Leica LTM Leica on a budget

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
I would go for the Leica IIIC postwar and certainly an Elmar 3.5 50mm Collapsible.
For your 2nd lens a 90mm Emar would be nice. I have three 50mm Elmar's from the 1930's and they work GREAT! Also consider a 50mm finder, they make a world of difference!!!
 
Well....

Well....

cmedin said:
I was reading Karen's site earlier today and the one thing that stood out as 'neat' on the IV was the switchable magnification viewfinder. Is it not really all that? It seemed like a great concept...

I'll see if I can check out a P locally somewhere.
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Compared to the Bessa my Canon IV has a very smooth and quiet shutter but the curtains are so holey that you get a full frame double exposure. the viewfinder trick is nice as it also enlarges the viewfinder spot....but it's considerably darker than the Bessa's.
So until I have the curtains replaced...the best Canon IV feature is it's 50/1,8 Serenar I am using currently on my Bessa R
 
Some more candidates have appeared on the radar screen...

Leica IIF RD, 1/1000th speed, 1953/54 model, recent service, $275

'Mint' Leica IIIc (waiting for pics), $290

Leica IIIc CLA'd by Youxin a year ago, slightly weak rangefinder patch, $250 shipped

I think the last one is out because I want as good a rangefinder as possible. The IIF RD seems like a nice deal. Opinions?
 
Hummmmm does the IIF RD have an f3.5 50mm Elmar on it, or it`s just a body????

As always it`s BEST to try to get a lens out of every deal....but, doesn`t always work out that way, but a "mint" IIIC for $290 is a tad bit pricey....depends on what year, if it`s BEFORE 400000 it`s a deal :) - or if it has a lens too that`s a good price

*I sold a VERY VERY clean 1946 IIIC body - 2 months ago for $225*
(great little camera)

Tom
 
Based on the prices I've seen I think it'd be near-impossible to get a nice condition body WITH a lens for < $300 unless the lens itself is a paperweight. :) If you know otherwise though, please let me know!
 
Patience

Patience

I got a II body & 50/3.5 Elmar for <$160 delivered very recently. The glass is very nice with hardly any marks on the front element. I added a CLA to the price for $75, a really good investment as the camera was barely functional as received.

BTW, I'm very pleased with the results from the camera. It's ALL they rave about, and easy to use, as well. I don't regret the decision, despite not being in the market at the time.
 
jolefler said:
I got a II body & 50/3.5 Elmar for <$160 delivered very recently. The glass is very nice with hardly any marks on the front element. I added a CLA to the price for $75, a really good investment as the camera was barely functional as received.

BTW, I'm very pleased with the results from the camera. It's ALL they rave about, and easy to use, as well. I don't regret the decision, despite not being in the market at the time.
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Wow, that is a nice deal. If you don't mind me asking, where did you find it?
 
Agreed, it was.

Agreed, it was.

I took a chance on an eBay auction. A long time waiting, though, combined with an early morning weekday auction ending time. Did a lot of picture staring and serial # checking during the time before auction end....as it was a II, I didn't want to end up with a well-done Russian counterfeit!
 
Patience

is also good advice :)

I still think there`s great camera`s out there still to be had for under $400..maybe even $300 (while I just bought a IIF BD with a f3.5 50mm Elmar recently for $200)

A IIIa with a Summar or a early Summitar

or a IIIC with an Elmar a Summitar or if your lucky a Summarit

IIIF`s are a little crazy now with prices $$$$ I don`t really know why????
.....but they seem to be the one LTM`s that fly around crazy in prices, up and down, they too can be found every now and then for under $400 with a clean lens

Everyone has their own opinon for their favorite LTM, but mine is the IIIC built before 400000
(really 397600) is the best of the "user" LTM`s for build quality and durability

They are harder to find in good condition, while so many were used up because of the war, but despite some of them looking pretty rough outside they have held up really well in the tests of time and still take great pictures!

:)

Tom
 
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Patience must be more than a word

It must be a way of life if you are looking for a deal. EvilBay is full of wonderful deals and blackholes. Take your time, watch the classifieds, EvilBay, CraigsList for a good camera. Ask questions, save money, ask questions, save more money. A good camera will come, there are hundreds out there, you just need to find the one that is right for you.

Pick your price, snipe it when the time is right. Budget a CLA for the body and lens.

There is something about a Leica the way it blends into your hand. While the old IIIa from my father feels different from my Ms, they both are something special. My Bessas are wonderful cameras, fun, well built, they fit well in my hand, but they are not Leicas. The only other camera that comes close (very close) for me is the Nikon S3. I never owned a Canon or a Minolta, held lots of them and they never felt as good. I’m not saying the Canon P is not a wonderful camera, it is. It just is not me. Every one has a different feeling, different opinion, what tool feels better to them. Is it a 12oz hammer or a 16oz that works better, only you can say? Is it a Craftsman grip or a Stanley that feels better, only you can say?

Watch, ask for pictures, ask them to run a roll, take a look. While viewfinders can be cleaned RF patches can not often be brightened. Find the right camera/lens combo and shoot with it every week, every day if you can, make it a part of you.

B2 (;->
 
Happy conclusion: a IIf RD is now on the way to my house, and now I need to go lens shopping. I really really appreciate everyone's input and thoughts.
 
Why so few recommendations for a IIIa or IIa, compared to the IIIc / IIc and later? I know the body was changed to single-piece die cast , and the RF and VF windows moved closer - are these that significant, or is there something else?
 
there was no IIa , just the II.

the IIIc/IIc and the IIIf/IIf were a major improvement over the III. IIIa and even the IIIb.
the shutter curtains ran at a higher speed for more accurate higher shutter speed settings, ball bearings were introduced at the shutter drum on some models, improved curtain braking, improved curtain tensioning gearing, lighter shutter release tensioned spring, an improved more accurate slow speed escapment for the models that had the slower shutter speeds, improved but still squinty finder (IIIf RD ST), die cast body, one piece top, different frame counter gearing, closer rf/ vf eyepiece and diopter lever (save the IIIb), better accessory shoe(IIIc/IIIf),
Flash sync (IIf/IIIf) and a better all around feel to the bodies in fit and finish save for the lousy chrome plating on some IIc/IIIc .
 
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Congrats and enjoy!! (even enjoy the lens hunting process). Will you check out the body upon arrival with one of your CV lenses?
 
I actually sold some gear and don't have any LTM lenses right now. Ordered an inexpensive Industar-50 just to have something to put on it, with plans to search for a nice Elmar... although who knows, the Industar might surprise me; some people have posted some fantastic pictures taken with them. Just gotta hope the 'russian roulette' is in my favor on this one!
 
It arrived today. No lens yet, but to all the people who said 'if you want a Leica, buy a Leica': THANK YOU. What a beautiful, beautiful piece of work this thing is. The rangefinder image is amazing, even in low light the double-image is sharp and crisp and easy to see. All the mechanics look so finely tuned and well built that it blows my mind.

I'll post pictures when I get the lens and take it out for a spin. :)
 
That baby is as smooth as butter huh? My best street shot was taken with that bad boy. If I get famous send it back and I'll scratch my name in the bottom for you :)

Oh yeah, soemone send cm a lens to use til his gets there. I already got my loaner loaned out.
 
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