What is the general feeling among those who have experiance with this accesory? It seems to me that it defeats the purpose of the M philosophy; size, stealth and ease of handling.

-- Brooks (Bvonarx@home.com), October 26, 2001

Answers

There are times that I've found it an indispensable accessory. It makes changing lenses on the run (sometimes literally "on the run") very quick and convenient, partcilarly when traveling light, and in hot weather when pockets aren't handy.

Michael

www.luminous-landscape.com

-- Michael Reichmann (mreichmann@home.com), October 26, 2001.

I'm surprised at your answer. But I'll take your word for it and try it out at the dealer. BTW love your site!

-- Brooks (bvonarx@home.com), October 26, 2001.

This came up almost exactly one year ago. you can check it out at: link

FWIW... I like my Leica M's small and petite, so adding appendages is counter to why I pick the rangefinder over the SLR. If I don't have a bag, I have pockets.

-- Al Smith (smith58@msn.com), October 26, 2001.

Your question also came up about 6 months ago: http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=004v FX

-- Chris Chen (furcafe@cris.com), October 26, 2001.

I have owned this accessory since it came out. Several comments:

1. It is very tricky or difficult to actually change the lens. A third hand would be useful. I never dropped a lens but it would be VERY easy to do.

2. With a long lens on the carrier, ie. a 90/2 you need to be careful the bottom element of that lens is not bumped against anything while you are walking carry the assembly on a strap.

3. The 90/2 or the 75/1.4 while on the lens carrier make an excellant grip for the camera. This is real hidden benefit of this accessory (note the long ball head along is similar in handling). Also, the 90 or 75 can actually act as a table top tripod while on the carrier.

4. The weight does not seen to be problem, the stability gained by holding the bottom lens changes the dynamics of the unit so as to offset the added weight.

5. Why on earth has no one made a ball head to fit the lens carrier, this would give the user a quick relase with a center fitting.

Use and enjoy.

Bob Haight

-- Bob Haight (rhaigh5748@aol.com), October 27, 2001.

Bob

As to your observation 1): Try a Sling for a third hand. ;o) Cheers.



-- Lutz Konermann (lutz@konermann.net), October 27, 2001.

I purchased the lens carrier a few years ago and have never used it. As a matter of fact, it is still in the original box. Like others, I like my M6 uncluttered without this or that connected to it. I can see the reasoning behind the development of the lens carrier, but I for one have never used it.

-- John Alfred Tropiano (jat18@psu.edu), October 29, 2001.