Ffordes have my MF kit

[parisian]

for sale - a chunk of it actually. I wonder what I should invest in as a replacement?
Well this looks very nice indeed but the dates are over optimistic I feel. The price suggestions are interesting though.

[huwevans]

Ffordes have my MF kit

On behalf of all us MF enthusiasts, may I just say...

























































<font size=+3>SPLITTER!

[mike_j]

How about a nice Canikon DSLR with all the electronic gizmos imaginable. Just reading the manual will keep you happy for years by which time a the new Leica will be available so you won't have to actually use it.

[TimF]

for sale - a chunk of it actually. I wonder what I should invest in as a replacement?
Well this looks very nice indeed but the dates are over optimistic I feel. The price suggestions are interesting though.

MF being medium format rather than manual focus presumably Peter? If you're looking for a digital interim until the R10 then I can certainly recommend a Canon 1Ds series body, just so long as you don't use their lenses on it. Those Leica R objectives are so much better. My focusing experience is definitely improving.

[parisian]

Sorry Huw - I had really hoped you wouldn't see that
Mike, I have the huge DSLR, I am attempting to move away from it as it doesn't meet my needs
Definitely Medium Format Tim, I do prefer manual focus but the piddling little focussing rings on my Nikon glass together with (my) difficulties re the screen are sending me off on a different tangent. The R8 despite its detractors is a beauty in my eyes and if an improved DMR was extant then I would aim for that. As it stands I would not hesitate (if funds allowed) to go for the M8.2. The focal range of the M glass covers the majority of my work and the examples I have seen demonstrating its capabilities are more than enough for my needs. The R8 I would keep anyway for the longer and shorter work. Those negs and the Minolta scanner give me an ample sufficiency of quality.
Ho Hum, the very nice man at Ffordes seemed optimistic and their service with collection at the front door etc. is excellent so we wait and see.
Have you booked your campsite in Mayfair yet? If they are looking for staff then opening cannot be too far away although I suspect one or two of the current dealers are going to be mightily hacked off..............Unless of course Leica have such confidence in their new range that they expect to sell very well indeed

[TimF]

Have you booked your campsite in Mayfair yet? If they are looking for staff then opening cannot be too far away although I suspect one or two of the current dealers are going to be mightily hacked off..............

I'm off to see Ivor today to pick up a few bits; an M4 which needed some attention to the slow speeds, and an M8/35mm pre-asph Summilux combo which went to Germany for adjustment so the lens would focus to infinity (a known issue with some samples of the lens on the M8). Luckily all this is FOC.

So we'll see what he has to say on the subject. The last time I was in he took a call from Richard Caplan about something I know not what, excepting RC apparently wasn't especially happy. Maybe it was about the store in Mayfair?

[parisian]

Good morrow Tim,

RC apparently wasn't especially happy. Maybe it was about the store in Mayfair?

Well, all is fair in love and retail
Still, more options for us can only be good. There won't be a great deal of difference in price and the new store will have to go some on knowledge and service issues to compete.
The big 'L' must have great expectations however to invest so heavily. Interesting times indeed.

[Mark_Norton]

I can imagine that a swish new - and money losing - Leica store in Mayfair will be uncomfortable to Richard Caplan's and, to some extent, RDC who have put most if not all their eggs in a one-brand-basket.

I'm not convinced by these types of shops - there are B&O and Loewe shops near where I live and they are always empty with ex-Dixon's types playing computer games to while away the customer-less hours.

I think rent and business rates of an SW1 store must be horrendous. I used to base my business in Hampstead and the cafe opposite had to pay £1000 a week for both and that's before they covered their other costs - ingredients, insurance, staff, utilities not to mention profit. That's a lot of skinny lattes to sell just to keep the doors open.