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If I had it to do over again.


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As an interesting exercise in both loyalty and hindsight, what would you do if you suddenly lost all of your cameras and lenses? While most people on this site have quite an accumulation of gear, how many of you are absolutely certain that you made the right choices during the acquisition process? How many bought items due to slick advertising or the cult like hype for it? Nothing says satisfaction like the desire to do the same thing over again if given the opertunity, (it works for spouses also). Additionally, any hidden doubt will surface when it is time to pull out the plastic for an item that you may not have as much affection for as you thought when you made your initial purchase. I believe that repetition in your responses will be the Leica cream rising to the top, and therefor be useful information for anyone contemplating a purchase.

As for me, I would seek out Classic .72 M6's. I need the wider finder to assure that I can see the 35mm frame. I would also replace both of my next to latest model 35 and 50mm 'crons. I need the tab on my 50mm, and the size of the non-ASPH 35 gives it portability that beats the collapsible Elmar. That said, I would not replace any of my 90mm lenses. I simply don't use them. After 10 plus years of using M series Leicas I believe that after 50mm, it is time to grab an SLR IMHO. What would you all do???

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Al [didn't you run for president] Smith:

 

<p>

 

I am probably not the person to answer this question. I doubt that I

have the equipment of others who post here. In 35 mm, I have Minolta,

Nikon and Leica. Medium format: Mamiya TLR, Universal, Hasselblad,

Rollei TLR; 4 x 5, Arca Swiss; 8 x 10, Deardorff. I've always just

considered them tools. Each has some function that is better than

another for a specific task. I lack emotional attachment to any of

them.

 

<p>

 

Now if you ask which I like when I just want to go out and have fun

doing photography. 35mm; my old DSM3; I just like it. Focal lengths,

35 f2, 50f2 and 90 f2.8 [unlike you I love the 90]; longer or shorter

than these, or macro, I go with Nikon or Minolta. Medium format:

Mamiya TLR; why, I don't know, we just get along. Large format;

Deardorff, once again we get along.

 

<p>

 

Sometimes you just get along with a piece of equipment and sometimes

you don't. I must admit that their are situations where I have found

the Leica lenses to be too contrasty and have gone with other cameras.

 

<p>

 

Your question doesn't have meaning for me. You would have to pry my

DSM3 from my cold dead hands. So there may be a wee bit of emotional

attachment for just one.

 

<p>

 

Best

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First, I would cry. Then, I would scream. Then, I would calm down

and be thankful that, even though the hardware is gone, I still have

all my photographs. Then, I would immediately by a new M6 and 50/2

Summicron (and look for the one with the tab!). I probably wouldn't

ever accumulate as much as I have so far, but that's because my

attitude has changed a little bit, not because I have been unhappy

with any of my purchases. Well, I did buy the 50/2.8 collapsable a

few years ago and I've used it twice. I would eventually get the 35/2

Summicron maybe the 35 'lux ASPH (which I don't have now; been craving

it because I've read nothing but raves about it). As for my attitude

changing, it's more of a "simplification." I'm shying away from wide

and narrow angles of view, and using the normal length as my standard

lens. The 50, some B&W film, and my M6 keeps me happy 98% of the

time. (The 35, great for capturing more in the frame, but I use it

less because it doesn't conform to my perceptions of what a normal

lens should be for the 35mm format. Many people consider it their

standard, normal lens, but its results plainly show characteristics of

wideness at the sides of the frame.)

<p>

I'm sure glad, Al, that this doesn't include my enlarger. I simply

will never lose it! :-)

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Al:

 

<p>

 

I have actually given your question some thought. If I had to start

over from nothing, what would I get. No question: Mamiya TLR. I have a

C33 and a C330. They didn't cost that much; so they have been with me

everywhere. Sailing on the big salt pond in a small sail boat for

weeks; tops of mountains; climbing glaciers; across the desert; and it

goes on. Properly used, they are great pieces of equipment. Mine still

work as well as the day I bought them.

 

<p>

 

If I had one system, that would be it. [from the files of a 40 y Leica

M user].

 

<p>

 

Best wishes,,

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Al

 

<p>

 

I'm a reflexer, but I always like the M-series -despite having had an

M3 and finding rangefinder viewing not quite what I like. I think if

I lost all my gear I would probably try the M6 classic with 28mm,

50mm cron, 90mm Apo-summicron (or 75mm 'lux), and the 135 Apo-Telyt.

