paul_chan4

The Fuji 645zi likewise has an upright 'portrait' mode viewfinder. With the Bronica RF645 they're both excellent cameras in their format.

You had 2 M's? Load the M2 and shot with your other empty MP? I know, totally inconceivable.

You may need to downsize your pix for posting. Way too big for my poor 14" monitor!

The camera is strictly manual in operation. Make sure you load the film correctly in the A12 or A24 back and attach to the camera (pre-wound and shutter cocked). Remove the dark slide and you're ready. <br>Few things in mind -

<br>1. remove the lens cap!

<br>2. pre-set the shutter speed and aperture

<br>3. estimate focus distance (you cannot be far off with it's wide <br> depth-of-field)

<br>4. compose and ensure camera is held level (bubble centered)

<br>5. trip the shutter smoothly.

<br>6. wind for the next shot.

<br>All these become intuitive over a period of time. You'll get used to it. That's the beauty of using a simple mechanical camera.

Vijay, if you wish to consider good value for the bucks you may like to consider the Pentax 645. Both Bronica and Pentax are selling well below what they were a few years back and they are both excellent systems with a fairly extensive range of good lenses. But do not go into medium format gear for the thought they would hold up well in value. Most have taken a big bash since digital.

Thanks for all your threads. If anything, Leica is surely an addictive experience. No two ways around it.

I had purchased from Ray and he's reliable. I would not expect forum members here would sell their name for a mere $300. For that matter, for any much more. Or am I just too gullible?

Just a natural phenomenon. No consumer merchandise seem to go down these days. Just look at the pump price. While you're at it, get spare packs before they put you on 'back order'.

If you have to purchase just one more Leica item now (assuming we all have the

big bucks and notwithstanding we really need it or otherwise) what would that

be? A Noctilux? Digital Back for your R8/9? Or a MP3? I'd love to get my hands

on that spanking new M7 Titanium outfit. Come to think of it, I do not have

the 7 G's...

I gather the impression he was more concerned on the integrity of the private seller rather than the item being a 'fake' or real. Contact and speak to the seller on the phone, get some personal info from him, how he propose to accept payment, some refund assurance, references if any are some of the usual basic preliminary checks. If there's any sign of a 'red' herring, stay away from it. There's more M6 TTLs around to ensure a safer transaction when you have the time and patience.

Robbie, a seller here in this instance did not wish to ship a Leica-related accessory to this destination. And for his reason. To equate that with a generalised statement of not wanting 'to do business in Malaysia' is probably taking the issue way out of proportion. Do we have anything in common to talk Leica in this forum?

Paul, I'm not in the equation but am definitely taking a big exception to your statement. Let it be.

An identical prototype lens was featured on page 235 of Lager's Vol II publication with a very close serial number. 6-element design works out to about $6500 apiece. That's Leica.

My recollection of this auction -

1. it was list for a 10-day auction

2. about 15 bids were placed during that period

3. a last high bid of $2000 seems to reflect a fair price

4. it was pulled hours just before it was due to end

5. reason given 'there was an error in listing'.

The right to end the auction aside (no contention here), do the circumstances irresistibly lead to cast some doubts on the seller's honest integrity on his timing of pulling out the item? Not for a deadbeat bid in this case. Nor for any error in the listing. You make your own conclusion. Typically bidders are all taken for a roller-coaster ride. They all have to wait a little longer to add that elusive Noctilux in their camera bag.

<a href='http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?

ViewItem&item=300006297136&ru=http://search.ebay.com:80/300006297136_W0QQfromZR

40QQfviZ1' target='_blank'>Click Here</a>

<br>

More than 10 participating bids. Last high bid was $2000. Item was pulled out

just hours before it ends. I was not any of the bidders but what is going on?

Comments?

Nestor, you would not find 903SWC going for a song anywhere as they seem to be rather scarce in the used market (especially the cleaner ones). The current 905SWC is so expensive and that perhaps may explain the demand and high price. You can look for the earlier SWC/M version which usually sells lower than the 903 and the lens is basically identical. Remember the earlier SWC has a 63mm filter thread and its metal viewfinder version is also a little awkward to use for some but you just need to get used with it. If you are into the square format and moderate wide angle coverage suits your style, any version of the SWC is a good investment. Many users had testified in the past to the excellent performance of the Biogon in several past threads in this forum. Good luck to your intending purchase. You would not be disappointed (apart from its acquisition price that is!).

The earlier Pentax 645 has a tripod socket for 'portrait' shooting and balances well on a tripod. I found this special feature very useful which is lacking in other medium format design. The textured grip affords a firm grip but is not particularly comfortable. I'm not sure on the 645N model.

"...some of the more fashion conscious folks in this forum". Yeah, one step out of line and you get all the brickbats. Bodies and lenses must be homogeneous. Film in one bag, digital in the other. Unzip the wrong bag and you get 'bang bang'. Never let your gear look different in any way (color or otherwise) when you mix with the Leica community.

I was attending a small reception for a friend who was due to be relocated out of town. There was this young guy happily shooting away with a small digital p&s and he obliged with some grab shots to keep some good memories for the road. I requested for a 4R print from him and he asked for my email address! No, thank you. Yeah, film better stay around for awhile.

Brand name, optics, durability, mechanical perfection, whatever. That's what they all say anyway. It's your call ultimately.

Try any 90mm lens on a M3. Wonderful combination. Then again we've been too accustomed with some integral metering feature that any lack of such instill some sense of imperfection to get the shot right.

There was this spanking new S3 Millenium kit sold on the auction site for $1525 only today. If your thread was posted earlier I'd have gone for it. What a miss.

Wish I were there to shoot some great pixs when Rooney got his red. Probably sell like hot cakes. And Zizou came out of retirement and played to his old best to beat champions Brazil. Great games.

Seems to be on the high side. Saw it going on the 'bay auction site for about $1300 a few months back. The normal black version goes for about $1K and is more readily available but that would not be an ideal match! The 12504 shade may or may not be included with the lens and that sells for $100 apiece depending on the condition.

Get the 35mm/1.4 Summilux pre-asph Titanium. It's an all-rounder diminutive lens and a perfect match. It's still my cherry pick over the current Summicron-asph.