erik_l.

<p>Feel free to send me the contact information for the seller if you pass on this offer...</p>

<p>Gerald,<br>

You seem to be pretty keen on getting yourself a Leica RF. In the past several days you have started a few threads asking for opinions on auctions. I think at the end of the day, the only person who can decide if the cameras you are asking about are worth the cost, is you.<br>

<br />My advice would be to stop drooling over every listing on eBay, and contact one or more of the many reputable dealers of Leica cameras and lenses. Call them, discuss with them what you are looking for, your budget, etc., and have them work with you show some examples of their inventory. Do this with several places (KEH, Pop Flash, Classic Connection, etc.).</p>

<p>You will get better service, probably a better camera, and have someone there to help you should a problem arise.</p>

<p>Good luck, I hope you find a great Leica!</p>

<p>Is your hope to use this camera or purchase it as an investment or a book shelf item?<br>

<br />I cannot think of any reason at all to pay an inflated price for a camera you intend to use. If you plan to use this camera, buy a user quality body and per the previous advice, have it tuned up, then use it.</p>

<p>Soren, great collection of images. May I ask what film this was shot on?</p>

<p>Stephen Choi in Culver City, CA. does very nice work.</p>

<p>Does anyone *know* if any changes were made to the body of the M9 with respect to materials or actual design?<br>

I am curious mainly for the sake of stories reported of the base plate breaking on the M8 when mounted on a tripod. I have tried to figure this out on my own, based on the materials presented by Leica, but it is hard to know for sure.<br>

Also, any indications of the body having better weather seals than the M8?</p>

<p>Thanks in advance...</p>

<p>When compared to the ever growing number of medium format digital backs, I don't think the S2 is really all that expensive.<br>

I am not in the market for one, and doubt I ever will be, but the costs are not really all that high in comparison to "peer" products in this space.</p>

I should think almost any other film (save for Infrared) would be a better choice for a wedding. There are a huge number of great color negative films that should be much more forgiving of variable light conditions.

Check the batteries.

Wow. I think this just sealed the deal for me. No longer interested in going down the Leica digital path.

 

I do not see this as Leica's commitment to innovation. It seem more like a way to milk additional profits out of a customer base.

 

None of the upgrades seem like they would make a difference to the performance of the camera, or any impact on the users ability to make better images.

 

I mean come on...sapphire viewing screen? Quieter shutter?

 

And a firmware upgrade? Gee thanks Solms.

Alex,

So much light leaks into a Holga anyway, I don't see how any more will make any difference. Good luck. Please let us know how your project goes.

Randy,

If you are in the studio and you use a flash meter, you should be able to dial in exactly the amount of light you want, and set the camera to expose for it without the need to dial in any exposure comp.

Are you on the east or west coast of the US (or elsewhere)?

 

If you are on the west coast, and you shoot afternoon/evening, you are aiming into the sun (generally speaking). Try shooting sunrise/sunset surfing with the sun to your back, and your pics will almost immediately show improvement.

Oh.

 

I was expecting to see some pictures of a fight between a M6 and an M7.

 

 

Seriously, before you kick down any money on either of these, why not rent one and see if an RF is even your cup of tea. Otherwise, there isn't much else in the way of automation on the M7 to make much of a difference. Both are quite manual.

Yes. The 35mm f/2.8 lens makes the Olympus Stylus Epic a must have at $79.95.

Brian,

 

There are some great images in there. Well done.

 

The only comment I would make is that your slide transitions are WAY to fast.

 

Erik.

If you are talking about the issue of the finder going white from flare, it is hardly a fatal flaw.

 

If it's something else, do tell....

Hi Leo,

 

I believe that for the most part, there have not been many changes to the formula used in many large format lenses over the years. I know each lens and lens maker may differ, but my guess is that the lens design of 1987 and that of 2007 are pretty similar if not the same. Some differences you might find are the materials used to create the non-optical componments, etc., but that should be about it.

Hi Mitch,

 

Aside from the sticks in the image at the top center of picture, this shot is amazing.

A&I - Multiple locations in Los Angeles.

Robert,

 

The TOO LOUD excuse is lame. I have owned a G2 since it was released, as well as my M6 and M2, and while the Contax is much louder than the Leica, it is only loud to the person who's face is smashed up against the camera. I can tell you from experience that the subject can hardly hear a thing form the Contax. I know that from lots of experience being the subject. I can tell no difference between the level of sound from it and any of my Nikons (F4s, F100, FM2, D70), Hasselbald, Mamiya, etc.

 

I'd argue that the aside from being discontinued, the platform is still used heavily by a large cadre of dedicated users. There is even a Contax G users group event taking place next year in Berlin.

 

For all of it's problems, it is a fine system with great optics and excellent reliability.

Jennifer,

I use a Shen Hao for landscape, still life, and sometimes portraits. It is a great camera at a great price. I cannot think of one feature that it is lacking...well auto focus and exposure would be nice I guess.

 

Erik.

Bravo, Ian!!!

 

That is a great image, it tells an entire story.

The Voigtlander (pick a model) seems like a good fit.

The holder or the film?