Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2002/05/23
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]- -- At 8:12 AM -0700 5/23/02,B.D. Colin wrote: (about screw-mount Leicas) they are cranky and awkward to use compared to any "modern" rangefinder, starting with at least the Contax II and III series, and certainly the M3. I certainly don't want to revive the 1930's Leica v. Contax wars, and I don't own a Contax, but when I'm not using my IIIf or IIIa I'm likely to be using a very good example of a Kiev 4a--next best thing to a Contax II (when they work--mine does, especially after a CLA by Trescam). I bought the camera out of curiosity--Robert Capa must have known something when he switched from Leica to Contax) and because I wanted something REALLY cheap and expendable for poor weather, etc. My 1969 Contaxski produces very good pictures with its 50/1.5, 85/2, and 35/2.8 Jupiters. The shutter is as quiet as my IIIa and nearly as quiet as my IIIf, although its Contax-style wheeze at slow speeds certainly sounds DIFFERENT. However, for me at least, the camera is considerably more awkward that my Leicas. The Leica film advance knobs can be worked as quickly as a lever by running your forefinger against them. The Kiev (and I presume the Contax II) knob requires a much slower motion between your thumb and forefinger. Likewise, the small pull-up Leica rewind knob works (for me) much faster than the contax-style rewind knob (and you don't have to hold a sprocket release button down). Contax-style focusing is considerably faster with a 50, but, with an aux. VF for other lenses the magnified, adjustable diopter Leica RF is superior (and, you don't need an awkward "Contax crab" hold to avoid blocking the RF window). The Contax-style shutter speed knob doesn't spin and is in only one piece, but the numbers (on my Kiev and the Contax IIs I've looked at) are very hard to see (later Kiev 4am cameras have nice clear numbers, but are poorly made and don't feel like the real thing). Compared to Leica Ms, the screw mounts may not hold up as well, but for someone like me with small hands and strong left eye dominance they still make sense. I do agree with B.D. about V/C screw mount lenses--the two I have (15 & 35/1.7) are great (but I wouldn't be replacing my collapsible Summicron anytime soon. Needless to say, if I was a professional it would be prudent to use MUCH newer equipment, but one of the nicer things about being an amateur is only having to please yourself. Bob Marvin - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html