Anyone reached 'Leica equilibrium' and happy with exactly the gear they have?

[plasticman]

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But, as is true in much of life, there was a counterpoint. Against the mysterious tide of misfortune, that M6 and that 50 Cron colored everthing. They provided an everpresent belief that there was hope. That things would turn.

 

Great story!

 

I've always lived by this principle - that when you're down to your last dollar you spend 50 cents on bread, and the remaining 50 cents on roses. Life would not be worth living otherwise.

 

Thanks for sharing this fascinating and heartwarming story.

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[lct]

Yes very nice story.

[rsh]

Happy with the MP and M9, 21 Elmarit Asph, 28 Summicron Asph, 35 Summicron Asph, 50 Summilux Asph, 75 Summicron Asph and 90 Summicron Asph.

 

Have sold off in the past 3 years: 24 Elmarit Asph, 28 Elmarit (4th Version), 50 Summicron, 90 Elmarit, 50 Noctilux, 135 Apo Telyt and 28-35-50 Tri Elmar.

 

Happy with R9 and R9/DMR, 19 Elmarit, 35 Summilux, 50 Summilux (Latest), 80 Summilux, 100 Apo Macro, 180 Apo Elmarit, 280 f4 Apo Telyt , 21-35 Vario Elmar and 28-90 Vario Elmarit, 1.4x and 2x Apo Extenders.

 

Retired: 2 M5s and 2 SL2s

 

Would buy an R Digital in a heartbeat. No desire for an X1

[ArtZ]

I'm thinking about buying a film camera again today - want to treat myself to a nice, special-edition M6 that I intend to keep for the rest of my life (yes I know I should just buy a standard M6 - but there's one edition that I really like, and I don't want to continue to hanker after it, even when I have a 'user' in my hands).

 

I've also been buying lenses recently, and realized that I'm pretty close to having all the lenses I wanted (barring a couple of strange ones - like the Hexanon 50 1,2 Limited, for instance).

 

So the question is, when I finally pick-up the last pieces of kit that I thought I needed... what then?

 

Staring hollow-eyed at the Buy&Sell, with nothing to want? Or setting myself new objects of desire?

 

Anyone who's reached Leica Nirvana, and happy with exactly what they already have?

 

Mani,

 

I've found the nirvana. Two M8 (working properly) together with 13 new lenses (6 Leica, 2ZM and 5CV). I don't think selling any of them and I don't think either buying the M9. "Red corner isssue"on the M9 has competely put me off especially when corrections are applied in detritment of image quality (more noise and less DR)

[roydonian]

"The Buddha described Nirvana as the perfect peace of the state of mind that is free from craving, anger and other afflictive states (read: Leica Kit)....This peace is achieved when the existing volitional formations are pacified, and the conditions for the production of new ones are eradicated.

 

I think I can say that I have achieved Leica Nirvana, thanks to an M8 with a 21mm 28mm, 90mm and 135mm Elmarit, a 35mm Summilux, a 50mm retractable Summicron, an f1 Noctilux and a 28-50mm Tri-Elmar, plus a Digilux 2.

 

I've no plans to buy more kit in the near-term.

 

In the long-term, if Leica gets its act together and offers M9 a-la-carte, my retirement might be marked by the acquisition of a silver-chrome M9 with a vulcanite-covered body and the 'Leica' logo on the top plate.

 

My long urge to own an 85mm Summarex has faded as has the muscle power needed to carry such a weight in my camera bag.

 

Best regards,

 

Doug

[Clarifixer]

Just keep in mind a quote from my dear old dad: "The pain of purchase soon dissipates." Toys are fun, life is short.

[pgk]

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Sort of. Very happy with my lenses (28/2 asph, 35/1.4 asph, 50/1.4 asph), and with my M8 body. But I could do with a spare body and I can't decide on M8 (or M8-2 or upgrade) or M9. So, yes I am very satisfied with what I have, but....

Ahhh. Nirvana reached;)! An M8-2 has joined .....

[dave_d]

Since Leica canceled the R10 and has no replacement I am forced into 'Leica Equilibrium'.

[250swb]

Here is a Crazy Idea that may be worth reading regarding equipment

 

A Crazy Idea

 

 

Steve

[MPerson]

I am content, 1 MP, 2 M2's, 3 CL's. One lens each of: 28/2.8, 35/2, 40/2, 40/1.4, 50/1.5, 50/2.8 and a 90/4. Covers my film needs.

 

My one weakness has been the Digilux 2, I now have six of them! Though to be fair four of them are used by my wife, daughter and two sons.

 

Not interested in M8/M9/S2 and can't think of anything else I would want from Leica now.

