[Leica] New to Leica

[photo.forrest at earthlink.net (Philip Forrest)]

So to read that correctly, those of us who occasionally want to discuss
merits of digital capture maybe for the purposes of getting paid can
have our discussion but its only of interest to us, and we can't
be "gearheads." We can discuss photography but it's better if made with
film equipment. "Gearhead" talk is reserved for film cameras
exclusively. My favorite lens happens to be a 105mm Nikkor in the
"Barnack" mount. Good grief.
Phil Forrest


On Tue, 03 Mar 2009 22:54:04 -0500
Marc James Small <marcsmall at comcast.net> wrote:


> First, the main voices on the List are those 
> speaking to digital and to their Epson RD-1 and 
> Leica M-8 experiences and problems and 
> triumphs.  Do not be worried by this.  These are 
> people with a solid interest and their comments 
> are certainly of interest to those with an 
> interest in digital.  And a lot of the folks here 
> want to discuss photographs:  they will demand 
> that you scan all of your pictures and post them 
> and then discuss them in excruciating 
> detail.  Some like that.  I do not.  If you wish, 
> scan and post your pictures.  If you do not wish 
> to do so, then, do not do so.  Stay with us a 
> while to see how the dying eat the dead on this 
> posting of picture routine:  the criticism tends 
> to be vicious and hard-hearted.
> 
> There are a number of us on this List who do like 
> and use film Leica camearas.  I also own and use 
> a bunch of Soviet cameras and lenses and even 
> some post-Soviet gear.  There are others with a 
> similar bent.  I own only Post-War Leitz gear 
> (though I own Prewar Zeiss Ikon and Franke & 
> Heidecke and Voigtl?nder cameras), a IIIc, a IIIf 
> RDST, and a IIIg, and an M3 DS and a Wetzlar 
> M6.  I use them all and find them all wonderful 
> picture-takers.  The IIIc is my favorite LTM 
> (Leica thread-mount) camera -- I hate the term 
> "Barnack camera", as that is a national invention 
> of the Japanese and is not a decent title for the breed.
> 
> I should add that I have owned and used a lot of 
> prewar Leitz gear over the years and also some Prewar FED cameras and
> lenses.
> 
> As you note, the silky smoothness of a Leica is 
> one of its most alluring elements.
> 
> Several comments:
> 
> -- the "Russian revolving turret viewfinder" is a 
> Postwar KMZ clone of the Carl Zeiss Jena 436 
> VF.  It is very usable and is arguably the best 
> of the breed, though some argue for the Astro and Tewe versions.
> 
> --  there never has been a 4/90 Leitz 
> Elmar.  That lens was a 4/9cm Leitz Elmar.  This 
> is one of my favorite lenses.  I have late 
> edition on my Bellows II as a micro lens, and a 
> collapsible one for my M's.  It is a wonderful lens.
> 
> --  the Jupiters are all great lenses but beware 
> of the distinctions in SPS (Soviet/Post-Soviet) 
> quality control.  The 2/85 Jupiter is a clone of 
> the Prewar and Wartime 2/8.5cm Carl Zeiss Jena 
> Sonnar and a good example is every bit as good as its original.
> 
> Welcome aboard!  I am a gearhead and love the 
> equipment and the process.  Find your own place 
> and stay with us.  Your presence makes us all that much richer.
> 
> Marc
> 
> 
> msmall at aya.yale.edu
> Cha robh b?s fir gun ghr?s fir!
> 
> 
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