rscheffler wrote:
Regarding accuracy of focus with longer than 50mm lenses on Leica rangefinders: my rather limited experience so far indicates the speed of focus throw is a significant contributor. With my 90 Summarit, or the ZM85 f/4, I find the throw is much too fast. Having had the chance to try the ZM85 f/2 a while ago, I was surprised at how consistently and accurately I could focus it, both near and far. But it has a much longer focus throw and is supposedly optimized for this. Also spent some time with the Nikkor 10.5cm f/2.5 LTM and it has an extremely long throw, nearly 360 degrees! Also very consistently easy to focus... ...Show more →
I'd note that focus throw is a tradeoff between speed and accuracy for all helical focus lenses, it's not unique to rangefinders. I like a fast throw in a 35 or 50 for quick shooting but prefer a long throw on longer lenses for accuracy. But then again I don't shoot a lot of long-lens candids or grab shots.
ive debated, many times, on selling all my nikon gear.. (d800, 24 1.4g, 35 1.4g, 24-70 2.8, 70-200 vr2, ZM 100/2) and picking up a used m9 and 1 leica lens...
I would love to give a rangefinder a test but I don't know where to check some out. Maybe rent one?
I would suggest get yourself a M3 or M6 (if need meter) and put a old 50cron rigid to get the feel first, total invest: about $1600-2500 depend on condition. sell it without loss money or even profit. Invest digital M at this stage is risky, IMO. As you indicate, market is soft and saturated already.
once you hooked, you don't need opinion from anyone anymore, which will never be reflect what you need.
As for M9, Is it worth the price? Once you have it, you will love it and forget about price quickly.
Though, I would not recommend it for the price, especially for everyone. it depend on individual's need and priority, financial condition. AND I really don't see it has any IQ advantage to Canikon. But love is love, that is what hobby for.
I want add: My opinion about their lens is over priced. way over priced. But it is just my opinion.
Other good entry options are the Bessa R2a or R2m, they're inexpensive, M mount and have integral metering (and Aperture Priority AE on the R2a). They also have somewhat less unique film loading so you don't have to learn how to load an M if you don't want to. An R2a and a CV 35/2.5 is a great inexpensive entry into RF shooting, or spend the money on a higher end lens like a 35 Summicron or one of the ZM 35's.
zhangyue wrote:
I want add: My opinion about their lens is over priced. way over priced. But it is just my opinion.
I mean, you have to pay a lot for that next little bit of performance.
I suspect it will be a decade before Canon, Nikon or Sony will be able to make a 50/1.4 perform at the same level as the current Summilux ASPH at their current price level. Clearly if they wanted to make a 3k USD 50/1.4 they could at least get close, if not match Leica.
Price to performance for Leica is way off most stills lenses, and that's a reasonable argument to make. However, when we consider cine lenses or what my country's military pays for anything (and around here, we buy only the best no matter how much it costs, as long as it doesn't get used by the rank and file) lens related. But does that matter? If you can afford it, and you want it, who cares?
Besides, the lenses have held their value much better than the M9.
mawz wrote:
I'd note that focus throw is a tradeoff between speed and accuracy for all helical focus lenses, it's not unique to rangefinders. I like a fast throw in a 35 or 50 for quick shooting but prefer a long throw on longer lenses for accuracy. But then again I don't shoot a lot of long-lens candids or grab shots.
If I'm not mistaken, focus throw is limited by the RF mechanism. That is why RF lenses have a somewhat similar throw, no matter whether they are WA or telephotos. Lenses like the Sonnar 85/2 have a special mechanism that allows a long focus throw while still compatible with the RF mechanism. Such mechanisms, probably consisting of complicated watch precision engrenages, were beyond the capabilities at Cosina, hence they had to be built in Germany.
