Is Leica overpriced?

[JDArt]

Every time I look at Leica equipment, I think "too much money" for what you get.

Why is Leica so expensive? Is there a reason that I'm not seeing?

[Paul Shields]

I think you're paying for more than the raw materials with a Leica. There is also the perception and the 'romance' of the brand. I've never used one so am not going to comment further on whether they're 'good value' (which is difficult to quantify).

Actually I will comment further - look at all the rush to get the latest digital gear, such as the 5D. Already dropped from £2500 to £1900 in the UK in the space of a month - I wonder whether that is good value? I suspect a looked after Leica will retain it's value much more than the equivalent (in price) digital camera over the same period. But anyway, I'm not here to defend them. I personally would also like to know more about why they have such loyal owners - they must be doing something right.

[scoundrel1728]

Well, the Leica rangefinder cameras are a lot more reliable than SLRs generally but that's because they are mechanically simpler, with a lot fewer moving parts to get out of whack, and most of the parts they do have don't need to move as fast. Most still have focal plane shutters but they don't have mirrors bouncing around the box, nor does the aperture have to close down to its shooting aperture immediately and accurately and spring back wide open immediately thereafter. The Leitz lenses and the build quality are also first-rate. Leicas also are perceived as the Rolls Royces of rangefinder cameras, which also commands a price premium.

[AlbertP]

But the proof is in the pudding. Mechanics aside, I never see any pictures from Leica cameras that make me say "wow." In fact I rarely see any pictures from Leica owners at all. Are they just out doing better things than showing their pictures?

[robbepp]

There are threads on several boards right now about how to modify the mirror of the Canon 5D so that Leica R lenses will fit.* Many pros use Leica glass(and Nikon glass) on Canons(with adapters).

[AlbertP]

Originally Posted by robbepp

There are threads on several boards right now about how to modify the mirror of the Canon 5D so that Leica R lenses will fit. Many pros use Leica glass(and Nikon glass) on Canons(with adapters).

And do they lose metering?

[Paul Shields]

Originally Posted by robbepp

There are threads on several boards right now about how to modify the mirror of the Canon 5D so that Leica R lenses will fit. Many pros use Leica glass(and Nikon glass) on Canons(with adapters).

I've heard that the old Olympus Zuiko wide-angles are sought after on Canon too - but never really seen any evidence of this.

Personally, I'd love to have a true rangefinder (Leica or any other decent alternative), just for wandering around unobtrusively snapping away. Would be great for street photography I would have thought.

[scoundrel1728]

Originally Posted by Paul

Personally, I'd love to have a true rangefinder (Leica or any other decent alternative), just for wandering around unobtrusively snapping away. Would be great for street photography I would have thought.

I suppose you could set the lens for hyperfocal distance and skip the rangefinder, but you would still have to do without the viewfinder or hold the camera to your eye and aim at the subject. That doesn't sound so unobtrusive to me. With my hinged body Coolpix, I can use the LCD monitor and (literally) shoot from the hip or face at a 90 degree angle and still frame my subject and shoot. I've even framed and shot people behind me from a range of a few feet without being noticed.

[PJW]

Albert,

When you use any lens that requires an adapter on a Canon EOS body you lose automatic diaphram control. You'll have to set the aperture manually. But your meter will still work. You would focus at full aperture. Then you would stop down to taking aperture and meter. If you set the camera to Aperture Priority, the camera will then set the shutter speed to the correct setting. You'll have the option to adjust if you like. You can also go full manual as well.

I've got several adapters for mounting lenses on my 5D. I have two old Tamron lenses that take their Adaptall II mounts. So I have the Pentax Adaptall II mounts and then a Pentax to EOS adapter. I also have an adapter for using Leitz Visoflex lenses on the 5D. Bought it from Cameraquest.com. So that lets me use my old Leitz 200mm f/4 Telyt and 65mm Elmar macro lens on the 5D.

And I have a Canon FD to EOS adapter that comes with a lens to allow infinity focus. But the optics are horrible so I've removed the lens and it can now allow me to use my Canon FD bellows and high magnification lenses (20mm and 35mm) on the 5D.

[Narsuitus]

Yes they are.

Most digital cameras are also overpriced.