paul_chan4

You definitely sound more informed and analytical than their 'security guard'. Hope you can get to trace the fault and get back to us on the cause. I could not explain it any better than you had done. Is not the 9 meant to be the pinnacle of the R series?

Not so much a decision on a M7 or M6 for me. I suppose many M users/owners start with either and usually end up with both ultimately. You plan a 2-lens basic combo for your M and found yourself owning 3 or more as time gets by. It's somewhat addictive. That's just about everything on the M.

The earlier Fuji G617 is fully mechanical similar to the Linhof in opearation. You set the focus by estimation, the aperture and shutter speed manually with some deliberate sense to pre-determine the proper exposure before you trip the shutter. Just remember to wind after each shot to avoid double exposure.

"...it leads to the 'plastic skin tones' that render Canon digital cameras virtually useless to the serious photographer". I beg your pardon?

Current prices for the manual 645 version have dipped considerably for the past 2 years and you can acquire a basic set-up with a couple of lenses at decent affordable cost. You do not normally need the auto focus function when you shoot medium format unless for sports and related fast-paced subjects. The Pentax is now indeed good value for the buck and is considered fairly reliable for its mechanical, metering features and the lenses. Since you do not have any need for the 'bells and whistles' I'd say go for it and enjoy the simplicity of this under-rated gear.

The extra weight is offset by a much lighter pocket. So I'd think it's no big deal really.

"A sharp lens" would aptly be sufficient. Perhaps you need not have to use that other word to convey your point of view!

I understand it's a Malaysian-made item. Powered-driven by AA batteries with an ergonomic grip. Fairly bulky but robust. I had a friend who used it on his 500CM for some years without any problem.

This is a newbie question. I like to shoot portraits in natural

outdoor environment with the 20D set on its built-in b/w parameter.

If I intend to enlarge it only up to 13"x19", would I lose out any

quality in the image without resorting to RAW? Would the highest

jpeg setting at its highest end be sufficient to produce acceptable

prints of equivalent size comparable to b/w film medium shot with

35mm format?

A few years back I had a snack with my friend and left my R5 with a 24mm Elmarit-R lens on a side chair. We left without it due to my oversight. Ten minutes later I realised my foolhardiness and deem it gone. My friend went back to the cafeteria (I was shell-shocked) and found it awaiting to be claimed by the owner. Apparently, some kind waitress had picked it up and left it with her supervisor at the counter. That was in Singapore. I never forget the incident and felt so much wiser for it. Sometime you need a lucky break.

Jeff, try to avoid a similar incident. Santa was on your side and put things right.

The Leicaflex SL is a no-frill mechanical camera and so much more affordable. I've always preferred it over any of the R series. You need to load the film manually, pre-set the film ASA, shutter and aperture, and focus with a deliberate sense of consciousness before you trip the shutter. Brings back the joy of old traditional days of photography as I knew it. Nothing auto on anything. You can say the same for the M6 and MP too.

Jim, not to my knowledge. In fact, next to the "8" the "9" is another favourite number which denotes an attachment to longevity. I did read the Forbidden Palace in Beijing was built with a strong relation to this mystical number in the design layout of the motif dragons, number of rooms and main buildings inside the courtyard. So if you happen to own any limited or commemorative edition of the M series with serial numbers 8, 88 or 888 (or 9, 99, 999) it's bingo time and should fetch an additional premium in the Far East!

Can't say the M7 being the last film camera but hearing "8" as an unlucky number in the Orient? It's in fact considered an auspicious number. We tend to shun "4" for a very obvious reason.

Anhtu, with pixs like these, you do not really need a second M. I shudder what you can be more capable of if you do!

I'd believe the lens itself can be mounted on any M series for normal usage. However the removable optical attachment to be used for close-up application may not fit to align properly with the TTL or M7 models for the reason explained in the previous thread? I do not see any limitation otherwise.

Press in the Exposure Compensation Button (+/-) and turn the Selecting Dial from OFF to "ISO". While pressing in the Button, the Total Shots Indicator in the LCD will show you the total number of shots that have been taken. It will count the number in units of 100. You can find this in the manual under Part IV "Extra Functions".

First shipment port in Hotel California. If you happen to be freezing, they'll thaw you all over.

I shoot infrequently with the 45mm on my earlier SW612 and 6x9 film back without a center filter. I found the focal length coverage a little on the wide side for landscape and street application. It is more ideally suitable for interior architectural shoot when you need the expanse coverage in confined space. I would prefer the 55mm or 65mm instead but you would find all these Rodenstock lenses are excellent. I am not able to address the shift limitation of these lenses if you use them for the Pro model.

Weight is always the overriding factor for a long trip. Do not duplicate the equivalent of similar focal length for the 2 different formats. With your 903SWC you can forego the 14mm and 24mm for the SLR. If you have to trek on the countryside, keep your load to the bare essential to enjoy the trip. Improvise with your basic gear and lenses and you'd find it so much comfortable to shoot intelligently. The last thing on your mind is to get bogged down with such a wide array of lens choices that can make you so indecisive.

Mount a graflex-type handle flash, pop in the bulb and you've the 1950's to boot. That's a great set-up. The nostalgic years are back!

Looks like the ingredients of an offer and acceptance are all in place to constitute a legal contract. Performance-wise, you remit the fund and seller ships it out on receipt of payment. The seller never make the offer conditional nor communicate any withdrawal before acceptance. Then again, in e-commerce it may not work out this intended way. Misrepresentation and outright fraud are only two of the obvious risks for armchair trading.

Since with the introduction of the M6 in 1984 Leica abandoned their

traditional name and serial inscription on the top plate. The latter

was done on the side railing of the accessory shoe right up to this

day except for the current MP. Why did they deviate from this

practice since their early production years in the 1930s knowing

just about every owner has always preferred otherwise? Can you

imagine your M3, M2 or M4 with a blank top plate? I know, they shoot

just about as good but does it not make some difference one way or

another?

Thanks to all for your posts. Hopefully there'll be some used special or commemorative models in the 'FS' ads at affordable prices! Hats off to all users who can bear the little scratch marks on their prized acquisition. As they say, nothing like displaying a used black paint model in your hands with the patina showing on the rounded edges and strap lugs. Am still wondering how the hammertone would look like after years of usage!

For our high-heeled forum members who own a commemorative LHSA

Hammertone MP, do you actually use and shoot with it? Or the M6 TTL

Millenium and all those other lavished black-paint special edition

models? I've yet to see a M6J being actually used on the streets. Or

do I suppose they're all kept in bank vaults or locked inside glass-

panelled cabinets? Come on guys, I'm just dead curious to know.