What fuel Leica hatred...

[blockend]

These two statements seems diametrically opposed. Which is true, if either?

Both. Not everyone can afford an M10 and a couple of Summilux lenses, and many of those who can would think the price too inflated, but lots of people can buy a Leica II, or even a film M, if that was their ambition. Leica ownership begins at the price of a used entry level DSLR, and ends at the price of a new luxury car and beyond.

 

[Sirius Glass]

It's partly the fact that for Westerners at least, Leica ownership is a realistic aspiration. Even low paid workers can, if they save hard and forego other pleasures, attain Leica ownership of some variety in a way they couldn't with fast cars, race horses or yachts. So Leica is a kind of democratic luxury, and gives everyone the ability to sound off one way or the other on its benefits.

I understand the desire because I succumbed to it, rather half heartedly when the price and condition was too good for me to pass on, but it was too like the experience of other cameras to be seduced by the pull. I knew it would bounce around in a normal shoulder bag and be dragged out at a moments notice, like my other cameras, and someone else would fuss over it in a way I wasn't prepared to. So I'm rather been there-done that about Leica. My XA's are much smaller, my Kiev is quirkier, my Nikons as solid and lots of cameras have sharp lenses, especially at the middling apertures I usually shoot. I certainly don't hate Leicas or Leica owners, but as photographic tools they have far more competition that their heyday,

If for a moment we assume that what you say is true, how does that explain the Leica mania that too place in Japan?

 

[blockend]

If for a moment we assume that what you say is true, how does that explain the Leica mania that too place in Japan?

I don't know what you mean? Do you mean hipsters and camera jewellery? Or wealthy collectors?

 

[Sirius Glass]

If for a moment we assume that what you say is true, how does that explain the Leica mania that too place in Japan?

I don't know what you mean? Do you mean hipsters and camera jewellery? Or wealthy collectors?

You stated: "It's partly the fact that for Westerners at least, Leica ownership is a realistic aspiration. "

Your words are explaining about Westerners. What about the Japanese desire to collect Leicas'.

 

[blockend]

You stated: "It's partly the fact that for Westerners at least, Leica ownership is a realistic aspiration. "

Your words are explaining about Westerners. What about the Japanese desire to collect Leicas'.

Westerners is shorthand for first world democracies. Citizens of gulf states could afford anything Leica produce. In gold. With a ruby for a red dot. The developing world, not so much. I assumed you were talking about the higher price Leicas typically attract in Japan, and the enthusiasm for them among the young and fashionable.

 

[silveror0]

These two statements seems diametrically opposed. Which is true, if either?

Possibly both. Neither statement addresses the middle scenario: Some Leica enthusiasts who, as a result of inheritance or high-paying employment or their own entrepreneurial efforts, can afford it without a detrimental decline in lifestyle.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Westerners is shorthand for first world democracies. Citizens of gulf states could afford anything Leica produce. In gold. With a ruby for a red dot. The developing world, not so much. I assumed you were talking about the higher price Leicas typically attract in Japan, and the enthusiasm for them among the young and fashionable.

Bingo you broke the code!! ==> I assumed you were talking about the higher price Leicas typically attract in Japan, and the enthusiasm for them among the young and fashionable.

So please explain how that fits into your theory.

 

[blockend]

Bingo you broke the code!! ==> I assumed you were talking about the higher price Leicas typically attract in Japan, and the enthusiasm for them among the young and fashionable.

So please explain how that fits into your theory.

I don't have a clue what you're talking about. Japan has a well known phenomenon of its young people adopting western cultural icons, of which German rangefinder cameras are one along with British motorcycles and other "classic" consumer items. Bingo and codes seem to exist in your own head. Neither do I understand what "too place in Japan" means. Too what?

 

[blockend]

This thread reads like an attempt to convince alcoholics of the benefits of tap water in quenching thirst. Undoubtedly true and completely missing the point!

 

[Ces1um]

Look for the new Thambar 2.2/90mm pages on the Leica site... Clearly we don't talk photography anymore. $6,500 a pop to get blurry pictures? Come on...

So basically they've made a lomography petzval with bokeh control lens equivalent, and then charged $6000 more for it? I don't mind paying top dollar for quality, but when you're advertising that you've half assed the job on purpose you can't demand a premium price tag.

