ferider
Veteran
I think you just picked the wrong model. The best Bessa didn't even get mentioned yet; high RF contrast, long baselength, bright viewfinder
I tried Bessa R, R2, and R3a. They're all gone but this one stayed:
Bingley
Veteran
msbarnes, where in CA are you ?
One thing that this thread makes obvious, is that liking Leicas (pun intended
Roland.
The Bay Area RFF gang met last weekend in Davis for a Beer & Gear. I think if you join us at the next B&G, you'll have no trouble trying out a Leica, or two, or three, or....
Davis Beer & Gear by bingley0522, on Flickr
Bingley
Veteran
I think you just picked the wrong model. The best Bessa didn't even get mentioned yet; high RF contrast, long baselength, bright viewfinder
+1. I had an R but sold it (kind of miss it, though). I had an R3A, but it had rf alignment problems that took $$$ to fix; I sold it. I still have the T, however. It's been on High Sierra pack trips, long vacations, been banged and bounced around, and still keeps ticking. And rf alignment in the field is a snap (if you have a small screwdriver). It's a keeper.
Bingley
Veteran
FWIW, I also had a Canon 7 and still have a Canon P. But I find I use my Leicas more. I like the compact size, the bright vf, and the quiet shutter. It's not a fetish issue. They're just nice cameras. And w/ some careful shopping you can find them at reasonable prices. I also recommend KEH (although M prices have gone up recently). I've bought many a camera and lens from them. I bought a bargain grade M2 from them which is a joy to use.
daveywaugh
Blah
I think you just picked the wrong model. The best Bessa didn't even get mentioned yet; high RF contrast, long baselength, bright viewfinder
Yeah that does look nice! ;-) I certainly don't want to be the 'guy who bags Voigtlander'... but I've got to say it how it is (for me anyway). I think I was just very unlucky and that happens sometimes. I will say the support I got from Mainlinephoto (the Voigtlander distributors here in Australia) was very good so I would defiantly risk it again in the future if something enticed me ;-)
Better = your opinion, not fact. I would much rather have the Leica and I know better than to buy a Leica for Ego purposes... there are other things to waste your cash on if you want people to notice you and your wealth or taste.
dave lackey
Veteran
Jeez, had to check the forum heading name again...yep, it is "Leica M". Then, I checked a couple of posts and sure enough, a couple of Leica bashing posts.
Folks, if you don't like Leica cameras, why do you keep posting on the Leica threads? Please explain that...
Folks, if you don't like Leica cameras, why do you keep posting on the Leica threads? Please explain that...
maddoc
... likes film again.
dave lackey
Veteran
Better = your opinion, not fact. I would much rather have the Leica and I know better than to buy a Leica for Ego purposes... there are other things to waste your cash on if you want people to notice you and your wealth or taste.
Ah...that would be an interesting discussion, no doubt.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
. . . there are other things to waste your cash on if you want people to notice you and your wealth or taste.
Exactly. This one always puzzles me. Who the hell do such people think is going to notice that they're carrying a particular camera? Unless, of course, people notice them and think, "Funny old film camera."
Cheers,
R.
Paul Jenkin
Well-known
A friend of mine has a Zeiss Ikon M and the viewfinder is just excellent - much brighter than the M6/M4-P and easier to get focus right quickly. However, I still prefer my M4-P and M6TTL as they just feel so solid and make a beautiful sound when the shutter release is hit and the winder is silky-smooth.
21-135 Apo All Good
Established
I'm with Roger on this one! I don't suffer fools lightly and anyone wearing a Leica like jewelry probably is one.
If money is an issue, get the best glass you can afford, for all the camera does is hold the film flat and expose it for a fraction of a second! So a 28mm F2.0 Summicron on a Voightlander is still a 28 'Cron!
Now where on Earth did I hear this from, lol!
If money is an issue, get the best glass you can afford, for all the camera does is hold the film flat and expose it for a fraction of a second! So a 28mm F2.0 Summicron on a Voightlander is still a 28 'Cron!
