Hi Keith, While Pete has a love affair with his Leica, it's no different than the affair many photogs have with their equipment. Were he a Nikon shooter, or a user of certain Pentax bodies or glass, your comment may never have come up, regardless of the price he paid for the equipment.
Yes, Leica gear can be expensive when purchased new, but some of it no more expensive, and sometimes less expensive, than the new offerings of some other camera lines., and when purchased as used gear, quite a bit less expensive than some new or used gear from other manufacturers. The nice thing about a Leica M is that by using a 50 year old M2 you are not sacrificing any "features" compared to the latest, newest model other than built-in metering or, in the case of the M7, an electronic shutter v a mechanical one. IOW, there's very little difference between older and newer camera bodies, so once you've subscribed to the Leica philosophy you can pretty much name your price point, and for the most part, even with a simple M6 with a built-in meter, you'll end up paying less for a body than many other cameras. Even used they will last a lot longer than many newer cameras. It's similar with lenses. True, even used ones are not always inexpensive, but many excellent to superb lenses can be purchased used for a lot less than some Pentax lenses, new or used. And, like Pentax, there's an incredible backwards compatibility, and literally hundreds of different lenses in a wide, wide range of prices are available. I just purchased a lens for my Leicas for $7.00, and, had I the funds or were so inclined, I could spend over $2400 for a new lens. There are almost no issues about parts being unavailable. Recently a friend dropped my M2 and destroyed the rangefinder. I was devastated, for the rangefinder mechanism is the heart of the camera, yet a quick phone call assured me that not only was a NEW rangefinder available (this for a 40yo camera), but that there were several options available. My M2 is now sporting a brand new M4 rangefinder mechanism. Compare this to some newer cameras that can't be repaired because some small resistor or other electronic part is no longer being made, or is otherwise unavailable. You want an M6 back for your MpP? No problem. An older style film advance lever for your newer body? No problem either. A new style rangefinder which brings up more or different frame lines for your older camera? You pays your money and you makes your choice. I've droned on long enough. Bottom line is that the gear doesn't have to be expensive, and prices for good, used Leicas and Leica lenses have dropped substantially since the digital revolution. True, there is probably little chance you're going to get started with a good Leica system for $200.00, or the price of a pre-owned plastic Pentax, but for the price of an istDs and a 77mm you'll be well on your way and have a few dollars left over for film and processing. Shel > [Original Message] > From: keithw > The usual problem arises, much as I'd like a Leica MP, there's no way I > could justify purchasing one, and especially with two or three lenses. > Not unless I sold my car! <g> > > Oh well, if you can ignore the heavy Leica love affair flavor of the > article, it's a good one, and most of it well worth taking to heart. > > keith whaley
