steve_york1

If Leica prices this item correctly -- at no more then the high end of most people's comfort zone -- then they will probably sell many, many, many of them, despite advances in digital technology and back orders, because of the intense brand loyalty Leica enjoys, as well as the ability to use Leica's great optics on a digital camera. I believe there are many M users just waiting to go digital, and this M8 will be the vehicle for them to do so.

At a local Leica Day last week here in S. Florida, I asked the Leica rep if there were any plans for a faster 28mm lens, given that the 28mm focal length on the new digital M, with a 1.33 crop factor, will be the same field of view as a 35mm lens on an analog M. The answer was no -- not in the works and not in the plans. He seemed to suggest that all of Leica's resources were behing getting the digital M out in the market.

 

And I understand that faster lense still have relevance in the digital market, but maybe they will not be perceived as imporatant where you can poke a button and change your iso setting on the digital camera between shots.

He's talking about the build quality and the "fit and finish" of the product. And yes, the ZI is a quality product.

Crop factor of 1.33 and 10 megapixel. It will be introduced at photokina 2006 -- that is next fall. There was something about the new digital M have something to do with new sensor technology, as reported in a UK magazine. I read that in the Leica forum at Leica's homepage. It will also be introduced with some new wideangle lenses.

Same optical forumula as current model. I had one -great pictures -- but gave it to my brother, who apprreciates the retro look more then I. A little lighter then the current silver 50mm Summicron. Probably a more effective shade, but the built in shades are more convenient. Its a very nice lens when I had it, and my brother now is very happy with it; I just went to a Summilux for the extra speed.

I don't use anything wider then a 35mm focal length at this point, but if I were to go any wider I believe I would go 21mm, because you can use that focal length w/o an attached view finder -- its basically your entire vision, including your peripheral.

LFI had an articleon the 90's in the last couple of years. Basically, it said that, as a practical matter, the current Elmarit and Summicron ASPH were the same in optical quality with the Summicron, of course, being a stop faster, and heavier. So I guess it comes down to whether you need the speed and the narrow depth of field at f/2 isn't a problem for you.

If timing is an issue with regard to ZI sales, I suspect it is simply the slowing of film body sales in this current digital market, as opposed to rangefinder aficionados eagerly awaiting the digital M. As far as the digital M goes, even if it is introduced next year, there will probably be such a back log of orders that if you want one you will have to wait, and for folks who will pay the $ for a digital M, $1300 US for ZI is sort of peanuts. Well, not exactly, but you get the idea.

As far as a digital M goes, I anticipate Leica to come out with a bunch of new lenses, as much for marketing reasons as for actual need. But then, I'm just cynical by nature.

It is reports of that viewfinder which makes the ZI attractive to rangefinder aficionados. This camera is unquestionably a good value, if you are in the market.

 

I would like to see one, but I'm not sure i would be interested, given that I already have two Ms. And what happens if the ZI breaks 5 years down the road? I know my Ms could be repaired, and Leica has committed to have spare parts for 30 years .... not a big deal, but something to consider.

 

Just a price point correction: Everyone keeps saying a used M7 is about $2500 US. You can get new grey market M7s for that amount from HK or the US.

I may just have to try one of these ZI's. The eyerelief and viewfinder sound very appealing. Is three film cameras one too many?

 

But w/o a doubt, Leica's latest offerings in lenses (e.g., 50mm Summilux ASPH, 75mm Summicron ASPH, ect.) smash any of the ZI lenses; albeit at a hefty price.

They loosen a bit with use.

For practical purposes, the optical quality of the 35mm summicron ASPH and the 35mm Summilux ASPH are the same. The decision should be based on whether you will find the extra stop of speed on the Summilux useful. If so, get the Summilux; if not, save the money and get the summicron. The answer to this question will probably depend on whether your doing much in the way of indoor shooting.

 

If you limit yourself to one camera and one or two lenses the extra weight of the summilux doesn't matter.

A costly misload of film in the first couple of months of using an M before I learned that you have to push down on the film catridge to make sure it is securely seated. Since that time, I've never had a problem. The cost? A picture of my grandmother in a hospice who passed away shortly thereafter.

