Oh, the 100 APO will give you loads of fun. It will make you very happy. If I ever dump all my stuff, as I have said before, it will not be the 100 APO. I'll adapt that one to whatever light trapping box I have on hand. That one you will have to pry out of my dead hands. Aram From: Axel Collier Sent: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 3:40 PM To: leicareflex@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [LRflex] Re: (LRflex) Shopping Frustration Hi I own a R3 and an angenieux zoom that my father gave me a few months ago. I fell in love with it and use it often and next to some Nikon stuff i bought last christmas as a present for myself ;-) I like the Nikon stuff also, I am not a fanatic.I am a newbee. But I bought a F80 and a 70-300G lens for 200 euros all in and i have a lot of fun with it. The lens has it limitations as you will all know, I guess. So, I wonder what your budget is, which is none of my bussiness but it could help in this discussion. A nice R3 for example could be had for 100 Euros on Ebay. All you need is some patience. You don't have to sell your car to buy a R4 or R5 neither. A 24 or 28mm Elmarit can be had for some 300 euros. And a 35mm or 50mm for even less. The price of the 135mm and 180mm Elmarit is reasonable as well. I know this because I wanted to buy one or two R-lenses myself and because my budget is limited too. That is why i look at ebay very often ... that is : every day. It think now it is possible to pay not (much) more for it than for Nikon stuff . My impression is that it is possible to own R-lenses IF you stay away from some very special lenses like the 80mm Summilux or the apo 100mm and the 90mm summicron asph.And maybe the 280mm apo lenses ... One day I will buy one of these lenses, but first i want to know better what lens that would make me the most happy. That means i have to take more pictures. Which is fun. greetings, and by the way, i like this users group and the picture of Richard. ----- Original Message ----- From: Richard Ward To: LeicaReflex@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 7:46 AM Subject: [LRflex] (LRflex) Shopping Frustration Hello List, my name's Richard and I'm still new here, but it seems like a nice group of users here. I have received some nice comments about the Image I posted a link to on the list to an image I shot with my Zeiss Pancolar on my 20D. (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3522/3267824103_9f55579064_b.jpg) Since I'm not yet a member of the "R" ownership club as of yet, I kind of felt a need to establish having some Chops as a Photographer if I'm going to be posting around these parts. As for "Shopping Frustration": I simply want to ask about any tips or info a list member might be able to pass along because, so far, the only thing I've been able to get with months of searching eBay, the 'Net, and Locally, for 'R' equipment is a terrible case of Shoppers Frustration. Everything I encounter seems to be outlandishly expensive limited editions, collectors items, and f0.0 Niche Lenses on the top end and the bottom end are all pricey near mint condition stuff commanding premium prices. Where the heck can I find the stuff someone's actually USED, that has wear on the outside, cleaning marks and (Heaven Forbid!) even a scratch in the coating. The "3 Cam" & ROM Lenses (?did I say that right?) might be the latest greatest, I surmise, but there must be something usable about those 1 cam or 2 cam lenses, too, isn't there? I'm willing to try em! Sigh. I will admit my budget is narrower than I would prefer to pick up an R lens or two, but it is 'enough' and if I'm willing to accept cosmetic conditions and even potential cla issues, it seems rather ___<insert cursing adjective>___ that I'm not encountering stuff like that out in the marketplace. Thanks for letting me Vent LRflex members. I'll find something to acquire. Imagemaking has always been an expression of my heart and quite rarely a source of income. Since becoming disabled, it's become an especially treasured activity because now that it isn't a casual endeavour anymore, just coming away with snapshots isn't very fulfilling. :-) Sincerely Richard W. West Michigan, USA ________________________________ Life is hard...but I just take it one photograph at a time. ~•~ "You miss 100% of the shots you never take" Wayne Gretzky ~•~ In a world without walls and fences, who needs Windows or Gates? ~•~ It's okay to be stupid. Just don't be gung-ho about it. ________________________________