Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
As we say here ... "My pleasure cobber!"
Now charlie, I have to put you on the spot sorry and ask you an important question. Being the appreciator of all things Leica that you are ... what do you honestly think of the M8.2 'Safari?'
I'm not really talking about Leica's motivation or reasons for releasing it because that's been discussed to death here ... purely, do you like the look of it and would you be seen in public with one? :angel:
FrozenInTime
Well-known
Working as a Engineer for an American firm, this has been very much the mantra for more years than I care for:
However this recession has brought about a slightly unsettling change - R&D funding is continuing, more so than in past years; where quarter by quarter spend - freeze cycles made engineering very difficult.
I can only hope this means the board has finally woken up and lost their faith of blind obedience to the Wall Street experts.
Ascender
Established
As we say here ... "My pleasure cobber!"
Now charlie, I have to put you on the spot sorry and ask you an important question. Being the appreciator of all things Leica that you are ... what do you honestly think of the M8.2 'Safari?'
I'm not really talking about Leica's motivation or reasons for releasing it because that's been discussed to death here ... purely, do you like the look of it and would you be seen in public with one? :angel:
Hmmm.... Now that is putting me on the spot Keith. It's funny you should ask me that question because I'm in Paris at the moment and there's this little shop would you believe it, literally right next door to the record company HQ, owned by this old French guy that sells new and used cameras. It's one of those shops that you'd find the very thing you've been looking for, for years however, it's not even big enough to swing a cat in.... it's tiny.
He always has the most unexpected Leica gear in there, amazingly at a VERY good price! I bought a WATE and a Titan 35mm Sumicron (M6 edition so not solid titanium) the last time I was there. He had an Xpan that I almost bought today, it was in great condition with all the bits but I really want an Xpan ll so although it was hard, I let it go. Would believe though that he had in the window a spanking, new Safari. I, like everyone else had seen the pictures online but not really seen one in reality.
My initial impression was "Wow, so that's the Safari". I handled it and this is my conclusion. I understand why Leica made it and I could also see how it would appeal massively to some people however, I just didn't need it (which hasn't stopped me before mind you) and more specifcally, the Leicas I have thus far ALL have a very classic and timeless look and feel to them. I don't know what it was but as great as it is, it didn't have the look or feel of timelessness to it, I felt I would be over it after a while. Now that is so subjective I might add and is one of the things I and I suspect... many people love about Leica, these quirky boutique editions but this one just wasn't my cup of tea.
Long-winded answer perhaps Keith but it's late and I'm using your question as an excuse to semi-blog. Thanks for asking my opinion.
~C
notturtle
Well-known
A classic has to look and feel like a classic well before it is a classic It is true though! Everyone knew the M3/3 styled LHSA MPs would do very well as soon as they were announced. People thought the Hammertone and anthracite MPs would do modestly, and appeal to some but not all and they did. Most people though the R. Gibson MP would struggle (and it did - I am not even sure if Abfab's Edina would have liked it). The M8 panda met the same response. I think the Safari looks a lot better, but it is just so hard to convey the classic feel and value from something with LCD screens and plasric menu buttons.
I am of a view that special editions will be very different in the digital age. In 20 years you take a M6/7/MP Special edition off the shelf after total inactivity, give it a CLA and it will work nicely. You can be confident that it is intact. Its all there. With a digital camera, it might not switch on, or work properly and the task of getting it to do so is far more complex and possibly bordering the impossible. I think that makes a difference to their viability because it impacts on what it means to sit it on a shelf. in that regard the M8 special edition becomes more like the empty box in that the insides cannot be taken for granted over time and so the box is the only guarantee you get. With a mechanical camera, it is different. The same arguments have been made for cars.
