While I'm amazed at how good and fast autofocus can be (my Canon 7NE with the 135 f2 lens is a good example) I'm also disappointed in how much it misses by just a little bit.
The shutter on my Leica M6 IS sensual but rangefinder use with my tri-focals is telling me that its time as my primary camera is past.
Having used everything from 35mm to 8x10, I'd have to say that that I have two special camera/lens combinations:
- the Leica R8 with the 80mm f1.4 Summilux
- the Contax 645 with the 140mm f2.8 lens
Both the Leica and Contax have microprism focusing screens and there is never a doubt as to whether or not you are in focus. Any thing good you've heard about these lenses is true. They are great, flattering people lenses at wider apertures and very, very sharp at f11.
Both cameras have knobs and rings for the major controls, no buttons or control wheels to confuse things and both are very intuitive to use, though the Leica is better in this regard.
I use the R8 primarily with color film and the larger Contax negative for black and white. Even with 120 Delta 3200 rated at 800 you get a nice useable negative, suitable for 8x10s and a true 800 speed opens up lots of possibilities with the Contax's fast lenses.
Long live the microprism screen!
Take care,
Tom