Currently the BEST Camera Company?

Currently the BEST Camera Company?

  • Leica

    Votes: 115 22.2%

  • Cosina Voigtlander

    Votes: 79 15.3%

  • Canon

    Votes: 79 15.3%

  • Pentax

    Votes: 16 3.1%

  • Sigma

    Votes: 1 0.2%

  • Fuji

    Votes: 10 1.9%

  • Nikon

    Votes: 128 24.7%

  • Olympus

    Votes: 21 4.1%

  • Panasonic

    Votes: 30 5.8%

  • Ricoh

    Votes: 14 2.7%

  • Sony

    Votes: 5 1.0%

  • Other

    Votes: 20 3.9%
  • Total voters
    518
In terms of RF's, Voigtlander is the best company. In terms of Overall cameras, I would say Canon and Olympus. Olympus for doing things differently, Canon for overall best technology.
 
I retract my question. The poll doesn't ask which is the best current RANGEFINDER camera company... simply which is the current best camera company. My apologies.
 
No place for Mamiya or Hasselblad in this conversation? If not the absolute best, they're not far from the top, IMO.
 
Nikon got my vote. Leading from time to time or following the market IMHO they do the best of any thing of the photographer at the same time as the rest of their market.

B2 (;->
 
From an RF forum's perspective (which is what this place is after all) I would have to say Cosina for having the balls to keep pushing the rangefinder concept when the world (mostly) seems to want DSLR's! I can't nominate Leica, although they've effectively done the same thing, because they've priced their cameras and lenses beyond the reach of the average individual wanting to try a rangefinder setup for the first time ... the price of an R3A represents loose change compared to an M7 (new) but effectively it does exactly the same job! Leica should thank Cosina for opening this door to 'rangefinder land' for many shooters who eventually buckle to peer pressure and sell their souls to the devil for ownership of the Leica status symbol.
 
giellaleafapmu said:
Anyway, I put Nikon because it the is the only camera company which always had an almost complete backward compatibility in their products.

GLF
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Uh, Pentax has better backward compatibility than Nikon. Nikon omits metering w/ manual lenses on its cheapest DSLRs, Pentax doesn't. Aren't there focus confirmation issues as well w/ low-end Nikons?

M42, K mount, AF K mount, all these lenses operate well on Pentax DSLRs. No marketing-driven tech lockouts.
 
Keith said:
From an RF forum's perspective (which is what this place is after all) I would have to say Cosina for having the balls to keep pushing the rangefinder concept when the world (mostly) seems to want DSLR's! I can't nominate Leica, although they've effectively done the same thing, because they've priced their cameras and lenses beyond the reach of the average individual wanting to try a rangefinder setup for the first time ... the price of an R3A represents loose change compared to an M7 (new) but effectively it does exactly the same job! Leica should thank Cosina for opening this door to 'rangefinder land' for many shooters who eventually buckle to peer pressure and sell their souls to the devil for ownership of the Leica status symbol.
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Anyone not living on the street can afford a good use Leica M. I hardly see as having the best tools available as a status symbol.
 
johnastovall said:
Anyone not living on the street can afford a good use Leica M. I hardly see as having the best tools available as a status symbol.
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I agree with part of that comment ... but I'm making my assessment based on new prices and made that point clear in my post I thought! As for Leica not being seen as a status symbol ... if you haven't picked up on that syndrome yet then you haven't been paying attention ... white M8 anyone?

And 'best tools available' is a very personal, subjective statement ... I think my OM-1 is the best tool I have but that's only my point of view. :p
 
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I reckon Cosina Voigtlander for doing what Leica never did and continues not to do, make an entry level RF that is affordable.

but i must thank Olympus for all the beautiful cameras they have made and Leica for starting it all.
 
Many years ago there were a lot of great camera companies. Many were located in Germany, and their cameras were made w/ a high degree of refinement and craftsmanship. Then the Japanese started making good cameras that were economical and reliable. So the German companies, one by one, went out of business. Except for one. Even the great German camera names were bought by the Japanese. Except for one. Today this company makes the finest precision manual focus film cameras (and the most annoying digital cameras) in the world, just like they always have. There's only one great camera company left. Leica.
 
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zane0777 said:
Uh, Pentax has better backward compatibility than Nikon. Nikon omits metering w/ manual lenses on its cheapest DSLRs, Pentax doesn't. Aren't there focus confirmation issues as well w/ low-end Nikons?

M42, K mount, AF K mount, all these lenses operate well on Pentax DSLRs. No marketing-driven tech lockouts.
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See my earlier post - re. Pentax, they could soon be in trouble!
Dave.
 
Rayt said:
Hasselblad should rot in hell for dropping Zeiss and the V series.
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Hasselblad are a victim of their past success : there was so much good V system stuff out there, that as the market moved the second hand supply met demand ... as Roger put it ..

Roger Hicks said:
...and unless someone buys it new, the company will cease to exist. Not such a crazy new concept.
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The new CFV 39Mpixel back is acknowledgement that the V system is still of some importance to them i.e. not everyone is prepared to buy into the H camera system.

However discontinuing the SWC and not re-ordering V lenses from Zeiss or accessories as they sell out is not doing their reputation any good.
( anyone got a # 41050 SWC focus screen they want to sell ? )
 
Interesting results so far ... Nikon a clear leader with Cosina, Leica and Canon all on the same number!
 
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