Their lenses still are the best available. But they never quite grasped the digital world. I used split-image rangefinder Leicas for many years, but automatic focusing in most modern digital cameras beats split-image hands down. I don't think Leica can catch up, so I guess you're right, Rob. They have to resort to producing jewelry, because they no longer can produce competitive cameras. It's sad. I'd love to have the modern equivalent of my much loved M4, but it ain't gonna happen.
Hi Russ,
I never owned a Leica, but did print from them quite often. Where, in your view, has the digitial M9-onwards range fallen down compard with the film versions?
I had imagined that with the new/replaced sensors they were good to go, or is it mainly, or even only, the lack of af (which you pointed out) that you see as the fatal flaw? Were I able to afford one without endangering the health of the banks that I use, I would probably still have to pass, I think, because of that lack of af. After a lifetime of manual focus, my personal optical system has had to admit defeat.
There is one very important additional factor for me: I do like to get a sense of DOF when I frame a shot, even if just an approximate one. Hence the reflex habit. Having been using my 2.8/180mm Nikkor wide open quite a lot recently, that's even more the case; DOF
makes some shots.
Rob