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Anyone still using the S?


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David,

 

There is a building 1/2 mile away. It's quite clear when the antennae on top are in sharp focus. With the 210's, I could not get it sharp with AF. I could not get it reliably with the split screen. I could get it by making repeated tiny manual adjustments. It's not a focal length I'd use a lot on the S - mostly the lack of stabilization, so I didn't mind returning them. They ARE a screaming deal, though.

 

I have only good things to say about the Contax 35. If it were a choice between Contax with AF and the Leica without AF, I'd choose the Contax. I'm keeping mine.

 

Best,

 

Matt

Matt, I understand now. But can I safely assume that if that antenna appears to be in focus at infinity (or at any other distance) that it is, in fact, in focus. That is, no optical "alternative facts"? Couldn't resist....

As an aside, the other thread regarding long lenses has me lusting after the Contax Tele-Apotessar 350mm f/4. My desire again prompted a question that I have yet to definitively answer. And that is whether one buys a lens to fill a need, or buy a lens to create a need. I believe, after considerable cogitation, that the answer is "yes."

Cheers, mate.

David

 
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Thank you D1 and Matt,

 

 

 

My goodness, Tom, that is some plan. For a camera. But I get it. No one who truly knows me has ever accused me of failing to perserverate over those things that now command your undivided attention. 

If taxes/duties are no barrier for imports from the US to Japan, may I suggest that you contact Leica dealers in the States before purchasing on the secondary market. I bought my M9, S 006 and Contax adapter as demo items - all with three year, full service warranties, and for little more than what the same pieces were going for on Ebay, and often less. I find Leica gear to be somewhat of a commodity, with prices that fluctuate for reasons connected to a market that I only feebly comprehend.

I have had particularly excellent service from Leica Miami. In fact, they have a used 35mm for just over $3000. When you buy from them, you deal with them after the sale. My M9 needs to go back to Germany for a sensor replacement, and my 35mm Summarit for a motor repair. I send the gear to Miami and they take care of the rest. Much better than sending the stuff blind across the globe. I appreciate that the dynamic is different for you in Japan. But dealing with a dealer, wherever it might be will help to iron out the wrinkles once they inevitably arise. You may also inquire about the availability of the Contax adapter. I got a certified one for just under $1000. Because it malfunctioned right out of the box, I returned it and Leica sent me a brand new one. That kind of response and service is part of the price of admission and is well worth the few more yen you might spend up front. But, again, do not dismiss going right to Leica out of concern that there are no good deals from them. I got my S 006 in November, 2015, for just over $6k. It was indistinguishable from new and comes with a three year, full warranty. It was less than what bodies were going for on Ebay, without all of the protections that came with my box.

Tom, wish you all the best in your search. Frankly, I enjoy it. I am like a gear hunter-gatherer.

Cheers,

David

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Hi again D1,

 

Thanks for the information and advice. I have a read a lot about Leica Miami [and David Farkas] over the years and believe the rep. My main issue to iron out with overseas dealers would be the approach to the after-sales service with an international customer; but also, and probably something I'd be on my own on, customs: import duties, taxes, charges, what have you. Just as you say.

A good friend once sent me his M35 Summilux ASPH (the FLE one) to borrow [i used an M6TTL for three years, gone now to fund the S]. A very kind-hearted and good friend (and an amazing lens but wasted a little on film perhaps). When his lens arrived at my door, it came with some kind of import tariff which was ~10% of the cost the goods [if I recall correctly]; I do remember that hit being about ¥30,000. When I protested that this was not a purchase, just a zero-yen loaner between friends and the lens would be going back the other way, didn't even matter. And I can half understand that as if they had tariff-free provisions for equipment being swapped between peers from country to country, it wouldn't be long before it got abused... At any rate, once bitten twice shy and I'm cautious about stuff from overseas. I also half suspect this has something to do with the reason the import gear from cars to clothes to Leica lenses is so much more expensive here, it's a cost even retailers can't get around; I'm sure if it weren't, some ambitious camera store would have undercut everyone on the Leicas by now.

