LECIA (Page 4): Leica cameras and lenses are over priced and very over rated. Who needs a .95 lens? So what if this lens has the fastest opening, what does that have to do with every...

silver Loc: Santa Monica Ca.

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.

Leica cameras and lenses are over priced and very over rated. Who needs a .95 lens? So what if this lens has the fastest opening, what does that have to do with every day shooting? If you put prints side by side of images shot with a Canon, Nikon and Leica camera and using there good prime lenses you would not be able to tell which image was shot with which camera. Leica equipment is very over rated and very over priced. At one time Leica lenses were made in Germany using German equipment but now Leica equipment is made using Japanese equipment just like all other cameras. People love to say that they use Leica because of the status thing associated with Leica equipment.

GAClowers Loc: Tacoma, Washington

There are many good reasonable priced cameras equipped with Leica lenses.

friedeye Loc: Los Angeles

silver wrote:

quote=Minceymomof9 Does anyone know anything abou... (show quote)

Regarding image quality - you're absolutely right. And the status thing factors in with some users, no doubt. But spend some time with a Leica. It's a different experience. You may hate it - many do. But there are those of us who love it and find that it allows us to shoot better, more considered frames. And that's invaluable.

ole sarg Loc: south florida

It is the difference between range finder cameras ad DSLRs. The range finder experience is just different. Some like it and some don't. I miss it and am seriously considering getting rid of my DSLR and getting one of the new rangefinders. Either the new Fuji or Canon. They only have tele to 112mm lenses and as I am looking at my photo habits I think this is more than enough.

friedeye wrote:

quote=silver quote=Minceymomof9 Does anyone know... (show quote)

Roger Hicks Loc: Aquitaine

silver wrote:

Leica cameras and lenses are over priced and very ... (show quote)

Well, it took longer than I expected for anti-Leica bile to come up.

You don't need or want an f/0.95 lens for the kind of photography you do. Others feel differently. A friend lent me the f/1, and I loved it, but I can't afford one. Quite a lot of people pretend to hate things they can't afford, but I'm not one of them.

No, Leicas are not overpriced. If they were, they'd be out of business by now. You may not think they're worth the money, but others do. The same goes for 'overrated'. You don't care for them (have you ever used one?) but that hardly entitles you to speak for everyone else.

What do you mean by "Leica equipment is made using Japanese equipment just like all other cameras"? Have you been to the Leica factory (in Solms) and watched them making cameras?

Exactly whom are Leica users trying to impress? Most people don't even know what a Leica looks like.

I like M-series Leicas because they are small and light (the smallest, lightest full-frame cameras available) with an enormous choice of excellent lenses from Leica, Zeiss, Voigtländer and others. I don't like DSLRs because as far as I am concerned, they are too big, too awkward and far too automated. But that is as far as I am concerned. It doesn't mean that I feel any great need to insult either DSLRs or their users, or to tell you (or anyone else) what you need or don't need, or what you ought to pay for a camera. If you don't like Leicas, the remedy is easy: don't buy 'em. Why do you feel compelled to be so nasty about them?

From my site: "Few if any cameras attract more controversy than Leicas. At one extreme, you have the devotees who maintain that they are are the finest cameras in the world, close to perfection, and so forth. In their eyes, Leica can do no wrong: they would not consider any other camera. At the other extreme you have those who hate them and their owners. The haters dismiss the cameras as overpriced, outdated and unreliable, and their owners as mindless snobs with more money than sense, who are invariably rotten photographers. Is either party right?

Of course, neither the uncritical Leicaphile nor the equally uncritical Leicaphobe can expect many people to agree with them. Fortunately there is a middle ground. It is this: if a Leica suits the way you work, it is a very nice camera. If it doesn't, it's a waste of money. Of course, you can say this about pretty much any other camera ever made."

Cheers,

R.

Roger Hicks Loc: Aquitaine

GAClowers wrote:

There are many good reasonable priced cameras equipped with Leica lenses.

Not full frame digital with interchangeable Leica lenses, though.

Cheers,

R.

Brucej67 Loc: Cary, NC

So wrong and I no longer own a Leica.

silver wrote:

quote=Minceymomof9 Does anyone know anything abou... (show quote)

silver Loc: Santa Monica Ca.