Whether I would end up keeping this set up I just don't know. Another

"heretical" idea might be to try Canon and their L lenses to see

whether I like them - I would save some money this way, but not a

huge amount I suspect. If that didn't work I would go back to my

trusty R6.2.

 

<p>

 

I left the Leica R once and regretted the decision, but sometimes you

cannot help but wonder.

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An M3 (I like to see a 50mm frame that works--I don't like the

current finders, which feel like I'm looking through the back of

binoculars), a 28 (the next one, not the current one, if the rumors

are true :-), 50 Summicron with or w/o tab, and a fast 85 or 90

(Canon 85/1.5 is my first choice). No 35, since I hardly ever use the

one I have. No electronics, except for a honkin' big flash for

bouncing off 15-foot ceilings.

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A IIIf or IIIg, a collapsible 50/3.5, the 15/4.5 Heliar, and one of

the better fast 50's for when I could live with more size than the

Elmar. I always find myself wishing that the M3 and its attendant

Summicrons was smaller.

 

<p>

 

And throw in a Technika IV with 150 Super Symmar to go with it... :)

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I haven't gone over the top with a fixed bayonet to buy Leica

(yet!). But I do have a closet full of Nikon gear. I would simplify

and get an F3 along with 35 f/1.4 and 105 f/2.5 lenses.

 

<p>

 

As I get older I recall with fondness the early 70's when all I had

was an Olympus OM-1n and the 50 1.8. I had it with me at all times

and have dozens of carousels of great Kodachrome shots as proof

(somewhere in the local landfill are tens of dozens of my other

shots). I'm not comfortable enough or strong enough to conspicuously

lug the F5 and a heavy lens around all day.

 

<p>

 

There is no question that I have made numerous purchases based on the

influences of ads or advice. In the 70's it never occured to me that

this lens or that camera would allow me to take better pictures. And

only rarely did I wish that I had a longer or shorter focal length

that the 50.

 

<p>

 

I was at the library the other day looking at a book on the Pulitzer

prize photographs. Every winner was a result of the photographer

being at the scene with a camera, not one was a result of equipment.

Heck, most of the shots are blurry due to bad focus and/or subject

movement.

 

<p>

 

Having all of my gear taken away, but covered by insurance, would

actually be kind of fun. Great question.

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<i>I was at the library the other day looking at a book on the

Pulitzer prize photographs. Every winner was a result of the

photographer being at the scene with a camera, not one was a result

of equipment. Heck, most of the shots are blurry due to bad focus

and/or subject movement. </i><p>

 

There's an exhibit of the Pulitzer Prize winning photos in New York

City (the book you saw is connected with the exhibit.) Many of the

photos were taken with equipment most of the denizens of online

forums would sneer at. It's just proof that it <i>is</I> the

photographer and not the equipment.

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No question, I'd replace the Leicaflex SL and 400mm f/6.8 Telyt. I

also use the 90mm and 35mm Summicron-R lenses, and like them lots, but

I'm not sure the SLR is best for my purposes in these focal lengths.

I'd consider an M6TTL .72 but I'd probably end up with the R lenses to

keep the number and variety of camera bodies to a minimum. The SL and

400 are essential.

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I'd get another .72 M6 (non-TTL). I'd replace the current version 50mm

f2 Summicron and the 15mm Voigtlander Heliar. The rest of my lenses

I'd have to think about. I suspect that the 90mm Elmerit would also

get replaced, but I'd probably switch the 35mm Summicron for a 28mm.

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I've always been a big fan of simple kits, and I've bought a lot of

gear over the years to get to the simplicity I now have :-)

 

<p>

 

Were it all to vanish tomorrow, I'd get:

- an M6 .72 and an HM (classic or TTL matters not)

- a 28, either the current Elmarit or (preferably) the the rumoured

Summicron

- a 50, either the 'cron with the tab or the (not yet rumoured)

recomputed 'lux

- a 90 APO ASPH.

 

<p>

 

I'd be tempted to replace my F3 along with the 55 Micro and 180/2.8

I'd probably not replace my 35 Summicron ASPH - I prefer the 28. But

the 35 Summilux ASPH is tempting for the extra stop.

 

<p>

 

Basically, I'd replace what I currently have - it's the setup that has

satisfied me the most out of all the gear I've owned.

