LECIA: Does anyone know anything about Lecia? I was wondering why their equipment is sooooo much more expensive than the "Big 3". I saw a camera body of theirs for $12,999 thats a lot...

Minceymomof9

Does anyone know anything about Lecia? I was wondering why their equipment is sooooo much more expensive than the "Big 3". I saw a camera body of theirs for $12,999 thats a lot of buck and was just wandering what kind of bang you get for it, especially since I've been programed to think that it's the glass that really counts.

Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA

Minceymomof9 wrote:

Does anyone know anything about Lecia? I was wondering why their equipment is sooooo much more expensive than the "Big 3". I saw a camera body of theirs for $12,999 thats a lot of buck and was just wandering what kind of bang you get for it, especially since I've been programed to think that it's the glass that really counts.

Great question. All I keep reading is that its not the arrow its the Indian or its not the stove its the cook. If equipment has such an insignificant impact on the end result why would anyone spend that kind of money on a body? :shock:

donrent Loc: Punta Gorda , Fl

$12,999 ??? Thats cheap.... They're top model goes for sumtin like $38,000...

I had the fortune a few years ago of using a Leica and let me tell you... If I could afford one, I would without question have one....

Minceymomof9

donrent wrote:

$12,999 ??? Thats cheap.... They're top model goes for sumtin like $38,000...

I had the fortune a few years ago of using a Leica and let me tell you... If I could afford one, I would without question have one....

SERIOUSLY? 38K? You say you would own one, please help me wrap my little brain around that. Justification for the price PLEASE. I have a Canon 7D and a 5D Mark II and I had a hard time trying to justify them.

donrent Loc: Punta Gorda , Fl

I didn't say I'd get the top model, I'm too tight for that... Leica lens are reputted to be the best made is one reason...

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Here it is....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ykuy4qYip1U&feature=plcp&context=C4b8a6c5VDvjVQa1PpcFMMrybQFZiCkbkdmaV9gGrRcZiySbQ1W5c%3D

And if you REALLY want your mind blown...
How about the Leica Noctilux f/.95

Yes...that's right....LESS than f/1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFJ96onYmu0&feature=relmfu

Minceymomof9

donrent wrote:

I didn't say I'd get the top model, I'm too tight for that... Leica lens are reputted to be the best made is one reason...

LOL point taken.

Minceymomof9

rpavich wrote:

Here it is....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ykuy4qYip1U&feature=plcp&context=C4b8a6c5VDvjVQa1PpcFMMrybQFZiCkbkdmaV9gGrRcZiySbQ1W5c%3D

And if you REALLY want your mind blown...
How about the Leica Noctilux f/.95

Yes...that's right....LESS than f/1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFJ96onYmu0&feature=relmfu

Too much camera (glass) for me! I have a hard enough time with my 85mm f/1.2

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

I just drooled involuntarily.

Roger Hicks Loc: Aquitaine

If you want an explanation of why one person (me) uses Leicas, with lots of history and illustrations, take a look at http://www.rogerandfrances.com/subscription/leicaphilia.html Basically, it's because M-series Leicas are small (the smallest full-frame digital camera on the market), light, unobtrusive and deliver superb quality.

Which body was $12,999? That's odd. Their standard digital model is about $7000 (the M9, or maybe $1000 more for the fancy model with a different finish) and their 'medium format' S2 was well over $30,000 last time I looked, but I don't know of any bodies in between those prices. Film bodies (the MP and M7) are quite a bit cheaper than the M9.

Cheers,

R.

Minceymomof9

Minceymomof9 wrote:

rpavich wrote:

Here it is....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ykuy4qYip1U&feature=plcp&context=C4b8a6c5VDvjVQa1PpcFMMrybQFZiCkbkdmaV9gGrRcZiySbQ1W5c%3D

And if you REALLY want your mind blown...
How about the Leica Noctilux f/.95

Yes...that's right....LESS than f/1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFJ96onYmu0&feature=relmfu

Too much camera (glass) for me! I have a hard enough time with my 85mm f/1.2

Ok, I went back and watched the videos. Maybe they (Lecia) are on to something here. Without all of the "bells and whistles" of the world of automation, it appears that it is much simpler to use (with a good clear knowledge of aperture and shutter speed). I am all about simple. Less ("bells and whistles") is definitely more ($) in this case.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Minceymomof9 wrote:

quote=Minceymomof9 quote=rpavich Here it is.... ... (show quote)

And how to you like that way-too-cool huge-easy-to-use view finder??

If I win the lotto I know that this is my first purchase!

Minceymomof9

Roger Hicks wrote:

If you want an explanation of why one person (me) ... (show quote)

I stand corrected. I went back and looked at that ad from Kurland Photo in NY. IT'S $22, 995. To clarify, that is the S2 which as you brought to light is a medium format camera. But, at 7 grand for a body (for the M9) then add a decent lens or 2 you're over 12 easy. Leica Noctilux f/.95 all by its little self $10,995! And, not one lens (in the ad at least) was less than $2,295. That's a lot of scratch!

Minceymomof9

rpavich wrote:

quote=Minceymomof9 quote=Minceymomof9 quote=rpa... (show quote)

Yeah, MAYBE if I was "Boon Pickins" rich or had won the lottery I MIGHT consider it.

Roger Hicks Loc: Aquitaine

Minceymomof9 wrote:

. . . at 7 grand for a body (for the M9) then add a decent lens or 2 you're over 12 easy. Leica Noctilux f/.95 all by its little self $10,995! And, not one lens (in the ad at least) was less than $2,295. That's a lot of scratch!

Sure. But long-term Leica users (I bought my first second-hand Leica in '69 or so) often have LOTS of lenses, not just Leica (I have 35-50-65-75-90-135) but also Voigtländer (15-21-50-90) and Zeiss (18 & 50). These were far from always bought new. When you can use lenses going back to the 1930s there's a lot of choice available. You really need to try these cameras (and lenses), as suggested in earlier posts, in order to see if they're for you.

Have you looked at my site? It's not trying to sell you anything and it might give you a clue as to why the Leica mystique exists. Go to http://www.rogerandfrances.com/subscription/photo%20school%20index.html and scroll down to L-for-Leica. You'll find 10 assorted pieces about Leica, including a report on the predecessor of the 50/0.95, the 50/1. Yes, I'm an addict, but what do you expect after a third of a century?

Cheers,

R.