[plasticman]

Here is a Crazy Idea that may be worth reading regarding equipment

 

A Crazy Idea

 

 

Steve

 

That is brilliant.

[Michael Hiles]

Here is a Crazy Idea that may be worth reading regarding equipment

 

A Crazy Idea

 

 

Steve

 

If the goal is to make pictures, this is great advice. But shhhh, if everyone took this advice, Leica and almost everyone else would be out of business.

[thinkfloyd]

I'm almost content... got my M8 plus three lenses: 35/2.5, 50/1.2 and 75/2.5. I'm fine with those focal lengths. However, I say almost because deep down, I really want to have the 35/2 summicron ASPH (none of my lenses are Leica, unfortunately). Sometimes, I'm tempted to sell the three lenses I got, save up a little more, then have the summicron as my only lens... ah well...

[Guest JoanMarianne]

I have stopped at two M4-P's; one from 1984 and very battered (by previous owners) but recently serviced. As a spare and for occasional use I have a mint example of one of the last M4-P's made. I had previously had to return two used cameras to quite reputable dealers in the south of England, one with overlapping frames and the other with an inoperative frame counter. (If they are that reputable, why don't they check them before sending them out?). So, with the second M4-P, I just bought the latest mint one I could find. I do not want a built-in meter so that was the obvious choice. Main lens is a 1958 50mm Summicron, backed up by a 1972 35mm Summilux. I also have some old 50mm specimens: Summar, Summitar, Summarit and Elmar. Actually, that sounds a lot - too much, even. I nearly always go out only with the Summicron and the Summilux. I ought to sell the others but prices for Leica items are always rising, so I may as well hang on to them and use them for their individual effects. Gadget-freakery is not an exclusive male affliction, bit it is look upon as odd in females, I'm told. Clothes and chocolate are different matters.

[Jeff S]

not an exclusive male affliction, bit it is look upon as odd in females, I'm told. Clothes and chocolate are different matters.

 

Shoes, perhaps...but I think chocolate is a universal addiction (dark, of course, for your health and well being).

 

Jeff

[Guest maddoc2003jp]

I like this story.

 

I have stopped at two M4-P's; one from 1984 and very battered (by previous owners) but recently serviced. As a spare and for occasional use I have a mint example of one of the last M4-P's made. I had previously had to return two used cameras to quite reputable dealers in the south of England, one with overlapping frames and the other with an inoperative frame counter. (If they are that reputable, why don't they check them before sending them out?). So, with the second M4-P, I just bought the latest mint one I could find. I do not want a built-in meter so that was the obvious choice. Main lens is a 1958 50mm Summicron, backed up by a 1972 35mm Summilux. I also have some old 50mm specimens: Summar, Summitar, Summarit and Elmar. Actually, that sounds a lot - too much, even. I nearly always go out only with the Summicron and the Summilux. I ought to sell the others but prices for Leica items are always rising, so I may as well hang on to them and use them for their individual effects. Gadget-freakery is not an exclusive male affliction, bit it is look upon as odd in females, I'm told. Clothes and chocolate are different matters.

[Guest JoanMarianne]

Thanks and PS, some of the older lenses were my father's; so I could not part with them, although ownership of so many does make me look extravagant!

[Guest JoanMarianne]

Here is a Crazy Idea that may be worth reading regarding equipment

 

A Crazy Idea

 

 

Steve

Me again (I'll shut up after this. I would be out with my camera but it is raining): Yes, brilliant. I think someone also said that the number of good photographs produced is in inverse proportion to the amount of equipment employed. Conversely, there is not much point in having an interchangeable-lens facility if you only use one lens; so I would say that two lenses is a good limit when on a photographic quest.

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[4X5B&W]

Hmmm, "Leica equilibrium", well it seems pretty close. I'm down to only 4 M lenses: 24 Elmarit ASPH, 35 Lux ASPH, 50 Lux ASPH, and 90 Apo ASPH.

 

I am completely happy with this spacing for my M6 (Wetzlar), and OK with it for my M8. Will probably skip the M9 (I'm enjoying the M8 too much) and see what the M10 brings.

 

However my R6 kit (5 lenses: 28, 35 Lux, 80 Lux, 100 Apo, and 180 Apo-Telyt) really needs a digital body........here's hoping Leica follows through this time

[andalus]

Nirvana:

 

One new M9, 3 lenses: 24 3 elmar, 50 lux asph, 135 telyt apo.

 

I have had every other Leica body made over 45 years. Now, I'm done. And maybe I will sell the Elmar. I was sad to sell my MP, but I got damn sick and tired paying for film, paying for development, FIUNDING someone who would do it, scanning it, touching it up, etc.