Should i remain a Leica virgin?

[Roger Hicks]

How much lenses do one need to get lucky? Which lenses do you miss for a Nikon S2? And, for me, the "complicated" lens mount semms to be easyer to use instead of a threadmount.

Well, my M is bayonet, not screw-thread, and the lens I'd miss most would be my 35/1.4.

Also, not sure about relying solely on luck. I'd like to think that a modicum of skill and knowledge also contribute to such modest success as I have enjoyed.

Finally, for complication: well, just look at the linkages in the rangefinder...

Cheers,

R.

 

[thegman]

Nah, get yerself a Nikon S2 instead of a Leica. 100% viewfinder, rewindingkrank instead of a knop & easyer filmloading.
I really like the look of a Leica, they look really fine. But the way how to load film, the small rewindingknob & at leas the pigexpensive (schweineteuren) lenses are holding me back.
Just found a fine M3 (M3 is the only one I want to have) for 450€ in Vienna, but I will resist, yes I will resist.:bang:

I had an S2 for a bit, nice camera with a lovely finder, but the lenses can be pretty expensive I found, and when I came to sell it, I practically couldn't give it away.

They are nice, and I actually quite liked that finger-wheel focusing, but I'd recommend a Leica M any day over one, unless you specifically like the Nikons of course.

If film loading, nice finder etc. is more important to the user than the Leica-feel, then it's hard to ignore the Voigtlanders.

 

[Alpsman]

....and the lens I'd miss most would be my 35/1.4.
R.

A 35/1,4, OK, but you can have a 35/1,8, thats not soo much difference.

 

[Vics]

That Byrdland must be an extraordinary thing of beauty. Closest I have is an L4CES that I've had for 20 years (bought when I was 20). It's turned a beautiful honey colour over the years. I've been thinking about selling it to buy an L5, which was always the primary object of jazz guitar lust, but I'm not sure I could do it... Plus my wife won't let me... And she's usually right.

Hah! That's it with the Byrdland. My wife has always said no to any suggestion that we sell it. It is beautiful to look at and to hear. It was always a tight squeeze with its narrow neck and short scale. Only two amps, both Mesa Boogie.

 

[henri klein]

First, it's easier to use a camera that's, um, easier to use.

? Define easier.

Second, most people find that there is a certain relationship between the cameras you use and the pictures you take, because different cameras encourage different ways of working and seeing.

People 'find' a lot of things. The tool (read camera) does not help in seeing.

Third, if you can't afford a camera, you can't buy it and use it.

Then there are still cheaper and equally endued cameras. So what?

 

[Alpsman]

I had an S2 for a bit, nice camera with a lovely finder, but the lenses can be pretty expensive I found, and when I came to sell it, I practically couldn't give it away.

They are nice, and I actually quite liked that finger-wheel focusing, but I'd recommend a Leica M any day over one, unless you specifically like the Nikons of course.

If film loading, nice finder etc. is more important to the user than the Leica-feel, then it's hard to ignore the Voigtlanders.

Get me right, Leicas really look beautiful, are surely fine craftmanship. But only rewinding the film with that little knob makes me crazy. Ordinary useable lenses are cheaper than those from Leica. Compare the 50/1.4 with one of Leicas lenses. Can you really see the difference? honestly! And so is it with filmloading. OK, pulling of the whole back with the bottom is not from the year 2013, but its much easyer (to me) than taking of the bottom, open the flap on the back, fiddling in the film & closing the whole thing. And yes, those things are more important to me than the Leicafeeling.
But, Leicas really look beautiful.

 

[thegman]

Get me right, Leicas really look beautiful, are surely fine craftmanship. But only rewinding the film with that little knob makes me crazy. Ordinary useable lenses are cheaper than those from Leica. Compare the 50/1.4 with one of Leicas lenses. Can you really see the difference? honestly! And so is it with filmloading. OK, pulling of the whole back with the bottom is not from the year 2013, but its much easyer (to me) than taking of the bottom, open the flap on the back, fiddling in the film & closing the whole thing. And yes, those things are more important to me than the Leicafeeling.
But, Leicas really look beautiful.

Rewinding films does not bother me, as it takes me a while to get through a roll, so I'm not doing it all that often. If you shoot a lot, fair enough, it's a pain.

Can I tell the difference? No, I can't, I just find that often Leica compatible lenses are cheaper, look at Jupiters etc. I certainly don't mean to imply that Leica lenses are better, just that often M lenses (not necessarily Leica-made) are more commonplace and easier to buy at the right price.

Film loading an M I find fairly easy, not much different to an S2. A Barnack is a different issue and pretty much a pain in the ar*e.

I think if I was going for an easy to use RF, I'd skip Leica and Nikon and go right to Bessa or Zeiss Ikon.

 

[Roger Hicks]

? Define easier.



People 'find' a lot of things. The tool (read camera) does not help in seeing.



Then there are still cheaper and equally endued cameras. So what?

1: Easier = easier. If you find it easier, it's easier. For many (? most) people, less complicated = easier.

2: Arrant nonsense. Would you equate my 12x15 inch Gandolfi with my Olympus Pen W? Maybe you can't see the difference between a view camera, an SLR and a rangefinder but most can -- and any sane person would agree that you use different cameras in different ways, and that you buy different cameras to use in different ways. You choose the camera that best suits your way of seeing. Of course if you don't have a way of seeing you may not care which camera you use.

3: Endowed? In what sense? Equivalent RF base? Ergonomics? Fit and finish? Again, indefensible among new cameras, and very hard (perhaps impossible) to sustain in the second-hand market.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Photog9000]

My advice: try to rent or borrow one for a week and see for yourself...

Excellent suggestion, Jukka! I plan on doing this with a Fuji X-Pro1 and a piece or two of Leica glass to see it it will work for my "Final Years" (great and inspiring website btw!).

 

[Photog9000]

I wanted a Leica M for 40 years, finally got one. Found out I'm a SLR shooter. The only way you will know for sure is to own one for a couple of years but.... You already have a fine camera.

I never really lusted after Leica M cameras and shot with SLR/DSLR cameras for 35+ years as a documentary/newspaper shooter. Not too long ago I started doing some film shooting again with a Yashica Electro35 GS that once belonged to my dad and have found that I am truly enjoying the rangefinder experience even though the VF on the Yashica is not the greatest. Recently picked up a Fuji X100S, and, again, I seem to be enjoying the shooting experience. Then, I went out this past weekend, broke out the DSLRs (wide angle glass on one and a superzoom on the other), and had a miserable shooting time.
As was noted earlier, see about a rental or two to see IF you enjoy the experience!!

 

[henri klein]

1: Easier = easier. If you find it easier, it's easier. For many (? most) people, less complicated = easier.

...in other words: you don't know.

2: Arrant nonsense. Would you equate my 12x15 inch Gandolfi with my Olympus Pen W?

Both take pictures. The pictures are good or bad. And that's all that matters -to any viewer. "Leica, schmeica." as Ernst Haas used to say.

Endowed? In what sense?

see above.

 

[anjoca76]

I'm not quite sure how this thread is still of help to the OP. It's just bickering at this point.

 

[jonmanjiro]

I'm not quite sure how this thread is still of help to the OP. It's just bickering at this point.

I agree. I think the OP got a lot of good food for though and has already made a decision, so the thread has served its purpose. I'm going to close it now.