kl_prager1

Hi Kenneth,

 

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I don't think your solution of using a digicam as your 'pocket'

camera is crazy. Although the idea has crossed my mind several times

also,I'm still happy with film. However, sometimes I do get Kodak's

Picture CD's (color only)and I plan to get a film scanner later.

Anyway, if a Kodak digicam serves your purposes then that's great too.

Robin,

 

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You're probably right that Leica is unlikely to bring out an updated

CL. I suppose it's just 'wishful thinking' on my part...I'm glad to

hear that the meter's on the original ones are repairable anyway.

 

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Cosmo,

 

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I did receive your e-mail. Thank you!

 

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Ken

I agree with the comments made about 28mm being too wide for a fixed

lens camera, at least for my purposes, which are mostly family photos.

 

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I tried the Minilux when it first came out and wasn't that satisfied

with its ergonomics, although that was just running a roll through it

outside of a local dealer's shop. I also prefer the smaller size and

some of the features of the Contax T3 anyway. Take a look at the

black body T3's that are supposedly on their way here at this site.

http://www.kyocera.co.jp/news/2001/0104/0402-e.asp

 

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I'd really love it if Leica (or even Cosina) come out with an updated

CL (w/ a modernized and reliable meter), so that it could double

as 'pocket' camera and second M body at the same time. If they could

bring this out with a 40mm for $1000 they'd probably sell very well.

Of course, the key word here is "if"...The idea of paying a bundle

for a used CL with an unreliable meter is just not very appealing.

Leica might actually be smarter bringing out an updated CL, than an

M7, but that's another story...

Thanks to everyone for all the comments! There's been a really great

number of responses, which and serves as yet another example of what

a wonderful forum this is!!!

 

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It's obvious that there's lots of personal favorites as far as pocket

cameras goes, including many who view their Leica M's as their

'pocket' cameras. I'm still undecided between the Olympus Stylus Epic

and the Contax T3. I like the price and weather proofing of the

Olympus, but the quality and option for overrides of the T3. In any

event, the numerous responses will serve as good 'food for thought'.

And, if Leica comes out with a new (smaller & lighter) model

Minilux...

 

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Cosmo: A local dealer advises that his Contax rep claims the black T

3's are on their way and should be here in another month. Let's not

hold our breath though...By the way, how do you override the DX

coding in your Olympus Epic to shoot Tri-X at 200?

I'm wondering what pocket cameras other Leica M photographers are using. I recently took a family vacation and brought along my wife's Olympus Stylus together with my Leica M gear. I ended up using the Olympus more than I expected and found that it came in really handy. My favorite photos (of my family at the beach) were actually taken with the Olypmus, although the quality doesn't even come close to that of my Leica M w/ 35 'cron.

 

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Now I'm thinking of getting another pocket camera, but with a better quality lens than we have on our Olympus Stylus. The Contax T3 is a viable choice, based on lens quality alone. The Yashica T4 is another option. I've also heard that the lens on the Olympus Stylus Epic has 2 aspherical elements, but don't know if its lens is any better than with the previous model Stylus we already have. I'm not anxious to have a zoom model, as I prefer the smaller size of non-zoom cameras.

 

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So, I'm looking forward to hearing comments from other Leica M photographers about which pocket cameras you are using and can recommend, as well cameras you don't recommend due to problems.

Thanks in advance.

Ken Hansen Photographic in NYC is a one of the best camera dealers! He had the Rollei GX 2.8 Expression available new for $2,200. They also had the 80th Anniversary model (essentially the same camera in a commemorative version) at a much higher price. They'll probably also have a complete range of used cameras available.

 

The GX 2.8 is my personal favorite (for actual use, not as a collector) due to the modern lens coatings and built in meter. However, if you're not interested in the meter, you can save a lot of money getting one of the older models.

Your initial selection seems like very good choices. You might

consider buying a second body instead of the Noctilux for your trip.

That way you'd have both lenses ready for action at all times and the

added assurance of traveling with a second body.

 

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I'm very happy with my M6TTL .72 with 35 & 50 'crons for my present

requirements. If I add anything in the foreseeable future it will be

another body and a possibly a longer lens. However, my present needs

allow me the luxury of keeping things simple and my gear to a minimum.

Residential real estate investment & property management; Located in

San Mateo, CA (near San Francisco); Amateur photographer since 1979 -

having used Leica M's (on & off) since 1985 and now use my M6TTL

almost exclusively...Great website, great contributors, thanks to

all!!!

Thanks for the info James.

 

I hope Rollei will proceed with re-introducing the tele version of their TLR. If so, then hopefully they'll also re-introduce the auxillary filters that allow for closer focusing than the 8 ft. minimum focusing distance.

I was told by a Bronica rep about 6 weeks ago that that they were redesigning the lens and that it might be a shorter focal length like a 120. He wasn't sure when the lens would be available, but he thought it would be sometime this year. As already noted, designing a telephoto for a RF (especially a MF RF) is more challenging than with standard and wide angle lenses. The good news is that Bronica decided on redesigning this lens before introducing it.

Tony, Thanks for all your efforts in making this such an

extraordinary site!!! It's easily my favorite of all photography

sites. Thanks to everyone else who contributes here as well!

Ken

M6TTL .72 (black) w/ 35mm Summicron ASPH is easily my first choice!

The current 50mm Summicron is easily a very close second.

