Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/11/11
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]In a message dated 11/11/99 3:34:47 PM, bdcolen@earthlink.net writes: << However, if the reason we use Leica M equipment is because we want to shoot with rangefinders and Leica is the best/only real rangefinder around, and has magnificent glass...If someone else, say Nikon, comes out with a quiet, reliable, rangefinder with features beyond those of the M - also with magnificent glass - does one stick with Leica simply because it is Leica and HCB used it, or does one say, 'it's sad, but the day of the Leica has come and gone'? >> I for one recently purchased a Leica rangefinder and a few lenses for ONE reason only -- I wanted to try shooting with a rangefinder. I couldn't care less about "The Leica Mystique." Yes, the lenses are very nice but I hardly think there is much justification for a Leica 24mm lens to cost three times what any other 24mm on the planet costs. Please don't cite refuting examples, I'm just trying to make a point. Yes, there may be a few other 35mm camera lenses that approach Leica prices but you have to admit they are pretty dang steep. I bit the bullet and bought three used Leica lenses because they are the only game in town. And frankly, because Leica is so established and there are so many used bodies and lenses out there it may take a long time before new Japanese rangefinders and lenses would convince a bottom feeder like me to look at anything but used Leica gear. Still, for a shooter, there really isn't much reason to automatically chose Leica over a reasonable competent offering from Nikon or Minolta or some other Japanese company. Assuming (which may be a lot to assume) that Minolta or Nikon or someone came up with a well-designed, useful interchangeable lens rangefinder I would certainly look at it. If for no other reason, I'd look at competitors because of what happened this morning. I priced LENS CAPS for Leica. A Leica M rear cap (14269) for $30! You've got to be kidding me. That is absolutely ridiculous. It's not even that nice of a cap. A front cap (14133) for $40! Who's kidding who? It's just molded plastic. If Leica can't farm out the manufacture of plastic lens caps so that they could be sold for less than $40 the company DESERVES to go out of business . . . Bob ($40 for a stinking lens cap!?) McEowen