Re: M use

[garvik@groupenet.com (Oddmund Garvik)]

On 25/07/1997, Hans wrote:

<<The Leica niche, at least for the M, is to produce a camera with the
basic functions to deliver high quality pictures. As a matter of fact, I
like the
idea of a camera that is so good, that it has survived since the first M3.
I also like to use the same camera  as in the 1970:s, because I am
nostalgic. Think about it Oddmund: If you are happy with the Leica, and buy
an M6, you will be able to use it for many many years. If you buy a trend
produduct, it will be obsolete in a few years.>>

Well, I don't contest your point of view, Hans. I am nostalgic as well... I
like my M4, my old 2CV, and old English sport cars. I like Dakotas and
Catalinas, old sailboats and Montgolfiere balloons. I like old houses and
animal tracted/driven machines. In like the rural world, I like wine, and
"lost" paradises. I am romantic.

My M4 works fine in most situations. The trouble is that my eyes are
getting tired. It's difficult to focus manually under certain
circumstances. Actually I have used scale focusing with my M-cameras when
it was possible. Sometimes I felt that the M was too big and intrusive, but
then I discovered the Contax T2 some years ago. I bought my first T2 soon
after the introduction in the beginning of the 90s. The M4 and the T2 have
become complementary cameras for me, as the TVS I added last winter. The
TVS is a pearl of a camera. The only drawback is a rather slow lens
(f/3.5-6.5). I consider the Contaxes  as modern rangefinders, rather than
simple point & shoots - the "natural" evolution of the original
Barnack/Leica concept. I make the same kind of photography with these
cameras, and I use them the same way. The T2 has a slight AF delay, but
this doesn't bother me much, as I know it. The TVS has no delay; you can
fix the decisive moment, as with the M.

I don't think these cameras are trend products. They have been out for a
while, and covers an important user group. I had some expectations to the
Leica version, but I got very disappointed... Officially they say "trading
conditions in the compact camera remain difficult, resulting in sales in
this category declining 32.2%..."(cf. the annual report). They cannot admit
that the Minilux was a flop, of course. "However, Leica's strategy to
improve performance in this area is clear. Leica Camera will focus on the
higher-end of the market, eliminating the exposure to the cheaper camera
segments, reduce the cost base and work more closely with the retailers." I
hope so..., and I hope they finally will introduce another wonder baby
soon, like they did with the M3 in 1954. The M-line will continue, of
course, but even if they stop it, there will be M's around for the rest of
our lives. We still find LTM cameras after all these years...

Oddmund

>PS Oddmund, welcome back!

Thanks!