Roger Hicks wrote:

silver wrote:

Leica cameras and lenses are over priced and very ... (show quote)

Well, it took longer than I expected for anti-Leica bile to come up.

You don't need or want an f/0.95 lens for the kind of photography you do. Others feel differently. A friend lent me the f/1, and I loved it, but I can't afford one. Quite a lot of people pretend to hate things they can't afford, but I'm not one of them.

No, Leicas are not overpriced. If they were, they'd be out of business by now. You may not think they're worth the money, but others do. The same goes for 'overrated'. You don't care for them (have you ever used one?) but that hardly entitles you to speak for everyone else.

What do you mean by "Leica equipment is made using Japanese equipment just like all other cameras"? Have you been to the Leica factory (in Solms) and watched them making cameras?

Exactly whom are Leica users trying to impress? Most people don't even know what a Leica looks like.

I like M-series Leicas because they are small and light (the smallest, lightest full-frame cameras available) with an enormous choice of excellent lenses from Leica, Zeiss, Voigtländer and others. I don't like DSLRs because as far as I am concerned, they are too big, too awkward and far too automated. But that is as far as I am concerned. It doesn't mean that I feel any great need to insult either DSLRs or their users, or to tell you (or anyone else) what you need or don't need, or what you ought to pay for a camera. If you don't like Leicas, the remedy is easy: don't buy 'em. Why do you feel compelled to be so nasty about them?

From my site: "Few if any cameras attract more controversy than Leicas. At one extreme, you have the devotees who maintain that they are are the finest cameras in the world, close to perfection, and so forth. In their eyes, Leica can do no wrong: they would not consider any other camera. At the other extreme you have those who hate them and their owners. The haters dismiss the cameras as overpriced, outdated and unreliable, and their owners as mindless snobs with more money than sense, who are invariably rotten photographers. Is either party right?

Of course, neither the uncritical Leicaphile nor the equally uncritical Leicaphobe can expect many people to agree with them. Fortunately there is a middle ground. It is this: if a Leica suits the way you work, it is a very nice camera. If it doesn't, it's a waste of money. Of course, you can say this about pretty much any other camera ever made."

Cheers,

R.

quote=silver Leica cameras and lenses are over pr... (show quote)

I still maintain that if you put prints down on a table and all of them are shot with prime lenses from Canon, Nikon or Leica you would not be able to tell which image was made with which camera. All of the main manufacturers of camera equipment do a stellar job, one does not outshine another. After all its not the camera that makes a good image its the person behind the camera with a brain that makes a good image. leica equipment is over priced and very over rated.

Wabbit Loc: Arizona Desert

swamiji wrote:

Roger, your reference is correct but inaccurate. While their were still cameras before the Leica that used 35mm movie film, they all used the Kodak standard of 18X24. Oskar Barnack decided that the format was too small for reasonable enlargements, and came up with the 24X36 format, in 1913. He was an engineer for Leica, however WWI prevented the company from going into production. It is Leica's 24X36 format that today is referred to when we speak of full frame, or 35mm.

And, And, and, the Leica was the first "Successful Compact" 35mm camera.

If you search it you'll see that existing Movie film was 70 or 75mm wide and was split down the middle to form a new compact format. The 35mm lens was made for the film at hand vs the misconception that the film came after the lens was designed.

Brucej67 Loc: Cary, NC

It is not the quality of the photograph each produces (as they all are top notch cameras), it is more the build quality of the camera and ease of use for the photographer.

silver wrote:

Roger Hicks wrote:

silver wrote:

Leica cameras and lenses are over priced and very ... (show quote)

Well, it took longer than I expected for anti-Leica bile to come up.

You don't need or want an f/0.95 lens for the kind of photography you do. Others feel differently. A friend lent me the f/1, and I loved it, but I can't afford one. Quite a lot of people pretend to hate things they can't afford, but I'm not one of them.

No, Leicas are not overpriced. If they were, they'd be out of business by now. You may not think they're worth the money, but others do. The same goes for 'overrated'. You don't care for them (have you ever used one?) but that hardly entitles you to speak for everyone else.

What do you mean by "Leica equipment is made using Japanese equipment just like all other cameras"? Have you been to the Leica factory (in Solms) and watched them making cameras?

Exactly whom are Leica users trying to impress? Most people don't even know what a Leica looks like.

