Re: [Leica] SLR choice

["Dan Post" <dwpost@email.msn.com>]

Bud!
I would suggest an SL User Group, but there are dibs on the SLUG designation
already! I think that if I ever modernised, it would be to the R6.2... I am
assuming (always dangerous!) that the R6.2 has the same type shutter
mechanism as the SL and SL2 ( as Marc would say, 'why mess with
perfection...?')
That is, I thought the R6.2 was made for all us retro guys who like the SL!
Almost the SLR equivalent of the M cameras, at least for me, and I really
feel that Leica might have snagged a more significant market share had they
continued the SL or SL2 as an entry level R camera, and kept up the
production like Pentax did with the K-1000.
Maybe wishful thinking, but the SL is as fully capable of taking excellent
photographs as anything that replaced it, in my opinion... of course, I
haven't had an R8 yet, but the SL has never failed to deliver good negatives
under some pretty trying conditions!
Dan
- ----- Original Message -----
From: Bud Cook <budcook@ibm.net>
To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Sent: Sunday, August 15, 1999 8:50 PM
Subject: Re: [Leica] SLR choice


> Simon,
> I bought my SL/2 brand new in 1977.   This camera has never had one single
> problem although it's been to DAG once for a CLA (probably a waste of
> money).
>
> I was recently at National Camera to one of those Leica deals where they
> check your cameras when someone mentioned what a great camera I had.   I
> said I thought I could probably get $1,200 for it.  A salesman told me I
> could get a lot more than that.   It's academic to me because I'll never
> sell it.
>
> BTW, I also have an SL and I really love it.  It's got a terrific
viewfinder
> and you can hammer nails with it.
>
> Bud
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Simon Stevens <simon@wizard.net>
> To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
> Sent: Sunday, August 15, 1999 6:57 PM
> Subject: [Leica] SLR choice
>
>
> > I hope that you will bear with me on this one, it may be a little long
> > but I'm hoping that I can pick some collective brains for some advice.
> > Of course this is a highly biased group, but also a rather informed one
> > and it's the informed, experienced point of view I am looking for.
> >
> > I'm a long time Leica M4-P owner which I use with a 35,50, 90 combo. In
> > my business about 90% of my 35mm work (which in turn is probably only
> > about 25% of my work - the rest is on a Hasselblad) is very undemanding
> > stuff. Mostly it's events shot in color or black and white with flash
> > and the negatives are rarely enlarged beyond 8x10. Still, I love using
> > the Leica.  I love its quietness, compactness and unobtrusiveness. I
> > love the results and, though they may not always know why, my clients do
> > too and tell me so. I also love the fact that at almost every event I
> > shoot somebody comes up and admires it which I'm sure helps when it
> > comes to delivering my invoice. :)
> >
> > Nevertheless, I am thinking about getting an SLR as an adjunct to the M
> > sometime in the next few months and so I am doing some research. I'm
> > thinking that a short range zoom could add some flexibility to some of
> > my shoots and an additional camera is good insurance. It would also be
> > useful for those occasions when I need a loaner to give to an assistant
> > or subcontractor. I would be uncomfortable handing my M to somebody not
> > very familiar with rangefinders. Quite apart from the cost, they are too
> > tricky for first time use especially when my good name is at stake.
> >
> > I would like as much as possible to match the optical quality of the M,
> > despite the zoom lens, and also as much as possible of the M's
> > ruggedness and feel. I don't want to compromise on the lens so  the only
> > ones I will consider are Leica or Zeiss. That means the camera will be
> > either a Leica or a Contax and to save money (there is a budget!) it
> > will be used, so no R-8.
> >
> > Decision #1 - the lens.
> >
> > Has anybody used the Zeiss 35-70 f3.4 Vario Sonnar? I have always been
> > wary of zooms but honest opinions would be welcome, especially given
> > that I have become used to the quality of Leica primes. .The same
> > applies to the Leica 35-70 f3.5 Vario Elmar (Japanese). Of course if
> > somebody has had the opportunity to use them both to compare, that would
> > be great! I'd also be interested in knowing what people think is the
> > right US price for optically clean examples. Cosmetics are much less
> > important to me.
> >
> > Decision #2 - the body. Obviously, this is related to question number 1.
> > Here are some I have looked at. I also list the ones I have already
> > rejected to save you potential time.
> >
> > Contax RTS II. I have always liked this camera even though it is a hefty
> > beast. Good bodies are quite inexpensive, which is nice. My biggest
> > reservation is the fact that it is battery dependent and has an
> > irritating christmas tree display. Any long term users out there? It
> > always felt tough to me, how is the reliability from experience?
> >
> > Leica R-4 Good price and nice handling. I have heard rumblings on the
> > LUG about reliability (comments?) and I found the viewfinder to be dim.
> > As with the Contax, I don't like the fact that it is electronic. But
> > since it's fairly cheap I might live with that and the blinking lights
> > in the viewfinder.
> >
> > Leica R-3 Even better price. I have always had a soft spot for it, even
> > though it is a glorified Minolta XD-(7?). Comments welcome.
> >
> > Leica R-4s, R-E, R-5, R-7. Too many meter modes. Not worth the extra
> > money to me. To me Leica said it best with their M-6 ad "Less is More."
> >
> > Leica R-6 & R6.2 I like the specifications, but not the subjective feel.
> > The price is also higher than I'd like, being newer than most of the
> > other bodies mentioned here.
> >
> > Leicaflex SL-2. I LOVED this one! I liked the build quality, the bright
> > viewfinder and the fact that I could see all of it with my glasses on,
> > and wind on with my left eye pressed to the eyepiece. It's big but it
> > felt inspring. My reservations are about maintenance. Does anybody have
> > any comments about this? What are common problems? Are parts available?
> > If they are, are the prices getting inflated? A second, more minor,
> > reservation is the split image focussing screen. Am I likely to get
> > darkening with an f3.5 lens?  Finally, what do people consider the
> > correct price range for this body?
> >
> > Leicafles SL and Leicaflex. Great prices, but the handling didn't "work"
> > for me. Pity.
> >
> > Finally, I have read about, but not actuially handled the Contax S2. It
> > sounds rather nice, albeit pricey. I'd be interested in hearing from any
> > owners out there.
> >
> > Thanks for wading throught the above and thanks in advance for your help
> > with this subjective choice.
> >
> > Simon Stevens
> > Camera Craftsman
> > (703) 548-7548
> > http://www.camera-craftsman.com
> >
> >
>
>