Re: [Leica] I've quit the Lika Leica club

[Peter Klein <pklein@2alpha.net>]

Thanks for responding, Sonny.  I was a bit heartbroken about how it turned 
out, as I really loved the way the LC5 shot and handled.  But for me, the 
image quality issues outweighed everything else once I actually had the 
camera and put it through its paces.

The LC5 is in some ways very Leica-like.  If they solve some of the 
overprocessing, color accuracy and noise issues, put the f/stop and shutter 
speed on the top LCD so you don't have to turn on the screen so much, and 
keep the basic "feel" the same, I'd certainly consider an LC6 or Digilux 2 
at a later date.

I know what you mean about transitional cameras.  As my wife points out to 
me, there is no such thing as a perfect camera.  I sometimes drive myself 
crazy wanting a nonexistent combination of several cameras.  I want the 
shooting and focus speed and general feel of the LC5, the image quality and 
live histogram of the Sony F-717, and the broad feature set of my Coolpix 
990.  The latter is my "learn digital" camera, and I had hoped that the LC5 
would be my digicam until somebody makes the digital camera I *really* want.

But like many who have expressed the desire this week, I'd really love to 
see a digital M, or something M-like with the convenience of digital.

I just came back from a 5-day mini-vacation on the ocean coast of Vancouver 
Island.  I took the M6TTL, 35 and 50 'Crons, and 1960s 90 Elmarit.  Plus my 
Minolta Spot Meter M.  I am now doing a great job of avoiding scanning the 
pictures, but the good ones will be posted eventually.

This very minimal outfit seemed awkward compared to the fellow on my 
whale-watching trip who had a Sony F717.  All he needed was that one 
camera.  I asked him how he liked it.  He told me that he owns a couple of 
Nikon SLRs and several lenses.  But, he said, "Now that I have this (the 
F717), everything else seems stupid."

Now, I suspect this guy doesn't play in the dark with Tri-X and Neopan 
1600, or take unobtrusive candids like I do.  But for general use, that 
Sony F717 is a very viable outfit, if you can tolerate the electronic 
viewfinder. All in one package.  Sometimes zooms, digital convenience and 
automation are not such bad things.

But then I see the quality I get from my Leica photos, and how small and 
light my bag is compared to other system cameras, and I think, "Hey, I have 
it pretty good."  So I'll continue to shoot my Leica M and occasionally my 
Olympus OM-2, fool with the Coolpix 990, and see if the future will bring a 
better digital camera that suits me.

Here's to the journey, and hopefully, to some good images along the way.

- --Peter

>Sonny Carter <sonc@sonc.com> wrote:
>I'm sorry about the glowing pixels, I know that would turn me off.
>Glad you gave the camera a good try before you gave it up.  Your
>comments were interesting, and useful.
>
>As I've said before, the LC5 is a transitional camera for me, I know
>that it is not the last stop of my journey, any more than the Leica
>IIIf was a final destination.


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