Leica doesn't exist

stevebrot · 08-10-2018, 08:07 PM

I live near Portland and have seen Leica in the wild and even know a few regular Leica shooters. Leica are not uncommon here. I would say chance of seeing one is on the same order as seeing a Miranda in the wild here in Portland. We also have a fair share of exotic cars on the road and even in the grocery store parking lots. (I was passed by a Lamborghini on I-5 northbound three weeks ago and saw a Alfa-Romeo 4C coupe in the grocery store lot just last week.) Portland is strange. Even stranger is the fact that the Leica shooters I know drive fairly dull cars and that the Miranda owner I know shoots Leica and also owns a Pentax 6x7.

Pentax SV, Super-Takumar 28/3.5, Ektar 100

Steve

**UncleVanya** · 08-10-2018, 09:23 PM

I have a Panasonic LX7 with the Leica lens. And I have had friends with many many Leicas over the years. Most are diehard film fans shooting Leica rangefinders.

Ian Stuart Forsyth · 08-10-2018, 09:53 PM

Yes Leica does exist and I use Leica equipment almost everyday but I have never shot with one of their camera or used one of their camera lenses however I look thru there lenses daily

Fenwoodian · 08-10-2018, 10:00 PM

.
Leica's are no big deal.

I've got three Leica R lenses that I Leitaxed and use on my K1.

Two of them cost under $300. That's cheaper than many Pentax lenses.

There's a Leica lens club here on this Pentax Forum - https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/122-lens-clubs/80029-leica-lens-club-5.html . Check it out, and after seeing some of the bokehlicious Leica photos you too might just want to buy a Leica R lens and join our little Leica Lens Club.

Last edited by Fenwoodian; 08-15-2018 at 05:52 PM.

lesmore49 · 08-10-2018, 10:33 PM

I'm looking at one right now. It's a '51 Leica llf rangefinder 35mm, with a Leitz 50 mm F 3.5 collapsible lens. I've had it since around 1981, never had to do anything to it, still works well . Can't recall how much I paid for it, but I think it was around $ 300-350 CAD.

Other than me, I've known only a few who have Leica cameras.The last one I saw and tried out was an M8 digital. It is owned by a guy, older than me and I'm no spring chicken. He bought it as he always wanted a Leica rangefinder...it is on his bucket list. He asked me if I wanted to try it and I did work with it for a few minutes. Like my llf, the controls are precise, smooth, effortless. It's manual focus, as are all the Leica rangefinders.

The new ones are pricey, so are the older model rangefinders. I still would like to have a new Leica rangefinder, but I don't think it is in the cards.

So in answer to the OP's question....Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus...and there is a Leica too. It exists in the hearts of all photographers and in some cases ....exists in the Domke bags of a few well off....sometimes discerning.... photographers...

Now since I mentioned Santa Claus...it puts me in mind of the Leica M10 rangefinder body with a 35mm F 1.4 Summilux-M f/1.4 lens. I think this one body and this one lens would be enough for about 80 % of my photography. Right now it doesn't exist in my personal sphere...but wouldn't it be nice...

**Digitalis** · 08-10-2018, 10:57 PM

Originally posted by Sandy Hancock

No, they are all *owned* in Australia. I see them all the time

No joke: I see more Leica photographers here in Australia than I have seen in the hands of the general populace in my travels Abroad. though of course in photographic workshops and masterclasses I have been involved in there are always one or two in the crowd, sitting among the Pentax photographers.

Snafu711 · 08-11-2018, 01:03 AM

Have you ever wondered where all those vintage cameras and lenses in mint condition have spent the decades before being sold on ebay? Chances are that the last time they have seen light was at quality control at the end of the assembly line - and then were stored in the original box in some shelf. Because the moment you carry a camera through the door into the wild it‘s no longer mint ... .

Regarding Leica: I can at least confirm that Wetzlar, home town of the red dot, exists. But even there I didn‘t see any leica camera in the wild.

Greetings from Germany.

**microlight** · 08-11-2018, 01:19 AM

Hi snafu.

It’s a well-known fact that Leica is Italian.

‘I Leica my camera...’ 😂😜 lol!

Snafu711 · 08-11-2018, 01:38 AM

Hi microlight,

excuse my ignorance. I thought Italy was rather famous for red wine than red dots. I leica Italy a lot ...

