really__

The normal and longer R lenses are as good as the M lenses, and since a 50 for the SL was

made in the late 1960s or later, it would be better than anything from the 1950s. The R

wide angles may not be as good as the equivilant M lenses because of the design

compromises required to make a wide angle lens focus on a SLR design.

Leicas are tighter than Canons or Nikons, which leads to problems. They require more

maintainence but reward you with greater precision and smoother handling. Like a

Porsche, if you use it for everyday driving be prepared to know your mechanic.

But Jon, that's a whole week from now... you'll be on your second or third gig by then.

Besides, I need you to swing your Leica around to keep the theives away.

I think it is a great value and the supplied software does everything I want it to do (with

Mac OS X). I've had fancier scanners but geez, there just isn't that big a difference unless

you have skitchy film to begin with.

And should we believe southern lawyers who claim they'll never "go back there again" ???

;-)

I am doing an editorial-personal project shoot in Manhattan next Tuesday, January 25. The

premise is to photograph various (diverse) people wrapped in a large American flag. I'd

like to have iconic NYC symbols in the backgrounds - Ground Zero, 42nd St, Wall Street,

etc.

I'll have a stylist and a Rollei (with a Leica for adlibs, of course). It will be a strictly guerilla

operation, and it will probably be colder than snot, so it may be abit dicey. Models will

have to sign a blanket release, and no, I'm paying anyone a cent. I'm going to take pains to

keep the flag clean and no show any disrespect.

I may be an upstate Republican hick, but the images in this series seem to appeal to

liberals and blue staters all the same. Heck, sometimes the flag even looks like a burkah.

Please get in touch if you'd like to hook up and get wrapped in old glory. Who knows, you

could get published?

Witsell? I know you're unemployed - show up - what else you got to do?

If we get a critical mass of Leica Forum members I'll publish the results.<div></div>

OK, I can only go so long with cracks like that... Once US gas hits $4 a gal. you'll see the

USA's superior inventiness and market economy create truly viable alternatives. Where

capitialism is allowed to flourish, the market solves many of these problems on its own.

The low dollar sucks for tourists like me, but I think it actually benefits the US overall, as

we can do more exports while screwing the European "Allies" who invested in American

operations.

I forgot about the VC 75. Boy, that just saved me $1200!

Seriously, how do does the VC 75 rank on the VC build quality chart? From the few

examples I've seen, some of their lenses seem like Leica quality, others seem like old

Super-Albinars (don't ask.)

It looks like flying Jet Blue from NY to LA, and then picking up a cheaper flight to Japan is a

better deal than trying to fly the majors straight through. Any alternatives flying from LA

(or Seattle, etc.) to not necessarily NRT Tokyo?

I will pick up some travel books next stop at Borders, but I like the variety of experience

you folks have... Thanks

Oh, yes, I'm Frank. Unbanned. For now at least. No politics, no baiting... No politics, no

baiting... Hi Tony!

I've always wanted to visit Japan and am starting to make plans with my teenage son for

the end of June or early July. I would like to spend a few days in Tokyo and a few days

riding a train out into the countryside, but want to avoid the typical bus tour herds. I really

don't want to see anything touristy, more I'd rather just see what everyday life is like - the

grocery store is more interesting to me than the museum.

Any advice for getting inexpensive flights and lodging?

People here just seem to dump on the 50 Summilux when compared to the other 50s and

35s. But I agree, qualities that hurt it in the absolute sharpness contest may help it with

portraiture.

So, the 75/1.4 is even more critical to focus than the Nocti! If I go that route, then I really

need to be looking at .85 VFs or M3s?

Choice of portrait/longer lenses - a clean 50mm chrome Summilux or a "user" 75/1.4? On

a classic M6. I know enough not to think about Noctiluxes, but is the 75/1.4 also as hard

to get good focused shots with? I've got this M6 with those dumb 75mm framelines, so it's

tempting to get a fast 75 instead of a dubious 50.

Also, how much does the 75 with hood intrude into the VF and how front-heavy does it

make the camera? I know it's a larger lens, but does its size preclude you from walking

around with it? (I used to use 85/1.4s on SLRs, so I really miss this sort of lens.)

Thanks

When I had the 50mm FLE I always forgot to adjust it for the distance, which was a huge

pain in the ass.

I suspect that M4s are the most problem free and their owners are happy shooting instead

of lurking... They probably were the best constructed, most usable designs of all the Ms,

provided you don't need a meter.

I hate all these little digicams after owning several. Why not get an inexpensive "user"

Canon D60 or an old Kodak DCS 520/720 with a fast prime lens or two? Galbraith's

forums has lots of that stuff in the $500 range. The megapixels might not be there, but

you'll get control and high ASA ability - the two things the pocket cams lack.

If you're fast there are also great bargains like the guy who sold two D70s for $675 each

last night. But then went within 30 minutes of his posting.

(I either use my phone or my D70 for digital. The phone is the ultimate P&S.)

I propose that all of the straight Leica users donate their clean urine to Al.

Mine burns when it comes out so I know it is clean.

Just another plug for Dean Jones doing the conversion. His website is http://

homepages.ihug.com.au/~razzle/Polaroid/polaroid.html

He doesn't make you sign anything or take a lie detector test.

If you can afford it, why not support an American made and designed product that helps a

small business? It looks like a great camera that is very different from the Ebony-Arca-

Linhof mindset that so many are in.

And if it is successful, Shen-Hao will be selling a copy for $800 next year!