Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/08/01
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Christer, I am not claiming that the GR1 is a replacement for a Leica. It is certainly a P&S camera, but it is far above the other P&Ss in terms of quality and value for money. In addition to the convenient slider switch for the flash modes, some of its other strong points are: a relatively high maximum aperture of 2.8; spot metering; aperture-preferred operation and not just full auto; convenient exposure compensation dial; ability to sort of disable autofocus by using the "snap" mode (focus at around 2 m) or the infinity mode. This much more control than most cameras of its size can provide. As for carrying a Leica in the pocket, I tried that and it just feels strange and bulky. The GR1 is the camera I take if I am going on a business trip where any photo opportunities will be incidental at best and I am wearing business clothes--I think an M6 in the pocket of a business suit looks really strange. It is also the camera I take if I am going to Euro Disney with 2 kids, knowing that it is hot, that I hate the place, and that I will be walking around there for 8 hours, with an increasing load of souvenirs to carry as the day wears on; in that situation even a Leica becomes heavy. And finally, there are situations where I will not risk losing my Leica (such as in the water attraction in Belgium where I lost my first GR1), while the loss of a GR1 is something I am willing to risk. In fact, when I lost the first one, I was annoyed mostly by the fact that I was sure I had several HCB-calibre pictures on the roll in the camera ;-) Nathan Christer Almqvist wrote: > OK the lens is very good, but it is still a P&S thing. It is not under your > control, except that you can turn off the flash _permanently_ by flipping a > switch, not pushing little rubbery knobs to get down to the third level of > some menue, and then have to redo the whole thing every time you turn on > the camera. That's what I like about the GR-1. The switch, and the lens. > But I hate the little rubber button that turns on the camera. And it turns > itself on in your trousers pocket. It must look like a very rapid erection > to the uninformed spectator when the lens starts moving out. Is this how > Ralph got started on his nudes? If so, please advise how to proceed. > Anyway, I almost always have room for the M6 with a Summicron in my jacket > pocket. Unobtrousive.-- > Christer Almqvist > D-20255 Hamburg, Germany and/or > F-50590 Regnéville-sur-Mer, France - -- Nathan Wajsman Herrliberg (ZH), Switzerland e-mail: wajsman@webshuttle.ch General photo site: http://belgiangator.tripod.com/ Belgium photo site: http://members.xoom.com/wajsman/ Motorcycle site: http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Downs/1704/