What's so great about Leica? Newbie here.

[canturn]

If you do darkroom printing, Leica gives the best tonality, esp at print size from 12x16 up. If you are sending your film to lab for digital rather than analog printing, save your money and get a Contax G2.

At 8x10, there's hardly any diff between a Contax G2 /Bessa R2 and Leica. Most lenses are able to achieve blistering sharpness these days anyway, not to mention the digital sharpening feature that is ON by default. You will only feel the diff when you start doing wet darkroom, seriously.

Sharpness is not everything in a photo, and this aspect can be achieved easily by very contrasty lenses (e.g. Mamiya). But if you appreciate the subtle tonality that gives your picture more texture (e.g. foliage, textile), then Leica's for you.

Student has brought up a great point about IR photography. However, loading IR film into the M6 can be a feat since you're doing it in the dark. Loading 35mm IR film into the MF Rangefinder Mamiya 7 for panoramic shots is an even more challenging task :sweat:

 

[student]

Student has brought up a great point about IR photography. However, loading IR film into the M6 can be a feat since you're doing it in the dark. Loading 35mm IR film into the MF Rangefinder Mamiya 7 for panoramic shots is an even more challenging task :sweat:

You are absolutely right! I really hate the loading mechanism in the Leica. And more the Mamiya 7.

But after a while, it actually becomes quite easy. I can now do it with my eyes closed with the Leica. I cannot yet load a film into the mamiya with my eyes close.

 

[TrailsofLife]

Checked ebay prices for M3 and 4, not affordable and not worth it for second hand.

Think I'll go for voigtlander still for newer tech and cheaper body, more value-for-money.

 

[ckiang]

Checked ebay prices for M3 and 4, not affordable and not worth it for second hand.

Think I'll go for voigtlander still for newer tech and cheaper body, more value-for-money.

If budget is a problem, skip the Leicas. They don't depreciate much (in fact sometimes the appreciate) and don't expect the prices of even 4th hand Leicas to be much lower. Unless it's in bad condition of coz.

Regards
CK

 

[student]

If budget is a problem, skip the Leicas. They don't depreciate much (in fact sometimes the appreciate) and don't expect the prices of even 4th hand Leicas to be much lower. Unless it's in bad condition of coz.

Regards
CK

Good advice. Some may not like the rangefinder type of shooting.

I like using the Leica M. Somehow using the Mamiya 7 is very different to me. I still use Mamiya 7 because of the large negative, and it is less noisy than the leica m

 

[XXX Boy]

Checked ebay prices for M3 and 4, not affordable and not worth it for second hand.

Think I'll go for voigtlander still for newer tech and cheaper body, more value-for-money.

Have you check out for Leica M4-2 or M4-P? It is cheaper, well-made (like any other M cameras) and reliable!

 

[TrailsofLife]

Hi XXX boy,

Yes I checked its quite ex leh. Locally, how much does a second-hand one cost?

 

[Red Dawn]

hi

max, wat's ur budget? are u going to be using it only for ir film or portraiture work only? or are u also going to use it for general shooting?

that affects e choice of camera u get & how much u should spend....

 

[TrailsofLife]

Hi everyone,

I just checked the ebay again for M3 and M4, actually some second hand ones are quite comparable to the price of Bessa R3A.

This range finder most likely to be used for mostly IR and maybe some IR portraits. I think for most portraits, I still prefer to use 20D with 70-200 f2.8.

Noise is never my concern since I am very used to bloody 20D's shutter. It's HELL LOUD!!!

I am narrowing my budget to $1500++ maybe by end of next month(saving it up), that's why I am aiming at Bessa R3A($US599) because it fits my budget and save somemore for some Voigtlander's lens like 20mm for landscape, 40mm(fav general range for walk-around) and 90mm(portraiture), since most of you felt that Voigtlander's lens got better colour, contrast.

