colker
Well-known
The last two rallies I went to, just last month, there was one photographer using a film camera at one (myself) and two at the second one (I was one of them.) I am no longer a reporter but I still canvas the crowd like I am one, looking for shots. I pay attention to what people are shooting with, especially if it's not a phone. There was ONE Leica digital at the second rally, owned by my old landlord.
Yes, Leica is built upon exclusivity and mystique. That is why they have overall low volume sales in comparison to companies such as Fuji, Sony and Nikon. Leica's prices reflect that low volume as well as create the exclusivity itself. Not very many people can afford a new digital Leica and one of the new lenses. Heck, most people can't afford anything by Leica, used or new. Leica abandoned working photographers and is now concentrating on selling the red dot to affluent people who would just as soon use their iPhone as use a $7000 camera with a $9000 lens.
Phil Forrest
I agree on Leica and always avoided anything Leica due to prices but most of all to smugness of the cult around it.
Otoh it´s truly well built stuff. BUT... Cosina Voigtlander is the real deal. By taking the RF concept (small ergonomics, classic lens rendition, mechanical manual focus) and taking it to my level of economics which i call "reality", Cosina made RF film photography real.
I would pay 4k out of a whim for a Leica MP as a crazy act of spending.. but my reality is based on Noktons and Ultrons, not Summicrons, Summilux or Noctilux. No Chinese barrel distortion kings as well.
If Bessa comes up w/ a new camera or Zeiss Ikon, i will buy it.