About LEICA......

[szekiat]

the red dot can be ordered from leica. In the US/UK its free.
Actually, the various summicrons do have their fingerprints that is visible even at 8x10. Esp the pre-asph ones. I've seen it personally. Granted they're all beautiful in their own way but they are different. Its a case of to each his own.

 

[canturn]

Many people equip Leica=sharpness. To me, sharpness is something that most Japanese lenses makers can do, by making very contrasty lenses (e.g. Mamiya, contax).

The thing I like about the Leica is the look it creates. I sold my 35 summicron asph for the pre-asph version for that reason. Yes, sharpness wise it can't beat the asph version, but the character is what I want. Have hand-printed a few 8x10, and I love its character (not to mention the compactness and weight).

 

[Wisp]

Gee, then I must be blind! To me, the only differences in lenses could be seperated into 3 stages, namely prewar/post war (elmars,summars, summitars and summarits), pre-asph and asph (Summiluxes, Summicrons, etc). Granted the asph is hugely different in sharpness from the pre-asph (as well as having pretty harsh out of focus areas), but I found myself scratching my head looking at let's say a 50 DR and a 3rd/4th generation summicron picture.

While there is differences, I could only deduct if let's say the pictures of exactly the same lighting, subject, aperture etc. Otherwise, if I were looking at a series of photos taken with one
lens and another series taken with another lens, I would not be able to tell which has been taken with which. Then again, I'll probably be scrutinizing the picture more for content *grin*.

Anyway, besides the point, like you two said, to each his own preference for his tool. I myself prefer the 90 f4 elmars, 2nd gen 50 summilux and the unforgettable summar in my bag for their rendition of Out Of Focus areas. However, in all respects of sharpness and other aspects, I pretty much find them the same.

 

[Halfmoon]

So in order, if you are really thinking of getting a leica, really ask yourself these:

1. Does a silent shutter matter in most of my photography work?
2. How often do you do low light work?
3. How important is telephoto or zoom to your photography. Cause if it is, it's better to stick
to a SLR. All rangefinders lenses are fixed focus, and mainly wide angle. You got to get
in close. VERY CLOSE.

Mainly, it's a specialist tool, suited almost 100% solely for people photography. That's why you don't see Ansel adams using it, or many people using it as a fact. Not many people are really willing to just specialize in one type of photography.

P.S: Please do not rip.

Hi Wisp,

Very interesting post, which made me to reflect more.....

I am curious about this L fever.. Leica fever, to some, and just want to know more about them......

1. I doubt a shutter sound is a problem for me.....

2. I do have 2 primes..... I suspect I am turning into a prime guy more and more..... since I love the way prime worked, and I tend to take pictures without flash, by using those F2 and below aperature, and I doubt I will buy a prime with F higher than 2...... usually for people, flowers, and animals....

And I am planning a 3rd one some time soon too....... a 85mm f 1.8.....

3. Depend on what I want to shoot, but as at this moment, I think SLR offers much more flexibility than a RF..... and that is something I would prefer perhaps....

But for the fun of trying a RF, I most likely will get the Konica RF of my dad fixed..... I think that should do too for now.....


By the way, what is a RED DOT???

 

[Wisp]

Some little red bump they put on the side of the lens so you know how to place it in the body without twisting and turning all the time.

Probably have it on canon lenses as well.

As to those seriously infected with leica fever, well, stay away from them .

 

[Halfmoon]

Some little red bump they put on the side of the lens so you know how to place it in the body without twisting and turning all the time.

Probably have it on canon lenses as well.

As to those seriously infected with leica fever, well, stay away from them .

Yes.... I think I will keep a distance from these INFECTIOUS PEOPLE.... hahaha...... :sticktong

Sorry, I tried looking for X cam today but could not find it.... did drop by Ron but not open...... But bought a book from level 4 photo book shop..... nice place to get those good books!!!