**microlight** · 08-11-2018, 02:08 AM

Ah, the red wine. I Leica the red wine too!

bikehead90 · 08-11-2018, 03:39 AM

Originally posted by Fenwoodian

.
Leica's are no big deal.

I've got two Leica R lenses that I Leitaxed and use on my K1.

One is a 135mm f/2.8, and the other a 180mm f/2.8. Neither one cost me over $300 USD. That's cheaper than many Pentax lenses.

There's a Leica lens club here on this Pentax Forum - Leica Lens Club - Page 5 - PentaxForums.com . Check it out, and after seeing some of the bokehlicious Leica photos you too might just want to buy a Leica R lens and join our little Leica Lens Club.

Clearly I've never seen a wild Leica lens, but their mounting system is different from the K, yeah? Would you need an adapter ring of some sort? On second thought, don't tell me any more about Leicizing my Pentax, because I'm saving for 645N.

**UncleVanya** · 08-11-2018, 05:43 AM

Quite a few Leica R lenses were actually Minolta sourced and some were even Sigma sourced. This wasn't always a happy situation for Leica users.

**Rondec** · 08-11-2018, 05:48 AM - **3 Likes**

I have found it significantly cheaper to edit my exif to look as though I own Leica gear than to actually purchase the gear. And truthfully, my photos look better after editing the exif.

**UncleVanya** · 08-11-2018, 05:49 AM

Originally posted by Rondec

I have found it significantly cheaper to edit my exif to look as though I own Leica gear than to actually purchase the gear. And truthfully, my photos look better after editing the exif.

I'm crying laughing...

normhead · 08-11-2018, 05:50 AM

Originally posted by Rondec

I have found it significantly cheaper to edit my exif to look as though I own Leica gear than to actually purchase the gear. And truthfully, my photos look better after editing the exif.

Does that work if you edit to say it's a Hassleblad?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Fstoppers - "Lens compression doesn't exist"	awscreo	General Photography	98	07-26-2018 12:08 AM
I really would love a DFA 24-135 f/4 WR. Too bad it doesn't exist.	VoiceOfReason	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	26	11-29-2016 02:57 PM
What type of software do you want that doesn't exist?	hockmasm	Pentax DSLR Discussion	14	09-06-2012 02:45 PM
The Sigma 30mm HSM doesn't exist for Pentax correct?	konraDarnok	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	6	10-01-2010 04:20 PM
Error Lens doesn't exist	ChipB	Site Suggestions and Help	9	08-14-2010 02:54 PM

08-10-2018, 08:07 PM	#16
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	I live near Portland and have seen Leica in the wild and even know a few regular Leica shooters. Leica are not uncommon here. I would say chance of seeing one is on the same order as seeing a Miranda in the wild here in Portland. We also have a fair share of exotic cars on the road and even in the grocery store parking lots. (I was passed by a Lamborghini on I-5 northbound three weeks ago and saw a Alfa-Romeo 4C coupe in the grocery store lot just last week.) Portland is strange. Even stranger is the fact that the Leica shooters I know drive fairly dull cars and that the Miranda owner I know shoots Leica and also owns a Pentax 6x7. Pentax SV, Super-Takumar 28/3.5, Ektar 100 Steve

08-10-2018, 09:23 PM	#17
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,404	I have a Panasonic LX7 with the Leica lens. And I have had friends with many many Leicas over the years. Most are diehard film fans shooting Leica rangefinders.

08-10-2018, 09:53 PM	#18
Ian Stuart Forsyth Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Somewhere over the rainbow Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,531	Yes Leica does exist and I use Leica equipment almost everyday but I have never shot with one of their camera or used one of their camera lenses however I look thru there lenses daily

08-10-2018, 10:00 PM	#19
Fenwoodian Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,874	. Leica's are no big deal. I've got three Leica R lenses that I Leitaxed and use on my K1. Two of them cost under $300. That's cheaper than many Pentax lenses. There's a Leica lens club here on this Pentax Forum - https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/122-lens-clubs/80029-leica-lens-club-5.html . Check it out, and after seeing some of the bokehlicious Leica photos you too might just want to buy a Leica R lens and join our little Leica Lens Club. Last edited by Fenwoodian; 08-15-2018 at 05:52 PM.