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<HTML>

<P>If all my kit were gone today and I had to do it all over again,

I'd buy:</P>

 

<BLOCKQUOTE>Leica M6TTL, Heliar 15, 21/2.8, 35/2, 50/2.8, 90/2.8<BR>

Rollei 35S or Minox 35GT-E<BR>

Minox ECX</BLOCKQUOTE>

 

<P>That covers about 99% of what I use now. I hardly ever use my 35mm

SLRs or Rollei TLRs, I use the Canon ELPH Jr occasionally, I do like

the Olympus Pen EE2 and use it once in a while. The Leica kit is

excessive, I know, but I'd really like the collapsible 50 and the 21

in addition to what I have now. </P>

 

<P>Oh yes: I'd add a Nikon Coolpix 990.</P>

</BODY>

</HTML>

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  • 1 month later...

I would have MAJOR problems replacing my favorite.!

I use daily a M3,purchased new in 67.The 50 Summicron collapsible.I have a M2 (1958) as back-up.Never yet needed.

It languishes in a case.I find the 5/6 frames confusing...

I`m not a rocket scientist.The meter would be nice but not really required.So if money no object.....

M6 or M4-P; 28mm/35mmf2.0/50mmf2.0/90mmf2.0

15mm Voigtlander.

No other camera can be used so well and still be a winner.

I coompose better and expose better in my SLRs,Pentax and Nikons.The clients prefer their portraits on the Leica....

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  • 4 weeks later...
  • 10 months later...

Interesting question and a good way to separate the wheat from

the chaff, so to speak. I have two Aria's and about 9 lenses in

the Contax mount. Recently have added an M6 0.58 and a 50

'cron and 35 ASPH 'cron. Both are outstanding, as you are all

well aware. I am experiencing the above question, as I am now

selling much of the Contax kit to lean more toward Leica.

 

<p>

 

I would get the 0.58 without hesitation, as it makes Leica wide

angle really available to eyeglasses wearers. The lens choice

would be the same, unless the 50mm Summilux ASPH was

then available, in which case it would replace the 50 'cron (and

will when such a lens appears). I would add a second body

early. In fact, I wonder now whether my next addition should be

an M6 TTL 0.72 (or 0.85) or a 90mm Elmarit? It sure would be

nice to carry one body with the 50mm and the other with the

35mm in my Domke F-5XB. After that, probably a Tri-Elmar.

Ultimately, my kit would be:

 

<p>

 

M6 TTL 0.58

 

<p>

 

M6 TTL 0.72 (or 0.85)

 

<p>

 

50mm 'cron (or 50mm 'lux ASPH)

 

<p>

 

35mm 'cron (How sweet it is!)

 

<p>

 

90mm Elmarit

 

<p>

 

3E

 

<p>

 

SF-20

 

<p>

 

Motor M (as a tempting possibility.)

 

<p>

 

In SLR, I would (will) keep an Aria, a 28mm/2.8 CZ, a 50mm/1.4

CZ, a 100/2.8 Macro CZ, and a Tokina 100-400/4 zoom when

tele-flexibility would be needed.

 

<p>

 

Cheers!

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Excellent question, really makes you re-evaluate and focus on

essentials.

I,d probably replace my two M6 0.72 non ttl,s along with my 50 f2 &

35f2 Asph. I,d also replace my R6.2 along with a 90 or 100 (90 Apo

Asph in R mount would be nice). Lastly my 500cm Hasselblad with

60f3.5 & 100f3.5 lenses and Minolta spotmeter to be sure. This kit

covers 90% of the travel work i do with the minimum amount of fuss

and maximum usability.

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If I had to start over, I'd love to buy an M6 .085 and a 50/2 (with

tab). I recently sold a small Contax Aria system to purchase the

50/2 (MIB)and I love the photos that have resulted. This would also

assume the insurance company paid me enough to replace the gear I

currently have (an M-4P and six lenses). And while I like the idea of

an internal meter, I could also be talked into buying an M3(DS)

instead of the M6. In fact, I hope to eventually buy one. As for

the lens, the 50 is what I take most of my photos with and probably

couldn't live without. Yes, I'd like a 90/2.8 and a 40/2 to round

things out, but I find I rarely use them and when I need them, I'm

not carrying them<g>.

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  • 4 weeks later...

Great article but being the skeptical person (good advice given in

the article) that I am, this guy uses t400cn, filters the water in

what i guess would be his humple hotel room an then does a c41

processing thing. Something is wrong here who the hell does there own

c41 processing in the middle of a war zone? either the film or the

self water filtering processing thing is bullshit.

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