Yea, I have learnt to plan for equipment carefully. Especially sensitive with the S. When I started way back when I easily fell into the "GAS" mindset and wasted a lot of hard-earned on trinkets and trends and things the photoblogosphere had said was game-changing, etc. I wouldn't say it was money down the drain as I love photography and using those things has been amazing and a blessing; but when it came to listening to what the bloggers would all say and then following, it was dereliction of my own duty or maybe better to say an outsourcing of responsibility... I'm not saying anything you don't know, but owning it is important with photography purchases because for one it literally becomes a reality but also the figurative angle has to be attended to. It's not good enough to say I bought it because so-and-so said so.
All experience is useful, if we make it so, so my mistakes of yesterday are data-points to fuel better decisions tomorrow... My experience has been to have both emotional and practical reasons to buy a thing. Be sure about it [as far as that is feasible to be]. If in doubt, don't; but definitely listen to your heart. And a nice line from portraitist Sue Bryce [who is a good business-woman, in my view]: if it doesn't make the ship go faster, I don't need it. If I have a roadmap, doesn't have to perfect but at least some kind of vision or plan, if I have that before setting out it makes it easier to stay away from the fluff and focus on what I really want to do. It's work equipment for me, and while the tax credits help it's still money out the door and there has to be a good reason and purpose to do that. I'm a hot-blooded type too though, and doing everything like a dry accountant makes me want to run and jump from the nearest window: being paid to do photography is living the dream and dampening that emotional spark, on purpose, is not on the menu.

I settled into Nikon f-mount in 2013 as a work system, and have been working with various f-mount bodies and lenses since then. From these few years of trying, failing, succeeding, failing again with equipment I have a decent idea of the lenses I really really use, those I don't; what I need and what I don't. Not definitive, but just a pretty good idea. So making my dream with the S come true right now, I have a really clear plan of which lenses fulfill the basic needs I have to make it fly as a work camera. I will run it with the 70mm for a good while: a scenario I could call stage1 of stage1, as it were, just one lens is all I'd need to get by [the S70mm]. A wide angle prime is more useful to me than a short tele macro, so the S35 would be lens buy #2. And then the S120 makro for #3. With those three lenses, and assuming the body has held up to workhorse standards, I'd go all in with it as a main work camera. If not, it is still my dream, so the S would stay with me as a specialist flavor camera, a luxury, but one I'd keep as long as possible. It took so long getting to the S I'm not going to get out of it easily.

I like the S as it lets me be both sides of myself and achieve both things I want to do [serious work equipment + fantasista camera].

 

I've written a ton again :o 

Thanks once more for the thoughts and advice David. Cheers. Tom

Edited by TomLiles
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Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS

Of course, love the system (S007+6 lenses) !

Really 6 lenses. I thought I was doing well with 3........what 6 do you have and how often do you use all 6??

Neil

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Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS

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Lots of folks here own close to a full array of S lenses....other than the T/S. That was especially evident when some of them had to endure many separate lens repairs.

 

Jeff

i went through 3 repairs so I guess you can say 100% complaint

Neil

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Really 6 lenses. I thought I was doing well with 3........what 6 do you have and how often do you use all 6??

Neil

 

Yes, I know it is too much, but I have been with the S system since the S2, so I have bought approximately 1 lens per year, half of them used at decent prices. I usually travel with 3, but it is hard to decide which ones to leave behind...

The usage of each lens is quite different and distinct however, and very briefly I would say:

- 24 LOVE it, drama queen, especially for landscapes

- 30-90 Zoom, makes the S a walk-around, used it for a week in Havana streets. There has been some discussion on the quality of this lens, I am happy with mine, but stopping down a little helps. Again, the S007 gives some headroom with better high ISO

- 70 CS very good, but don't use it very much (got it cheap), very good generalist when not enough light for the zoom

- 100 the "Nocti" in the series, beautiful for portraits, light enough for walk-around (no CS version)

- 120 CS extremely sharp, a bit heavy, can hunt on AF since it goes all the way to macro, pre-set focus approximately helps

- 180 beautiful, a bit difficult to focus at close to infinity, EVF on the S007 helps, use it a lot on tripod for landscapes

 

Going to Karakoram Highway in Sinkiang China in 3 weeks, which ones should I take ???