It is true though! Everyone knew the M3/3 styled LHSA MPs would do very well as soon as they were announced. People thought the Hammertone and anthracite MPs would do modestly, and appeal to some but not all and they did. Most people though the R. Gibson MP would struggle (and it did - I am not even sure if Abfab's Edina would have liked it). The M8 panda met the same response. I think the Safari looks a lot better, but it is just so hard to convey the classic feel and value from something with LCD screens and plasric menu buttons. I am of a view that special editions will be very different in the digital age. In 20 years you take a M6/7/MP Special edition off the shelf after total inactivity, give it a CLA and it will work nicely. You can be confident that it is intact. Its all there. With a digital camera, it might not switch on, or work properly and the task of getting it to do so is far more complex and possibly bordering the impossible. I think that makes a difference to their viability because it impacts on what it means to sit it on a shelf. in that regard the M8 special edition becomes more like the empty box in that the insides cannot be taken for granted over time and so the box is the only guarantee you get. With a mechanical camera, it is different. The same arguments have been made for cars.
alan davus
Well-known
I've just revisited this thread, I sort of dropped off when it got heated but glad to see the temperature is back where it should be. Gee this Titan set is something special. Looking at Gunther Osterloh's "50 Years Leica M" a total of 33 external parts are made of titanium and the top cover and all exterior titanium parts are milled from solid pieces. The camera is 80 grams lighter than a normal M7. Thanks for revealing Charlies identity Keith, I didn't know if I'd been living under a rock or something and wasn't game to ask. Must admit I'm a classical music fan but even I've heard of Seal. Seems like a really nice guy, well he has to be being a Leica nut.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
He does seem like a nice guy Alan but unfortunately being who he is (sorry to discuss you like a piece of meat here charlie!
) with his level of celebrity he can be on 'a hiding to nothing' when he posts here ... if you know what I mean!
alan davus
Well-known
Yes unfortunately Keith your'e probably right. When I read the original post all I thought was "gee wish I had friends like that". No jealousy but bucket loads of envy. It's just as you said earlier Keith it's the old Tall Poppy syndrome. Either way I've just been completely updated on Charlie by my wife and daughters, marital status etc. But now I can tell them he uses Leicas like Dad.
JonasYip
Well-known
Speaking of M8 Safaris and international singing celebs, John Mayer twittered a few days ago wondering whether he should use an M8 Safari Edition that was apparently in his posession or whether he should pack it away as a collector's item:
http://twitpic.com/22hv1
So if anybody runs into him (Charlie perhaps?) please let him know that Leicas should be used, special edition or not...
http://twitpic.com/22hv1
So if anybody runs into him (Charlie perhaps?) please let him know that Leicas should be used, special edition or not...
gfspencer
gfspencer
Speaking of John Mayer . . .
I was watching the second Crossroads DVD - Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Festival 2007. During some of the performances you could see Clapton off stage taking pictures with his M8!! Very cool.
Footnote: I saw Cream play at a college concert . . years ago. At the time I didn't even know who Eric Clapton was.
____________
I did not mean to hijack this thread away from the original topic. But I do find it interesting when others share our interest in Leicas.
Pierre-Christian H
Member
Congrats on the lens.
Do you have the f1 version?
And if so, how do you find they compare?
Do you have the f1 version?
And if so, how do you find they compare?
gchao
Member
Hi Lukjan,
I've always wanted an MP and about two months ago, I learned that there were 150 made for a special store in Japan. Steffen and Steffen said that they had one at Solms that they always keep for the museum and another one that happened to be all but finished. They did me the huge favour by finishing it for me and that is how I came by it and also why I say I'm lucky and most privileged to know two great people.
Hi Charlie, You are indeed a very fortunate man. I've been searching for the Titanium MP ever since the news came out. I've tried with several reputable dealers here in the U.S., however without any luck on obtaining one.:bang: You were able to get right to the source and have earned the friendship and respect of these men to conquer the impossible. Enjoy and thank you for sharing! Gary
Ascender
Established
Hi Lukjan,
I've always wanted an MP and about two months ago, I learned that there were 150 made for a special store in Japan. Steffen and Steffen said that they had one at Solms that they always keep for the museum and another one that happened to be all but finished. They did me the huge favour by finishing it for me and that is how I came by it and also why I say I'm lucky and most privileged to know two great people.
