Over the summer I've aquired a Lecia R4, with an array of lenses. I think all together the lot is valued at over 3000 dollars. I'm not very experienced, but I plan on becoming that way eventually. I've also recently purchased a D70s. I've been throwing around the idea of selling the Leica to finance a better digital camera. The camera doesn't have any sentimental value, but from what I've researched, is quite the camera. What do ya'll think? Sell it or no?
If you are unable to fund digital gear in any other way, then selling may be the best option.
However, as you get more 'into' photography, then you might really miss having a camera like the Leica to get the best out of both your camera and your photography skills. They are two (very) different ways to achieve your goals in photography, and having both options could well be a bonus - and as you have a whole system in Leica it shouldn't require any further investment on your part.
If I had one, it would take surgery to get it out of my hands - but I'm not likely to run into that problem any time soon :-)
No argument here on the quality of the Leica, but although I do own an M4-2, I've never really had much interest in a Leica SLR. Mostly it's a matter of whether the cost would really show up in additional picture quality. I've had Minoltas now for some 35 years, the latest being a Maxxum 7 (film) and a 7D (digital). The lenses and flash, etc, are compatible between the two, which is a point to keep in mind.
Whether or not to sell the R4 - it's your call. It sounds like you pretty well got the outfit dumped in your lap, and that might make it a little harder for me to part with it. But if you feel you would rather upgrade digital, I won't stop you. You would NOT be the first to sell a Leica.
Well, the only reason I would sell it would be to upgrade digital, so the money is pretty important. I was wondering if any of the lenses would fit a Minolta DSLR? That may be a pretty ignorant question, but through my research Minolta and Leica are compatible? I'm not sure, but if that was true, then maybe I'll keep it. I'm doubting the compatibilty of lenses from the 70's to today's DSLR's. What do ya'll think?
Minolta and Leica did indeed have a brief relationship during the 70's but that ended long before the current Minolta/Sony auto focus lens mount was adopted. Leica R lenses can be adapted (with a suitable adapter, some exceptions and rather important restrictions) to be used on Canon digital cameras. In large part it would really depend on what type of photography you do and what Leica lenses you were planning on using, with this information it would be easier to compile a pro/con list for you. In most cases the easy choice would be to just migrate to a digital camera system you feel comfortable with and sell the Leica gear outright.
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