colin_j

<p>I am disappointed to read a criticism of a camera store for two reasons. First, the store owner is not here to answer back. Second, I have used the store referred to for multiple sales and purchases totalling over GBP 15,000 over the last 30 years. During that time I have never encountered a single problem.</p>

<p>My experience is of a genuinely customer-focused company of great integrity. Ffordes is a very traditional British camera store. Rather than rely on images of equipment to determine their condition, I would rather call or email with questions which are always truthfully answered. I have had a long relationship with the company starting with Reg Byford, the founder, in the late 1970s to today. I cannot recommend Ffordes highly enough.<br>

(Just my US $ 0.02, or GBP 15,000.) </p>

<p>Why do you need exposure compensation when you have a camera with one of the finest semi-spot metering systems ever made? I have never needed exposure compensation when using a Leica M body with a TTL meter. Just take a reading from a suitable area of the scene to give you the exact exposure you need. Or shoot im manual mode.</p>

<p>So I don't see the lack of an exposure compensation dial as "a shortcoming". An extra dial would add complication that isn't needed. Less is more.</p>

<p>As for your complaints further up the thread about your difficulties with manual focus, I can understand that someone who is comfortable with a high-end DSLR with blistering AF performance might find a split image rangefinder slightly quaint. But it is very fast when you get used to it, and once you have some experience you should be able to beat the accuracy of DSLR AF systems that often get it wrong.</p>

<p>At the end of the day, if you are looking for all your favourite "DSLR features" in a Leica rangefinder body you are going to be disappointed. Perhaps a DSLR would suit you better?</p>

<p>Alternatively, the Fujifilm FinePix X-100 offers automated "DSLR features" in a high quality metal body with a good lens while giving the appearance of a traditional rangefinder camera.</p>

<p>I have the Elmarit-M 24mm f/2.8 ASPH. My outfit includes the CV 15mm f/4.5, the 24mm Elmarit, the Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 ASPH (last version before the current version), the Elmarit-M 50mm f/2.8 and the Elmarit-M 90mm f/2.8. The 24mm fits very well into this set. My normal walkaround outfit includes 24, 35 and 90mm lenses and a Konica Hexar RF body. That is the background.</p>

<p>What I wanted to say about the Elmarit-M 24mm f/2.8 ASPH is that, even by Leica standards, it is a super-sharp performer with almost no distortion and very little light fall-off (vignetting). On film, it is probably the best 24mm lens ever made, and probably one of the very best wide angle lenses (of any brand) that money can buy.</p>

<p>Results are sharpest in the centre at f/2.8. The sharpest results across the full frame are achieved at f/4. You gain absolutely nothing in sharpness by stopping down any further. This is a remarkable performance.</p>

<p>There appears to have been a Leica tradition to concentrate on the 21mm focal length as the ultra-wide angle lens of choice for Leica M users. However, for those of us who only recently arrived at Leica's door, the 24mm is a more popular focal length. I have no doubt that Leica believed that there was a gap in the lens range at 24mm and that the gap needed to be filled to help gain new customers for Leica M products.</p>

<p>The 24mm f/2.8 ASPH was introduced at about the same time as the 21mm f/2.8 ASPH. The 21mm is also a fine lens. However, its wide open performance is not as good. It needs to be stopped down for optimum results.</p>

<p>I have no experience of the Summilux-M 24mm f/1.4 and Summarit-M 24mm f/3.8, but I believe that they have been optimised for digital capture. I cannot advise on how well my Elmarit-M works on a digital M body, but on film there is no better 24mm lens.</p>

<p>I already knew when I came to Leica that I would mainly use 24mm, 35mm and 90mm focal lengths, because these focal lengths were my favourites when using a film SLR. Only you can decide what focal length suits you best, but I would recommend borrowing or renting an SLR camera with an 18-35mm or similar lens and working out which focal length gives you the results that you want.</p>

<p>I wish you good luck.</p>