Why all the nice Leica gear for sale?

januaryman said:
The digital appeal is certainly there and I hear the sirens' call, too, but for me, in comparing a clacking bulky DSLR to a clicking compact Leica, the mechanical jewel wins everytime. I have a Leica that was made in 1959. Fifty years. In the next 50 years, will the D700 be around getting the same admiration as it gets today? Will it even still be functional? Well, to each his own. I have to admit I do own a Canon S3 that I use a bit. (Whenever I'm not "serious.") 😉
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Who cares if the D700 is not functional or here in 50 years! The fact is that it's here now and I along with a lot of others are recognising that it will do a lot more than most cameras will. I wish it was smaller yes, but it's such a great tool for getting the pic whatever the lighting situation that it's hard to ignore. I'm down to my last M2 with some Leica glass and haven't used it since I got the D700. i'm keeping the lenses for hopefully a future release of a full frame M but i'm not holding my breath! I nearly took the M2 today but didn't. The Nikon just makes getting pictures so much easier. When it doesn't work anymore, which by the way for me, is the only reason not to use it above another camera, I will get whatever full frame is available with the low light ability that this D700 has. You can't stop progress! 🙂
 
nobbylon said:
Who cares if the D700 is not functional or here in 50 years! The fact is that it's here now and I along with a lot of others are recognising that it will do a lot more than most cameras will. I wish it was smaller yes, but it's such a great tool for getting the pic whatever the lighting situation that it's hard to ignore. I'm down to my last M2 with some Leica glass and haven't used it since I got the D700. i'm keeping the lenses for hopefully a future release of a full frame M but i'm not holding my breath! I nearly took the M2 today but didn't. The Nikon just makes getting pictures so much easier. When it doesn't work anymore, which by the way for me, is the only reason not to use it above another camera, I will get whatever full frame is available with the low light ability that this D700 has. You can't stop progress! 🙂
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Well said.

Bob
 
nobbylon said:
Who cares if the D700 is not functional or here in 50 years! The fact is that it's here now and I along with a lot of others are recognising that it will do a lot more than most cameras will. I wish it was smaller yes, but it's such a great tool for getting the pic whatever the lighting situation that it's hard to ignore.
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Times are tough, and I think Madoff's "customers" are selling their Leicas.

I would be happy to help boost the economy if Nikon would put out a full frame rangefinder or even a pseudo-rangefinder with a D700 sensor in it, and the simpler the ergonomics, the better. Big buttons and knobs with minimal functions (which can be programmed to your heart's desire). Oh, well . . .
 
Pickett Wilson said:
Had an MG Midget once. Loved the little car, but it went through six starter solenoids in as many months and the MG repair guy couldn't figure it out. Finally traded it for some camera gear. Too bad.
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I used to fix them myself, now if I start something, I have to finish it quickly, and rest my back for a day afterward. The early (60's) starters solenoids extended through the bell housing and were exposed to the elements, thankfully, mine is a more "modern" MG, and the previous owner put about three times its worth in to it. Its biggest problem is that I do not drive it enough.

Squirrels chewed a three inch hole in the top as well, so another part of the puzzle.

Fuel pump gave me fair warning, it was becoming intermittent, so no real fault except my own. I may put in an aftermarket.

It is a great fair weather car to shoot from if you spot something from the road, and of course you see a lot more cruising with the top stowed. Nice Camera shelf behind the seats. ;-)

I rather think they may have sold more than did Leica, and something like 80% went to the US.

Parts from other cars may well be fitted, and replica parts are made in China, which perhaps will happen when Leica parts become scarce? I gave away some parts cameras, and now regret it. A friend is trying to find enough parts from three lenses to make two now.

John
 
kuzano said:
Hmmm. Moss Motors in Goleta Ca. Faspec in Portland Oregon. eBay (lots of MGB parts there).

Just restored a 71 B for a lady and it's already been backed into at an intersection (paint less than a month old)
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If you are free tomorrow, you can fit a new pump for me, and figure out why the lights go out when I try to switch to hi beams. ;-) Just be glad Lucas did not make electronics for Leica.

I need to put some oil in the carbs as well. Imagine that, oil in those things called carburetors, on purpose.
 
novum said:
Times are tough, and I think Madoff's "customers" are selling their Leicas.

I would be happy to help boost the economy if Nikon would put out a full frame rangefinder or even a pseudo-rangefinder with a D700 sensor in it, and the simpler the ergonomics, the better. Big buttons and knobs with minimal functions (which can be programmed to your heart's desire). Oh, well . . .
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Now would it be as expensive and slow-selling as their last film effort I wonder? Not to mention the astronomically priced limited edition...
 
Its the economy in the main. In my case the fact that I have more cameras than I use. The last 3 years has shown what I use and what I dont so I am having a big cull to free up funds for projects.
 
Having "lived" through several of these ups and downs in Leica Rf price bottoms and tops over the lsat 4-5 decades I see this one as another "blip".
Whenever Leica introduces "new and improved" lenses and bodies, the older stuff takes a bit of a dive. No different from cars, audio etc.
Usually they are self correcting and stuff either levels off or even go up.
Introductions of lenses like the 21f1.4, the 24f3.8, 50f0.95 etc - usually means that those who "must have the latest" or can justify the expense commercially, dump the old stuff.
I tried the 21f1.4 ( a friend has it) and it impressed the hell out of me! I am still trying to rationalize the "why" and shuffling through stuff that could be sold to buy one. I probably wont do it - but occasionally I wake up in the middle of the night "If I had the 21f1.4 I could take that shot".
 
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