Advice on what Leica to get

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Having spent over $3500 to get into a very nice Pentax K10D system this summer, with 2 of their legendary FA Limiteds lenses and the 12-24/f4 and 16-45/f4 zooms, plus a couple of other lenses, I find myself wanting to trade the whole kit out and go back to my beloved film RFs!
My problems are two: first, to find someone who wants a VERY nice 10mp digital system(and may be willing to trade out!) and second, to figure out what model of used Leica (I've only used Bessas and Zeiss Ikons in the past) and lens (singular!) to get! (There IS a third problem: finding a reliable seller, but this forum seems to police its own pretty well and MOST of the users are quite honest, including myself!) Primary photography that I do is landscape and architectural. In fact, I'm working on a project about small town, out-of-the-way places right now.
My current thoughts are a used M3/M6 with either a fast 50mm or better yet, the 35/f2 or better, but I don't know either Leica models or lenses well enough, so need your assistance, Ladies and Gentlemen!
Thanks,
Rob W
"A girl in the convertible is worth five in the phone book"
-Mae West
 
Hi Rob,

Nice to see a 'local' posting (I'm in Snellville). One comment: if you are primarily doing landscape and architecture, have you considered going with a medium format (or even large format) camera? The Leicas are fantastic cameras, but you can't really beat a much larger neg. 🙂 There are some nice medium format rangefinders out there from 6x4.5 to much larger.
 
Nice to talk with a "neighbor"! While I lust for a Leica (That should be the title of a book or movie!) I HAVE considered MF; just don't know which way to go there, just like with a Leica. A pro friend, who normally shoots a view camera, also has both the same Pentax I have (got mine on his recommendation) and Leicas and Hasselblads and HE says that unless you're doing art quality prints larger than 16 x 20, there is absolutely NO advantage to MF over a Leica with a good 35mm or wider lens on it. Having seen some of his shots with a Leica and whichever "Legendary" fast 35mm (Summilux 35/f2???) he has, I would say that-for my current needs- a Leica and a 35mm or wider will do the trick!
I've never printed bigger than 16 x 20 and really have no need to at this point.
Rob W
 
The obvious (to me) cameras to look at would be the Fujis aka 'Texas Leicas'. The Mamiyas are fine cameras too. As for not being able to tell MF apart from 35mm on a 16x20 print, well, everybody has their opinion and I will leave it at that. 🙂

Leaves start turning up there yet? Been meaning to lug the RB67 up in the mountains and shoot some soon...

PS: You could always get both. 😀
 
We're about 2 weeks away from decent color-it's been WAY too warm! (As you well know!) Depending on IF I can get out of the Pentax system with enough cash, I would probably go with both. I really do want to try MF, if for no other reason than to see what it's all about! But first: a Leica!
Rob W
Check out: www.carlweese.com He's the friend.
 
Rob:

Every square MM of film area counts even in smaller than 16x20 prints. I'm working on a museum project at the moment that will end up as 2 touring shows and a book. I'm printing from my negs, mainly Leica, going back 40 + years and MF and LF. Prints are 14 inches to 20 inches max sizes and even in 14 inch prints there's no question I would rather have MF at minimum. I'm a very good printer and can make 14inch prints from 35 that are hard to tell form MF but it's much more difficult and the neg must be perfect and shot on fine grain film. Every time I can shoot my Hasselblads up to my 5x7 I do it and reserve my Leicas, Nikons and ZI to low levels of available light where MF wouldn't be possible.

Used 500cm hasselblads with a 80mm planar and A12 back can easily be found for $700 or so. A nice T* c model 50 Distagon will run you under $500 and a nice 150 mm Sonnar T* c model will run around $400. For about $1500-1600 you can have a very nice Hasselblad system.

I also have the GSW690III Fuji and while it's a fantastic camera you're limited to one lens. Great deals on Pentax 6x7 cameras and lenses are around too at better or equal prices to the Hasselblads. I used 6x7 pentaxes for a few years and found them to be excellent.
 
hmm, well the OP stated quite clearly that he wants a leica, so I see no point in recommending alternatives.....that is my take on the OP's position.

