leica cameras

[steven]

can someone school me on leica?

[mike lowrey]

old ass company from the early 1900's, I think the Leica camera was the first to use 35mm film. I dont know personally, but they are considered to be very good, and older models are very sought after.

they've recently made atleast one new digital SLR which is expensive as hell, I think its largely based on some panasonic model and apparently the digis are pretty much made by panasonic.

[airfrogusmc]

Great cameras heres a list of the range finders. Small and very quite. GREAT OPTICS.
http://www.cameraquest.com/mtype.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leica
http://www.leica-camera.us/photography/m_system/

[nairb49]

While researching DSLRs, obviously Leica came up every now and then. I wonder, whats the cost basis for the almost 10x higher price on a 10mpg camera from Leica vs other manufacturers?

I use a Leica microscope at work, best lens you can buy ($250 000 microscope) so I assume its based on similar reasoning. But if Panasonic is responsible for making the Lecia digis and uses their lenses, what are they skimping on to make their cameras affordable? Just name?

[canice]

"wear out" vs. "wear in" mentality when it comes to components.

i'm sure leica's new m8 is built better for the long haul than whatever new lumix camera panasonic put out this year.

[Carl]

Im pretty sure when i die, heaven or hell is gonna be filled with naked chicks holding M6's with 35 1.4's.

In heaven ill get to fuck em and take their picture.

In hell ill have to watch you guys fuck em and take pictures of that.

[kidicarus]

I have a Leica Digilux 2, and it uses Leica optics. When I bought my camera it was the only digital option Leica offered, but they've recently introduced a bunch of other digital cameras, including the hyper-expensive M8. If you want a less-expensive digital Leica, you can buy a Panasonic Lumix, which uses the same optics encased in a less sleek, less retro-styled body, for half the price. I get amazing results with my camera, but my biggest complaint is that there's frequently shutter lag, which can be frustrating.

[LeicaLad]

Hi! Sorry I didn’t see this post. I don’t come into this forum very often. There are many sources to learn about Leica cameras and optics. It would be hard to give an entire summary in one posting. In addition to the sources offered above (which are excellent sources, BTW), there are two large forum dedicated to Leica cameras and to rangefinders.

There are huge battles in the digital versus film debates. Leica has very sophisticated, but expensive entries into the digital realm. Professional feedback is good. Forget about the consumer Panasonic-related line. These are license deals, but are not made by Leica.

In the film world, Leica ruled in the old world, but lost ground in the SLR dominated recent age. Basically, Leicas are crafted mechanical machines for making photographs. Sorta like a Rolex is to a Timex. If you like craftsmanship, then you might like these. If you want point-&-shoot, save your money and go elsewhere. Different horses… yadda, yadda.

The www.photo.net has a Leica forum. This group want you to do some searching before posting newbie questions. It has a ton of info in the archives. If you post a question that sounds like you’ve done the basic groundwork, the expertise there is phenomenal.

The www.rangefinderforum.com has a Leica sub-forum, as well as others dedicated to different rangefinder cameras, both film and digital. This is a crowd that is more friendly to newbies. It, too, has tons of info on cameras, optics and their respective virtues. Lots of nice folks who like to show off photos and talk gear.

Hope this is useful.

[airfrogusmc]

Leicas were the kings of the 35mm world as Hasselblads were the kings of the medium format world and its all about the glass.

I have yet to see a inkjet gray scale image come anywhere near a beautifully printed silver gelatin print. The world of color is a different story. I can do things in photoshop I could never do in the color darkroom and the inkjet color print are in my opinion just as good as any color process with dye transfer being maybe the one exception.

[tomenugen]

Hi! Sorry I didn’t see this post. I don’t come into this forum very often. There are many sources to learn about Leica cameras and optics. It would be hard to give an entire summary in one posting. In addition to the sources offered above (which are excellent sources, BTW), there are two large forum dedicated to Leica cameras and to rangefinders.

There are huge battles in the digital versus film debates. Leica has very sophisticated, but expensive entries into the digital realm. Professional feedback is good. Forget about the consumer Panasonic-related line. These are license deals, but are not made by Leica.

In the film world, Leica ruled in the old world, but lost ground in the SLR dominated recent age. Basically, Leicas are crafted mechanical machines for making photographs. Sorta like a Rolex is to a Timex. If you like craftsmanship, then you might like these. If you want point-&-shoot, save your money and go elsewhere. Different horses… yadda, yadda.

The www.photo.net has a Leica forum. This group want you to do some searching before posting newbie questions. It has a ton of info in the archives. If you post a question that sounds like you’ve done the basic groundwork, the expertise there is phenomenal.

The www.rangefinderforum.com has a Leica sub-forum, as well as others dedicated to different rangefinder cameras, both film and digital. This is a crowd that is more friendly to newbies. It, too, has tons of info on cameras, optics and their respective virtues. Lots of nice folks who like to show off photos and talk gear.

Hope this is useful.

AFAIK, the panasonic lumix models are exact counterparts of the leica models, except for the differing casings. I believe the difference in price is $100-200.

[poly800rock]

than why are the reviews of the panasonic ones such crap?

[sidneylo]

than why are the reviews of the panasonic ones such crap?

Quoted for truth.

[tomenugen]

oh wow. i stand corrected. http://www.pbase.com/koo22/leica_dlux_3
but not big enough for me to pay the $100+ difference.