I held Leicas!

N

Natalia

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My boss got me a 4 day pass to PPA's ImagingUSA conferrence:

http://www.ppa.com/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=6

I was like a kid at a toystore!!! Great was my surprise, when I saw a Leica booth....Mu hubby had to be by himself for quite some time :D

The reps were VERY nice and curtious (and knowledgeable). When I said there was no store that sold Leicas in New Orleans, one of the reps said, he'd mail me ANY Leica to give it a "test drive" ! He'd have to have my CC on file, of course.

I also saw Epson's R-D1 with Voigtlander 35/1.2 lens on it. Sweet!

I am going there again tomorrow...Maybe I'll bring a roll of B&W and "test drive" one of these:
 
Re: I held Leicas!

LilRedSpy said:
My boss got me a 4 day pass to PPA's ImagingUSA conferrence:

http://www.ppa.com/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=6

I was like a kid at a toystore!!! Great was my surprise, when I saw a Leica booth....Mu hubby had to be by himself for quite some time :D

The reps were VERY nice and curtious (and knowledgeable). When I said there was no store that sold Leicas in New Orleans, one of the reps said, he'd mail me ANY Leica to give it a "test drive" ! He'd have to have my CC on file, of course.

I also saw Epson's R-D1 with Voigtlander 35/1.2 lens on it. Sweet!

I am going there again tomorrow...Maybe I'll bring a roll of B&W and "test drive" one of these:
Click to expand...

Comrade Natalia

The Leica's are nothing special. I've tried a couple of them. They are just the "rich man's" Canon GIII QL-17....

Russ
 
Natalie,
The Leica M3 has got the best viewfinder/rangefinder of all of my cameras. What can I say. With patience, you can find a good user with lens with a CLA for under $1,000. Not cheap, but no where near the $4,000 for a new Leica with lens.

There are other interchangeable lens cameras that are a lot less money. The Bessa R is a modern one, the Canon 7 and Canon P run a lot less than the M3. You can pick up a Canon 7 for $200 and a 50mm F1.8 users for under $100.

BTW: Your ex-F1 now has an F1.2 lens to go on it...
 
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I remember this one one well Russ! The Impressionistic shot of yours! Great to see it again here! I have calculated that I would need to save for 5 years to be able to buy a new Leica MP!
 
Natalia, if you get to "test drive" one of these bodies, see to get an M6TTL or an M7. The MP feels and handles beautifully, but it's not (at least to me) that hot a camera. But then, I'm used to the M6TTL, with its Alka Seltzer sized shutterspeed selector on the top which makes switching shutterspeeds quite easy and natural.

Both types have the same layout. The MP, however, has a smaller shutterspeed dial that turns the opposite direction compared to the M6TTL and M7.

I'd be interested on your reaction to the M7. It's the first and only body with AE, which means stepless shutterspeeds (say, there are two shutterspeeds between 1/60 and 1/125), and it's electronically controlled (which also means it uses more juice). I find it tempting, to be quite honest, despite all the hoopla around the MP.

Glad you managed to handle these cameras! It's nice to have access to them, and the sales people are very helpful! I've made friends with the Leica representative who comes to Chicago but have failed to buy from him. However, he taught me how to load the camera: you ask them to do it too! In fact, bring with a dummy roll of film to practice on it!

And, if you get a loaner... aim for a 'lux 35/1.4 and tell us what you like and dislike!!
 
Russ, that photo of yours is something... to admire! For some reason it makes me think of "Christina's World."

Keep up the good work!

BTW, I wish I were really rich. I have those German cameras but I'm also in debt... but enjoying the stuff!
 
I fondled an M7 with the "M" motor a couple months ago, very nice, I found myself trying to advance the film everytime I pressed the shutter.
It felt very refined and smooth, the readings in the camera were a big suprise, and bright!

Todd
 
SolaresLarrave said:
Russ, that photo of yours is something... to admire! For some reason it makes me think of "Christina's World."

Keep up the good work!

BTW, I wish I were really rich. I have those German cameras but I'm also in debt... but enjoying the stuff!
Click to expand...

"Christina's World"? What is that?

Russ
 
SolaresLarrave said:
Russ, that photo of yours is something... to admire! For some reason it makes me think of "Christina's World."

Keep up the good work!

BTW, I wish I were really rich. I have those German cameras but I'm also in debt... but enjoying the stuff!
Click to expand...

Solares

Ahh, Andrew Wyeth. If you want a print of "A Special Place" give me your mailing address.

Russ
 
Natalia, you might want to check this. It was posted on photo.net:
"Lakeside Camera in Metairie is the only Leica dealer in town, and they have limited stock. Phone # (504)885-8660."
Metairie, as I recall, is part of the greater New Orleans.
Have fun playing with the Leicas! Be careful...you'll be bitten by the bug!! :)
 
Natalia, or Little Red Spy, - don't go back there!!! try to forget your experience as fast as you can! otherwise you are lost!
 
Simple, wonderful machines those Leicas. I have to say I enjoyed fondling one at the Photo Plus Expo in NY. I wish I paid more attention to the .85 viewfinder and formed an opinion if the 35mm framelines are usable with it. Make a list of questions and observations to make Natalia so you don't go and get all emotional over it like I did and forget to pay attention.
 
The bug hasn't bitten me ...yet, but I sure like their build and smooth operation.
 
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