[rollei_list] Re: Not My Definition of a Thoroughbred (Re: Nikon vs. Leica)
- From: "Douglas Shea" <dshea@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <rollei_list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 12 Apr 2005 13:32:09 -0600
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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