[rollei_list] Re: Not My Definition of a Purebred (Re: Nikon vs. Leica)
- From: Jerry Lehrer <jerryleh@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: rollei_list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Tue, 12 Apr 2005 13:50:40 -0700
Doug,
In the SLR line I use R Leicas and Nikon F2As. No question whatsoever
that the Nikon is a very tough instrument. I wouldn't pound spikes with
it, but is hardy enough for anything else.
Strange that when switching 'tween an F2A and a Leica M, I never get
confused on account of the different directions of the control movement.
But when using a R Leica and an M Leica together, I do have to stop
and re-think.
Jerry
Douglas Shea wrote:
> I am certainly not one that needs to be convinced of the advantages of
> purely mechanical cameras; the only cameras I am using today are my SL66,
> Alpa, and Contax I, II, and IIa models. And, I'm terribly biased towards
> Nikon. Yet, in all fairness I can not place the build quality of any of the
> mid-level Nikons above that of their competitors' counterparts. For
> instance, my impression of the Leica R and Contax 139 cameras was about the
> same as that of the FM/FE cameras, and none of these cameras should be
> expected to fail. My original point was that the Nikon F series cameras are
> stronger and more durable in many obvious areas (rigidity of the back cover,
> strength of the main body casting). The decision of National Geographic to
> use an FM2 may have been based upon factors other than longevity. If I was
> going into a particularly nasty place like a swamp, desert, or rainforest I
> would have almost certainly have taken an FM2 instead of an F2; but for
> matters of expendability, not longevity. In fact, I would have done my
> damnedest to have taken anyone else's camera and not one of my own.
> Cheers,
> Doug
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: rollei_list-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> [mailto:rollei_list-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Thor Legvold
> Sent: Tuesday, April 12, 2005 12:58 PM
> To: rollei_list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [rollei_list] Re: Not My Definition of a Thoroughbred (Re: Nikon
> vs. Leica)
>
> I know the FM2 and FM2n have been good enough to be used in places
> where battery driven electronic cameras broke down or couldn't be
> risked. As I recall the FM2 was a bit of a standard for several
> National Geographic photogs on assignment in particularly nasty areas
> (desert, swamps, rainforest, etc) because they always worked.
>
> Working for a newspaper I never bothered getting any good glass for it,
> I saved that expence for the MF setup. My FM2 still looks like new and
> works perfectly, but I've only had it for about 10 years. I suppose if
> I looked it wouldn't be too hard to pick up a really nice Nikkor or two
> for it, second hand (manual focus. Any suggestions more than welcome
> :-).
>
> Probably I'm a bit old fashioned (which is strange considering my age
> ;-), but I prefer simplicity and ease of use over bells, whistles,
> electronic doo-dads, auto this and that. I'd much rather have a simple,
> manual camera with good glass than an electronic show of lights. Still,
> I chose the Rollei over the Hassy. On the other hand, I really
> appreciate the 6008's built in metering and Auto functions when I feel
> lazy, and the EOS 1 and 5 set new standards (for me at least) regarding
> camera ergonomics, including all the extra stuff yet making it easily
> controllable without taking the eye off the finder.
>
> Thor
>
> On 12. apr. 2005, at 18.13, Douglas Shea wrote:
>
> > Which Leica are we discussing here, the "R" or the "M?" With all due
> > respect, having used a vast array of Nikon and various Leica "R"
> > cameras I'd
> > stop way short of calling the "R" a thoroughbred. I would also not
> > refer to
> > any of the Nikon FM/FE series cameras as "workhorses" either. As for
> > build
> > quality and expected durability I'd put the "R" and the FM2 in the same
> > league; rather light duty cameras and a notch or two below any of the
> > Nikon
> > F series, especially from the F2 onwards. I'm sure that Leica enjoys
> > seeing
> > the "thoroughbred" reference -- it reinforces their belief in their own
> > advertising hype. Only two SLR's come to my mind as thoroughbreds: the
> > second and third generation Alpa cameras and the Contarex.
> >
> > Doug
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: rollei_list-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > [mailto:rollei_list-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Nick Roberts
> > Sent: Tuesday, April 12, 2005 9:53 AM
> > To: rollei_list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > Subject: [rollei_list] Re: Nikon vs. Leica (was: Query: Mechancial
> > Cameras)
> >
> > Thor is absolutely right to describe the FM2 as a
> > workhorse. It's precisely that, not a thoroughbred
> > like a Leica. Just a perfectly good tool.
> >
> > Nick
> >
> >
> >
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