 

[removed account4]

This thread reads like an attempt to convince alcoholics of the benefits of tap water in quenching thirst. Undoubtedly true and completely missing the point!

these threads are crazy to be honest. people who dislike bang their drums, people who own defend themselves
and show they aren't just using the camera as status or bling and the heat is turned up to 11.
it never ceases to amaze me how wrapped up in name brands, labels and gear people are, even down to the minutia.
and if it works for them and they can afford it that's inspirational.
i think it would have been a great ad campaign to have tichy on television selling exactas
( translated of course from his native tongue ) " i sometimes use self fashioned cardboard cameras made of high grade paper and post consumer waste
to take these photos ( with the camera crew touring his delapidated home/studio ) but when i really want to take a beautiful photograph, i use this exacta
( pulling a half corroded, fully worn camera out of a heap of stuff ) putting it up to his eye and showing some photographs as the camera zooms into the lens
he takes the camera down and smiles and drinks some 5 day old coffee from a dirty cup and mumbles something.
voice over comes in " buy exacta, it might not be tichy's first choice but look what you can do with it "

So basically they've made a lomography petzval with bokeh control lens equivalent, and then charged $6000 more for it? I don't mind paying top dollar for quality, but when you're advertising that you've half assed the job on purpose you can't demand a premium price tag.

dude they own lomo
they are rebranding their own lens ...

 

[BrianVS]

When people that know me see me using a Leica, they generally laugh and say "I see you still use those old cameras".
I've been out and had several young people tell me that they really like the camera that I'm using. I laugh and tell them that it's because I'm old and stubborn.

 

[Ces1um]

dude they own lomo
they are rebranding their own lens ...

is that actually true, or are you pulling my leg?

 

[Lee Rust]

Lomographische AG is based in Austria, so who knows?

 

[removed account4]

is that actually true, or are you pulling my leg?

https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/leica-bought-westlicht-auction-house.116073/

not pulling your leg .. at least i don't think i am ..
you'v heard of big pharma, big milk, big wheat, big poultry and big sponge?
seems that leica is "big camera"

 

[E. von Hoegh]

So basically they've made a lomography petzval with bokeh control lens equivalent, and then charged $6000 more for it? I don't mind paying top dollar for quality, but when you're advertising that you've half assed the job on purpose you can't demand a premium price tag.

Optically it is a carbon copy of the original Thambar, with single coating. Some people like parableptic lenses.

 

[chip j]

WHY don't they make a screw-mount Leica body to go with it?? probaly costs too much.

 

[Craig75]

After seeing a Reid leica copy, i thought really want. After seeing the price i never thought about it again. Moral is a second hand real leica can be a mere bagatelle pricewise compared to a copy sometimes.

 

[cowanw]

This was interesting.
Dead Link Removed

 

[Sirius Glass]

This was interesting.
Dead Link Removed

Thank you. I like the results from the film Leica much better.

 

[BrianVS]

After seeing a Reid leica copy, i thought really want. After seeing the price i never thought about it again. Moral is a second hand real leica can be a mere bagatelle pricewise compared to a copy sometimes.

You can get a Nicca, Leotax, or Tanack IV very cheaply. The Tanack has a swing-open back. Canon rangefinders are very cheap these days- have a combined VF/RF window. We're talking under $200 with a 50mm F1.8 or F2 lens.
Prices are way down. The Reid is rare, like the Kardon: you are paying for the country of origin.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

This was interesting.
Dead Link Removed

Thanks. I did not know that Goerz supplied the glass for the early Elmars. Goerz (and several others) were bought up in 1926, becoming part of the Zeiss-Ikon conglomerate. Schott Jena had ties with Zeiss from the beginning.

 

[Craig75]

You can get a Nicca, Leotax, or Tanack IV very cheaply. The Tanack has a swing-open back. Canon rangefinders are very cheap these days- have a combined VF/RF window. We're talking under $200 with a 50mm F1.8 or F2 lens.
Prices are way down. The Reid is rare, like the Kardon: you are paying for the country of origin.

Yeah. Uk wasnt exactly awash with highend 35mm camera makers so if you want to shoot british gear theres a hellish premium. How much is cooke lens compared to leica equivalent?

 

[blockend]

Yeah. Uk wasnt exactly awash with highend 35mm camera makers so if you want to shoot british gear theres a hellish premium. How much is cooke lens compared to leica equivalent?

Wasn't always the case. British lenses followed a high - low - high arc, but are very highly prized now. My Taylor Hobson's aren't going anywhere. One of the Hong Kong classic shops, whose owner has pretty much everything in his own collection, rated the best British lenses higher than any. Big Head Taco's YouTube interviews IIRC (may be a different interview):

I'd love a Reid "Barnack" but way beyond what I'm prepared to pay. They were made after Leica went for the M mount, and are reputed to made to even higher standards.

Ouch! http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/EX-TAYLOR...5-modified-to-Leica-M240-w-hood-/162258614297

 

[E. von Hoegh]

Wasn't always the case. British lenses followed a high - low - high arc, but are very highly prized now. My Taylor Hobson's aren't going anywhere. One of the Hong Kong classic shops, whose owner has pretty much everything in his own collection, rated the best British lenses higher than any. Big Head Taco's YouTube interviews IIRC (may be a different interview):

I'd love a Reid "Barnack" but way beyond what I'm prepared to pay. They were made after Leica went for the M mount, and are reputed to made to even higher standards.

Ouch! http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/EX-TAYLOR...5-modified-to-Leica-M240-w-hood-/162258614297

British craftsmanship in general doesn't seem to get the recognition it deserves.