bobtodrick

Went through the same thing a couple years ago. I just didn’t seem to be able to find a digital camera I clicked with and after 25 years of film photography I drifted away about 2005. Then three years ago a friend let me play with his Q…I was hooked and purchased one within a week. Love it. After years of hauling around a 20lb camera bag I find the one lens concept very freeing…instead of sweating over which lens to use I look at a scene and decide how to shoot it to best effect with the lens on the camera. I’ve owned an M6 kit, R3 kit and various Nikon’s…the Q rates with the best of them.

Wow, I guess if you like either a green or orange color cast, the Portra is the way to go :(

I'm afraid I'm going to cheat. If I was limited to one camera/lens it would be my Leica V-Lux 114. To many time in the past I've missed a good photo opportunity because I had the wrong lens or only one lens with me. I refuse to miss a good photo because I was trying to prove how minimalist I can be.

<p>Told you didn't he Bill ;)<br> Working at one of Western Canada's largest photo-retailers, with a busy rental department, I can all too well back you up.<br> The number of people we get renting unfamiliar equipment to take on vacation...or shoot a wedding...and come back with no images is laughable.</p>

<p>After playing with the Q I'm very impressed. I'm hoping they will do what they did with the X...bring it out in a fixed lens and then when they saw how well it did, bring out the zoom version.<br> A Q with a 35-90 equivalent zoom would be, in my mind the proverbial cat's ass.<br> But this is coming from someone who, over the last 5 years has divulged himself of a full R3 kit, a lllg, M4 (and lenses for both) and now does most of my shooting with a V-Lux 4 (and am totally happy with the results)...so what do I know ;)</p>

<p>Gotta admit...a 1st world problem here.</p>

<p>I started my career in photography in 1975 and in 1977 purchased the first Nikon FSAs sold in Edmonton, Alberta.<br> In the early 90's I liquidated all my 35mm SLR gear to fund medium format which my work demanded . For personal work used a Leica M4.<br> Like nearly everyone switched to digital over 10 years ago. <br> Over the last few years I found my interest in photography waning. I'm one of those old luddites who find working in a darkroom far more satisfying than sitting in front of a computer...but that's what my work demanded. The timeflo of todays world just doesn't work with the darkroom. Just couldn't see running two workflos, so, as I say my personal interest in photography waned.<br> Last Friday was my 60th b-day and a friend of mine told be he had a special gift for me. <br> Don't know where he got it but he showed up Friday evening with an absolutely mint black body F2As with the venerable 43-86 (thankfully the 2nd version....so it's bad but not terrible).<br> For the first time in 10 years I bought some film...can't wait to give her a run this coming weekend.<br> I feel more excitement photography wise than I have in ages.</p>

<p>In the grand scheme of things Leica isn't a big company.<br> If the many thousands of dollars they make on these special editions helps keep them in business so they can continue to make such pedestrian items such as 35mm Summicrons and the such....then I say the more they sell the better.</p>

<p>Okay...maybe I need my morning coffee.<br> Lenny Kravitz special edition M-P are selling for $20000+, with carefully 'applied' wear.<br> And others worry about the least scratch......<br> It's a camera, meant to take photos, not a piece of art.<br> I guess I'm just crabby today.</p>

<p>Alex, Mike hit the nail on the head.<br> I sell pro equipment at Western Canada's largest photo retailer.At one time scanners sold well...but the immediate years before Nikon discontinued their line (likely the best reasonably priced film scanners at the time) we were selling maybe 2 or 3 a year. In the early 2000's we were selling that many a week.Same with the Agfa Duo-Scan (one of which I still have, hooked up to an ancient desktop because of the scuzzy (SCSI) connectivity. Even though they were pricey ($2000+) we sold 20 or 30 a year. We had clear out the last ones at nearly 1/2 price because there was so little demand.We sell a couple of dozen of the Epson's per year now...primarily because at a price starting at $200 people who have a lot of hard copy (they are a flatbed as well as a film scanner) purchase them. We sell very few of the higher end ones because at $700 most people don't want to spend the money.One can only imagine what a Leica scanner would cost.</p>

<p>Good light without a lot of contrast...the iPhone makes a great p&s, that, as others have mentioned is likely always with you.<br> Low light, contrasty scenes and such it pales in comparison to a decent p&s.</p>

<p>I find myself agreeing with David (yet I am a huge Leica fan and have been for years)<br> Though many consider Leica to be the 'father' of 35mm photography, patents had already been awarded to a number of companies experimenting with cameras that used 35mm cine film as early as 1908.<br> Leica happened on a design that worked very well and they had the manufacturing capability to build what Barnack designed.<br> But I have no doubt that had Mr. Barnack not come up with his design, we'd still have 35mm cameras.<br> The Leica Rangefinder does a number of things extremely well...it is my first choice for street shooting and indoor casual portraiture. But if I am off to photograph a sporting event or shoot some landscapes my Nikon's are what I grab.<br> And I daresay, that though there are definitely many iconic Leica images out there...in the general publics eye they are very likely eclipsed by the number of images taken with Nikon, Canon, or even Minolta (Eugene Smiths Minimata essay for example).<br> By the way (and this is really picking nits)...I love my wife and children...I really like and appreciate my cameras.</p>

<p>Be interesting to see the feedback here.When I was a working pro (about 10 years ago) I used Leica M and R as well as Nikon and Olympus.Photographed most editorial and motorsports, lots of bright sunny days and I never noticed a problem with noticeable flare.In many instances (as a car race for example) I would be using the Nikons side by side with the Leica M (300/400mm on the Nikon, wides on the Leica)...no problem whatsoever.</p>