08-10-2018, 10:33 PM	#20
lesmore49 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Western Canada Posts: 12,344	I'm looking at one right now. It's a '51 Leica llf rangefinder 35mm, with a Leitz 50 mm F 3.5 collapsible lens. I've had it since around 1981, never had to do anything to it, still works well . Can't recall how much I paid for it, but I think it was around $ 300-350 CAD. Other than me, I've known only a few who have Leica cameras.The last one I saw and tried out was an M8 digital. It is owned by a guy, older than me and I'm no spring chicken. He bought it as he always wanted a Leica rangefinder...it is on his bucket list. He asked me if I wanted to try it and I did work with it for a few minutes. Like my llf, the controls are precise, smooth, effortless. It's manual focus, as are all the Leica rangefinders. The new ones are pricey, so are the older model rangefinders. I still would like to have a new Leica rangefinder, but I don't think it is in the cards. So in answer to the OP's question....Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus...and there is a Leica too. It exists in the hearts of all photographers and in some cases ....exists in the Domke bags of a few well off....sometimes discerning.... photographers... Now since I mentioned Santa Claus...it puts me in mind of the Leica M10 rangefinder body with a 35mm F 1.4 Summilux-M f/1.4 lens. I think this one body and this one lens would be enough for about 80 % of my photography. Right now it doesn't exist in my personal sphere...but wouldn't it be nice...

08-10-2018, 10:57 PM	#21
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	Originally posted by Sandy Hancock No, they are all owned in Australia. I see them all the time No joke: I see more Leica photographers here in Australia than I have seen in the hands of the general populace in my travels Abroad. though of course in photographic workshops and masterclasses I have been involved in there are always one or two in the crowd, sitting among the Pentax photographers.

08-11-2018, 01:03 AM	#22
Snafu711 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Posts: 307	Have you ever wondered where all those vintage cameras and lenses in mint condition have spent the decades before being sold on ebay? Chances are that the last time they have seen light was at quality control at the end of the assembly line - and then were stored in the original box in some shelf. Because the moment you carry a camera through the door into the wild it‘s no longer mint ... . Regarding Leica: I can at least confirm that Wetzlar, home town of the red dot, exists. But even there I didn‘t see any leica camera in the wild. Greetings from Germany.

08-11-2018, 01:19 AM	#23
microlight Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 2,129	Hi snafu. It’s a well-known fact that Leica is Italian. ‘I Leica my camera...’ 😂😜 lol!

08-11-2018, 01:38 AM	#24
Snafu711 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Posts: 307	Hi microlight, excuse my ignorance. I thought Italy was rather famous for red wine than red dots. I leica Italy a lot ...

08-11-2018, 02:08 AM	#25
microlight Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 2,129	Ah, the red wine. I Leica the red wine too!

08-11-2018, 03:39 AM	#26
bikehead90 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Photos: Gallery Posts: 193 Original Poster	Originally posted by Fenwoodian . Leica's are no big deal. I've got two Leica R lenses that I Leitaxed and use on my K1. One is a 135mm f/2.8, and the other a 180mm f/2.8. Neither one cost me over $300 USD. That's cheaper than many Pentax lenses. There's a Leica lens club here on this Pentax Forum - Leica Lens Club - Page 5 - PentaxForums.com . Check it out, and after seeing some of the bokehlicious Leica photos you too might just want to buy a Leica R lens and join our little Leica Lens Club. Clearly I've never seen a wild Leica lens, but their mounting system is different from the K, yeah? Would you need an adapter ring of some sort? On second thought, don't tell me any more about Leicizing my Pentax, because I'm saving for 645N.

08-11-2018, 05:43 AM	#27
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,404	Quite a few Leica R lenses were actually Minolta sourced and some were even Sigma sourced. This wasn't always a happy situation for Leica users.

08-11-2018, 05:48 AM - 3 Likes	#28
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,653	I have found it significantly cheaper to edit my exif to look as though I own Leica gear than to actually purchase the gear. And truthfully, my photos look better after editing the exif.

08-11-2018, 05:49 AM	#29
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,404	Originally posted by Rondec I have found it significantly cheaper to edit my exif to look as though I own Leica gear than to actually purchase the gear. And truthfully, my photos look better after editing the exif. I'm crying laughing...

08-11-2018, 05:50 AM	#30
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by Rondec I have found it significantly cheaper to edit my exif to look as though I own Leica gear than to actually purchase the gear. And truthfully, my photos look better after editing the exif. Does that work if you edit to say it's a Hassleblad?