asiafish Loc: Bakersfield, CA

After just a skosh over 3 years Leica has updated the M Monochrom. I've been into photography for 36 years now and had always dreamed of one day owning a Leica. That dream became a reality in August 2013 when I bought the first generation M Monochrom.

The original M Monochrom was a revelation, and this new looks to up the ante a bit (1.5 to 2 stops, to be precise).

I won't be upgrading anytime soon, not because I'm not impressed with the files I've seen, but because I'm still absolutely, completely, totally enthralled and madly in love with my original M Monochrom.

Here is one of the first reviews by Jono Slack, who also happens to be a rather good photographer.

http://www.slack.co.uk/2015/Elliott.html

EngineerAl

Well, godless one, you have repeatedly attempted to derail my thread on God's Amazing Gift of Light, so I thought I would fight fire with fire.

You have made it only too easy to shine a light on your failures in life.

Thirty-six years to buy a $6,000 camera ! ! !

Couldn't happen to a nicer atheist.

You must be struggling to pay your monthly bills. Is that why you continue to stalk and attack someone far better educated, wealthier, and by Darwinian implication, more "evolved" than yourself? Is that why you ride a bus? Can't even afford a car? Ho ho ho. Devolved with your own petard.

Quit while you're behind. Your apology will avail you nothing. Just stop your juvenile stalking, NOW.

P.S. We're going to Rome next month. Again. Just returned from a tour of Canada on the obscenely expensive Rocky Mountaineer train. I wouldn't be so gauche as to bring these things up, but it's worth it just to rub them in your impoverished, unsuccessful face. Got it "fish"?
Which reminds me, off the Kona Coast I caught a 265 pound ahi. It wasn't as large as the 350 pound black sea bass I got in the Sea of Cortez, though, "fish."

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Thanks for the link...I love reading about Leica's but not shooting them (at least not the M9) I don't know about any of the newer ones.

One day I may give them another whirl.

asiafish Loc: Bakersfield, CA

Sorry Al, as usual you are entirely wrong.

Godless one?
Absolutely. I have plenty of real friends, don't need an imaginary one.

Failure in life?
I've made a few mistakes, but my law practice is doing quite well, thank you very much.

36 years for a $6000 camera?
Photography is a hobby, I don't devote very much money to it. I am not wealthy, but am far from poor.

Couldn't happen to a nicer atheist?
Thank you. I try to lead a good life, helping others when I can and generally try to leave the world better than I found it. I'm an active Rotarian and live by the Rotary slogan of "Service above self", no religion required.

Ride the bus?
I don't ride the bus (except when visiting cities in Asia, where it beats the heck out of driving).

Better educated and more highly evolved?
Well that is doubtful. You still believe that the writings of bronze and iron age shepherds are more accurate than those of modern scientists. Also you have no idea of my educational background, but since you asked, I have a Masters in Asian History and Juris Doctorate. More educated than some, less than others.

Can't afford my bills or car?
Really? Did you run my credit scores or a background check? The three cars in my family are all paid for, the balance on my mortgage is very small, and I have very few bills because I carry no balances on any cards. My office building is also paid for, and I pay my daughter's college tuition, room and board in full, so she too can start her life unburdened by student debt.

Juvenile Stalking?
You are the one who posted a religious sermon in a general photography forum, not me. My post pointing to a review of a new camera was posted in the "links and resources" section, where it properly belongs. That post also made no reference to anything other than, gasp, a new camera.

Not well travelled?
Have a nice trip. Travel photography is my favorite genre, which is why I favor Leica cameras with their very small and light lenses over bulky DSLRs. I've only been to Europe once (great trip to Germany and Austria), but have traveled dozens of times to East Asia, which is where my passion lies. I'm leaving in less than three weeks for a trip to Seoul, and the only difficult thing about this upcoming trip is deciding if I should shoot the entire trip with my 50mm lens, or stash the 35mm lens in a pocket.

Impoverished, unsuccessful face?
I didn't know faces could be wealthy or successful. I'm only average looking, though my wife thinks I'm handsome. I guess you are just showing the Christian virtue of "love thy neighbor".

asiafish Loc: Bakersfield, CA

My had definite issues. Small buffer that fills up after only six or seven shots. Slow write to card times. Poor high-ISO (good to 1250, acceptable at 1600, garbage above) and some issues with color smearing on non-coded wide-angle lenses (usually not Leica lenses).

The M240 generation (of which the new Monochrom is part) fixed all of those things except possible the color smearing, which is a non-issue on a monochromatic camera anyway.

I own the M-E (same camera as M9) and the original (M9 based) M Monochrom and while I love the new ones, I'm still very happy with my current gear and will not upgrade for many years to come.

The shortcomings just aren't in areas that particularly matter to me. I shoot about 80% with a 50mm lens and the other 20% with a 35mm, neither is wide enough to cause color issues in the corners and both are coded Leica lenses anyway (except my ancient Sonnar, which isn't wide). I don't really shoot sports, and while I have filled the buffer occasionally, its never been an issue.

Slow write times can be annoying, especially at events. This is my only real gripe with the M9 platform and only when shooting events. I tend to shoot both color and black and white and when one camera freezes (while writing, not a malfunction) I reach for the other one.

If you have a Leica store near you I'd recommend trying one out. After carrying a DSLR and zoom lenses around, the weight reduction and simplicity of manual controls is liberating.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Unfortunately, Al has just illustrated how NOT to be a Christian. :(

As for you; please don't just the truth or falsity of a belief system by the manners of those who profess it. :)

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Thanks, I may do that one day, when the 240 series is as cheap as the M9's are now.

I do love the simplicity, and I loved the rangefinder patch system.

asiafish Loc: Bakersfield, CA

He called me an atheist, which I proudly admit to being.

asiafish Loc: Bakersfield, CA

The M240 on the used market is in the $4500 range except for the M-P model. The only non-cosmetic differences are the lack of frame selector lever, plastic instead of sapphire glass on the rear LCD and 1MB instead of 2MB buffer.

One annoyance with the M240 series is that the camera is slower to wake from sleep (about 15 seconds) than the M9 (about 3 seconds), and when asleep you cannot see the frame lines as they are LED.

The M240 should be replaced around September, and most likely used prices will likely dip under $4000 when the new model is announced.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Yeah, but I meant the insults and insulting tone.

Atheist is a description, which isn't an insult.

We can disagree, and we can think that the other person is full of it but for the Christian, we are commanded to "speak the truth, in love" because ultimately, our aim isn't to rest our foot on your back after you've went down under our verbal onslaught, but to see you come to a saving knowledge of the truth.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

I'll keep any eye out, thanks!

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

I wish more camera manufacturers would think "take things out" instead of "put more useless stuff in" lol.

My dream camera is a 1000.00 leica with no video, no LCD, no anything except shutter speed, ISO, and aperture.

I love the M60 except for the price tag.

asiafish Loc: Bakersfield, CA

Won't happen, Leica's market is too small, so high margins are the only way to be profitable. I doubt we will ever see a new rangefinder Leica released under $6000 list price. I bought my M-E two-months-ago for $4200, but list is still $5500 and good luck finding one in stock.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Yeah, that's probably true.

I know a few companies have given it a shot but really didn't work out.

I guess I'll have to decide which Leica iteration to buy and just wait until the used prices get to where I can afford it.

asiafish Loc: Bakersfield, CA

Film you can get under $1000 for a decent M6. My favorite Leica is still the M5, but those are getting hard to find in good shape, and are creating up in price.