colin_elliott

<p>Mukul, I'm not sure if these coupling rings remain in the current Leica catalogue.<br>

I can tell you though, I have had 100% satisfaction with my Zeiss 645 lenses, by epoxying 2 rear lenscaps together. In fact, the drawback with the Leica design is that the coupling ring is hollow meaning that if one lens is removed, it leaves the rear of the other open to dust,etc. One can of course, fit a body cap in it's place which only goes to highlight the design flaw.<br>

With the design of the Leica R coupling rings, these do have a solid centre.</p>

<p>Dave,<br>

I can't even begin to think that there is a lab(labs?) out there that would even contemplate not sending back YOUR negatives.<br>

They certainly wouldn't get any business of mine: they may even be sued!</p>

<p>Mukul, Leica describe this bag as being approx. 25x14x19cm externally.<br>

It was designed to hold 1 M6 with or without winder, with lens attached and up to 4 other lenses.<br>

It came with a 2 coupling rings (part No. 14 838) to each hold 2 lenses together, back to back. It has an adjustable leather shoulder strap and zippered front pocket for accessories.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Daniel,<br>

This really unfortunate.<br>

Can you not claim the cost of repairs/replacement from your insurance company?<br>

Even if you don't have the camera on a seperate schedule of personal effects, it should be covered. </p>

<p>Arthur, My criticism of Leica is due to (a) we are paying high prices for their products and subsequently expect a superior product and superior service (b) this practice represents a complete 180 degree departure from previous practice. Prior to their Passport programme, ( a relatively short timespan in the history of the company), I believe Leitz/Leica guarantees were transferable.<br>

With one third of Leica's production time spent on QA, it should not be unreasonable to expect a transferable guarantee of product reliability.<br>

My comment regarding the automobile industry was not analagous to the Passport programme, but rather, the "transferability" of a warranty/guarantee.<br>

And yes, some Leica products are more expensive than some new cars! </p>

<p>David, Are you saying that Leica states that a current warranty (guarantee) is not transferable?<br>

If this is the case, well P**s on them!!<br>

This really is a major departure from the 3 year Passport days. Even the American automobile industry isn't that callous. </p>

<p>Bulent,<br>

I think a new shutter for your C645 will be around $180.00 US from Tocad.<br>

I believe there is still an outfit doing Contax repairs in the UK if that is of interest.</p>

<p>According to Leica's literature, the M6 ttl has a zinc top plate of 0.8mm<br>

and a brass baseplate of 0.8mm<br>

Where do you find reference to the switch in materials?</p>

<p>Jim, I would echo the Ektar recommendation.<br>

I use it extensively in both 35mm and 120 formats for landscape work.<br>

I highly endorse the use of Velvia 50 for slide work. Don't have many scanned but projection of medium format RVP is unbelievable! </p>

<p>Stephen,<br>

I don't know where you are located but Malcom Taylor in the UK I believe does recoating of Leica lenses.</p>

<p>Many years ago I attended one of the 2 or 3 day Leica Schools.<br>

Howard is on the right track; one does learn much about Leica products together with some photographic techniques. You also get the shoot time with the latest Leica equipment.<br>

Jim, unless one is an underage person, I don't understand why a "guardian" is required. I certainly never experienced that at the Leica School. We basically left the building with the equipment for the picture taking session and were on our own. (grown-ups).<br>

At the end of the workshop we were offered new latest "R" bodies at a fairly attractive discount. I did take advantage of that!</p>

<p>Michael,<br>

Six responses so far, this one makes seven and yes, in answer to your question, it does look like you are the only one on this forum who is a little upset.<br>

Personally, I don't have an issue with it. It may be a little frustrating if some members are getting to buy 3 or 4 bodies though.<br>

My local camera store received 4 D800's only at the initial delivery and they all went to NPS members. The next shipment of these is as yet unknown. These will be allocated to more NPS members, then to those customers who have pre-paid, then to those who have paid a deposit and finally to "walk-ins". They don't even know when they will have a camera to actually display/demonstrate.<br>

If I buy one, I suspect it'll be available sometime in July/August. Yes, I could pre-pay and jump up the queue, but having never owned/used anything with the Nikon name on it, I'm hesitant to layout $3000. without the opportunity to at least fondle it first!</p>

<p>David, Whether you can claim from your insurance depends on what type of insurance you have.<br>

If you have a photographic equipment policy or a Rider/Endorsement on a Home insurance policy (All Perils) listing your equipment, you probably can.<br>

You can always "submit" a claim. Whether it's approved will depend literally, on the "small print."As for the future, keeping you lens close- focussed, rather than at infinity will help.(but not as much as a lenscap).<br>

However, an M7 is a relatively recent camera and I for one would net even consider a "patch". I'd get a quote from Leica and Malcom Taylor regarding replacing the shutter curtain. Obviously, if it is an insurance claim, then you may wish to insist that Leica do it.<br>

