Ever consider a mini Leica kit?

dave lackey

dave lackey

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I am posting this thread here because I really don't care to discuss all the other brands, types of cameras etc. Only interested in Leica for this thread.

Lately, I have a burning desire to organize my little bedroom and finish it with Leica gear, memorabilia and images of my own as well as some of YOURS that have been sent to me. I will also have a shelf or two with my Nikon gear displayed.

This allows me to get down to a mini-kit for everyday use.

Over a year now using the X1 and I could not be happier. It took a long time for me to get used to a 35mm pov but now I am good to go!:D Even dreaming of a 35mm Lux for an M body some day down the road.

But, it occurs to me with the acquistion of a Billingham Leica bag, that I don't need anything more than a small kit. The Leica X1 is perfect for that but I need a backup and may consider another used X1 or even a D-Lux 6 with the zoom range.

The more I think about it, the X bodies in a bag would be awesome whether X1, X2 or a combination. Adding a D6 would be a no-brainer for the other things where a zoom would be useful.

True, I would not get to experience amazing lenses and such with a digital M body but I can't afford those anyway.

So, have you considered the small bag filled with only two X bodies? One for color, one for b/w....or even adding a D6?:)
 
dave lackey said:
I like this setup!
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Then why switch things up. ;)


I'm mostly happy with 28mm focal length, but sometimes it becomes handy, when there's the possibility to frame closer, so I can certainly understand your thoughts. If you don't mind the small(er) sensor on the DLux, then it might be a good choice.
 
Does anyone know if the D-Lux 6 requires LR4? Do the files from a D-Lux 6 work with LR 3.6?:confused:

I heard on another forum that LR4 does not work with Windows XP which is what I have on my PC. Not interested in changing computers, software, updating other software and such.

So, including a small Leica digital will require both to operate on XP and be compatible with LR 3.6 for me.
 
Hi Dave, you put such a simple question with such a complicated answer...I'm happy with the x1 as everyday camera or as a digital companion to my m7. But I do not think I'll be able to do everything with two x1/x2 in a bag. I feel I would miss a medium tele (70 or 85 eq.) The D6 could be a better complement, thinking that 70% of my shooting are 35mm (eq.) and the remaining 30% could be done on a smaller sensor ( I do not enlarge my prints more than an a3+ size).
robert
 
Mini kit = M9, 35, 50, 90 35 is V4, 50 is collapsible 50 2.8 last one, 90 is col F 4, last one. All do very well right into the very corners at 5.6 for perfect landscapes.

or M9 35 75

mini min kit Rollie 35 with 40 mm

It will be a few years before I think of one camera, one lens. Did that 5 decades ago and did not like it much. Waltz Envoy with 50 2.0 Nikkor screwed on.
 
Well, there is a solution for the D6 files and Windows XP and LR 3.2.:)

Leica Germany was kind enough to send me the link for the Adobe DNG converter and it works like a charm. Just run the D6 files through the converter and the jpegs will work in LR 3.2.

Still a shame that LR 4.0 will not work with XP.

So, for very little money, one can pick up the Panasonic LX7 for $348 this week only at B&H and be good to go without LR4!!!
 
robert blu said:
Hi Dave, you put such a simple question with such a complicated answer...I'm happy with the x1 as everyday camera or as a digital companion to my m7. But I do not think I'll be able to do everything with two x1/x2 in a bag. I feel I would miss a medium tele (70 or 85 eq.) The D6 could be a better complement, thinking that 70% of my shooting are 35mm (eq.) and the remaining 30% could be done on a smaller sensor ( I do not enlarge my prints more than an a3+ size).
robert
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Robert, you can get the Panasonic LX7 this week for $348!!!:eek:
 
I can't see the point of two X bodies in bag .. there's nothing to differentiate between the bodies, and I have never needed a backup camera unless I was being paid for the job. So keep the bag minimal and just carry one.

Or get something that provides a different field of view, or something that will differentiate it if you want to carry two cameras. It's still useful as a backup.

A mini kit of a Leica Xn along with a Ricoh GXR fitted with either the 28mm or 50mm camera units would make a great two-camera kit. If I'm going to carry the Leica M9, then I'd just drop an extra lens in the bag and eschew the AF point and shoot camera ... I won't use it anyway.

