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Not to you perhaps, but some of us have limited means, and a Leica system remains perpetually out of reach for many.The cost of equipment is not relevant …
The more I use my m43rds Panasonic kit the more I realise it has inherited a large dose of Leica DNA. You might be closer to a Leica than you think. All the Lumix DG Leica lenses are ridiculously cheap (especially second hand where I have recently re-equipped myself with the 20/1.7 and 45/2.8) but to my eye produce Leica-like glows, colours and bokeh. BTW, I class the 20/1.7 as a Leica lens. The design is clearly a rip-off of a Summicron. I don't own the DG Lux 50 anymore (I will eventually crack and buy it back, I'm sure) but it is a fabulous lens.Not to you perhaps, but some of us have limited means, and a Leica system remains perpetually out of reach for many.
I fully agree - but would like to expand this "Leica look" thing to "Leica look and feel"The more I use my m43rds Panasonic kit the more I realise it has inherited a large dose of Leica DNA. You might be closer to a Leica than you think. All the Lumix DG Leica lenses are ridiculously cheap (especially second hand where I have recently re-equipped myself with the 20/1.7 and 45/2.8) but to my eye produce Leica-like glows, colours and bokeh. BTW, I class the 20/1.7 as a Leica lens. The design is clearly a rip-off of a Summicron. I don't own the DG Lux 50 anymore (I will eventually crack and buy it back, I'm sure) but it is a fabulous lens.
The differences in the shots above are to my eye minimal. I actually prefer the second portrait with the Nocticron to the Noctilux. I think there is better isolation of the subject from the background and I find the Noctilux bokeh balls, while optically interesting, too distracting.
I owned a M8 and a range of Leica lenses for about 5 years and the biggest drawback was backfocus. You might own a lux or a tron but you would then have to deal with the fact that the lens over time needed adjusting to overcome backfocus. My lux 35 asph had awful back focus and I briefly owned a 50/1.4 which I returned because of back focus. One thing I like about live-view and EVFs is that you can check you are bang on focus.
So, even if you do lust after a Leica actually in the real world you could be better off with a modern m43rds system or similar.
Just my two cents.
LouisB
The 45 Macro is hard to find for less than $800 in Australia (I do have a macro lens—see below); not cheap. I aim to acquire a 42.5/1.7 and a 15/1.7 to fill out the kit, and since the 15mm is labelled “Summilux”, there may be a bit of Leica DNA after all!The more I use my m43rds Panasonic kit the more I realise it has inherited a large dose of Leica DNA. You might be closer to a Leica than you think. All the Lumix DG Leica lenses are ridiculously cheap (especially second hand where I have recently re-equipped myself with the 20/1.7 and 45/2.8) but to my eye produce Leica-like glows, colours and bokeh.
I’m sure that the patent is well-expired by now! The 25mm seems adequate, but I do miss the 20mm.BTW, I class the 20/1.7 as a Leica lens. The design is clearly a rip-off of a Summicron.
Unknown lens.I don't own the DG Lux 50anymore (I will eventually crack and buy it back, I'm sure) but it is a fabulous lens.
Indeed; very useful. I use magnified manual focus most of the time on the G3 and E-M5, as I do on my new[ish] Sony a7 with W/A lenses. [digression: I thought the E-M5’s menus were rubbish before using the a7!]One thing I like about live-view and EVFs is that you can check you are bang on focus.
Lusted after an M2 about 35 years ago, but no lust has arisen since then for any of their products, though I found the S diverting for a short time.So, even if you do lust after a Leica actually in the real world you could be better off with a modern m43rds system or similar. Just my two cents.
LouisB
Some ppl dismiss µ43 as too small—but it’s great for macro work and many other things! These shots are so textural; you’ve outdone yourself here! Number 2 is my fave.
I am beginning to agree. I've decided to put my fe 90/2.8 up for sale and only use the GX8+45/2.8 for macro work.Some ppl dismiss µ43 as too small—but it’s great for macro work and many other things! These shots are so textural; you’ve outdone yourself here! Number 2 is my fave.
[I recently bought a Sony a7 for architectural work, but have not warmed to it as I did with various Panasonics and the Olympus E-M5, even with its quality and versatility]