[Leica] Summitar and Elmar

[gregj.lorenzo at shaw.ca (GREG LORENZO)]

This very issue was discussed rather extensively on the Lug back in early 
October 2004.
Concensus of actual users of both systems that posted their opinions on the 
Lug were pretty unanimous that the Nikon glass was rather good but the 
camera did not compare favourably (build and ergonomics)with Leica's M3 or 
M2 cameras.

This factor I suspect, along with Nikon's excellent SLR camera system is the 
reason Nikon got out of the RF business.

Regards,

Greg


----- Original Message -----
From: Frank Dernie <Frank.Dernie@btinternet.com>
Date: Saturday, January 7, 2006 1:01 pm
Subject: Re: [Leica] Summitar and Elmar

> Hi Mark,
> I agree with everything you say. I don't have problems with the SP 
> 
> and my 2 seem to be worth a fortune these days, particularly with  
> motors, but they are simply not as nice to hold or use as a Leica. 
> 
> Ffrom an engineering point of view the castings are cruder, 
> thicker  
> and of poorer materials - but it does therefore feel solid and heavy.
> Frank
> 
> On 7 Jan, 2006, at 16:47, Mark Langer wrote:
> 
> > I have no problem with the lens changing, but then I'm a 
> longtime  
> > Contax
> > user.  The Nikon SP does have rather nice choice of framelines, 
> but  
> > the
> > rangefinder patch itself is nowhere near as bright and contrasty 
> as  
> > the M
> > Leica.  And the camera doesn't have the Leica feel -- it handles 
> 
> > slightly
> > more awkwardly.  The lenses for the Nikon rangefinders are 
> superb,  
> > and the
> > 50/1.4 approaches recent Summicrons in terms of quality.  I also 
> 
> > use Nikon
> > lenses on my old Niccas, and they are a joy.  I prefer the 
> Niccas  
> > to the
> > screwmount Leicas as they are easier to load with their M style  
> > backs and
> > one has a film advance lever instead of a knob.  Wish the IIIg 
> had  
> > picked up
> > those features.
> >
> > Mark
> >
> >
> > On 1/7/06, Frank Dernie <Frank.Dernie@btinternet.com> wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >> I have used both and whilst the Nikon has lots of potential
> >> technological benefits it does not feel as smooth and nice as a
> >> Leica. Solid but not as nice to use in any way - viewfinder,
> >> focussing or lens changing IME.
> >> Frank
> >>
> >>>> Ah, an SP - A camera I've never known and always lusted after,
> >>>> perhaps
> >>>> irrationally. Of course I've long believed that if Nikon had
> >>>> stayed in the
> >>>> rangefinder game, continually updating the SP, Leica would have
> >>>> died decades
> >>>> ago, because at one point virtually every working photographer
> >>>> would have
> >>>> paired Fs and SPs.
> >>
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> Leica Users Group.
> >> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more 
> information>>
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Leica Users Group.
> > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
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>