I like M-series Leicas because they are small and light (the smallest, lightest full-frame cameras available) with an enormous choice of excellent lenses from Leica, Zeiss, Voigtländer and others. I don't like DSLRs because as far as I am concerned, they are too big, too awkward and far too automated. But that is as far as I am concerned. It doesn't mean that I feel any great need to insult either DSLRs or their users, or to tell you (or anyone else) what you need or don't need, or what you ought to pay for a camera. If you don't like Leicas, the remedy is easy: don't buy 'em. Why do you feel compelled to be so nasty about them?

From my site: "Few if any cameras attract more controversy than Leicas. At one extreme, you have the devotees who maintain that they are are the finest cameras in the world, close to perfection, and so forth. In their eyes, Leica can do no wrong: they would not consider any other camera. At the other extreme you have those who hate them and their owners. The haters dismiss the cameras as overpriced, outdated and unreliable, and their owners as mindless snobs with more money than sense, who are invariably rotten photographers. Is either party right?

Of course, neither the uncritical Leicaphile nor the equally uncritical Leicaphobe can expect many people to agree with them. Fortunately there is a middle ground. It is this: if a Leica suits the way you work, it is a very nice camera. If it doesn't, it's a waste of money. Of course, you can say this about pretty much any other camera ever made."

Cheers,

R.

quote=silver Leica cameras and lenses are over pr... (show quote)

I still maintain that if you put prints down on a table and all of them are shot with prime lenses from Canon, Nikon or Leica you would not be able to tell which image was made with which camera. All of the main manufacturers of camera equipment do a stellar job, one does not outshine another. After all its not the camera that makes a good image its the person behind the camera with a brain that makes a good image. leica equipment is over priced and very over rated.

quote=Roger Hicks quote=silver Leica cameras and... (show quote)

Roger Hicks Loc: Aquitaine

silver wrote:

I still maintain that if you put prints down on a table and all of them are shot with prime lenses from Canon, Nikon or Leica you would not be able to tell which image was made with which camera. All of the main manufacturers of camera equipment do a stellar job, one does not outshine another. After all its not the camera that makes a good image its the person behind the camera with a brain that makes a good image. leica equipment is over priced and very over rated.

You are almost certainly correct that it would be difficult or impossible to tell which picture was taken with which camera or lens.

On the other hand, I can tell which camera I am using, and I prefer Leicas because they are smaller, lighter and (for me) easier to use. And, like most people, I get better pictures with cameras I am happier using.

Merely repeating that Leicas are overpriced and overrated does not advance your argument at all.

Cheers,

R.

silver Loc: Santa Monica Ca.

Roger Hicks wrote:

quote=silver I still maintain that if you put pri... (show quote)

I am only responding to the original post asking why Leica equipment is so expensive. I did not bring this subject up, im just responding. There must be a reason why the question was asked. Its true that whatever makes one happy is a good choice but the fact still remains that leica cameras and lenses are a lot more expensive then other cameras and personally I cant see spending the money. I also agree that Canon and Nikon and other camera manufacturers add so much crap to there cameras that is pure nonsense, I have a Nikon camera and I only use it on manual and I dont even know how to use all the bells and whistles that the camera is capable of, just a huge waste. I also shoot with a dollar plastic camera from the dollar store.

Wabbit Loc: Arizona Desert

silver wrote:

Roger Hicks wrote:

silver wrote:

Leica cameras and lenses are over priced and very ... (show quote)

Well, it took longer than I expected for anti-Leica bile to come up.

You don't need or want an f/0.95 lens for the kind of photography you do. Others feel differently. A friend lent me the f/1, and I loved it, but I can't afford one. Quite a lot of people pretend to hate things they can't afford, but I'm not one of them.

No, Leicas are not overpriced. If they were, they'd be out of business by now. You may not think they're worth the money, but others do. The same goes for 'overrated'. You don't care for them (have you ever used one?) but that hardly entitles you to speak for everyone else.

What do you mean by "Leica equipment is made using Japanese equipment just like all other cameras"? Have you been to the Leica factory (in Solms) and watched them making cameras?

Exactly whom are Leica users trying to impress? Most people don't even know what a Leica looks like.

