Diversify or expand?... that is the question

[Disaster_Area]

ok... so my main kit is Leica M mount: R3A w/ CV 15mm, 50mm, 75mm and I'm looking to add to this. I definitely need a second body so I can have one loaded with ISO 50-200 and one loaded with something faster 400-1600 especially now in the winter when it's too bright for 800 during the day and by 5pm it's pitch black.

My question is do I expand my M/LTM set or invest in a Contax G set as a second shooter. I've always loved the G series and there's been a couple great kits on the B&S lately. For the price of a new R2A or R3A I could pick up a two lens G set.

I know the smart move would be to just expand my M/LTM set... but is that the most fun move? Are there a lot of you out there that use multiple different mounts on a regular basis. Obviously if money was no object this would be a no brainer 🙂

 

[35mmdelux]

If G2, do it.

 

[ferider]

Expand. Get a 28mm lens and an M4P. 🙂 Even if the R3A viewfinder is brighter, the M4P will be easier to focus in the dark; and quieter; and allow you slower shutter speeds ...

 

[Disaster_Area]

well I'm hoping a G set would cover my 28mm range which would require an external VF on my R3A

 

[Steve Bellayr]

The best expansion is two cameras that are identical in operation. You will be able to move from one to the other easily. The switching of lenses between the two will be flawless rather than carrying two cameras with 2 sets of lenses.

 

[Paddy C]

No question, IMO, that you buy another M-mount camera. Choose something to compliment your Bessa (maybe another Bessa?). This allows you much more flexibility. The R4 would give you those wide-angle built-in framelines. Very handy if you have a situation where you want quick access to two lenses (just as important as shooting two films at once in some situations).

 

[Roger Hicks]

Another vote for a second M-mount.

Taking pictures is more fun than choosing which camera to use, or being constrained by which lenses you have in the obsolete autofocus format which misses focus when you least expect it.

Cheers,

R.

 

[PeterL]

I would also go for expanding, as long as it stays practical. If you have to carry your M body + 15/50/75 and then another incompatible body with the same lenses in another mount, it's no use. If you don't mind limiting your second body to a single lens, you'll end up with a rich variety of equipment, which is nice. I did a wedding with an Olympus OM-3 and 50+90 lenses, with a Zorki+Summitar for B&W work. But I would not have liked swapping LTM lenses while also having to swap OM lenses: it gets confusing.

It's a bit like working with a main system and having a compact (fixed lens) camera with you as a companion.


Peter.

 

[Pickett Wilson]

The logical choice, which I think you already know, would be to expand your existing system. But I think what you really want is a completely new toy to play with. 🙂

 

[peter_n]

The best expansion is two cameras that are identical in operation.

Agree completely. My own practice is to have the same film in the two cameras and use them together with a lens pair, 28 & 50, 35 & 75, whatever. Then you have a very quick FOV change.

 

[Disaster_Area]

The logical choice, which I think you already know, would be to expand your existing system. But I think what you really want is a completely new toy to play with. 🙂

Damn... you caught me!

 

[raid]

If you have the money, do both. If not, I would listen to what most people above have said. A second M body will greatly assist you in photography with more than one lens and with having color and B&W film ready for use. I am using a Contax G [green label] with the 28-45-90 set. The lenses are great,but the camera is not a Leica M. It is a different camera. There are times when I prefer the G over an M camera, but most of the time, it rests peacefully on some shelf.

Use one M body as your wide angle camera with an external 28mm finder. Even the Bessa T would do here.

 

[Disaster_Area]

I'm thinking the G will be more useful for street photography when I need to focus fast to get the shot... I really love my M system, but sometimes I find I literally have only a second to get the shot and I just can't focus fast enough on my Bessa