Leica T to replace GXR?

[Wayne]

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I noticed that the price of the T has come down a bit. It has made me consider the possibility of purchasing a T for use as a digital back for my M and M39 lenses. The camera it will replace is a GXR with A12 (M) mount. I have not been unhappy with the GXR, but the idea of going full Leica- for use of Leica lenses- appeals to me.

 

Do any of you current T owners have a history with the GXR/A12 camera. Are there any significant irritations that the T presents when compared to the GXR? Do you find manual focus accuracy to be as easily attainable as with the GXR? Are the images produced by the T as pleasing as GXR images.

 

I am an entirely manual focus person. Essentially, if a camera allows full manual control, has good metering, and is reliable in operation, I can be satisfied with it. Wireless features and multi frame rate are not a concern to me as I never use them. I own an M8, and love it, but like having something smaller and lighter to pack with my IIIG  or M2 when I hit the road.

[jrichie]

Hi Wayne

 

I came from the GXR [still have it]. For me the T is a far nice camera to hold, as the GXR was a bit too small for my hands.  It also feels like you have arrived in the 21st century.

 

However the images I took with the GXR are not far off the same quality as the T.

 

I use the 23mm T lens mainly and really enjoy it but using M lenses is definitely better on the T as the screens are better.  The main reason I got the T was to get better pictures with my M lenses.

 

Also I had an M8 previously and the T is my favourite camera so far as it feels like you are using a piece of design history.  Overall though not that much difference between the M8, GXR and T - all great cameras.

 

The main 'gripe' i have with the T is that I am too precious with it !  The GXR got thrown everywhere as it is like a tank.

[ramarren]

It's an interesting change. I had and enjoyed the GXR for a couple of years, and found it a fine performer. If you like the APS-C format, the T is a simpler body with a better quality EVF and a very different control paradigm. Used as a manual focus and control body, it will do much the same or a little better IMO; it depends upon how much you use/like the GXR's specific focus mag and peaking features.  

 

There was a point where I almost went for a T but decided not to. I'd stopped using the GXR when I got the M9, and the M9 and I had a sometimes on/sometimes off relationship. I considered a T system to replace the M9, but then the M-P replaced it and I dropped the T idea. 

 

Handle a T, and go for it if you like it. You'll certainly have more future in it than in the GXR, and better service/support. It's a very solid and usable camera. 

[reddawn]

Hi

 

I found the micro lenses on the GXR A12 M mount module to perform better for rangefinder lenses, both Leica and Voigtlander lenses, than on the sensor of the T, which does not seem to be optimised much for rangefinder lenses other than the adapter being able to recognise lenses.

Of course the T is higher resolution (16 vs 12mp) but not by much. The GXR is still king when it comes to non-Leica cameras playing well with rangefinder optics.

 

Like the other posters, I'm shooting mainly on the M now and dropped the idea of the T as a M mount supplementary camera....

[airscrew]

Hi

 

I also have M8 (two actually) and about seven Leica lenses and some Konica, Voigtländer and Zeiss.

 

I bought GXR with A12 M mount for wide angle shots and to act as a backup camera for M8 and have used it mainly with Voigtländer 15/4.5 v2. I have been very happy with it, it works well, is small and robust, one don’t have to be careful with it when traveling. I don’t have EVF, with 15mm lens focusing is easy to do even by lens scale.

 

T is bigger and I can’t think to take it along with M8 but I like the user interface, minimalistic design, quality and pictures taken with it. It is also nice to have lens and location data (with Visoflex). First I used it mainly with Summicron 35 but now 11-23/3.5-4.5 is glued on it. If my wallet is thick enough some day, T may end up as a companion/backup for the SL..

[Wayne]

Thanks for the information and benefit of experience. I had not considered the "preciousness" thing concerning the T. I figure I would likely suffer from the same thing....Especially with that big, beautiful piece of glass on the back. I do not abuse any camera, but I also do not treat the GXR with kid gloves. One of the aspects of the T that attracted me is the dual control dials. They kind of remind me of the tri-nav dials on the NEX 7. I have always thought that system one of the best for control of a digital camera.   I suppose I will watch and wait a bit more.

 

Best regards,