Going Film, Leaving Digital

Derek_Teixeira

Derek_Teixeira

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Hey guys.

In the past year, I have grown so much as a photographer. Being someone who shot strictly in auto mode, on a point and shoot to now shooting in Manual mode, with a DSLR, I have learned a lot and my photos, in my opinion have improved. I have reached the point where I have discovered my style of photography and what it is I am looking for in a camera, and it is certainly not digital anymore.

I am planning on giving my girlfriend my Nikon D60 and picking up a film camera, preferably a rangefinder. I currently have a Minolta X-370 as a film camera, and a Holga 120S, but would love something different. I saw my first ever Leica today while visiting the MET in NY. A guy walked by with an M8, and I drooled 😀.

Now while I know I can't afford that, I am wondering what you guys think would be a great start for me? I was looking towards the Leica M3, but even that I think may be too expensive. I guess my price range would stop around 400-500.

Please, tell me what you think would be a great starting point! You guys are the best, seriously, I've learned so much in my 2 weeks on here already!!
 
Derek: A belated Welcome to RFf. 🙂

I think you'll want to look at a few of the Voigtländer Bessa rangefinders, either new or used. A very good, solid rangefinder experience, and a great entré into the M-mount RF world without fracturing your bank account (well, not too much, anyway...)

Tip: start with a body and one lens, and work with that a while. Some would argue the lens should be a 50, while others would say 35. I'm in the fence, myself. As around. flip a coin. Most of all, have fun with it.


- Barrett
 
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Derek...

My first rangefinder was a Bessa r2m and it is a great camera. Not
so expensive as leica or an ikon. More importantly, you will get a feel for the rangefinder "style" of photography.

If you are in NYC (as I see from your flickr page), I'd recommed going to photovillage and fondling some cameras. They have new and used bessas as well as leicas. It is a small shop and much more condusive to looking at these types of cameras than b and h, adorama, etc.
 
Something no-frills and classic, like an M2 would be a nice starting point. Maybe add a Gossen Luna Pro if you're not ready for Sunny 16.
 
Derek_Teixeira said:
Now while I know I can't afford that, I am wondering what you guys think would be a great start for me? I was looking towards the Leica M3, but even that I think may be too expensive. I guess my price range would stop around 400-500.

Please, tell me what you think would be a great starting point! You guys are the best, seriously, I've learned so much in my 2 weeks on here already!!
Click to expand...


There's a Leica CL in the classifieds right now. That would be a perfect start. The thing about film cameras is that the body isn't the biggest decision. You want to opt for a better lens, since the body is just a light tight box that holds the film. And the 40 Summicron is a great lens. This CL will also get you started with rangefinder handling without a huge $ investment.
 
Welcome and best of luck. Start inexpensively and try different cameras. Figure out what you want in a camera and what you don't want. That will help you find out what you want or don't want in a camera.
 
Yeah, I don't know if I'd jump in head first like that. I purchased a Yashica MG-1 for $15, then an Olympus 35SP for $10 and used them along side my DSLR's. Gradually I used them more and now 2 years later I'm at a point where I don't use digital anymore, just by Leica and Bessa.

If I had just jumped in and trashed my DSLR and swapped it for a rangefinder I probably would have gotten frustrated and given up. There's a lot a DSLR can do that a rangefinder cannot. Once I learned its strengths, however, rangefinder photography became much more pleasurable for me.

Not telling you what to do, just what worked for me. Everyone is different.
 
amateriat said:
Derek: A belated Welcome to RFf. 🙂

I think you'll want to look at a few of the Voigtländer Bessa rangefinders, either new or used. A very good, solid rangefinder experience, and a great entré into the M-mount RF world without fracturing your bank account (well, not too much, anyway...)

Tip: start with a body and one lens, and work with that a while. Some would argue the lens should be a 50, while others would say 35. I'm in the fence, myself. As around. flip a coin. Most of all, have fun with it.


- Barrett
Click to expand...

Yeah, I googled that Voigtlander Bessa, and it looks beautiful. But I do need to go and feel it, check it out, but it seems to be a wonderful suggestion! I think I'm going to with a 50mm, its what I am used to shooting with now!
 
andredossantos said:
Derek...

My first rangefinder was a Bessa r2m and it is a great camera. Not
so expensive as leica or an ikon. More importantly, you will get a feel for the rangefinder "style" of photography.

If you are in NYC (as I see from your flickr page), I'd recommed going to photovillage and fondling some cameras. They have new and used bessas as well as leicas. It is a small shop and much more condusive to looking at these types of cameras than b and h, adorama, etc.
Click to expand...

Thank you so much for the suggestion! I was just in this area of the city today (I live in NJ), but go to the city almost every weekend, so I will certainly check that out next time I'm in there!
 
wontonny said:
There's a Leica CL in the classifieds right now. That would be a perfect start. The thing about film cameras is that the body isn't the biggest decision. You want to opt for a better lens, since the body is just a light tight box that holds the film. And the 40 Summicron is a great lens. This CL will also get you started with rangefinder handling without a huge $ investment.
Click to expand...

This deal does look really good, but I don't have 740.00 to put into a camera at the moment! 🙁, I really appreciate the reply though ..
 
capitalK said:
Yeah, I don't know if I'd jump in head first like that. I purchased a Yashica MG-1 for $15, then an Olympus 35SP for $10 and used them along side my DSLR's. Gradually I used them more and now 2 years later I'm at a point where I don't use digital anymore, just by Leica and Bessa.

If I had just jumped in and trashed my DSLR and swapped it for a rangefinder I probably would have gotten frustrated and given up. There's a lot a DSLR can do that a rangefinder cannot. Once I learned its strengths, however, rangefinder photography became much more pleasurable for me.

Not telling you what to do, just what worked for me. Everyone is different.
Click to expand...

Don't worry about telling me what to do, I asked for advice and you gave it!

I will always have access to my DSLR, bc my girlfriend will have it 😉, but starting out that cheap might be a good idea!
 
Id go for a used bessa too.. r2 or r3, they can be found for that price..
Derek, would you happen to be portuguese..? In in Newark, very common name over here, teixeira. you should really go check out photovillage, on 26th.. they have everything for you to look at, including the bessa's..
 
finguanzo said:
Id go for a used bessa too.. r2 or r3, they can be found for that price..
Derek, would you happen to be portuguese..? In in Newark, very common name over here, teixeira. you should really go check out photovillage, on 26th.. they have everything for you to look at, including the bessa's..
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I am portuguese, and my grandfather is very popular in Newark!

I am from Clifton, where in NJ are you from?
 
Im in Newark.. Im good friends with a teixeira, probably related, i know most of you guys down here are family.. Im also a beginner with film, working on my developing skills... fun process..
 
Hi Derek. Nice to find you here. All have given good suggestions. You may want to consider waiting a bit more and saving some money for an M6 Classic.

Personally when I started with rangefinders, I really wanted a Leica. I started out with a Bessa-T, which I enjoyed (and still enjoy) using but getting that camera just prolonged the wait! If I were to do it all over again, I'd would have been a bit more patient and saved a bit more money a Leica M.
 
The suggested M2 is from the 50/60s. Metering only appeared later, I'd say ni the 80s without really doing too much back up research. If you get a new bessa it should have metering. It is still possible to attach a Voigtlander meter (VC Meter II) to it on the flash hotshoe.

I like the Luna Pro, but it is quite bulky... taking up quite a lot of space in the bag.

Derek_Teixeira said:
I had to google both "Gossen Luna Pro" & "Sunny 16"!

Question: Do most rangefinders not have built in metering?
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