carstenw

It turns out that my Nikon lenses also do this, that is, the manual ones I guess I was thinking of auto-diaphragm lenses. Thanks!

I have two Leica R lenses (35/1.4, 180/2) with Nikon mounts, and now want to swap them back to the Leica R mount in preparation for a sale. I have noticed that with the 180 (I have only done this lens so far), when I turn the aperture ring, the aperture stops down immediately. The little lever on the back opens it again. This seems backwards to me, as I am used to the opposite from Nikon, i.e. the aperture stays open until the lever is activated. Can someone confirm whether this is normal, or whether I have missed a step (in which case, what might I have done wrong)?

Focus on innovation, simplicity, tradition, in that order. Be choosy with special editions, so as not to dilute Leica's brand. Innovating in the direction of improved efficiency and quality in manufacturing and service would be great too, especially if it can curb the run-away prices as a side-effect, but that should not be the primary goal.

I don't understand that comment either. Every camera with manual focus would allow that. Even AF cameras could probably be coerced into doing it.

I guess I would translate the original M-P Leica ad as: "The art of reduction perfected" Similar to Saint-Exupéry's: "La perfection est atteinte, non pas lorsqu'il n'y a plus rien à ajouter, mais lorsqu'il n'y a plus rien à retirer." Or in English: "Perfection is attained, not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to remove." Or my abbreviated version (applying his principle to his principle), borne out of necessity when the original would not fit in an engraving on the back of my new iPad: "Perfection is attained when there is nothing left to remove." The M60 is a good example of this. Sure, some thing are arguably better or more accurate with the LCD, but the pureness of purpose, the requirement of mastery, is a stroke of brilliance. It obviously doesn't work for people who expose correctly by looking at the LCD and shooting again.

What are you talking about? Leica has been making special editions of the M cameras for decades and decades. The Leica you are thinking about doesn't exist. The M60 is not a normal camera, it is a special edition, and thus the price has no bearing on normal prices.

Ah I see, they *changed* the button. I thought they overloaded it. Even better. But to be honest, I still don't need it. If the battery runs out I will know about it, and put a new one in. My SD card is large enough that I will never fill it.

You shouldn't. This camera is for other people

They have been much less so in recent years. Just go look up the number of M6 special editions.

Leica users are the most conservative of all. A dimensional change of 0.5mm here or there yields cries of foul. The design of the left shoulder. Large or small shutter speed wheel. The number of buttons. The thumb rest of the M240. All these tiny changes have caused riots in the streets.

You would remove one of the biggest benefits of our age (choice), and sell that as progress? This is a choice. If you like it (and have the money, yadda yadda), you can buy one. If you don't like it, don't buy it. I think it is brilliant. Photography without distractions.

A limited edition is as close to a collector's item as it is possible to get. The 600 are gone, and the others who want one can't have one. Some of the 600 will be appearing on eBay and other places at jacked-up prices. Personally, I think that Leica will be watching comments very carefully, and may release a normal version one day, based not on the Audi design, but the normal M. I hope they will make it slimmer.

Do you avoid tidying up, and just ignore the mess? That to me is an *exact* parallel to the M60 (ignoring the Audi design and price tag). Those buttons distract. The screen distracts. I would love a camera without, but not with a rangefinder, because I would never know if it was adjusted properly. I would love an A7 like this. In fact, to me this camera has one button (video), and one hotshot cover, too many. And one pair of gloves, but that is the special edition thing again.

That is: "more is more"!

Now you are being silly (about the price) The old adage "less is more" as translated by Leica becomes "less costs more".