LeicaTime

[fimgirl]

Borrowed a pals MM over the weekend - boy, if I didn't have the M240 I'd be over this camera like a rash - and I still might!

It's the digital equivalent of an MP loaded with Tri-X.

[MJP]

MM?

[Tywais]

MM?

Leica M-Monochrome

That photo is absolutely stunning.

DPreview - $7,950 USD body only!

[MJP]

MM?

Leica M-Monochrome

That photo is absolutely stunning.

DPreview - $7,950 USD body only!

Nope T, wrong. It's mmmm . . MM . . . Mmmmmm . . . . how much?!!!

Edited June 22, 2014 by MJP

[FracturedRabbit]

It seems to have a dedicated fan base. Rumours of an updated version to come out of Photokina in September.

That's a fantastic photo.

[fimgirl]

The new Leica will probably be a CCD based M-E. That's the general consensus.

Personally I'd like to see a duel format camera wherein you could shoot film and/ or digital !

Edited June 23, 2014 by fimgirl

[sunshine51]

^^^ FG...did you know Nik & Kodak gave serious thought to dual use cameras

back in the mid 90's? I never followed up on that. Great shot with the MM BTW,

you've been busy it seems!

[fimgirl]

^^^ FG...did you know Nik & Kodak gave serious thought to dual use cameras

back in the mid 90's? I never followed up on that. Great shot with the MM BTW,

you've been busy it seems!

I've read somewhere that Nikon actually have a patent in place for such as camera. If it's true I would imagine it's only to suppress it's release by others. Joking aside, I'd have no interest in such a camera.

[sunshine51]

^^^ Reason I never followed up was I reckoned it was too much of a PITA

having to change backs & lenses as needed.

[fimgirl]

They just keep holding their value !

http://petapixel.com/2014/07/16/leica-iii-behind-iconic-flag-reichstag-photo-going-auction-november/

[sunshine51]

^^^ FG...have a gander via Google on the KE-7A.

Just an M4 built to military specs plus a few numbers

added. Came standard out of a sealed aluminised bag

that included the body, ELCAN 50@ f2.0, strap, case,

manual...but beware...there are some fakes around.

Only way to spot em is the fakes have no military S/N's

on them and the top & bottom plates are not as thick

as the milspec ones. Great cameras back then however,

many of us who used cameras in the field prefered the

Nikonos 2 & the 35 @ 2.5...literally indestructable.

Amazing how many of both were liberated!

[MJP]

Leica people. Which are the best Leica lenses?

[fimgirl]

The ones on a camera body pointing at the subject, they're all good.

Seriously, which is best for what. Focal length might help.

Edited July 22, 2014 by fimgirl

[sunshine51]

Best Leica Lenses? Depends on the use I guess as FG stated above.

Overall favourite's of mine? Hmmmmmm....

My 28mm Summi-M @ f2.0 is nice for street stuff and general stuff.

Then again....so is my 50mm Nocti-M @ f1.0...used to be the worlds

fastest lens until the f0.95 appeared. I like it for night stuff but not

as much as my 28 for nights. Excellent all rounder too...if it's the

only one you have with you while out taking pix & for that matter so

is the 28 while on a walkabout.

The 90mm Summi-M @ f2.0 is one of my GP (general purpose)

favourites. It's not the aspherical jobber and it came attached to

my M6 when I bought the package...so yeah...I Leica it a lot too.

Mind you...when I go on a walkabout with a camera I usually chose

only one body and one lens. If one of my Leica's, it may or may not

depend on what I plan on shooting...ie...people, general scenes,

buildings, whatever...I grab just one lens and go for it. What I get

is what I get at the end of the day...whenever that may be.

If I take one of my Nik's it's a toss up between the 14-24 or the

24-70 (Sig)...rarely the 70-200 as it's kinda like lugging a bazooka

around all day. Then again...sometimes it's also the only lens I will

take. Or I may take my 58 @ 1.2....makes no real difference to me.

One body, one lens. Simple.

Oh dear me...I have digressed...apols.

[MJP]

The ones on a camera body pointing at the subject, they're all good.

Seriously, which is best for what. Focal length might help.

35mm and/or 50mm.

[MJP]

Also Voigtlander. Anyone use these?

I ask because it can all go on the A7r and I'm really into small lenses now.

[fimgirl]

For 35mm it's the f1.4 Summilux Aspherical FLE by a country mile. Now regarded as the best 35mm ever made ($5,500). I have one and it really is awesome. Best lens of any manufacturer I've ever used, and I've used a lot!

For 50mm the good news is it's the bargain basement latest edition Summicron F2. The Summilux f1.4 is actually better BUT quality control is very indifferent. Get a good one and you're home, but very difficult to find. Notorious for focus shift. I sold mine and got the Summicron.

Voightlander are ok (ish). The star in their line up is the 75mm f2.5 Heliar. I have one and it's exceptionally good.

