[Leica] (totally) bummed out.... :-)

[rlbunting at lucent.com (Bunting, Roger L (Roger))]

Well not quite true, but in a bit of a quandary. I've just put my M6 and 
35mm ASPH cron back into action after about a year on the shelf. I was 
totally frustrated by the rangefinder patch (flare). While it was on the 
shelf I started making much more use of my Nikon SLR stuff, even adding an 
F5 and 80-200mm f2.8 AFS lens and a 45mm f2.8 AIP. The pair is kind of Mutt 
and Jeff in the lens department, but pretty happy with the results and I 
especially like the 45/f100 combo for travel - great viewfinder, good 
electronic focus assist for my contrast-loosing eyesight in low light.

So I'm ready to sell my M6 and two lenses but decide to take it on a 
business trip to Budapest. I have to stay over a weekend so will finally get 
a chance for some tourist type photo ops for a change.

Well the last of the prints are back (Kodak Portra UC 400 mostly). My number 
of misses is pretty high compared to the F100 and 45mm manual focus. The 
electronic focus indicator does help me with MF on the F100/F5 and the patch 
flare on the M6 really did cost me a couple of shots with relatively 
stationary subjects. I blew the metering on some of the street shots (heavy 
overcast and trying for zone focusing with the 35 - kind of pushing the 
envelop for shutter speed). The cold temperatures, low wind chills and 
sometimes gloves made the camera adjustments difficult and sometimes 
painful.  My lack of usage shows a bit. However if anything, the 35mm cron 
ASPH aged beautifully over the layoff. I do have some very pleasing snaps. 
None are going to win any contests. The subject material (mid winter with 
bare trees, harsh low-level lighting, ice and melting dirty snow - urban 
grime) was not my typical holiday in paradise postcard stuff, but really a 
memorable trip with a great lens.!
  Between that and the 50 lux the coverage was pretty good.

The camera went to DAG this morning for a MP upgrade to the rangefinder 
parts. The idea of selling it is off. But that decision probably dashed my 
ideas about consolidating the Nikon system around a F6.

I'd like to add an additional WA lens. I did find the 28mm equiv focal 
length on my digital P&S was handy for some interiors. My next favorite 
focal length (in combo with the 35) is the 24mm. The sticker shock for the 
24mm f2.8 ASPH is a bit mind boggling when compared to a new F6 or 
refrigerator :). Looking at my usage of the M and the number of times that 
focal length is used on my SLRs, I'm thinking it is the right lens. I've 
looked over the results from some of the Voigtlander lenses and they seem 
higher in contrast. I like the color tonality in the Leitz lenses better.

So it's still decision time. I was bent on a 28mm but in some off line 
conversations with some folks on the list, I think that focal length choice 
is more of a personal compromise that I'm willing to make. So holding out 
for the 24mm, likely will consolidate my 35mm f2.0 ASPH and 50mm f1.4 Lux 
for a 35mm ASPH Lux and add a (70/90).

BTW: I did use my SB80dx, which is a bit large for the M6, but with the 
diffuser it really did open up some opportunities in the very dark 
restaurants. Does anyone know if the SF-24 can utilize a soft-dome? Any 
practical usage with one (flash and/or dome)?

Roger,
leica35@yahoo.com