How did you get out of Leica?

[David Hughes]

Every time I read the title or about someone escaping I see in my mind's eye the door bursting open and three Monty Python style Spanish Inquisitors bursting in shouting "No one gets out of Leica... ".

Develop the nightmare as you will; use both sides of the paper if necessary.

Regards, David

 

[Montag006]

David,

As an MP fan, MP as in Monty Python
I love that vision and can see it easily!

Thank you for the early morning smile/laugh!!!

David

 

[Huss]

I never understood those guys that had M6 bubbles..lol..
Maybe all those rich dentists..were spilling champagne on their fancy Leicas..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=9&v=mlCiDEXuxxA&feature=emb_title

Never bought an M7 either..was too wary of the electronics..and..it was taller then the M6..which was unbearable to say the least..

I watched that to the end...

 

[Beemermark]

Never bought an M7 either..was too wary of the electronics..and..it was taller then the M6..which was unbearable to say the least..

So the M7 is enormously taller than the M4 by 2.5mm. Which is about the thickness of a business card. Or is the M6 shorter than the typical M?

M4 138x77x33.5 mm

M7 138x79.5x34 mm

And if you don't like electronics I don't why you would buy an M6, because when the M6 meter dies you're left with an unrepairable cheapened M4 (2,3). At least the M7 is still repairable.

 

[dourbalistar]

So the M7 is enormously taller than the M4 by 2.5mm. Which is about the thickness of a business card. Or is the M6 shorter than the typical M?

M4 138x77x33.5 mm

M7 138x79.5x34 mm

And if you don't like electronics I don't why you would buy an M6, because when the M6 meter dies you're left with an unrepairable cheapened M4 (2,3). At least the M7 is still repairable.

I agree that 2.5mm does not qualify as unbearable or enormously taller, but maybe people are leery of the M7's electronic shutter. Plenty of Nikon FEs still working fine, so it might well be a non-issue. But if something electronic goes kaput on the M6, it's only the meter that goes, and you still have all the mechanical shutter speeds available. With the M7, if the battery dies or electronics fail, you're left with 1/60 and 1/125.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

IMO. Less electronic in film M the better. Ideal - no electronics. IMO.

I won't say I've gotten out of Leica, but I have shifted away from M's, which as much as I love them, just have not been scratching all of my photographic itches.

It was a weird place to find Leica lenses, but a local farm auction had a Leicaflex Standard set came up. I got the lenses for cheap (single cam 50mm summicron-R and 90mm elmarit-R), which were in almost flawless condition. The body went for more than it was worth, so I got one for a hundred bucks on the bay.

I really like the feel of the Leicaflex Standard. The size and weight are actually not much different than the M5.

I sold most of my M mount lenses and bodies and now only have an M5 and a 35mm Summicron, which is my favorite setup for low light shooting.

In place of the M mount lenses I found a few great deals on some screwmount Leica equipment here and there - a Leica IF off of DAG's site, in great condition and serviced, and a bargain grade 21mm F4 super angulon which I removed the M mount adapter from. These two items are a perfect match.

So here's my current arsenal - for me, I feel each of these bodies is the best for these particular focal lengths.

Leica IF / 21mm Super angulon
Leica M5 / 35mm Summicron
Leicaflex Standard / 50mm summicron / 90mm elmarit

Wait wasn't this thread about getting out of Leica? I guess I failed.... but I have come out ahead money wise.

This looks like wise and effective compromise.

Couple of years ago I sold two film M and keeping just one. With three lenses. shared with digital M (I skipped plans to get more digital Leicas, recently)
I have two freshly serviced LTM, one is IIIc. Another three lenses. None of it cost me much.

On SLRs I'm well balanced with robust, old Nikons and advanced, EF. AF Canons. And lenses, cameras cost is affordable.

Oh... Is here any non-Leica made lenses for R mount? 🙂

 

[Huss]

Oh... Is here any non-Leica made lenses for R mount? 🙂

Tamron with their Adaptall 2 mounts.

 

[CharlesDAMorgan]

IMO. Less electronic in film M the better. Ideal - no electronics. IMO.

This looks like wise and effective compromise.

Couple of years ago I sold two film M and keeping just one. With three lenses. shared with digital M (I skipped plans to get more digital Leicas, recently)
I have two freshly serviced LTM, one is IIIc. Another three lenses. None of it cost me much.

On SLRs I'm well balanced with robust, old Nikons and advanced, EF. AF Canons. And lenses, cameras cost is affordable.

Oh... Is here any non-Leica made lenses for R mount? 🙂

A Schneider Curtagon 35mm & Super Angulon 28mm - both shift lenses, some Novoflex ones, Angenieux zooms (if you think the R lenses are expensive...) and I have been known to use a Tamron Adaptall mount with 300mm if I want an affordable long lens.

There are no bargains any more, they are merely a fair bit cheaper than the M equivalents!

 

[Emile de Leon]

I watched that to the end...

Now thats..true torture...lol.

So the M7 is enormously taller than the M4 by 2.5mm. Which is about the thickness of a business card.

I remember seeing the M7 for the 1st time at the Javits center in nyc at the Leica booth years ago..
and I could EASILY see... the top heaviness of the M7..it lost its svelte appearance..didnt look right to my eye..

Or is the M6 shorter than the typical M? And if you don't like electronics I don't why you would buy an M6, because when the M6 meter dies you're left with an unrepairable cheapened M4 (2,3). At least the M7 is still repairable.

Like above poster..the M6 will totally work w/o batteries..the M7..no..
And..who wants to wait 2 lifetimes..for Leica to fix it..

 

[Steve Ruddy]

I picked up a Leica IIIf along with a Contax IIIa and had them both restored. I like both cameras but reach for the Contax more often for easier loading, better ergonomics, and I have better lenses for it. I only have a fogged Summilux for the Leica and can’t afford any of their desirable lenses, so I purchased a Canon lens for it. I haven’t developed the first roll yet so don’t know if I’ll like it. Anyway I haven’t got out of Leica but unless someone gives me more bodies or lenses I won’t be discovering any of the so called Leica magic. If I needed to sell a camera the Leica would be the first to go. I’ll definitely hold onto my Contax and Rolleiflexes.