Poll: How many of you have used/use a Leica?

[David_Buzzard]

I had a M3 that a cousin of mine left me, that was fun to use.

While they're beautiful cameras, and lots of photographers who I really admire swear by them (at least from the M6 down), for the kind of heavy production use I do now, they're be next to useless.

David Buzzard's Technical Blog

[DonLashier]

My first 35mm was a Leica IIIa - shot with it for 10 years. My last 35mm film camera was also a Leica (R4) which I still have. Used three Canons during the intervening 20 years.

- DL

[Ed Albesi]

Originally Posted by Josh_Hawkins

R10? Haven't heard that rumor, would love a link if you got it.

Well, it is a commonplace on many Leica forums, and it has been not denied by Leica when questioned about the dismiss of the Digital Module R (DMR). Leica reps themselves have been speaking half words about an important new DSLR release in Oct '08. Some specs that have leaked are Full Frame, 14-17 MP, no AA filter, completely digital (ie no more module) design, electronic rangefinder, etc.
I think Guy will be a more authorized voice, being an official Leica Beta-Tester, to let us know some news as soon as he can join us...

The intro of the 5D got me to switch from Nikon to Canon. FF was one of several reasons, but there is a certain feel I expect from a 90mm lens and from a 21mm lens. Call me stubborn, it's accurate, trust me, but I like having those focal lengths show what I want and expect. And more importantly, I like the 21, 35, 90 set, with the M8 I would need to buy all new lenses, which I'm not going to do. With a 1.5x body I would probably be close enough (I've got a 15 voightlander and 50DR laying around), but for that kind of cash, I want what I want, and I'm in a position where I can wait.

I think you're right generally speaking: it's true that the feeling of the lens changes, as you are loosing some vignetting and some softness at the borders, the depth of field is different, etc, but the crop factor in the M8 forces only 'one step' in the lenses' choice: the 21 becomes roughly a 28, the 28 a 35, the 35 a 50, the 50 is a short portrait tele, and so on, whilst the Voigtländer 15mm becomes a very nice 20mm, close enough to a 21mm as to not miss it.

I don't think there is anything missing from the available options if you want to make it work, and if I had a spare 5k laying around I'd give it a try. I'd like to give it a try, but they are missing what I want and what I will drop 5k for. With the problems that exist in RF cameras matching with current digital technology I can certainly understand why it's not yet available, and why it may never be.

If Epson releases an RD-2, RD-10, whatever, I may get it, we'll see. I'm have no doubt I'll be tempted, very tempted.

Well, Epson has stated they were stopping their DRF venture just after the RD-1s, and that there would not have been any sequels.

BTW, what are the problems in DRF you are referring to? Some of them have been very M8 specific, and more or less rapidly corrected as far as I know

Ed

[Josh_Hawkins]

Originally Posted by Ed Albesi

Well, it is a commonplace on many Leica forums, and it has been not denied by Leica when questioned about the dismiss of the Digital Module R (DMR).

I'll admit I haven't been surfing the Leica forums lately or the rumor forums in general (cough) dpreview (cough)

I think you're right generally speaking: it's true that the feeling of the lens changes, as you are loosing some vignetting and some softness at the borders, the depth of field is different, etc, but the crop factor in the M8 forces only 'one step' in the lenses' choice: the 21 becomes roughly a 28, the 28 a 35, the 35 a 50, the 50 is a short portrait tele, and so on, whilst the Voigtländer 15mm becomes a very nice 20mm, close enough to a 21mm as to not miss it.

One of the big reasons I love my Leica is the feel of those lenses. There are others, but I have a real love for the final product. I personally don't do well working with most 50mm lenses, I'm a 35mm guy, and having my 35 summicron become a 50 just breaks my heart. That lens is soft the whole way through at f2 (I have a mid 80s version) and it just has great wistful feel in certain low light situations. In others it's just not sharp, but mostly for how I use it, it's a great intimate soft lens. Call that difficult and irrational, and it probably is, but I love the feel of my lenses. Lately I've also been living in a shallow DOF (1.4 lenses) and vignetting world, and I'm enjoying it. All this is personal style issues no doubt.

Well, Epson has stated they were stopping their DRF venture just after the RD-1s, and that there would not have been any sequels.

BTW, what are the problems in DRF you are referring to? Some of them have been very M8 specific, and more or less rapidly corrected as far as I know

Bummer about Epson. Oh well. Hopefully another company steps up to the plate.

With all of the digital RFs there is the crop issue, of course.

RD-1-I remember some initial build quality issues, which made me a bit leery. Also write speed and buffer depth were issues for me. I do PJ work so I get concerned about cameras with less than a 15 frame buffer depth. The 9 frame of the 5D gets filled for me almost weekly.

M-8 - Mainly having to also buy a 28 and 75 to get the lens lengths I want and I'm not willing to drop the cash at this point.

I have confidence that rangefinders will continue to improve along with DSLRs, albeit at a slower pace. I don't need it right now, so I'll wait till the want end of things becomes strong enough which means waiting for a few issues to get resolved. God forbid I spend money on something other than photography, though it will probably all get wasted if Canon announces a new 200 1.8.

I have to say, overall, I really miss shooting my Ms (I have a M6 and M2). I got to play with a RD-1 the other day for a few minutes and it just felt good. I figure a few more years and I'll bite the bullet.

[dankapsner]

I happily used a Leica M4-2 and M2 with 35 and 50 Summicrons in my wedding photography business for several years. I shot Delta 400 and TMZ and got excellent results that my clients really liked. Perhaps because I disliked loading the cameras under pressure, my keeper to stinker ratio was better than with any other film cameras; certainly my keeper rate was higher than with digital, where I am very loose in my shooting. Like many wedding photographers all my work is digital now, but for personal work I still use a rangefinder camera and film (Canon P with 50mm lens).

[Gerry_Walden]

I had 5 different bodies at one stage, and used them all. The best cameras I have ever used, and i would still love them but I changed to Nikon when I went 100% digital. If Leica ever get their digital backsides in gear and control their prices I might even move back. I am still pleased to be a member fo the Leica users Group (although I guess I am 'honoury' now as i don't have any equipmant (couple of filters laying around somewhere though!)

Gerry

[John_Haeger]

I used a M2 , m3, m4-p m4-2 and a leica IIIc over the years but the need for digital I sold or traded all by the leica IIIc (still use it for fun now and then with a few of the russian lens)
john