Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2012/11/30

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Subject: [Leica] Cameras Real Pros Use
From: jon.streeter at cox.net (jon.streeter)
Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2012 19:06:34 -0800

A rep at a local camera store told me about a well-heeled Newport Beach 
couple who ordered a titanium M and one or two lenses, insisting that white 
gloves be worn while handling because they were buying it for display only.  
(You don't suppose this kind of thing contributes to higher prices, do you?) 
 Shortly afterwards they returned, outraged and despondent because all of it 
had corroded hideously.  Salt air perhaps?  

Sent from my Verizon Wireless Phone

----- Reply message -----
From: "Douglas Sharp" <douglas.sharp at gmx.de>
To: "Leica Users Group" <lug at leica-users.org>
Subject: [Leica] Cameras Real Pros Use
Date: Fri, Nov 30, 2012 5:46 pm


John,

Who's talking about starting from scratch?

I'm sitting here at my desk next to a cabinet full of
M-film cameras from M2 to M6 and around a score of M
lenses I could well use on a FF-digital camera. Even
though I could easily afford the new M or the new M-E,
I have no intention of blowing so much cash on an
overpriced camera with a number of features I don't
even want.  Even the basic M-E has a Leica charisma
markup of around 30 to 40% factored into the price.

The last new Leica M I bought was the first model M6
Titanium that came out at the same time I had a
moderate windfall, and even the paint flaked out of the
name engraving within the first week of buying it - it
was sent in to Leica and returned with a totally new
top deck and a repair sheet that said they replaced the
shutter brake and readjusted all manner of other things
- not exactly what I would expect from a brand new camera.

Bring out an alternative that offers the reliability
that used to be promised and fulfilled by Leica - and
seemed to disappear after the M4 - and I'll buy it like
a shot.

Cheers
Douglas



On 01.12.2012 01:49, John McMaster wrote:
> If, starting from scratch, you cannot afford a full frame digital Leica 
> body then I doubt you will be able to afford many Leica lenses from the 
> past quarter century.....
>
> john
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>>
>> If Leica glass is the clincher,  it also shows that the first other brand 
>> to turn up
>> with a full-frame digital camera (maybe even exclusively) for M-mount 
>> Leica
>> lenses (like the Voigtl?nder Bessa and Zeiss Ikon cameras for film) is 
>> going to
>> make a killing if they have prices much lower than what Leica demands and
>> acceptable build quality.
>>
>> Even at "M-system entry level", Leica prices most potential users out of 
>> the
>> market from the word go.
>>
>> Cheers
>> Douglas
>>
>> On 30.11.2012 20:47, Frank Filippone wrote:
>>> Forget all the stories about reliability, as we still use the Digi-M
>>> because it uses Leica Glass.  And, as amateurs, we can tolerate the
>>> reliability problems....
>>>
>>> It only shows that you need a backup camera.  If you use N or C
>>> cameras, a backup, even a lower model or older model,  can be bought
>>> in most countries, and even if you do pay more than you want or buy a
>>> film camera, it will be cheap, relative to what it would cost in an
>>> emergency to buy a new M9 in some Podunk location, if possible at all.
>>> And therein the problem for us Leica fans.. we MUST bring a backup
>>> camera with us....  Mine is an M6TTL.  I carry 4-6 rolls of film and
>>> figure I can always buy some form of C41 film or even B+W no matter
>> where in the world I am.
>>> The backup stays in my luggage for the trip.  Not in the camera bag.
>>>
>>> Frank Filippone
>>> Red735i at verizon.net
>>>
> _______________________________________________
> Leica Users Group.
> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information
>
>


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