Why Leica/ Leitz at all?

[urgenta]

Hi Robert

If I were you, I would go for the 50mm 2,0 Summicron. Only with a Leica-Lens you can experience the full leicafeeling and - not to forget - the quality. You can add a Voigtländer-Lens later.

Hans Villars, Switzerland

 

[matteohamilton]

i am researching the leica camera and thinking about buying one. can anyone tell me the difference between the leica and the leica leitz. is one beter than the other. thanks

 

[matteohamilton]

> [Delete this line and type your message here] >

 

[thinkofcole]

Matthew, if I understand the thrust of your question, Leica is the name of the camera; E. Leitz of Wetzlar, Germany, is the original name of the privately owned company that made the Leica.
Leitz's current name is Leica Camera, A.G. , of Solms, Germany. A major shareholder of the publicly owned company is Hermes, the tie and scarf maker. If you buy even one share of its stock, you are entitled to get its annual report to stockholders.
The camera is still called Leica. {Some are made in Germany, some in Portugal and some in Canada; they are all supposed to be the same but many Leica fans prefer those made in Germany}
Regards, bob cole

 

[matteohamilton]

thanks. i just noticed that on some cameras the red label says leitz and on some it says leica. i was just wondering if there was a difference in the cameras. i guess it depends on when the camera was made right?

 

[matteohamilton]

also. do you prefer the m series or the r series? i am leaning toward the r6 but, i am also interested in the m7. thanks bob

 

[laurent_ldp]

Matteo,
to complete the explanation of Robert, The name of LEICA comes from LEI<font size="-2">tz CA<font size="-2">mera.
It is the same camera.
If you jump in the Leica World, you will never jump out. It is what we need to work speaking the language of photography.
Laurent

 

[thinkofcole]

Matthew, as an old-timer, I never bought any Leicas beyond the ancient screw mount and the M-series up to M-4 and M4-P, none of which used the red-dot Leitz label on the front of the camera.
If you check Cameraquest [by Steve Gandy, the dealer and Leica historian ] you will find that some of the early M-6's carried the red-dot Leitz mark on the front. It's just one of a lot of M-6 variations that he has noted.
Leica, you may already know, is famous for thousands of variations over its long history.
Unless you are like Jay Leno, who absolutely must have at least three of every single motorcycle and automobile ever made anywhere, you'll never be able to collect all the different versions of Leica stuff ever made.
As to whether you should go for M or R Leica, it depends on your prior holdings and your proclivities. Some of the finest photographs in the world have been shot with every model of Leica.
If you like range finders, get an M. If you like SLR's, get an R.
If you already have M Lenses, stick with M [unless money is no object]. If you already have R Lenses [stick with R }.
If you're loaded, get both the M7 and the R6 -- and as many lenses as you can haul away. Just remember: the M's don't fit the R cameras and the R lenses don't fit the M camera. [Gandy, however, has adapters for certain situations.]

Seriously, before even buying anything, study up for a while and see if you can find a friend who will lend you his Leica or ask a dealer if you can shoot off a roll [in his used Leica] in his camera store.
Leicas are too expensive to buy and then --now that you own it -- discover that it ain't what you thought it was.
Please forgive me if I've been too basic or too flip but I'm only too willing to help you get hooked on Leica. You'll never be sorry; just broke. Regards, bob cole

 

[matteohamilton]

thank you for the important information gentlemen. i will use it wisely. i will let you know when i enter the leica world. thanks again matteo

 

[matteohamilton]

Borrowed a M7 from a friend to shoot a roll. So far I love it. I didn't quite get it at first but after a few minutes it all made sense. Love the feel, the sound and the way the image comes together. Makes me feel like I'm creating the image not just pointing and shooting. Thanks for the information. Matthew Hamilton