Edited by erlingmm
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Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS

Yes, I know it is too much, but I have been with the S system since the S2, so I have bought approximately 1 lens per year, half of them used at decent prices. I usually travel with 3, but it is hard to decide which ones to leave behind...

The usage of each lens is quite different and distinct however, and very briefly I would say:

- 24 LOVE it, drama queen, especially for landscapes

- 30-90 Zoom, makes the S a walk-around, used it for a week in Havana streets. There has been some discussion on the quality of this lens, I am happy with mine, but stopping down a little helps. Again, the S007 gives some headroom with better high ISO

- 70 CS very good, but don't use it very much (got it cheap), very good generalist when not enough light for the zoom

- 100 the "Nocti" in the series, beautiful for portraits, light enough for walk-around (no CS version)

- 120 CS extremely sharp, a bit heavy, can hunt on AF since it goes all the way to macro, pre-set focus approximately helps

- 180 beautiful, a bit difficult to focus at close to infinity, EVF on the S007 helps, use it a lot on tripod for landscapes

Going to Karakoram Highway in Sinkiang China in 3 weeks, which ones should I take ???

leica gave me a loaner 100mm when my 120 shit itself......... it was okay but I was happy to get my 120 back. My 30mm and 120mm are my favorite lenses. I take the 70mm non CS with me but never really use it.

Neil

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Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS

Yes, I know it is too much, but I have been with the S system since the S2, so I have bought approximately 1 lens per year, half of them used at decent prices. I usually travel with 3, but it is hard to decide which ones to leave behind...

The usage of each lens is quite different and distinct however, and very briefly I would say:

- 24 LOVE it, drama queen, especially for landscapes

- 30-90 Zoom, makes the S a walk-around, used it for a week in Havana streets. There has been some discussion on the quality of this lens, I am happy with mine, but stopping down a little helps. Again, the S007 gives some headroom with better high ISO

- 70 CS very good, but don't use it very much (got it cheap), very good generalist when not enough light for the zoom

- 100 the "Nocti" in the series, beautiful for portraits, light enough for walk-around (no CS version)

- 120 CS extremely sharp, a bit heavy, can hunt on AF since it goes all the way to macro, pre-set focus approximately helps

- 180 beautiful, a bit difficult to focus at close to infinity, EVF on the S007 helps, use it a lot on tripod for landscapes

Going to Karakoram Highway in Sinkiang China in 3 weeks, which ones should I take ???

size wise. How much bigger is the 180mm compared to the 120mm. Leica said they would make me one with a guarantee that the AF would not fail but at that time I didn't want to splash out another $8k for another lens but I for sure would like the 180mm focal length [emoji41][emoji41][emoji41]

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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size wise. How much bigger is the 180mm compared to the 120mm. Leica said they would make me one with a guarantee that the AF would not fail but at that time I didn't want to splash out another $8k for another lens but I for sure would like the 180mm focal length [emoji41][emoji41][emoji41]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Weight is about the same as the 120 is 2,5 and 180 is 3,5, but of course the 180 is a bit longer. I would not shoot the 180 handheld on shutter speeds lower than 1/500, I think it is the most demanding of the lenses to work with, but very pleasing when it nails. I have seen it used (especially non-CS) at decent prices. Edited by erlingmm
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Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS

Weight is about the same as the 120 is 2,5 and 180 is 3,5, but of course the 180 is a bit longer. I would not shoot the 180 handheld on shutter speeds lower than 1/500, I think it is the most demanding of the lenses to work with, but very pleasing when it nails. I have seen it used (especially non-CS) at decent prices.

Yea there are a couple on eBay for around 3k. I offered 2500 will see what happens :)
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  • 1 year later...

Not sure I understand the sense of this question. Why would people no longer use the S ?

I don't. Mine has been sat in the dry box for donkeys........can't see me taking it out any time soon.

Wait a minute I forgot I'm taking it on safari in 3 weeks time as a back up body

Neil

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