Leica Prices/Cost Benefit Analysis

[johnalex141r]

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Ok - Scots ancestry here, so on one hand, I'll scrimp and save, while on the other hand, I have an M8.

 

It's my first digital camera that I have purchased. My older film gear paid for itself; and I have borrowed (and have been given) digital cameras. There is no way in heck that I'm going to get back into the photography as a business game.

 

So, what did I do? I purchased a demo M8, and some CV lenses (4).

 

The Demo M8 - was it worth it? The jury is still out on that one. C1 came "pre-registered", and the company was of no help whatsoever. There are other software out there, and I write software that reads images anyway... so that company, whatever its name is, has lost a customer.

 

The CV lenses. Are they worth it over Leica, Zeiss?? They are all slower CV lenses; inexpensive. That leaves room to expand with faster glass should the desire arise. They certainly are fantastic (the ones that are not in the mail, anyway), and personally I doubt that my skills are better than they are. (machining mounts for 6bit coding is not a problem for me - zero cost, as all metalworking equipment was purchased years ago)

 

So, why an M8, when I could have purchased any digital camera?? Simplicity, and great images. I detest the push 1,000 buttons, 16 levels of menu, that some cameras have. My (donated) Nikon Coolpix experience told me that I had to have a simpler camera. I still don't know what 9/10ths of the settings are for on that Coolpix, and I never will.

 

Thank you Leica, for producing a fantastic product.

 

JohnS.

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The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[Guest guy_mancuso]

Well coming from the dark ages of a manual camera , i honestly believe in my heart and soul that using a manual camera will teach you more about the mechinics of shooting better than anything else. Not to mention the creative side. i used the Auto everything for a couple years, you know what i became very lazy with them and learned nothing. My personal point of view and some will disagree but focusing and working the camera makes you think harder and leads to better images. Flame suit on.