That as my working principle -- and the fact that this is the Leica M section of the forum -- I recommend a M4-P to you as your first Leica M. It will do what you need and won't break your wallet.

1. Wide angle framelines

2. All mechanical

3. Is a M6 w/o a meter

Lenses:>

For landscape and architecture, there are tons of options, but to start I recommend the following 2 M lenses-->

ZM 25/2,8

ZM 35/2

These are awesome performers. You can't go wrong with them in your stated photographic objectives. But don't take my word or anyone else's for granted: check out the M-mount group flickr for images samples on all of the lenses you might be interested in. Have fun choosing....and then shooting!

IF you need to go really wide....then get the VC 15/4,5. But try the two I strongly recommend first to see whether you need the 110 degree FOV🙂
 
Buy an M6 classic and a Zeiss ZM 35/2. When cash permits, buy a non-ASPH Leica 50mm Summilux (f/1.4). That's your kit. The M6 is only going to be a couple of hundred more than a meterless body, and you're likely to appreciate having it there when you need it...though YMMV and if it does, go with the M4-P. If you pay reasonable prices, and change your mind later, you'll recover all or most of what you paid, or with a little luck possibly sell above your cost.
 
Thanks to ALL for your responses! Now all I have to do is sell the Pentax kit!
8o( KEH has a TON of Hassie 500CMs for sale at decent prices and when I see what I have after I find buyer for the Pentax, I'll look at it AND either the M4-P or M6. I really would like to get the Leica first, as noted by thomasw_ but also am working on a project that I really hope to turn into a book, ala David Plowden's "Small Town America" or "Handful of Dust" books. He shot both of them with a 500-series Hasselblad and a 50mm lens, per his own notes (www.davidplowden.com), so I understand the attraction of MF vs. 35mm. My project is a bit less ambitious and won't use photos larger than 8 X 10, which is why my CURRENT tendency to lean towards a Leica with one of the ZM wide lenses!
Stay tuned; film at 11!
Rob W
 
I recently bought a Leica M3 and they are definately reliable tanks so long as they have been CLA'd fairly recently.

Honestly though I'm about to sell my M3 and buy a Zeiss Ikon. I want a camera with a meter (not to mention AE) and the ZI pretty much fits the bill for me.

As far as glass goes... I ahve heard nothing but greatness about the ZM lenses. I'd say go for the ZM 35/2 if thats the focal length you want.

Also I would have to say that if you do indeed want a Leica... i would say go for a metered camera as well classic m6 or even ttl if you want... but honestly I say just get the M6. No need for the ttl version. Who here honestly ever uses flashes with their RF.

As good as I am with the Sunny 16 rule, I honestly really would prefer a meter in my camera. After losing many shots due to bad exposures I realized i really do need a meter in my camera.



Oh and here's another Georgian to post in this thread. 😉

I spend most of the year in GA and the other two or three months in Arkansas.
 
As nice as Hassys are, most people won't print 6x6 (I love squares, but I don't see much of them) so it effectively becomes close to a 6x4.5 camera. 6x7 and 6x9 are a whole different ballgame.

Rob: maybe you could get your Leica and a decent RB67 kit, those can be had for $200-300 now with a basic lens (90 or 127). That way you can have your 35mm dream machine as well as a bigger rig for when you feel you need it.

Dan: I can't thank you enough for your great price and info guides. God knows how many hours I've spent browsing your site and checking auctions and classifieds...
 
I have a final shoot tomorrow in Martin, GA with the Pentax kit and then it goes on the block in the PentaxForum.com. Next stop: an M6, ZM 35/2 AND either a Pentax 645/67, Hassie 500 series or RB67 kit, depending on the final sales price of the Pentax!
Thanks in particular to Dan and cmedin for the specific advice! Cmedin; if you decide to swing up into my area in the next couple of weeks, let me know and maybe we can hook up. For anyone looking to photograph the Fall colors in North Georgia, USA and needing information on the colors and/or places to shoot, my direct e-mail is: macmini@windstream.net
 
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