Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/10/02
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Bob, I think that the excitement about the new lenses is twofold: first, their appearance allows people to buy seldom-used focal lengths without paying Leica prices, as I have done with the 15mm Heliar; second, the fact that other companies are jumping into the manual rangefinder market proves that this type of photography that we all love is alive and well. I would not dream of buying any of the other lenses besides the Heliar but I am glad to see that the choice is out there. Choice is always a good thing. Nathan Ruralmopics@aol.com wrote: > I have to admit that the thought crossed my mind how ironic this situation > is. For all the years I've been in photography I've heard people talk about > the superiority of Leica lenses. Often folks hold the lenses up as the reason > they shoot Leicas (they certainly must be the reason people shoot R Leicas). > And yet, what happens? Someone offers a cheap alternative and the Leicaphiles > flock to it? > > In fairness most of the excitement centers around the Voightlander 15mm -- > admittedly a very special case. Leica users have the opportunity to buy a > focal length they probably could never justify if they had to pay Leica > prices and it's a special purpose deal, almost a toy it seems for many Leica > users. So, anyway, I guess the excitement can be excused. > > Still, there does seem to be at least some enthusiasm for the other focal > lengths as well. What does that tell us? It's hard to say since I don't see > the same acceptance of using funky old screw-mount Nikkors or Canons. Maybe > the Voightlanders and Ricohs are just better lenses. > > In the end, I think what this tells me is there is an interest in and a > market for alternative rangefinder products. I've said before and I'll say > again. The time is ripe for Minolta or some other innovative Japanese company > to produce a competent, manual focus, interchangeable lens rangefinder with > modern electronics. > > Bob (rangefinders for the rest of us?) McEowen - -- Nathan Wajsman Overijse, Belgium General photo site: http://belgiangator.tripod.com/ Belgium photo site: http://members.xoom.com/wajsman/ Motorcycle site: http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Downs/1704/