Good luck.</p>

<p>These CFL's are being foisted upon us in Canada too.<br>

Personally, I don't think this government legislated happening will have a long life.<br>

There have been many documented cases of people suffering with headaches as a result of their use.<br>

Safe disposal is an issue (they contain mercury), and inconvenient for some consumers to practice.<br>

I believe that such CFL's will be replaced by LED bulbs. Yes, they are more expensive but don't contain harmful chemicals, don't flicker and last longer. There have, as far as I am aware, been no reported cases of headaches by consumers.</p>

<p>Henry, Thanks for that answer.<br>

So it now begs the question, if one travels from Canada and buys a Nikon from a USA approved retailer, will the supplied Nikon USA warranty be honoured by Nikon Canada (or elsewhere)?<br>

Is it a worlwide warranty?</p>

<p>What is interesting is that B&H's website states that they will ship the Canon 5D MkIII to Canada but "Due to certain restrictions" wont ship a Nikon D800!<br>

Now who's really setting the rules Canon? Nikon? B&H? All of them?</p>

<p>Thanks Marc and Ed.<br>

Marc, What is "AR"? Aspect Ratio? If so, surely with a 36x24 sensor the AR is 3:2<br>

Am I missing something here?<br>

Colin</p>

<p>Thank you all for your invaluable comments regarding my intentions.<br>

My Leica gear is of the M family so no DSLR mounting possibility for those lenses. My Medium Format is from the Contax 645 and again, I don't believe there is an adapter for those electronic mounts.<br>

Even with the AF on my Contax, I tend to use it to "get me there approx." and touch up with manual focus. One of my favourite functions of the Contax 645 is the ability to overide the AF just by grasping the lens. Do the Canon lenses allow for this with the system in AF mode? I believe that Nikon AF-S lenses have this function.<br>

I know that I maybe in the wrong Forum, but is it likely that Nikon lenses are superior to the Canon L's?<br>

My demands on any AF system would be primarily for everyday shooting. My considered landscape images are always from the camera mounted on a tripod. It may come down to having to buy the appropriate Zeiss ZE or ZF mount lenses. If this were to be the case, the D800 with its megapixel advantage may be the proper choice. Given that the ZF lenses have a d.o.f. scale, my hyperfocal focusing technique remains straightforward.<br>

IIRC, some years ago, Canon had a "depth" mode on certain bodies. This allowed the photographer to focus on the nearest object to be sharp and then focus on the most distant object required to be sharp.The camera then set the "hyperfocal distance" before making the exposure. Is this function available on the 5DII?</p>

<p>I apologise for the lengthy posting but I wish to make an "informed choice" at the end of all this.</p>

<p>Hello,<br>

I normally post in the Medium Format and Leica forums. However, I shall be entering the DSLR world shortly and am considering either a Nikon D800, or Canon 5DII. (the 5DIII is too expensive).<br>

I am wondering about the autofocus comments regarding the 5DII. There seems to be much negativity particularily now that there is a Mk III out.<br>

My primary interest is landscape photography, so speed is not normally one of my issues but accuracy is. Before making a decision I need to know whether the 5DII autofocus is considered to be slow or inaccurate or slow AND inaccurate?<br>

Being from the Leica and Zeiss camp, I'm also a little concered about subsequent lens quality.<br>

I would appreciate any comments from those who have first hand experience.<br>

Thanks</p>

<p>I have one of these tins (sans mints now, of course).<br>

I don't recollect exactly where I got it but it was either Photokina '98 or other trade shows where Leica had a stand.<br>

I have over the years amassed a number of Leitz/Leica "giveaways". E.g. Lapel pins, tie pins, ties, ballpoint pens, watch, lens cleaning cloths, ashtrays(with exploded diagram of Summicron lens), etc., etc.<br>

I guess they probably have some value to others as well.</p>

<p>While on the subject of "country of origin", does anyone know if there are any Nikon DSLR lenses still made in Japan.<br>

Everyone I've handled at trade shows, is stamped otherwise.</p>

<p>It is my understanding that if Leitz in Wetzlar, and poss. London or New York serviced the camera, it was "resealed" with an L'. This was a way of knowing that the service was performed by Leitz and not some third party repair shop. It does not mean the camera has never been "opened".<br>

I have understood this for the past 50 +years! </p>

<p>Kevin,I have used the Leitz 60mm Macro-Elmarit R on my various R bodies when I was heavily into Leitz/Leica's Reflex system.<br>

I have never believed that Leitz were the "finest" when it came to Macro lenses; (that honour belonging to Zeiss). However, my 60mm Macro-Elmarit was the sharpest, most contrasty lens in my arsenal of 8 Leitz"R" lenses. I would highly recommend it.</p>

<p>My only experience has been to order a replacement part.<br>

It came f.o.c. by return first class mail. I would not hesitate to use them again.</p>