Re: [Leica] consolidating my photo system....

[Alan Ball <AlanBall@csi.com>]

Nathan Wajsman wrote:

> I have kept one SLR (Pentax PZ1P) for the odd occasion where I need a long
> lens or autofocus or macro shots of bugs or flowers. But it sees little use
> on a daily basis. Of course, knowing that the resale value of this camera is
> relatively low makes it easier to justify keeping it "just in case". If it
> were a Leica R, this would be more difficult. That is why I sold my
> Hasselblad last year.

Nathan,

That is sound behaviour ! On my side, I've become unsound, because of
the sort of virus that gets ditillated though the LUG, despite my
constant dislike of hype and because of Alpha Photo's ability to make a
huge price seem like a good deal: I sold my trustworthy and efficient
35mm Nikon SLR system (at a reasonable loss since it was all 2nd hand to
start with) and bought a R8 during the Leica days, following the Belgian
LUG gang visit. They've lent me a 50mm summicron-R till I gather enough
strength to buy 'special price' 100mm f2.8 mm apo-macro and/or 180mm
f2.8 apo. I'm financially wiped out but looking forward to using a
complete photo system based exclusively on Leica: from 21mm to the 90mm
elmarit on the M side, overlapping with 100, but adding macro and 180
capability on the R side. Don't want to know how that translates in
overtime work.... 

There is no rationality to that of course: I suppose I take 5 pics out
of 100 with longer-than-90mm, and will not shoot zillions of images at
less than 1 m from the subject with a 100mm. Okay: after playing with it
during a week, I confirm the obvious: it is large. But does not 'feel'
nearly as large and heavy as it really is. It handles real sweet: very
cute shutter/mirror noise, great tactile feedback of all commands, very
intuitive settings, smart layout. I find the lack of built-in motor is a
feature rather than a handicap: this is the most silent SLR I have ever
tried. The TTL flash meter device is a fantastic bonus, not only because
it works with all flashes and any number of them, but also because it
allows complete control of flash balance by the user. I did not realize
beforehand how simple and effective this could be. With the 100mm and 2
or 3 portable flash heads, it should be a mobile high quality portrait
studio. For the rest, I do not know, it will take me months to make up
my mind if I was right to become unsound or not....

I should never have subscribed to this mailing list ;-)

See you on Sunday (I'll be selling stuff at Lucien's table)

Alan.