I WANT A (Page 11): I find it interesting that we’ve devoted 10 pages to this topic and still no definitive conclusion what our friend should do…. Get the Leica or not. This also leads...

JimBart Loc: Western Michigan

I find it interesting that we’ve devoted 10 pages to this topic and still no definitive conclusion what our friend should do…. Get the Leica or not.
This also leads me to think… and be honest about it….. who in our families actually care what makes us happy let alone how we achieve it. Whatever we leave behind they’ll only dump, they don’t care … unless it’s $$$$$ then it’s wreckless spending.
The concern nowadays is what’s in it for me and what can I get from you. It’s not that I care about you and want you happy.

Canisdirus

JimBart wrote:

I find it interesting that we’ve devoted 10 pages ... (show quote)

The OG has already stated he wants it for his ego.
Common sense and logical advice is useless.

OldSchool-WI Loc: Brandon, Wisconsin 53919

In all this Leica hype in mineature cameras---when Leica mechanical cameras were popular after the War---there were other brands in the upper price bracket. Most notably---the Exakta SLRs. The exacta with its best lens topped the Leica in price and the question was "rangefinder or SLR?" The zenith of the Exakta was the ExaktaVXIIa 1957 with penta prism--light meter and direct see through finder on top. A true work of old time camra art with a F:1.9 Xenon. Remember it was Exakta used in the Jimmy Stewart movie--REAR WINDOW. But if you bought either Leica or Exakta today--you would probably need a new shutter curtain installed. I have an ExaktaVXIIa and had a new shutter put in. It was the war time photogs who publicized the Leica. Even though we fought the Germans and bombed he camera center without any military reason---Dresdin?-----ew

Pablo8 Loc: Nottingham UK.

I use my Leica screw lenses on my Sony A111 camera body, / and/or Nikon D610, with adapter. Best of both / all three worlds. (?)

MrPhotog

Fredrick wrote:

Patek Philippe is the Leica of the watch world.. .

. . .If Leica cameras and lenses were more reasonably priced, would I own one? You bet.

I think the folks in Wetzlar have been reading these posts and getting jealous.

Leica just announced two new watches. The cheaper one is $10,000. The more expensive one is $14,000.

They are neither microscopes or cameras—just wristwatches.

https://www.esquire.com/style/mens-accessories/a39015759/leica-l1-l2-watch-review/

If I was a PR director at Timex I’d offer a ‘red dot’ model of my $79 watch for $10,000 and throw in a free Leica M10. 😎

Fredrick Loc: Former NYC, now San Francisco Bay Area

MrPhotog wrote:

I think the folks in Wetzlar have been reading these posts and getting jealous.

Leica just announced two new watches. The cheaper one is $10,000. The more expensive one is $14,000.

They are neither microscopes or cameras—just wristwatches.

https://www.esquire.com/style/mens-accessories/a39015759/leica-l1-l2-watch-review/

If I was a PR director at Timex I’d offer a ‘red dot’ model of my $79 watch for $10,000 and throw in a free Leica M10. 😎

Great idea!

In my twenties I wore $10 Timex watches, and when the battery died I just threw the watch out and bought another one.

topcat Loc: Alameda, CA

I also wanted a Leica, but I settled for a Soviet Leica copy.
I know that it isn't a Leica, but it is the most that I will ever have.
Heck, it is close enough that I can feel like I am using a Leica.

MrPhotog

topcat wrote:

I also wanted a Leica, but I settled for a Soviet Leica copy.
I know that it isn't a Leica, but it is the most that I will ever have.
Heck, it is close enough that I can feel like I am using a Leica.

The Soviet optics had quality control issues. They copied a good design, but cut corners to mass produce them. You might get one than performed brilliantly, or one that was thrown together quickly to meet a weekly quota. Unfortunately, a few of the latter damaged the reputation of some well-built cameras.

But, you can put on a genuine Leica lens if you want. You can find 135 mm Hektor lenses used for under $100. Other screw mount lenses abound, although some are quite pricy.

You can also find lenses made by Voightlander, Nikon, Canon and other companies.

The Soviet Union is gone but the camera factories remained They are still churning out new copies of old Leitz and Zeiss lenses.

Look on ebay for a 50 mm Elmar and you’ll find plenty, new, and under $100. Read the fine print and they aren’t made by Leica.

You’ll also find copies of ‘WW2 Leicas’, made in the last decade. They take good pictures, and keep alive the demand for Leica thread mount lenses.

In an ironic way, the mass marketing of the imitations is inflating the price of used, older, originals.

Spirit Vision Photography Loc: Behind a Camera.

I never took to Leica’s. I tried to. I shot with a few different Leica film rangefinders, and always preferred the ergonomics and handling of the much cheaper Japanese rangefinders. 😳

RodeoMan Loc: St Joseph, Missouri

OldSchool-WI wrote:

In all this Leica hype in mineature cameras---when... (show quote)

"...we fought the Germans and bombed the camera center without any military reason..." Wouldn't the camera centers be an obviously place for the development and manufacture of bomb sights and other technology equipment that could have been employed in the German war effort?

Nickaroo

gwilliams6 wrote:

I used the best of Leica rangefinders and even som... (show quote)

MR. Williams, I really find your shots that you downloaded to be exceptional. I forgot to tell you that. I respect people that can talk the talk, yet Walk The Walk.

JKaye Loc: Chicago

You might think of renting a Leica...nobody will know if you don't tell them. Oh, only rent one if you will be with a big bunch of other photographers who will know the difference.