I will just say again that there is no universal yardstick by which to measure the relative stiffness or smoothness of a lens. Most people like a silky, smooth feel, but some folks like a stiffer focusing lens. I've owned a few and played around with many new Leica lenses, and none of them have been so stiff to impede taking pictures. The ones I've owned have all loosened up with use. It is really a small issue were talking about here. Its a bit of the proverbial "mountain out of a mole hill." Given the optical quality of Leica lenses, especially the 50mm Summilux ASPH, its really not a decisive factor in whether to obtain one or not, as its really not a big deal.

I got one a month ago and it was stiff focusing out the box. It has loosened with use. I wouldn't call it silky smooth focusing, but it is very acceptable now.

This is the exact same situation with my 50mm Summilux ASPH (39853xx). It has loosened up with use, but it does not have the out of the box silky smooth focusing of my 35mm Summicron ASPH. The focusing of the 50mm lens, however, is not as stiff as a 90mm Elmarit which I recently obtained, and which I did not send back only because I obtained it at dealer cost from someone who was liquidating their stock. I was at a Leica Day here in South Florida over the week end, and the 50mm Summilux ASPH which the Leica rep had was smooth focusing. A couple years ago, I obtained a 50mm Summicron which was very stiff focusing, and returned it for one which was significantly less stiff.

 

I don't think there are defective or anything like that. Over the years, I've come to the conclusion that the relative stiffness or smoothness of focusing is just a normal variance with Leica lenses. The more you use them, the more they loosen somewhat. I've heard some folks say they actually prefer the stiffering focusing lenses. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

Try focusing this lens with your index finger (you know, the one you point with) on the tab and the thumb on the barrel. It helps significantly.

Why? So that there is a Leica option for folks who want to use their M mount lenses on a digital camera. Why? Because Leica, as a business, needs to make money.

Leica Day use to mean 10% off which was great for out of state purchasers (10% off plus no sale's tax!). Absorbing sale's tax -- which is good -- but is no different then mail order. There was really no incentive to buy, unless you already in the market.

 

It was fun to see the entire lens lineup and the DMR. I'll echo the sentiment above about it being a good thing no alcohol was being served.

 

As I had already purchased my Leica goody for the year, the piggy bank was empty.

I agree with Roger. What is your standard lens now? If 50mm, then consider a 90mm; if 35mm, then consider a 75mm.

 

The 90mm Summicron APO is also a heavy lens also. The 90mm elmarit, as a practical matter, is optically as nice with a much more convenient weight; albeit a stop slower.

I like more mechanical cameras, so I would be inclined to go with the M6. The M6, however, will be used and w/o a very good warranty.

 

On second thought, I would wait to see ZI when if finally hits the streets. It has certain advantages over the M6: longer rangefinder base; huge viewfinder; and 1/2000 shutter speed. Contrary to what a bunch of the leicaphiles state, it should be a very good quality, if the quality of the ZI lenses are any indication of the camera. At a street price of about $1600 US, with a new warranty, it should be a pretty good value.

 

Ultimately, it comes down to whether you want the electronics or a more manual camera. And there is a question of whether the build quality of the ZI approaches that of the Leica rangefinders. I would wait and see. It should be out shortly.

I can attest to the "Fake Second Chance" scam. Someone tried to pull that on me earlier this summer.

All silvers except for the 50mm Summicron; 35mm Summicron ASPH; and the 50mm Elmarit are being discontinued. I know many of the silver lenses in the other focal lengths or speeds are still on the shelves.

I guess they check the lenses before they ship them out the door, right?

I upgraded my set of Leica lenses this summer to the current models

(only three focal lengths), and I chose the Summilux ASPH for the

50mm lens, which is my main focal length. The one I received from

B&H has this incredibly stiff focusing. Are they all like that?

Although it has loosned up a bit with just a few minutes of testing,

its a far cry from the silky smooth focusing of the prior new and

used Leica I have or had in the past. And it does not seem to be a

uniform stiffness when I rotate the focusing lever -- it stiffens,

and then loosens up a bit. Weird.

 

Has anyone else experienced something like that? Having not

experienced anything like that in the past, I was just wondering it

that is normal and whether it will loosen up to to that silky smooth

focusing feel which I like.