Leica Historical Society (actually, you should do this anyway if you're interested in Leicas), and peruse their bimonthly Leica Catalog. I've gotten the best ratio of price and condition that way. *------------------------------------------------------------- ** ** Howard Sanner ** Kirsten Flagstad Discographer ** Ampex Mailing List Founder ** flagstad@mindspring.com ** http://www.mindspring.com/~flagstad ** */