Hi Charlie, You are indeed a very fortunate man. I've been searching for the Titanium MP ever since the news came out. I've tried with several reputable dealers here in the U.S., however without any luck on obtaining one.:bang: You were able to get right to the source and have earned the friendship and respect of these men to conquer the impossible. Enjoy and thank you for sharing! Gary
Hi Gary,
Thanks for the positive comments. If you are interested, there is a guy in Germany who has what is regarded to be the best Leica stores in Deutchland, his name is 'Martin Meister' of 'Meister Cameras'. He has one that he's selling for a client. If you're interested, the address is down below. I have to say that being an M7 fan for many years, although I've only had it a few days now, the MP could quite possibly be my favorite M ever and maybe even my favorite camera ever! It's just so perfect, no DX setting, no AE and no dependence on batteries. All of these things simplify matters immensly and bring you back to having to take your time and stay in the picture or having to make quick decisisons and fire before you've even had time to think which can quite often result in what I call, "the beautiful mistake" that only comes with shooting film.
~C
Mit freundlichen Grüßen
Martin Meister
Meister Camera
Eppendorfer Landstraße 64
20249 Hamburg
Germany
Tel. 0049-40-46777755
Fax 0049-40-46777757
www.meister-camera.com
Ascender
Established
Hi Pierre-Christian,
Here's a 'cut 'n paste' from an email that I sent to Julian with my description of the new Noct. If you want me to forward you the samples that were included in the original email then post your email address and I will do just that.
~C
"Hi Julian,
I think this is what you asked me for, samples of the Noctilux right? first here are two silly shots, the first wide open and then at f/1.4. The amazing thing about it is that after f/0.95 it behaves exactly like a 50mm Sumilux (Words from Steffen Daniels' mouth). Granted that there is no post or sharpening done at all here Julian. This lens is out of this planet in terms of technical achievement. I have the old Noct which I loved but am now selling simply because there is just no point in holding on to it when I have this. I love it not so much for the 0.95 as it's only less than half a stop faster than the old one, but more for the consistent and brilliant performance throughout the aperture range which was always the downside of the original Noct. The third image of the restaurant is at 0.95 and finally the last image of the message in French is with the 24mm f/1.4 shot wide open. Hope this is what you wanted".
~C
c.poulton
Well-known
I do have a genuine Italian thoroughbred for my daily transport ... my Vespa!
LOL
'Horses for courses' as the saying goes.The same can be said for camera equipment - price is really an irrelevant factor IMHO What kit is most suited for a particular photographer is a very personal thing. Some of my favorite shots were taken with an old Leica IIIf and battered Summitar costing peanuts.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
LOL
The same can be said for camera equipment - price is really an irrelevant factor IMHO What kit is most suited for a particular photographer is a very personal thing. Some of my favorite shots were taken with an old Leica IIIf and battered Summitar costing peanuts.
So true ... I've spent the last few days contentedly taking pics with an old rather battered 1933 Voigtlander Brilliant 6x6!
No titanium on that model!
Pierre-Christian H
Member
RichardB
Well-known
Can you also forward those samples to me also or just Post here. I'm interested in both the lenses. I never purchased the Noctilux because it was not as sharp as i liked preferring to work with the 35mm Lux ASPH and I have the current 21mm ASPH but becuase I shoot K64, I can use the increased speed. Thanks-Dick
budrichard@yahoo.com
gchao
Member
Hi Charlie, Thank you very much for the information to Meister Camera in Hamburg! I will be contacting them, shortly! Enjoy the great gears that you have. Regards, Gary
cam
the need for speed
ooh, charlie! a tiny shop with reasonable Leica prices in Paris??? do tell where!
(and, no, Keith, i'm not thinking about about the Safari. a beat-up black M8 was all i could afford after my Noctilust.)
lensjunkie
Established
I am green with envy my friend. Enjoy it and post some results for us who can only enjoy the lens vicariously.