Although deep inside me, I think I fell for M4 for its looks(dunno about features yet) :lovegrin:

Lastly, I must say this sub-forum is much more helpful compared to the nasty people in Canon(opps.. :sweat: ) forum. Thankyou, guys! :thumbsup:

 

[dreamseeker]

Hi Max,

For additional info on the M, you can check out the following sites. Very good read.

http://www.nemeng.com/leica/index.shtml

http://www.imx.nl/index.html

 

[sabahan]

FYI,leica have a 'tradition' that its price will go higher each year,I buy my M7 for 3.7K 1 1/2 years ago,and now is 4K.

 

[TrailsofLife]

Hi Dreamseeker,

That is a very good read! Thanks!

The site also mention a Minolta and leica co-operation, called CL or CLE?...Is that good, saw quite afew in ebay, like still within budget....

 

[szekiat]

Thats not always true. At some point last year, it was the same as the MP at 4.5k, so it has actually dropped in price. Go for the R3A by all means, i know a lot of people who do good work with it. Me? I'm a self confessed gearhead of sorts. I like to be able to try things out.

 

[ltma]

Hi all,

Recently I saw some advert on Zeiss Ikon range finder camera and lenses. Do you think this is more or less a "Bessa" quality RF? The camera and lenses will be made by Cosina except for a couple of lenses. The advert retail price for the lenses was about 30% of Leica lenses (sorry diversion from Leica..)

I sure agree with comments about you guys are helpful and willing to share experience in this forum. Appreciate the sharing...

 

[dreamseeker]

Max,

Glad that you like the material there. In case you haven't found out about camera quest, check the link below. THere is a wealth of info there. Keep you reading thru the weekend.

http://www.cameraquest.com/classics.htm

http://www.cameraquest.com/com35s.htm

 

[vortex]

A rangefinder is excellent for shooting infra-red, especially a camera like the Leica. SLR are a nightmare because with strong red filters, you can't see what you are photographing. So everything have to be composed, and the camera set on a tripod, put on the filters, adjust exposure, and shoot! With a rangefinder, the viewfinder is never obstructed! And I am not talking about fogging yet!

Any camera can be used for street photography. But a rangefinder has certain advantages, such a seeing the action outside the frame and knowing that when you trip the shutter, you "got" it. With an SLR there is always the momentary black-out. With fast shutters today, it may not be as important, but the ability to see outside the frame in the rangefinder is something the SLR cannot compete with.

I like the Leica because it is robust and feels good. It is just a wonderful tool! Other rangefinders can do the job just as well, but the "shiok" factor is different.

ah...max theory is right regarding shooting IR...since viewfinder is not blocked.

how abt i get those leica copies to shoot IR? fogging? :sweat:

 

[TrailsofLife]

ah...max theory is right regarding shooting IR...since viewfinder is not blocked.

how abt i get those leica copies to shoot IR? fogging? :sweat:

Hi Vortex, can try lah, if you want I can pass you my FED 5B, but its even harder to load the film. and those cameras are not well-made, quite cranky. I used it once that threw it one side. I even got the full black one just to look more stylo :bsmilies:

I always been a rangefinder fan, you can easily spot me drooling outside Cathay at those leicas and also that second-hand shop at Adelphi. Always been thinking of owning Leica but couldn't justify the cost. Also couldn't balance between getting a legend vs the cheaper newer technology. It all boils down to value-for-money.

that why posted this question to this forum.

 

[TrailsofLife]

2 more questions.... :sweat: before deciding a M4-P(hopefully a silver one) or a Bessa R3A...

What .72 in the viewfinder found in leica? What the big deal about Bessa R3A's 1:1 viewfinder? What's the difference?

Read through almost the whole Cameraquest site, they mention the .72 thing and Bessa's "greatness" in making a 1:1 viewfinder... What is it all about? didn't quite get it. :dunno:

Lastly, where to get 2nd hand Leicas? Anyone spotted any used M4-P around in any shops?

:cheers: Cheers
Max 2.8

 

[XXX Boy]

2 more questions.... :sweat: before deciding a M4-P(hopefully a silver one) or a Bessa R3A...