I like Jack's idea! The M6 with 35 ASPH is an incredible combination

and you may very well not want to use anything else after having this

anyway. I've been selling off my MF SLR gear after using an M6 again

and for my purposes it's a much better match. By the way, I've used

both the Hexar and the G1 and I much prefer my M6. However, be

prepared for taking the time (and practice) necessary to master the

M6. Good luck!

Hi Mani,

 

Nice seeing your post on the MF Digest! Are you a Rollei TLR user?

 

By the way, Ken Hansen Photographic in NYC has the Rollei 2.8 GX for $2,200 new in the box. How does this compare to the prices you're seeing in Tokyo?

 

I don't have a Rollei and am actually in the process of selling some of my MF gear because I haven't been using any of it since I started using a Leica M again. However, the Rollei TLR does seem in many ways to be quite complimentary as a MF camera for a Leica M user.

 

Take care,

 

Ken

Fergus: What's the problem with the Nikon LS-4000 for B&W?

Nice photograph Jeff!

I don't see the benefit of comparing binoculars with Leica camera

lenses. This really seems like comparing apples and oranges.

 

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I don't know what a high quality pair of binoculars costs, but I

suspect that they're less expensive than Leica camera lenses. Also, I

don't know that minor damage to binocular lenses will ruin their

value to the same extent that it would with camera lenses, as they're

used for entirely different purposes. Finally, some optical equipment

have 'built in' protective coatings and/or filters, so this further

complicates comparison.

Sorry for the typo of my last recent response, the post I referred to was made by Yongfei, not Fongfei...

I'm glad Fongfei mentioned using a tripod, because I've been meaning to add a few comments about this to my original response. You can certainly use both the M7 and Hassie 501CM without a tripod, but you'll undoubtly benefit more from using one with both cameras. While this can also be said of 35mm cameras, it seems even more noteworthy with MF cameras, because of the increased cost of film & processing. And, then there's the presumption that if you're going to MF for the improved quality, then do everything possible to maximize it.

 

One of the reason's I've gone back to primarily using 35mm, is that I don't enjoy using a tripod. Another reason is that I don't enjoy lugging around heavy camera gear. I'm using a 35mm RF again because they're all but made for shooting "on the fly" and to minimize the weight factor. I'll most likely end up selling my MF SLR's and perhaps pick up a fixed lens TLR for those ocassions when I really don't want to sacrifice the improved quality MF offers. In the end, I just felt that the heft of my MF SLRs became inhibiting for me. Since I'm not a professional, in my case I think it's more a matter of my personal style and temperment than about the extent of my committment to photography.

 

So, since you've already qualified your decision partly based on a concern about camera weight, I'd urge you to rent either the M7 or Hassie for a week or so (if you haven't already done so). This may help ensure (as much as possible) that you'll be happy traveling with the added heft these cameras usually have.

 

Good luck!

I own a Hasselblad 501CM and have used the M7 several times. I also prefer to travel as light as possible, so I wouldn't take along my Hasselblad on a trip. So, between the 2 cameras you've mentioned, I'd pick the M7. You might also consider the new Bronica 645RF if you like the 645 format.

 

However, if you like the viewfinder of the Hasselblad, you might consider a Rollei TLR, if you can live w/ a fixed lens. It has the advantages of lighter weight (than a Hassie) and a waist level viewfinder.

 

Good luck.

I'd get a used Leica M body (an M2, M2-4, M3, M4, or M4-P) (or a used

Hexar RF if you can find one at the right price) and add a used Leica

or new Voigtlander screw mount 35mm lens. You should be able to find

an M4-2 and lens for $1,300.

 

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I'd avoid investing the money on any components that are not fully

interchangeable (eg. a fixed lens subcompact, or body that won't)

accept your existing M len) until you fill out your M system.

 

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Good luck!

I think that either the Mamiya 7 or Bronica 645RF would be ideal MF cameras for street photography. The Mamiya has the benefit of a proven track record and built in framelines for the 65mm lens. I prefer the ergnomics of the Bronica, but it's too new to have a proven track record yet and their aren't any built in framelines for the wide angle lens.

 

I have a Pentax 645n and think it's a great MF camera. However, while very compact for a MF SLR, it's heavier than either the Mamiya or Bronica RF's. Perhaps more importantly for street photography, it's also much louder and therefore calls more attention to itself than the RF's.

I love my M6TTL as it's presently designed. If Leica does introduce

an M7 model (similiar to the Konica Hexar RF), then I hope they'll

also keep the M6 in the model line at the same time. I really love

the shutter as it's presently designed because of how incredibly

smooth and quiet it is.

 

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My greatest wish is that they add a lighter 75mm and/or 90mm lens to

the M series. This is far more important to me than adding features

to the existing M body. I'd also like to see Leica add the auto

rewind feature to the new M winder.

I like Fuji NPH rated at 250 (exposed at 250 & processed at 400. I

prefer the contrast of this film when rated at 250 than when rated at

320. This is an especially nice film for 'people' photography. I also

recently used Fuji Superia 400 (also rated at 250) for an extensive

project and liked the results.

The 90 APO Lanthar surely looks like a great candidate for the Leica

M6, based on the article in Amateur Photographer. Aside from the

favorable pricing, it offers the Leica M user a lighter weight

alternative that should result in much better handling than the

current Leica teles available. It'll be interested to see how the

Voigtlander quality compares with the Leica teles.