Reader Comments on Leica and Nikon System Usability
Kenneth J writes:
I have benefited a lot from your website. I was about ready to purchase the Schneider 50 mm tilt/shift lens, but waited for your review in DAP. When I read your review, I was glad I waited. So you saved me far more than the cost of the subscription.
I only wish I had read your reviews before I invested $30,000 in the Leica M9 and assorted lenses. I was looking for a good compact camera and knew of the Leica legend for quality. Although under ideal light conditions the images from the M9 are spectacular, I was very disappointed with the low light capability, especially in comparison with the Nikon D3 or D3x. And forget about precise composition with the M9. I consider it to be a 12 megapixel camera because I always have to allow for the large margin for error and crop the image. I tell my Leica enthusiast friend that shooting with a Leica is like a box of chocolates... you never know what you are going to get (borrowing from Forest Gump). I hope that Leica listens to your suggestions for improvement since I will be in line to get the first Leica that conforms to your suggestions.
For now I always have a debate with myself... do I take the heavy camera and lenses and be assured of outstanding photos under all shooting conditions, or should I risk it with the lighter package. For now, I usually opt for the heavier, but higher quality D3x and Zeiss lenses and am never disappointed by the results... only my back suffers!
DIGLLOYD: Actually, I know what I am going to get with chocolates, as I’ve enjoyed far too many at See’s Candies!
Anyway, see my Open Letter to Leica, my Sept 17 blog, as well as a great deal of Leica coverage in my blog index. And of course my Guide to Leica.
For anyone that finds Leica M not up to their shooting style, M gear holds its value exceedingly well, due to constant shortages of just about every lens. So one can move on— but I’m keeping mine as the M9 serves a useful role, and the future might bring better M bodies. Also, I see the Leica M lenses as like holding gold or other hard assets— they’re going to keep their value for the foreseeable future.
Yes, the Nikon D3x with Zeiss lenses is a far more versatile camera. But it sure is nice to have the compactness of the Leica M9— so I hope that Leica will bring it up to speed some day, with features similar to the Fuji X100.
