Luminous Landscape Forum

Equipment & Techniques => Mirrorless Cameras => Topic started by: tom b on November 04, 2017, 03:40:54 am

Title: Has Leica "Jumped The Shark"?
Post by: tom b on November 04, 2017, 03:40:54 am
I was looking on a Leica site for ideas for a new "walkabout" camera when I came upon this (https://en.leica-camera.com/Photography/Leica-Sofort/Limoland). Hey, is this the most ridiculous camera ever conceived?

Confused,
Title: Re: Has Leica "Jumped The Shark"?
Post by: tom b on November 04, 2017, 08:12:51 am
Honestly,

(https://static.leica-camera.com/var/leica/storage/images/media/media-asset-management-mam/global-international/photography/leica-sofort/limoland/leica-sofort-limoland-with-strap-1512x1008-bg-ffffff/2446915-2-eng-MA/Leica-Sofort-LimoLand-with-Strap-1512x1008-BG-ffffff_teaser-1316x878.jpg)

Cheers,
Title: Re: Has Leica "Jumped The Shark"?
Post by: Telecaster on November 04, 2017, 07:19:58 pm
Shucks, I thought this was gonna be an outrage post re. the new version of the 90mm Thambar.  ;D

-Dave-
Title: Re: Has Leica "Jumped The Shark"?
Post by: tom b on November 05, 2017, 10:06:28 am
"Shucks, I thought this was gonna be an outrage post re. the new version of the 90mm Thambar."

-Dave-

I recognise your thoughts, $6,500 for a M 90mm f/2.2 Lens with "Distinct Soft Focus Image Quality (B&H (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1367466-REG/leica_11697_thambar_m_90mm_f_2_2_lens.html))" is a very large stretch. Maybe we can agree that Leica has stretched the friendship on a number of fronts.

Cheers,
Title: Re: Has Leica "Jumped The Shark"?
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on November 05, 2017, 06:58:56 pm
I never buy a camera that requires me to paint the body and replace the strap before I dare to go outside with it!
Title: Re: Has Leica "Jumped The Shark"?
Post by: Telecaster on November 06, 2017, 12:44:38 am
Tom, I was jesting re. the Thambar. It’s not my thing but I don’t mind Leica bringing it back (likely in a small production run). Pictorialist lenses have their place. Anyway, the luxury/fashion world is what has kept Leica in business…so products like the “designer” Sofort are part of the deal.

I had one of the Fuji Instax versions of the Sofort for awhile but gave it to a neighbor’s daughter after she took a liking to it. Last week I loaned her my newer SX-70 and a pack of the upgraded Polaroid Originals (formerly Impossible Project) color film. She really likes that, so I’m thinking I should get my older SX-70 refurbed so I can give it to her for Xmas.

-Dave-
Title: Re: Has Leica "Jumped The Shark"?
Post by: KLaban on November 06, 2017, 03:52:08 am
I've emailed Leica to see if it's possible to have my M series cameras covered in that material.
Title: Re: Has Leica "Jumped The Shark"?
Post by: BernardLanguillier on November 06, 2017, 04:12:10 am
I've emailed Leica to see if it's possible to have my M series cameras covered in that material.

Could you ask if they could do a Nikon too? ;)

Cheers,
Bernard
Title: Re: Has Leica "Jumped The Shark"?
Post by: GrahamBy on November 06, 2017, 05:40:13 am
I never buy a camera that requires me to paint the body and replace the strap before I dare to go outside with it!

If anyone does, send me the strap. I like the strap...
Title: Re: Has Leica "Jumped The Shark"?
Post by: Telecaster on November 06, 2017, 12:40:12 pm
I've emailed Leica to see if it's possible to have my M series cameras covered in that material.

Oughta make a snazzy shirt too (and likely already does).  ;)

-Dave-
Title: Re: Has Leica "Jumped The Shark"?
Post by: KLaban on November 06, 2017, 01:06:07 pm
Oughta make a snazzy shirt too (and likely already does).  ;)

-Dave-

When in Hawaii...
Title: Re: Has Leica "Jumped The Shark"?
Post by: KLaban on November 06, 2017, 01:13:34 pm
I've considered trashing my M series cameras to make them undesirable to undesirables but the resale value would be, well... undesirable.

