luis_rives

<p>Bill,<br>

Thanks for the tip. The filter I was using was a Hoya UV thin frame filter for digital. I tried a standard Hoya UV thicker framed filter and it went on without touching the front element. I will take some shots with it to verify that there is no blocking of the field of view. Thanks again.</p>

Recently purchased the Voigt 15mm lens in M-mount and the built-in lens hood. Mounting a filter hits the front

lens element, so I took an old filter and removed the glass to use as a spacer and hold the glass filter away

from the front lens element. After taking some frames with it, I find that the combination blocks the field of

view of the lens. Anyone have a solution, how to mount the lens filter so that it does not touch the lens

element but not block the field of view?

Bill, you can use any Leica, Zeiss, and VC lens on the 5n without any magenta corners.

<p>I have the 5n and after having owned several Nikon and Canon DSLRs, have to say that this is the only digital camera that I would consider a keeper. I prefer 16mp over the 24mp in the 7 for that size sensor. Unlike the 7, it has no issues with any of my Leica, Zeiss, and VC lenses including the 12mm, using the VC adapter. Without question, the high quality glass brings out the best in the sensor. I love the fact that with my 21mm VC or the 35/2 "King of Bokeh" 'cron, its practically a pocketable camera. How many C-sensor cameras that use the best glass in the world can one say that about? Focus peaking is an absolutely great idea and works great for me. This is the camera that Leica should have had Panasonic built for them, sold for less than 1500 with a Leica badge, would fly off the shelves. IMHO, in time, the 5 and 7 will be considered landmark cameras. All Sony has to do now is put a full frame sensor in it.</p>

<p>Many responses so far have questioned the well founded concern to be able to access digital files in the far future. This is a real problem and more serious than most people suspect now. Another is the maintenance of digital storage over the long term. Without a doubt hard disks will fail. How many photographers have a real plan for backup, digital filing, and long term storage? These are the most serious issues of digital photography that the vast majority of people don't think about. Just think, all the snap shooters that in the past could have pulled out an album of photo and a box full of negatives. These people have no idea about digital archiving, which means that it is only a matter of time before all there treasured digital family photo will disappear. These are all non-existant issues with film, and the main reason why I, though only an amateur photographer, only shoot film. When digital photography was being trumpeted as the greatest thing since apple pie, these were dirty issues that no one wanted to discuss or consider. Leica digital cameras are no different in this regard, so I guess I will stick with my M3s and M4s.</p>

I was looking thru that infamous auction site and came across what I thought was an unusually high number of

Mamiya 6 & 7 with some type of damage. One the top plate had been replaced, another had a small chip in the

viewfinder, another one looked like it had taken a fall, all this got me thinking because I have been considering

getting a used 6. Is the plastic in these cameras strong enough to survive use? I know that current DSLRs are

constructed from what is referred to as "engineered plastic" and from having had some of these in my hands they

seem to be tough enough to survive. I know the 6 and 7 are great cameras with superb optics, but I just have

some doubts about their durability.

I called KEH this morming to inquire on the shutter count of the various GW690IIs and IIIs that they have for

sale. When I asked they informed me that they do not keep this information, and they cannot readily obtain it

since the cameras are kept on a separate warehouse. The person I spoke with had no idea that the cameras have a

shutter counter readily visible. When I explained to this person that the shutter count is critical to establish

the value of this particular camera, he explained that they set the value strictly from the cosmetic condition of

the camera. Thus I would recommend that anyone contemplating purchasing this particular camera from KEH proceed

with extreme caution at the very least.

<p>I am considering purchasing a 6x6 from either KievUsa or Arax and was wondering what others' experiences have been concerning both the camera and the purchase from either dealer. Thank you.</p>

Ross, I have an M4 in addition to my other Leica bodies. I am not sure why you would need to change shutter speed with the camera up to your eye. Shutter speed and aperture are selected, then you are look thru the viewfinder to compose the shot. I also have an M6 where the shutter speed dial is larger than the one in the M4, however I have never found the small shutter dial to be an issue. I wear glasses and I have diopter lenses on my Ms so I have no problem seeing the entire viewfinder without glasses. I also had an R3A once that I purchased to find out where it compared with the Leica, and its just not on the same league in terms of build quality and overall handling (traded in the R3A for a lens). The viewfinder frames and the split-image rectangle on the R3A are way fainter than the M4. In addition the price of a new R3A has increased, so that in the long term, the M4 would be a better value. Actually you can find a good condition M3 for just under 1K in the infamous auction site. For the price and condition you mentioned, the M4, is slightly overpriced. I don't know your experience with Leica, but I was hooked on them the first time I looked thru the viewfinder of an M4 thirty years ago.