G
 
Godfrey said:
I can't see the point of two X bodies in bag .. there's nothing to differentiate between the bodies, and I have never needed a backup camera unless I was being paid for the job. So keep the bag minimal and just carry one.

Or get something that provides a different field of view, or something that will differentiate it if you want to carry two cameras. It's still useful as a backup.

A mini kit of a Leica Xn along with a Ricoh GXR fitted with either the 28mm or 50mm camera units would make a great two-camera kit. If I'm going to carry the Leica M9, then I'd just drop an extra lens in the bag and eschew the AF point and shoot camera ... I won't use it anyway.

G
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There are a million ways to configure a mini Leica digital kit. For me, the D6 is an attractive performer but the looks actually suck in comparison to a Leica M, IIIF or the X bodies. Never held one but they don't seem to be terrific either whereas part of the charm for me is the experience of holding one that both looks and feels really nice. The D6 is not that form.

So, what would I use an extra X1 for? Easy. Backup. I always have a backup because my luck is opposite yours, if I can screw up, it will happen. It always does. So, I can carry one set on color settings and the other (black body) in the black and white settings. As an engineer since the 70s, redundancy is part of my being. Maybe not anyone else's but it has always worked for me and when I had no redundancy built in, I almost always regretted it.

Call me jinxed. God hates me. Whatever.:rolleyes:

BTW, an M8 plus a lens is beyond my ability to pay for. Forget anything else in the M line...so I stick with the M3 as the second body. The problem is, what happens if the X1 is dropped, dies, or is stolen? Back to film.
 
Does anyone here on RFF actually own a Paul Smith Limited Edition X2?

Lucky, if you do...envious is me.:cool:

but....a D-Lux 6 with a Luigi case would be amazing!

http://www.leicatime.com/a000-CasesLeicaDigital.htm

It occurs to me that for relatively little money, one can have two digital Leicas (X body + D6), each with Luigi cases in a Billingham Leica case and carry this kit all day long. Classy enough for me!
 
X1 and D6/LX7 is an excellent combination. The 24 and a respectable zoom may be important where the 35 is not suited for the subject you want to capture. My X2 and LX7 is my kit when traveling, a small bag with 2 cameras that will fit all my needs.
 
gilpen123 said:
X1 and D6/LX7 is an excellent combination. The 24 and a respectable zoom may be important where the 35 is not suited for the subject you want to capture. My X2 and LX7 is my kit when traveling, a small bag with 2 cameras that will fit all my needs.
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+1 Gil...Yes, that is exactly what I had in mine when starting the thread! It is probably the kit of of the future...small, capable cameras. I really am holding back from buying the LX7 from B&H for $348!! Can't resist much longer...:eek:
 
I also availed of the BH offer which I think was a bit lower than the $348 I got 3 months back. Later I got the EVF too and have some good use of it doing some discreet shooting while sitting on a park bench. IMO go for it.
 
gilpen123 said:
I also availed of the BH offer which I think was a bit lower than the $348 I got 3 months back. Later I got the EVF too and have some good use of it doing some discreet shooting while sitting on a park bench. IMO go for it.
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Oh, man...trying to work a deal on trading my R 50 Cron for an M lens on the M3. If I didn't need a lens on the M3, it would already be done!:eek:
 
dave lackey said:
Does anyone know if the D-Lux 6 requires LR4? Do the files from a D-Lux 6 work with LR 3.6?:confused:

I heard on another forum that LR4 does not work with Windows XP which is what I have on my PC. Not interested in changing computers, software, updating other software and such.

So, including a small Leica digital will require both to operate on XP and be compatible with LR 3.6 for me.
Click to expand...

I recently acquired both a D-Lux 6 and LR4. My D-Lux 6 RAW files will play neither on Aperture 3 nor LR4.
 
So, here we are:

A versatile kit beginning with my everyday preference, a hybrid kit:

A. M3 + 50 mm lens (Summarit or Cron) + Leica MR4 Meter + handgrip+A&A Silk strap, and X1 with handgrip or A&A half case and Gordy handstrap

I will get a snapshot and post a photo later....:D I love this kit!

then, other possibilities I like:

B. X1 with a back-up X1 body, or,

C. X1 with a D6/LX7

I am sure it can be configured many ways, but I especially like the hybrid kit in a Billingham Leica bag because it is so versatile and as Helen likes to put it, the color palette for the X1 is beautiful for color!
 
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