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Buyer's reinforcement - 006 to 007

Deliberate1

By Deliberate1
in Leica S System

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Deliberate1

Deliberate1

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My beloved 006 will celebrate its third anniversary with me in about 6 weeks. It has been a wonderful ride. I have made the best pictures of my life with this box and still marvel at the files when they appear on my computer screen. The same feeling I get, in an analog way, when I put those MF/LF chromes on a light box and examine with a loop. Coming from my equally beloved M9, I knew the look and the limitations. And I made work around for low light shooting, to the extent possible: wide open, low ISO, underexpose and push in post processing. 

Strategically, I am mostly a model behind so as to take advantage of the market, and Leica's practice of offering incentives to move out the old to make room for the new. Got my M9 and S this way.

When responding to posts from vacillating purchasers on the cusp of a decision, I typically suggest that they assess their perceived need and then determine if the putting the mazoola on the mahogany just scratches an itch or expands the creative envelope. I find myself in that same place now.

Yesterday, thanks to a note from Rob, I pulled the trigger on a new S 007. Popflash had it for just under $8700. I suspect it is a "Q"" version, though I cannot tell until I see the box. Got my M9 and Q this way. When I got up yesterday, I did not go in search off a new camera, let alone a new S. To be sure, this was not a ready, shoot, aim purchase. I have been thinking about this move for a while. But I did not have the luxury of indulging in the purchasing foreplay and consternation that is so titillating. The opportunity presented, itself, and that was that. And a day later, I harbor no regrets. But as the dopamine subsides, I wonder if I have followed the advice that I so freely dispense to others. Particularly with this purchase, which is the most nuanced for sure.

My M9 was my introduction to Leica, save for that time more than 40 years before when I traveled Europe as a young man with my dear uncle's IIIc (which has since come into my hands again). It was a revelation. M lenses followed. As a shooter of MF and LF film, I had certain expectations that were not and could not be met by the M9, as good as it is. And my eyesight often stood between me and the image I wanted. So I moved up to the S006, and remain  thrilled with the output. The quality of MF with the CCD look of the M9. Brilliant. But I still faced the shortcomings of the CCD sensor, especially in low light or any situation where the right balance of limited ISO, shutter speed and aperture opening just could not get me the creative flexibility I needed. And many of my images have the same DOF composition because of it. The S 006 is the perfect camera for perfect conditions. But perfection is rare. So I sprung for a Q earlier this year for a trip to Thailand. My vampire camera, I call it. It remained sheathed in daylight and came out only at night or in dark temples or other venues. And it is brilliant in that respect. A very unique, if not specialized, tool given its fixed lens. But as I saw what the Q could do, I pined for a love child created between the Q and the S, especially with low light features. Read lots here on the 007, and elsewhere. Saw David Farkas' quite remarkable blog post of his shooting excursion one evening with the 007. And I wondered if the 007 is that love child.

I shoot horses, with a camera, of course. And typically in dimly lit barns, or in the evening. I am particularly drawn to horse pulling events at county fairs here in Maine. These gentile, giant beasts are magnificent canvases of shiny hide drenched in sweat, muscle and vascularity, and no more so than after a pulling event and illuminated by diffused barn light. I shot the Blue Hill fair last evening, after I pulled the trigger on the 007. And I wondered how  the experience would be different with that camera. How much more could it have reached into the darkness. How much faster could I shoot and isolate movement. How greater a DOF could I get with razor thin MF lenses, and could I have dispensed with the tripod until sometime later. Would my keeper percentage increase with the benefit of live viewing focus. And how much more detail could I pull from the shadows from a file with 15 stops of DR. Would it be $8700 worth. So, for those of you who have made this same calculation and answered in the affirmative, or not, was it worth it.

Cheers.

David

Edited by Deliberate1
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Jeff S

Jeff S

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All you need to do is ask Tony or Alex the history of your particular S007 body. They don’t play games and will be happy to explain the background as they know it. Guessing because of what box it came in is a waste of time. Some of their discounted items are barely used, some demo, some opened but new, some Q (but even that varies in meaning as it might have minor cosmetic damage to be labeled as such.... or not), etc.

 

The more important thing is to understand the terms of the warranty... from Leica and/or Popflash, which results from the origin of the product. And the return policy.

 

Jeff

Edited by Jeff S
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erlingmm

erlingmm

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Love 007. I managed to get an exchange with my dealer for the 006 when 007 came out, and have not looked back. It feels tighter, faster, more modern, but as I have said multiple times: The higher ISO extends its usage envelope so much: You can handhold on sufficient shutter speed, and photograph in less light. It is with me everywhere. Congrats!

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geetee1972

geetee1972

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Having tried the 006 and the 007 back to back, and based on what I wanted to get from either, the 007 was an easy decision over the 006. The higher ISO capability makes it a whole order of magnitude more useable when shooting hand held.

 

The 006 was lovely, but I couldn't see it being a daily shooter (in as far as any MF camera will ever be a daily shooter of course); you'd want to have the 006 and something else as well (like and SL or MXXX).

 

p.s. I think the expression you're looking for is 'buyer's remorse'?

Edited by geetee1972
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Deliberate1

Deliberate1

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All you need to do is ask Tony or Alex the history of your particular S007 body. They don’t play games and will be happy to explain the background as they know it. Guessing because of what box it came in is a waste of time. Some of their discounted items are barely used, some demo, some opened but new, some Q (but even that varies in meaning as it might have minor cosmetic damage to be labeled as such.... or not), etc.

 

The more important thing is to understand the terms of the warranty... from Leica and/or Popflash, which results from the origin of the product. And the return policy.

 

Jeff

Full Leica warranty represented. I bought my Q from them under identical circumstances. It was new. Someone within the recent past suggested that the color of the exterior box, white or off white had some significance with respect to new from Leica or new/ certified/demo from reseller.

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Jeff S

Jeff S

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Full Leica warranty represented. I bought my Q from them under identical circumstances. It was new. Someone within the recent past suggested that the color of the exterior box, white or off white had some significance with respect to new from Leica or new/ certified/demo from reseller.

I’m aware of what others said, as I was first in some threads to note Popflash deals. I’ve spoken at length with the principal players, and suggest you do as well if you’re interested in the facts concerning your gear and their practices.

 

Jeff

Edited by Jeff S
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