Shel Belinkoff wrote:
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.
Yeah, I think it would have!
I just found out an MP costs something like U.S.$2600+ !
Geez!
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.
I undersand.
I have had a love affair with a Contax IIIa for over 45 years!
I used to have a very good one, had to sell it, and have wanted another
one ever since.
A really GOOD one is very costly, but worth every penny, so I do
understand how that goes...
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 understand all that. Makes it almost surrealistic, in a way.
Like old VW bugs. You can continue to rebuild them even today, nearly 50
yers later. All manner of body and engine and suspension parts still
made by somebody...
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
Thanks for the exposition.
I agree with you on everything except the acceptability of new purchase
prices.
Obscene. But then, there's nobody who can slough that off and justify it
like a rabid Leica owner... :-)
No disrespect meant, Sir.
keith