But I am seriously considering introducing a line of really tacky - (pig-ugly) - stick-on disguises for the M series cameras.
Title: Re: Has Leica "Jumped The Shark"?
Post by: Chairman Bill on November 06, 2017, 01:15:35 pm
Without checking, I'm guessing the price is about £3500/$3500. Amirite?
Title: Re: Has Leica "Jumped The Shark"?
Post by: JeanMichel on November 06, 2017, 01:31:22 pm
I've considered trashing my M series cameras to make them undesirable to undesirables but the resale value would be, well... undesirable.

But I am seriously considering introducing a line of really tacky - (pig-ugly) - stick-on disguises for the M series cameras.

I made a mistake: both my M9 and MP are black bodies. My M3, 4 and 6 are silver. That means that I am left with boxes of back electrical tape that I will not be able to use in the foreseeable future. "Sad", to quote the guy south the border.
Title: Re: Has Leica "Jumped The Shark"?
Post by: KLaban on November 06, 2017, 02:37:30 pm
Without checking, I'm guessing the price is about £3500/$3500. Amirite?

Gosh, the GBP exchange rate has fallen.
Title: Re: Has Leica "Jumped The Shark"?
Post by: Rob C on November 06, 2017, 03:36:36 pm
Gosh, the GBP exchange rate has fallen.

Indeed, Keith, perhaps not that far yet, but try living with its euro conversion too: not pretty! Tonight, marking the 9th anniversary of the worst day in my life, I have been forced to pull out the heaters for the season. Those bloody electricity bills will soar, and make me think of Saul Leiter's constant preoccupation; fortunately, I can handle 'em, but the spirit is not willing and my mindset is in absolute sympathy with him.

I can hardly believe I'm going to say this, but I caught part of Senor Corbyn's speech to the CBI today, and have to agree with his take on the utilities; the only drawback, obviously, is that if his boys get elected, it puts absolute power into the hands of the unions because no labour govt. will ever dare face them down for obvious reasons of funding and votes. I remember the power cuts of several decades ago and all the hassle that entailed, with my wife diving off to cook at her mother's when she had power and we didn't. I really did learn how to hate, deeply and thoroughly.

But for that soft lens: it has uses, and saves the problem of finding an adapter ring to convert to 500 Series 'blad Softar. I did use such a device on 135 format, and it worked quite well; the problem, today, is that I'd rather shoot straight and PS the effects, but a halo is never going to be easy to do that way. Or so I think. But perhaps Softars were made for other formats too, though I never heard of them.

Rob
Title: Re: Has Leica "Jumped The Shark"?
Post by: Telecaster on November 06, 2017, 07:04:39 pm
When in Hawaii...

I put on the shirt for the selfie, then took it off again. Buy ‘em here but only wear ‘em at home.  ;D

-Dave-
Title: Re: Has Leica "Jumped The Shark"?
Post by: Dave Rosser on November 07, 2017, 06:07:39 am
Without checking, I'm guessing the price is about £3500/$3500. Amirite?
No, you are a factor of 10 out see Clifton Cameras (https://www.cliftoncameras.co.uk/Leica-SOFORT-Instant-Camera-Limoland?gclid=CjwKCAiA0IXQBRA2EiwAMODil0UtTRRs-jpo1x6EeHaA4kwwZSKAgJJzycmYDT0mrZT7MXpw3og-5hoCEaAQAvD_BwE#Description)
Title: Re: Has Leica "Jumped The Shark"?
Post by: Telecaster on November 07, 2017, 01:11:05 pm
I see the new Thambar can be preordered at B&H Photo for a meager $6495. But this does include the center spot diffusion filter!   ;D  There are sample pics at DPR (https://www.dpreview.com/samples/9303900828/leica-thambar-m-90mm-f2-2) with & without the filter.

I have a 1930s Zeiss 85/2 Sonnar with Softar. Contax RF mount, but I can use it on Sony cams via adapter.

-Dave-
Title: Re: Has Leica "Jumped The Shark"?
Post by: eronald on November 07, 2017, 02:03:18 pm
I see the new Thambar can be preordered at B&H Photo for a meager $6495. But this does include the center spot diffusion filter!   ;D  There are sample pics at DPR (https://www.dpreview.com/samples/9303900828/leica-thambar-m-90mm-f2-2) with & without the filter.

I have a 1930s Zeiss 85/2 Sonnar with Softar. Contax RF mount, but I can use it on Sony cams via adapter.

-Dave-
I have a 50mm F1.5 Sonnar converted to Leica - the airbubbles trapped in the glass do the soft-focus wonderfully.

Edmund