Good news. Leica lenses are optimised at maximum aperture which you seem to favour. !!!!!!

Edited July 22, 2014 by fimgirl

[MJP]

For 35mm it's the f1.4 Summilux Aspherical FLE by a country mile. Now regarded as the best 35mm ever made ($5,500). I have one and it really is awesome. Best lens of any manufacturer I've ever used, and I've used a lot!

For 50mm the good news is it's the bargain basement latest edition Summicron F2. The Summilux f1.4 is actually better BUT quality control is very indifferent. Get a good one and you're home, but very difficult to find. Notorious for focus shift. I sold mine and got the Summicron.

Voightlander are ok (ish). The star in their line up is the 75mm f2.5 Heliar. I have one and it's exceptionally good.

Good news. Leica lenses are optimised at maximum aperture which you seem to favour. !!!!!!

Fim,

Do you mean this one?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Leica-Summicron-M-50-mm-f-2-0-Lens-6-bit-coding-BOXED-serial-416xxxx-/121390778174?pt=UK_Lenses_Filters_Lenses&hash=item1c4374473e

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LEICA-LEITZ-50mm-f2-SUMMICRON-M-TYPE-IV-HOOD-CAPS-nr-MINT-/121390340268?pt=UK_Lenses_Filters_Lenses&hash=item1c436d98ac

Edited July 22, 2014 by MJP

[fimgirl]

For 35mm it's the f1.4 Summilux Aspherical FLE by a country mile. Now regarded as the best 35mm ever made ($5,500). I have one and it really is awesome. Best lens of any manufacturer I've ever used, and I've used a lot!

For 50mm the good news is it's the bargain basement latest edition Summicron F2. The Summilux f1.4 is actually better BUT quality control is very indifferent. Get a good one and you're home, but very difficult to find. Notorious for focus shift. I sold mine and got the Summicron.

Voightlander are ok (ish). The star in their line up is the 75mm f2.5 Heliar. I have one and it's exceptionally good.

Good news. Leica lenses are optimised at maximum aperture which you seem to favour. !!!!!!

Fim,

Do you mean this one?

Yes but a bit expensive. £850 would be godd

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Leica-Summicron-M-50-mm-f-2-0-Lens-6-bit-coding-BOXED-serial-416xxxx-/121390778174?pt=UK_Lenses_Filters_Lenses&hash=item1c4374473e

No

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LEICA-LEITZ-50mm-f2-SUMMICRON-M-TYPE-IV-HOOD-CAPS-nr-MINT-/121390340268?pt=UK_Lenses_Filters_Lenses&hash=item1c436d98ac

Edited July 22, 2014 by fimgirl

[fimgirl]

The reason I dismissed the Voigtlander lenses and indeed the same principle applies to other M mount lenses is the difficulty in focusing when such a lens has a short focus throw. When you're trying to nail focus at (say) f1.4 you need a lens that has a decent throw (call it twist adjustment) if it's tight/short as opposed to a long twist then the slightest twist determines good/bad focus. A long throw gives you more flexibility and a better chance of accuracy.

Hope this makes sense.

Edited July 22, 2014 by fimgirl

[MJP]

The reason I dismissed the Voigtlander lenses and indeed the same principle applies to other M mount lenses is the difficulty in focusing when such a lens has a short focus throw. When you're trying to nail focus at (say) f1.4 you need a lens that has a decent throw (call it twist adjustment) if it's tight/short as opposed to a long twist then the slightest twist determines good/bad focus. A long throw gives you more flexibility and a better chance of accuracy.

Hope this makes sense.

Thanks for info. Yes. My Tair-11A has a very long throw making manual focus very easy.

These 135's are still my faves. Tair, Carl Zeiss Jena, Meyer Optik Gorlitz and Jupiter's.

[MJP]

Okay Fimbo, I'm sold.

This is Alex Woo's photostream which is mostly the A7r with Summilux 35/1.4 among others. Many are unprocessed.

You are quite right. These are worth the money as they don't seem to loose money used.

I'll stick to one lens, most likely the 35 Summilux.

[fimgirl]

Make sure it's the FLE version. The previous non-FLE had focus shft problems.

[MJP]

Make sure it's the FLE version. The previous non-FLE had focus shft problems.

Fully researched, yes FLE deffo!

Going to be a while but the Summilux and the A7s should make for a near perfect low light system.

[MJP]

The cost of the 35mm FLE I can live with but how in the hell is a 50/2 over £5,000?!!!

http://www.cliftoncameras.co.uk/Leica_50mm_f2_ASPH_APO-Summicron-M_Lens?gclid=CLeW1tTS278CFckSwwodM1sAPQ

[fimgirl]

It's not the "ordinary" 50mm. The lens is the Leica equivalent of the Otus. Special.

Edited July 24, 2014 by fimgirl

[fimgirl]

Nice little video here relating to Leica Kyoto Japan