I would like to see the same compositions shot under the same conditions, with identical lens settings to see the large gap in quality that is spoke of here. What i would like to see Michael is an example of what you are talking about specifically. Nothing that i haven't seen before from other experienced natural light shooters that use different equipment. What i do see in some of the examples is a capture of good light. I see the examples posted here and i can honestly say that i see nothing 'special' mechanical wise. In other words, IMO the Lecia users are giving too much credit to their equipment than to themselves for knowing how to use it and the ability to see the light properly. I personally think that the mechanical elements (camera bodies, glass etc.) involved in producting the photo have a much narrower gap in quality than thought of by the Lecia owners. They understand good light, Bokeh, and they have at their disposal the best glass on earth for this purpose. IMO, the majority of folks who own and shoot this type of gear are well experienced natural light journalists/photographers. I'm not a Leica user but i offer a subjective perspective of what i think from a non-Lecia user that have put a bit a thought into the Lecia buzz. Digi is kind of a leveler, but not completely.

I will not buy a problematical M8 and the R digi does not exist and will not meet my price point when it does. Leica digital is also superior, but not on an economical basis.

My last vacation, I carried a Nikon digital and Leica with film. Plain old D76 and plus X worked for me with the Leica. I spent years trying films and developers to no avail. I did not change film, developer or anything else. I also achieved a decade long goal of making really good black and white prints. As you progress to later Japanese designs, the difference narrows but remains.Īdapting a Leica lens to a Pentax and using it in the middle of a roll of slides is what prompted me to sell my Pentaxes.

Put two color slides together taken same time same place, and the difference is obvious. If you shoot in black and white, the difference in heritage is very obvious. The other fact is tonal representation rendered by european lenses is different than Japanese. A certain amount of flare of highlights does in older Leica lenses under certain conditions.

Leitz wetzlar germany 250mm flickr