<p>Richard, in regards to digital v. film resolution please follow the link below:<br>

http://www.imx.nl/photo/technique/page153/page153.html<br>

The upshot is that you would need a 40mp full frame sensor to approach the resolution of 100 ISO film, so with an finer grain film a full frame sensor north of 40mp would be required.</p>

Michael, your point is excellent but there is something else at work here. We know that Leica products are expensive because of the low production volumes, exotic materials, manual manufacturing and testing, and their niche market. In addition Leica has to make a profit, the distributor has to make a profit, and the retailer has to make a profit. Not a problem so far. However the problem is that for the past 40 years wages for the vast majority of people, when inflation is factored in, wages have not kept up with the cost of living. This applies to Leica's products as well as everything else that one purchases. I am sure if this had not been the case, we might very well consider that current Leica prices might be just slightly higher than photo gear from other manufacturers.

Richard, in you post do I detect an argument that a full frame digital sensor has greater resolution and greater dynamic range with less artifacts than lets say, Pan F plus or Velvia 50?

<p>Jonathan, I don't think that the sheiks and Asian moguls visit Photo.net.</p>

<p>I thought the tools the craftmen used were very cool. I am surprised that Leica has not sold shirts, hats, sweatsuits, jackets, with the red dot logo on it like the shirt that the Leica technician was wearing. It might become a very profitable line for them, just like apparel became very profitable for Harley-Davidson. I would love to know how many of those sets they sell. You have to figure that cameras as a fashion statement have become a lot more profitable to them than cameras as devices for creating photographs.</p>

After reading the nonsense in today's Leica product announcement, I dropped some b&w film in my M3, attached my 'cron 50/2 that I purchased new in 1983 for $389, went to take some photos and when I finish the roll will develop it at home myself. One of the few genuine experiences left in this increasingly chaotic and vapid world.

Mark, I have not had an opportunity to look thru the optional 5n viewfinder. I could not justify spending 1K (cost of 5n plus optional viewfinder, even more for the 7n) when for the same money an M3 body in excellent quality can be purchased from the we-know-where auction site. Same amount of money will purchase a new Zeiss lens or a classic used Summicron lens that will outlive me. One of my Leica bodies plus three Leitz lenses I purchased thirty years ago and they are in perfect condition and after all these years I am still amazed by the resolution and color rendition of the lenses. The only reason why I purchased the 5n is because I could use the M-mount lenses (and the sensor of the 5n was good enough to benefit from the resolution of those lenses), otherwise it would not have made economic sense to purchase a complete new imaging system, especially when digital bodies have built in obsolescence.

<p>I also have a 5n and use my Leica and Zeiss lenses with stunning results. However I have found no problems in using the focus peaking feature. One trick I use is to focus with the lens wide open then stop down to my selected aperture. This lets you know exactly what will be in focus. I know what some of you will say, what about focus shift? Well, with the lenses that I use I have not found that to be an issue, and even if it were the shift would not be severe enough with those lenses to manifest itself at small apertures. The 5n is the only digital camera I have ever been excited enough to use in parallel with my Leica bodies, however IMHO the Sony viewfinder, does not justify its cost.</p>

<p>I have been a user of the Canon S cameras since the S50, which I still have. I have had every one of them but eventually traded them in for some other piece of photo hardware. I have an S100 now (after having traded in the 95 for an NEX-5n, I decided that I wanted that format camera also). The S100/95 is the highest image quality <strong>pocketable</strong> camera; always shoot in raw and process with Lightroom. Yes, there are others with a better lens, or something else better but none are <strong>pocketable</strong>, and if the camera is not with you at all times, you will be sorry for missing that shot. The NEX-5n/Summicron 35/2 is pocketable but you need a large pocket, not a shirt pocket where the S100 feels right at home. Someone mentioned the lens is not sharp but I have not experienced that. I would bet that anyone would be hard pressed to pick out the S100 shots in my Flickr page from among the M3/M6/NEX-5n bodied Summicron/Zeiss lensed photos.</p>

