Confidence Problem

[wizard]

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Doug,

 

just as a matter of interest, when you quote the IIIg and the M3 as having to be repaired at least once or twice, respectively, are you refering to repairs under warranty? Or to some fault developing within their roughly 50 years of service?

 

Regards,

 

Andy

[dwmackay]

Andy,

 

It seems I have wacked the hornents nest unintentionally. I understand your comments regarding the 50 years of service from the M bodies.

 

The 3G and M3 were purchased by my grandad when we was stationed in Germany many years ago. My dad used them some and then they were passed on to me. I have used them intermittently over the past 20 years that I have owned them. They are a pleasure to use, but are a bit tempermental for me. The shutter speed seems to become erattic and needs adjusting. Currently both are on the shelf. The M3 is not working as the shutter has become stuck half way across the film plane. The 3g seems to be working fine. My Hektor lens also is inoperable as the leaves in the aperaure are misaligned and stuck. I doubt I will repair any of the gear as the effort required to use them are not really worth the results I acheive with them. They still hold sentimental value, so I simply have them on a shelf on display.

 

50 years is in fact a long time and I understand you comments. However, the Canon Ftb has seen probably 100 times the use of all my leica equipment combined and has yet to fail in its' 30 years of service. It is quite worn out cosmetically, but still shoots like a champ.

 

I would post a picture of my trusty old Canon, but my digital is in for repairs.

 

Doug M.

[ajthornbury]

Hi Doug,

Try Olympus, when ever I have deviated from the brand over the years, disaster has happened. I too have a duff D2, having swapped my trusty Olympus E10, which had served me well over the last 5 years.

I have now bought a new Olympus E 410, Olympus lens' are just as good as Leica.

[wizard]

Doug,

 

no pun intended, my question was in fact serious, as I have experienced some trouble with my newly acquired Leica gear in the past few years (those problems were dealt with excellently by Leica, so no real reason to complain), but would have been surprised if the IIIg or the M3 had shown any problems when new.

 

I too own both a IIIg and an M3. Due to their age, I had them fully serviced last year, and both now perform as new. Actually, part of the reason for your problems can be attributed to non-use. In my experience, if a Leica sits on a shelf for a couple years, it is very likely to have the problems you describe (shutter slow or even sticking, self timer lagging and sticking, etc.). As long as you use a camera regularly (as you do with your Canon:)), all the lubricants stay smooth and the mechanical mechanisms in the camera work fine, though given the age of the two cameras mentioned, they may have earned an overhaul.

 

Same thing with the aperture leaves, they become sticky more easily if not used. That said, the Canon FTb was a good and trustworthy camera, things got worse afterwards (I know some people throwing away their less than 10 year old EOS cameras because they couldn't get fixed anymore).

 

Cheers,

 

Andy

[hamey]

Ken:

 

I just have to challenge those statements!

 

I am a relatively new Leica user (got my R9 in 2004, although I have had an (underused) M4-2 since 1978), moving on from a full Zeiss Contarex system. Leica has an excellent digital system; it is called a R9 with a DMR.

 

Oh, and I also love my slide films. I just take the DMR off my R9 and reattach the original film

 

 

Guy

 

Hello Guy.

 

I have supported the DMR from day one, it's brilliant, pity Leica has discontinued it.

My only camplaint was that it was to expensive for me, and couldn't justify

The cost.

If Leica, does create the R10 it will keep it's price competitive.

 

When I first handled the D3 my first impression of it was awful, I didn't like, and still don't.

I don't know how much input Leica designers had on the D3.

To me it's an oversized M body with a R zoom lens attached to it.

For the cost of these PanaLeica's there are better alternatives out there.

 

Ken.

[cwf]

I think you'll very likely find the M8 is much less complicated in actual use.

 

Focusing yourself will help you make your picture. Given the mechanical excellence of the lenses, it is physically pleasant to do. You will become quick with a little practice and the whole process of making a picture should become familiar and comfortable. Just a matter of time, imho, with not too much effort.

 

Take pictures. Lots of pictures.