Now where on Earth did I hear this from, lol!
willie_901
Veteran
Folks, if you don't like Leica cameras, why do you keep posting on the Leica threads? Please explain that...
I guess it's the same reason people cause traffic jams to eyeball an accident on the freeway. You know there's no real reasoin to look, but you have to take a peek. Besides, it's a community service to our fellow photographers who might not be too far gone.
furcafe
Veteran
In my experience, most light leaks from the Ps are from the deterioration of the foam seals in the door near the hinge, not the shutter.
anjoca76
Well-known
I have to say, I live in a fairly large city, and I seldom if ever see anyone with a film camera around his or her neck these days, let alone a Leica, so I can't quite understand the comments about Leicas being flaunted like pricey jewelry. You would have to be in-the-know to have any clue as to the value of a particular film camera. My M2 is pretty darn nondescript. I'm not saying my statement is true for anyone else, but in my experience, it's a non-issue. The only time someone has ever asked me about one of my Leicas was an elderly man who saw me change the film on my iiic one day, and, in his words, he was noticing my use of film in general, not that it was a Leica.
In my opinion, what makes heads swing my direction when I am out shooting is that I am not holding my camera up at arms' length and using a LCD screen to frame; I am actually putting a camera up to my eye to frame a shot! In a world of digital cameras, this more than anything makes me feel like a weirdo! It certainly doesn't make me feel elitist in the slightest. In fact, quite the contrary.
In my opinion, what makes heads swing my direction when I am out shooting is that I am not holding my camera up at arms' length and using a LCD screen to frame; I am actually putting a camera up to my eye to frame a shot! In a world of digital cameras, this more than anything makes me feel like a weirdo! It certainly doesn't make me feel elitist in the slightest. In fact, quite the contrary.
Except if you want a digital Leica...then it complicates things.
21-135 Apo All Good
Established
Not to be a PITA, but the OP was going to buy a film camera.....
As far as Leica digital goes, and this is only my OPINION:
Buy the best and latest you can afford, since we all know that the latest generation of Leica is the sharpest. Leica Engineers at the Javitz Show once told me to my face that a digital M was out of the question! It takes a lot to change minds and overcome obstacles, as well as locating sources for full-frame sensors that work without a mirror box. They're still working on it. Buying sensors from a bankrupt Kodak division that's up for sale as we speak. A "work-in-progress" if you will......in the meantime, every ad for every model that they've come out with boasts in typical Leica-ease that this is the best! Whether or not someone wants to plunk down for a new M-9P is up to them......
CK Dexter Haven
Well-known
Yes. "This," as they say.
CK Dexter Haven
Well-known
This isn't about "Leica bashing." The OP said he had been looking for a "Leica alternative." It seems a pretty reasonable to see responses that contain reference to alternatives, even if the OP thinks his next move is toward a Leica.
re: the topic of Leica as "jewelry...."
It's unfortunate that so many people see that as an accusation. Whatever reference i may have made ('buy one for your ego') was half in jest. I've owned six Leicas in the past ten years. There's no need to be sensitive. It is ridiculously annoying, though to see so many web comments like:
• "don't be jealous...."
• "...if you can't afford one...."
• "a Leica distinguishes me from the rabble...."
Frankly, those attitudes pushed me away as much as other reasons. I just don't want to belong to that 'club' any longer.
re: the topic of Leica as "jewelry...."
It's unfortunate that so many people see that as an accusation. Whatever reference i may have made ('buy one for your ego') was half in jest. I've owned six Leicas in the past ten years. There's no need to be sensitive. It is ridiculously annoying, though to see so many web comments like:
• "don't be jealous...."
• "...if you can't afford one...."
• "a Leica distinguishes me from the rabble...."
Frankly, those attitudes pushed me away as much as other reasons. I just don't want to belong to that 'club' any longer.