I like M-series Leicas because they are small and light (the smallest, lightest full-frame cameras available) with an enormous choice of excellent lenses from Leica, Zeiss, Voigtländer and others. I don't like DSLRs because as far as I am concerned, they are too big, too awkward and far too automated. But that is as far as I am concerned. It doesn't mean that I feel any great need to insult either DSLRs or their users, or to tell you (or anyone else) what you need or don't need, or what you ought to pay for a camera. If you don't like Leicas, the remedy is easy: don't buy 'em. Why do you feel compelled to be so nasty about them?

From my site: "Few if any cameras attract more controversy than Leicas. At one extreme, you have the devotees who maintain that they are are the finest cameras in the world, close to perfection, and so forth. In their eyes, Leica can do no wrong: they would not consider any other camera. At the other extreme you have those who hate them and their owners. The haters dismiss the cameras as overpriced, outdated and unreliable, and their owners as mindless snobs with more money than sense, who are invariably rotten photographers. Is either party right?

Of course, neither the uncritical Leicaphile nor the equally uncritical Leicaphobe can expect many people to agree with them. Fortunately there is a middle ground. It is this: if a Leica suits the way you work, it is a very nice camera. If it doesn't, it's a waste of money. Of course, you can say this about pretty much any other camera ever made."

Cheers,

R.

quote=silver Leica cameras and lenses are over pr... (show quote)

I still maintain that if you put prints down on a table and all of them are shot with prime lenses from Canon, Nikon or Leica you would not be able to tell which image was made with which camera. All of the main manufacturers of camera equipment do a stellar job, one does not outshine another. After all its not the camera that makes a good image its the person behind the camera with a brain that makes a good image. leica equipment is over priced and very over rated.

quote=Roger Hicks quote=silver Leica cameras and... (show quote)

You're right I can't ..... but there are folks that can!

R Kraatz Loc: Delaware

Roger Hicks wrote:

silver wrote:

Leica cameras and lenses are over priced and very ... (show quote)

Well, it took longer than I expected for anti-Leica bile to come up.

You don't need or want an f/0.95 lens for the kind of photography you do. Others feel differently. A friend lent me the f/1, and I loved it, but I can't afford one. Quite a lot of people pretend to hate things they can't afford, but I'm not one of them.

No, Leicas are not overpriced. If they were, they'd be out of business by now. You may not think they're worth the money, but others do. The same goes for 'overrated'. You don't care for them (have you ever used one?) but that hardly entitles you to speak for everyone else.

What do you mean by "Leica equipment is made using Japanese equipment just like all other cameras"? Have you been to the Leica factory (in Solms) and watched them making cameras?

Exactly whom are Leica users trying to impress? Most people don't even know what a Leica looks like.

I like M-series Leicas because they are small and light (the smallest, lightest full-frame cameras available) with an enormous choice of excellent lenses from Leica, Zeiss, Voigtländer and others. I don't like DSLRs because as far as I am concerned, they are too big, too awkward and far too automated. But that is as far as I am concerned. It doesn't mean that I feel any great need to insult either DSLRs or their users, or to tell you (or anyone else) what you need or don't need, or what you ought to pay for a camera. If you don't like Leicas, the remedy is easy: don't buy 'em. Why do you feel compelled to be so nasty about them?

From my site: "Few if any cameras attract more controversy than Leicas. At one extreme, you have the devotees who maintain that they are are the finest cameras in the world, close to perfection, and so forth. In their eyes, Leica can do no wrong: they would not consider any other camera. At the other extreme you have those who hate them and their owners. The haters dismiss the cameras as overpriced, outdated and unreliable, and their owners as mindless snobs with more money than sense, who are invariably rotten photographers. Is either party right?

Of course, neither the uncritical Leicaphile nor the equally uncritical Leicaphobe can expect many people to agree with them. Fortunately there is a middle ground. It is this: if a Leica suits the way you work, it is a very nice camera. If it doesn't, it's a waste of money. Of course, you can say this about pretty much any other camera ever made."

Cheers,

R.

quote=silver Leica cameras and lenses are over pr... (show quote)

Well said Roger!!! Excuse me, I must go. My Mercedes-Benz is running...Klaus, my chauffeur is an impatient man...

beaverwb16

Sure it"s expensive. Just look on ebay for the price of used lenses. They pretty much keep their value. How many Nikkor lenses can say that. I have used Leicas for years and now Panosonic with Leica lenses, they are ultra sharp.