Same here. If I could afford one, I'd most likely just attach Japanese Cosina lenses to it. My flight hour is still too short to see the difference between lens quality.

Just want a digital rangefinder, and unluckily they're the only one making it (other than the even older Epson R-D1). Hence the previous allusion about wanting a sedan in a world where all other company make SUV. There's just no choice, competition or alternative that's still the same kind of thing.

My E-P1 still warms my heart when I look at it.Looks good with any lens I put on it.
It's simplicity is miles away from my new 0M-5.
Here it is with a NIKKOR-H auto 50mm and the ridiculous but cool vf1.Actually, the viewfinder works pretty well with the 17mm this came with.

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OM-D
FUJI X100s

And here was I, thinking this could be a fun thread about how a beautiful camera can give joy regardless of the price, rather than another pissing contest from people who have to bash a *(insert camera you don't know/understand here)* and don't get that a CCD doesn't act like a CMOS sensor.

For those that don't have insecurity issues have a look at this review of the Monochrom from someone who knows how to use a camera

May 10, Part 1: The Leica M-Monochrom review

Gordon

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Central Coast Wedding Photographer

An Introduction To Colour Management for Photographers

Flash is completely mirrorless.

Duke made a huge mistake if you expected the M to AF. Sorry it didnt work out. It also takes a bit of practice to learn a RF system....

The Leica forums have many threads that praise other cameras... Yet nonLeica forums have numerous threads compare against it and subsequently bash it. Maybe the brainwashed are the ones that find it necessary to make the M the bar from which measure against. The obsession with this camera is kinda pathetic....

Its easy to beat up on things misunderstood... As I said earlier, I am sorely dissappointed in the attitude of this forum towards this camera. There is so much in common between the systems, compact, quality, mirrorless, etc. There are numerous Leica owners that shoot and praise the micro 4 3 system... threads on sharing lenses between the systems are numerous on the Leica M related forums. Steve Huff who is a huge fan of micro 4 3 is also a Leica shooter. You would think that it would bring the two communities together. But many here are so stuck on price that they simply cannot accept that some do enjoy the Leica M and leave it at that.

Some posted here that one should expect a flame war from those Leica owners. I have yet to see one actually instigated by one. In fact, a recent thread similar to this one had one particular micro 4 3 being rather insulting..... the attitude MFT people have with the Leica is a one way street.


PS. Prior I too shot with the Epson RD1. Great camera with a retro feel and wonderful images. You shoot it just as you would a film camera. It is very quirky and there are features that in some ways make it better than the Leica M (i could provide details if requested). I miss it.... one of those times of sellers remorse. I sold it for more than I paid for it (refurb direct from Epson japan)...

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Reminder to Myself: Aggressively Apply Smilies

I hear what you are saying but, other than a few who don't appreciate Leica, I think most of the folks here would love to have one. The cost of an extremely well made system with a high standard of excellence tends to price it beyond what most of us can afford. Buying into has been a process for me - one body at a time, upgrading lenses as I can, working toward the best combination of bodies and lenses that I can afford. In the end I'll (hopefully) have a system that I enjoy and that does what I need it to do. The reality is, however, that the total cost will probably be less than the cost of the M9 body.
Leica is the gold standard, the top-of-the-line in mirror less - what Rolex is to the watch world. I, for one, would be happy just to acquire a true Leica lens to use with my kit.
It's good to have Leica folks here - don't let the naysayers bother you.

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Love mercy, do justice, walk humbly - Micah 6:8
"A true photograph need not be explained, nor can it be contained in words." Ansel Adams

I'm sure you wouldn't come with such thread if you actually could afford an M9 or at least handle one for a while. Yes, our m4/3 outfits look nice but they will never even come close to what an M9 can deliver in terms of detail and crispness. I have had one for a couple of weeks and boy, what a machine! I wish I had some $5k to spend on an M9 and a couple more for a lens. That would last me a decade without the need to upgrade.


Here is a 500 pages M8 and M9 thread. One could only dream to take such shots with an m4/3 outfit. This is a thread I watch every day until I will have the money to buy one.


.

GREAT link. I would buy one right now if I had that kind of extra income. I'd probably throw in a Hermes edition as welll!

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The overall fit, finish, and extra features in the luxury brands are just worth it to some people. That's why I owned a turbo VW Jetta GLI and not a Dodge Neon SRT-4.

I wouldn't ever spend the money on a Leica though. Even for a MF camera, I'd rather go with something like Mamiya or a Pentax if I could get my hands on one.

Perhaps... maybe I too was generalizing the MFT group here. I woke up this morning and this was the first thread that come up... first thought.. sheesh not another..

And that's the most important part. Whether it be a $100 P&S, camera phone, or a $10000+ Hassy, it should be what ever system you enjoy.

In a week, I'm headed to a nice botanical gardens with my family. I've got the OMD E-M5, Sunpak GX8R, my modified Sunpak TR-PAK, and my Tamron 90mm ready to go. I'm also taking along my Leica M8 + 24mm Elmarit for a few IR locations and others but it will take a back seat because frankly it doesn't do macro.... Neither does the M9 which is staying home. No problem... I'm lucky to have the opportunity to truly enjoy the best of both worlds.

Happy joy joy....

I drove an Neon SRT-4 (stage 3) for 100k... yeh... build sucked Cheap, fast, loud (straight pipes with no muffler from factory), and tossable. Kinda missed the wheel hop that would scare the bejeezus out of the passenger as the front wheels struggle to get traction. It was fun.... wouldn't do it again though. I haven't had too much luck with VAG vehicles although I do like them. I just recently had my Audi TT chew up one of its valves on piston #1 for no reason I can determine... an engine with barely 70k. I'm SOL in that case ....