In the past, many other companies also made rangefinder cameras to compete with the Leica Ms; they even use the Leica M-mount! Minolta CLE, Konica Hexar and the Russian clones were all pretty popular and capable cameras, but didn't affect the sales of Leica Ms much. I believe people who buy Leica cameras are buying more than just a photographic tool; they might be buying Leica for prestige, as investments, and maybe even as a status symbol. This may change slightly in the digital age for camera bodies; I don't know of anyone who will pay full price of a used M8, or M9, when the newer cameras are more capable and in some cases, cost less. Lenses are different, and this brings us to the question: Why buy a Leica body when you can buy the NEX full frame and use Leica M lenses for a lot less?
No doubt, many will still buy a Leica instead of the A7/A7r, for various reasons, but for the majority of us who want a small full frame camera with a short lens registration, will no doubt buy the Sony. True, most of us will probably never buy a Leica regardless of Sony making the A7/A7r or not, but for those who can afford the Leica, but are sitting on the fence because of justification for the higher Leica price, the NEX A7/A7r maybe sway them to buy the Sony. So yes, for those who can afford a Leica, and actually use the camera to make pictures rather than using it as a status symbol, it would make no sense to buy a Leica, unless the build and handling is more important than image quality, when there is now a much cheaper alternative. How large is this group I have no idea, but if I were a Leica Exec, I would be worried.
Fall leaf - Sony NEX-6 & Leica-R 90mm f2 Summicron at f2. Click for larger.
My understanding (see http://www.kenrockwell.com/leica/m7.htm for example) is the advantages of the Leica are due to it's rangefinder focusing and ergonomics (I recall reading a fan stating they could pre-focus by feel).
ReplyDeleteBut yes, if one simply wants to use Leica lenses on a compact body, then the A7 could also fit the bill.
Eric said exactly what I wanted to say, although no doubt the FF NEX will be great for manual focus lenses, it will still not be a match for the rangefinder focusing system that Leica offers. I've always been contemplating on getting a NEX camera for the Leica glass, and this FF has got me quite interested, but used M9 prices are coming down and hopefully will drop a bit more once this hits the market, I would still take a rangefinder over evf/liveview.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I am not a big fan of rangefinder focusing, but if you are used to it, I am sure it will be something you don't want to use without. I do wander, if rangefinder focusing is faster or more accurate than peak focusing.
ReplyDeleteTo each his own. I would say that rangefinder focusing might be quicker and its fairly consistent, accuracy wise I'd say live view.
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