<p>Last photo, 25/2.8 Zeiss ZM on NEX-5n.</p><div></div>

<p>Did not realize that one could only post one photo at a time, so here is the next one, 35/2 "King of Bokeh" Summicron on NEX-5n.</p><div></div>

<p>Mark, I have several Leica, Zeiss, and the 15/4.5 CV lens that I use with my M-bodies. Below is a photo of each type, all shot on an NEX-5n. Over the years I have owned several DSLRs from Canon and Nikon, including a 5D. None of those cameras did anything for me, just too big and they made feel detached from the act of photographing whatever struck my fancy. The NEX-5n is the only digital camera that has gotten me excited about digital picture taking. I love its tiny size and huge image quality. In my opinion, 16mp is enough for an APS-C size sensor to handle, 24mp as in the NEX-7 is too much for that size sensor (just like I believe that the optimal size for a full-frame sensor is 24mp). Using the evf is more of a personal choice than necessity. All of the photos below were shot using the focus peaking feature of the 5n, which I think is a brilliant idea for a camera. Its a shame that Leica could not think of building a camera like the 5n.</p><div></div>

<p>Fred, I need a -4, which is what the nikon lens on the Beeder adapter holds, or a -3, such as the Leica one that I purchased about 4 months ago. I was expensive, $95, but I suspect that I could not have something made for less than that. I need another one and may just have to buy the Leica type, in spite of the price. </p>

<p>In the early eighties I purchased from Lee Beeder Camera in LA an eyepiece adapter that accepted Nikon diopter lenses. The adapter then threaded into the viewfinder lens on the M body. Lee Beeder is no longer in business, so does anyone know whether an adapter like this is available from another manufacturer? Thank you for your info.</p>

<p>Since my M3 needed a CLA after having sat unused for several years, I decided to research on the 'net for qualified Leica technicians. After a short while the usual suspects, which I am sure other Leica photographers have come across, surfaced in various Leica enthusiast sites. From the list I compiled, I narrowed the choices to two, Gus Lazzari and another Leica technician that will remain nameless. Since this nameless Leica technician was located about ten miles from where I live, I decided to place a call figuring that it would be convenient for me to drop off and pick up the M3 once the CLA was completed. After leaving two messages on voicemail, and two other emails I did not receive a response from this supposedly highly regarded (according to reviews) Leica tech. Gus is not within driving distance to me (less expensive to ship the camera), but since he was the next name on my list, I decided to give him a call. I was shocked when he actually picked up the phone on my first call. After a long discussion on the phone concerning Leicas, he came across as someone genuinely knowledgeable about these instruments and someone that could be trusted to work on an M3. Due to circumstances on my end several months elapsed since that first phone call and the date that I shipped the camera to him. During that time I contacted him via email (no need to take his time away from working on Leicas with answering phone calls) to inquire his opinion on other Leica items that I was interested in purchasing. He always returned my emails in a reasonable amount of time and his information was right on the mark. Several weeks after sending the camera to him I also sent him a collapsible cron for CLA. Both the M3 body and the lens were in good condition, just in need of cleaning and adjustment. This week both the M3 and the lens returned to me, in like new condition (disregarding any cosmetic markings they previously had before I had sent them for CLA). Both feel perfectly smooth just as when they left the fabled workshops in Wetzlar many years ago instead of his shop. The viewfinder is crystal clear. His fees were in line with what I had read other Leica techs charged. He did take four weeks longer than the time he originally estimated, but after seeing the results, the wait was more than worth it. The M3 had a small piece of vulcanite missing in the area where the bottom plate hooks on to the body, and without my asking and without any extra charge, Gus patched it so that it is nearly imperceptible. Based on my experience with Gus I can recommend him as an absolutely first-rate Leica technician who goes out of way to provide excellent customer service. Next week I will be sending two other Leica lenses to him for CLA, and as repeat business, that is the best recommendation that can bestow upon him.</p>

I am only interested in working in B&W. A process that works very well for me is to shoot Velvia slide film, scan selected frames myself, then manipulate them in Lightroom with third party B&W software tools to achieve the result I want. I have experimented with color print film but have found that slide film has substantially greater resolution. In addition, color print film is very difficult to color correct. So far I am very happy with the process and the overall results.