Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2006/10/23
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Larry, Tough question. I'm not a betting man but if I was I'd say that if Leica were to cost reduce the M8, the cost would not be significantly less then what the M8 is today. (assume at least 3 years to develop and inflation, by Leica standards, the M8 will cost $5800 3 years hence.) Used may be hard to find for a couple years. Next, do you still shoot film? Is it worth keeping your old gear? Will your old lenses do justice to an M8? Most of my lenses are fairly new and include 5 with aspherics. I can't wait to try them on an M8. I also won't get rid of my film bodies and my older lenses. I like the way film looks and the look of the older lenses. I also shoot Nikon digital but prefer the depth and effect a B&W Leica print gives me. I hope an M8 gives the Leica look. I considered trying a RD-1 but decided against it. But the guys who have tried it seem to like it. You dilemma is probably the same as many Leica users right now. I can't afford an M8 now but I sure want one. I don't know what to give up. Tough choice. Len On Oct 23, 2006, at 11:36 AM, Lawrence Zeitlin wrote: > > On Oct 23, 2006, at 3:46 AM, Greg wrote: > >> I think a fair number of Lug newbies are driven quickly away after >> they make the mistake of asking a newbie Leica (been asked a time >> of two before) question and either their question is not answered, >> answered rather rudely, or they're pounced on. >> >> We all need to keep in mind that you only get one chance to make a >> 1st impression! >> >> I also suspect that the new M8 is going to attract some old Leica >> M users back that may have held on to a favourite body and a lens >> or two that they couldn't sell but wern't using. This should add >> some new/old blood to the List. > > OK, I'm a digital newbie. So many questions. > > Leica has a history of introducing a top of the line camera first, > then following it a year or two later with a simplified version of > the same camera. The M3 begat the M2. I understand that the > marketing strategy is to skim the cream of buyers first with the > more expensive camera, then introduce a lower priced model to pick > up the marginal users. Does any knowledgeable Lugger suspect that > Leica will follow this approach with the M8. My interest is both > photographic and economic. I have a drawer full of Leica lenses and > cameras, all vintage. The last new film Leica camera and lens I > bought was a CL in 1974. > > I would like to use the old lenses on a digital camera but the new > M8 is far too pricey for a marginal photographer's budget. Are the > lenses good enough to make use of all the capabilities of the new > camera? Should I wait until Leica introduces a lower priced model? > Will they ever introduce a lower priced digital Leica? Do I wait > until the M8 shows up on the used camera marketplace? How about the > Epson RD-1? Or should I just forget about the whole thing, sell the > film equipment on the LUG or e-Bay and move to the 4/3rds format. > My Olympus OM lenses work nicely on my E-500. > > Larry Z > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information