What .72 in the viewfinder found in leica? What the big deal about Bessa R3A's 1:1 viewfinder? What's the difference?

Read through almost the whole Cameraquest site, they mention the .72 thing and Bessa's "greatness" in making a 1:1 viewfinder... What is it all about? didn't quite get it. :dunno:

Lastly, where to get 2nd hand Leicas? Anyone spotted any used M4-P around in any shops?

:cheers: Cheers
Max 2.8

For me, I would prefer a 0.72 (Leica standard) mag. If you dun use long lenses, a higher mag viewfinder is not of much use. A higher mag viewfinder is only useful for improved focusing accurate with longer tele lens (like 90mm or 135mm). FYI, I dun have any focusing problems using my 90mm f2.8 Tele-Elmarit on my 0.72 M6.
Different people with different preference on viewfinder mag, I would suggest you to get a 0.72 which includes all the 6 framelines.
I saw a very good condition black M4-P (Leica only make 0.72 for M4-P) at Alex Photo, but never ask him the price.
A M4-P would normally fetch $1400 - $2000+ depending on condition.

 

[waileong]

To understand why it's a big deal, you have to understand that a Leica iis meant to be used with both eyes open, right eye on the viewfinder, left eye scanning the environment. With a 0.72 viewfinder, the brain has to work very hard, because one eye sees a bigger image than the other. With a 1:1 system, this extra workload is overcome. What you see through your right eye is just a set of framelines surrounding your image, and you can then shoot at the decisive moment.

The big deal is no one has done a 1:1 viewfinder in a Leica M mount system. It's a big deal because even if you're willing to shell out US$10,000 for a Leica M7 Titanium, it still only comes with a 0.72 viewfinder as standard.

To answer the orig question, what's the big deal about Leica... To use an analogy, Leica (the company) is the last of the Jedi, and the Leica M camera is the equivalent of the light saber-- a more elegant weapon from a more civilised time.

Think about it. At $4,000+ for a Leica MP, you don't even get auto film winding! No P mode, Av mode or Tv mode, no exposure compensation, nothing. All you get is a simple centre weighted meter, everything else is mechanical.

$4,000 is a lot of money, you can buy two 20D's with that kind of $$ which will run rings around the MP in terms of features.

So those who buy and use Leicas are really committed photographers who appreciate simplicity and can live without automation.

Is it worth it? Yes, yes and yes!

In a world of disposable plastic digital cameras, Leica stands out as a metal, mechanical and manual camera. The camera is beautiful, lovingly handmade, holds its resale value well, and will never let you down if you respect its limits and know how to use it.

The lenses are fabulous-- the best quality that $$ can buy in 35 mm, packed into the smallest packages.

You may not see a difference in sharpness compared to L lenses when shooting handheld, but a lens has more qualities than just lp/mm. Think contrast, saturation, flare resistance, bokeh, etc.

The other thing that makes Leica great is its history. A lot of very historic and classic pictures were made with Leica's. Chez Gueverra, the Liberation of Paris, Eliot Erwitt's mother and baby, all of Cartier Bresson's famous works, etc. Of course, it's not true any more these days-- Nikon now takes the world's greatest pictures-- but the works of the past masters is incomparable.

Leica is one of the few non-modified cameras that have been to space.

So the bottom line is, if you have the $$, and if you want to have the best mechanical camera and the best 35 mm lenses, then go for Leica.

Wai Leong
==

2 more questions.... :sweat: before deciding a M4-P(hopefully a silver one) or a Bessa R3A...

What .72 in the viewfinder found in leica? What the big deal about Bessa R3A's 1:1 viewfinder? What's the difference?

Read through almost the whole Cameraquest site, they mention the .72 thing and Bessa's "greatness" in making a 1:1 viewfinder... What is it all about? didn't quite get it. :dunno:

Lastly, where to get 2nd hand Leicas? Anyone spotted any used M4-P around in any shops?

:cheers: Cheers
Max 2.8