Suggestions on rangerfinder and lenses

[TobiasL]

Hello everybody! I'm new here and new to film cameras in general. I have been using DSLRs for a couple years now but always been interested in film. I have a 30 year old fixed lens rangerfinder and was impressed by the build quality compared to DSLRs I have used.

Anyway, I have decided to get a good rangefinder along with some nice lenses. Any advice would be greatly appreciated 🙂

After some research I have found these cameras:

Leica M6
Zeiss Ikon ZM
Voigtländer Bessa R2A

The one that caught my interest the most is the Zeiss Ikon ZM but it seems like it has never existed in my country (Sweden) - very odd. Pretty much impossible to find in any stores or used.

Now to the lenses:

Zeiss 50mm f/1.5 Sonnar ZM
Konica 50mm f/2 M-Hexanon
Zeiss 25mm f/2.8 Biogon ZM
Zeiss 35mm f/2.8 C Biogon ZM

By now you can probably tell that I'm into Zeiss cameras and lenses but I'm open for suggestions. The bad thing about Zeiss is that they seem to be hard to find used and I prefer buy my equipment used.

Based on pictures I have seen I really love the bokeh on the Zeiss 50/1.5. I plan on getting a 50mm first as that's what I will be using the most. I will be using them mostly for street and photojournalism but also portraits and landscapes.

 

[_larky]

I just bought an M6, I love it. I'd like the Ikon too. And the Bessa. But, the M6 has that logo and that does add something.

As for lenses, I'm of no use. I only have one, the Voigtlander 35mm Color Skopar. Seems good enough for me currently, but I'm in need of a 50mm.

Have fun whichever you choose.

Oh, stock up on film. 🙂

 

[TobiasL]

Leica M6 is pretty easy to find so I might end up with that. The important thing is that I'm happy with the camera, logo don't matter much but Leica is easier to sell if I'm not happy with it.

Yes I got some black and white film ordered, should have them next week. It will be fun to shoot some film.

 

[The Meaness]

These choices are always personal. The good news is that all of the gear you listed is fantastic. I enjoy the C Sonnar because it's very pleasing for portraits wide open, but also technically proficient stopped down. That sounds like it would suit your needs well - can you live with focus shift?

 

[segedi]

Excellent choices. I think you will like the M6. But I would also think about the R3A or M paired with the Zeiss 35mm f/2.8 C Biogon ZM and Zeiss Planar 50mm f/2. You will get a lot of recommendations, but it really depends on your budget, availability and what focal lengths you really enjoy shooting. I would start with the just 35 and 50mm lenses - coming from a DLSR background, you might find 35mm wide enough for your style - this is the widest I shoot on the rangefinder. Even though I shot 14mm or 17mm on DSLR, I don't really care for those focal lengths in film for some reason! If you do like wide, the 25mm Zeiss is an excellent lens, you can't go wrong with it. A voigtlander 21mm is about 1/3 the cost and 90% of the quality though.

Enjoy the departure from the DSLR - I've picked up 4 rangefinders, including medium format since taking the plunge!

 

[efirmage]

I did a very similar thing lately - sold my Rebel Xti and some other photo gear for an M6, and Biogon 35mm 2.8 and hope to pick up a 50mm soon.

I've never used an Ikon before, but for me the M6 was worth it for the feel and the aesthetics. I'm now debating between an Ikon, M7 or saving up for an M9 for a second camera. The only complaint I have with the M6 is that there is no off switch, which has lead to some blank frames when I'm not careful. The resale on these is incredible.

As for the lenses, I got the Biogon 35 for $650 used and it's one of the best lenses I've ever shot with. This has made me seriously consider the Planar and Sonnar over the Summilux or Summicron. If you want a fantastic wide angle for a very good price I'd look no further.

Here's my favorite shot I've gotten with the Biogon thus far:

Untitled by Ed Firmage, on Flickr

Happy shooting!

 

[TobiasL]

The Sonnar's a great lens - but it's a bit of a specialty lens. You can read more about here: http://lavidaleica.com/content/zeiss-c-sonnar-t-1550-zm

Thanks for this link, very interesting to read.

These choices are always personal. The good news is that all of the gear you listed is fantastic. I enjoy the C Sonnar because it's very pleasing for portraits wide open, but also technically proficient stopped down. That sounds like it would suit your needs well - can you live with focus shift?

I don't think focus shift would be a big problem. I will mainly use the 50mm for street and some portraits. I usually don't shoot wide open but I have a 35mm/1.4 lens on my DSLR that one is a lot of fun shooting wide open. But from what I've read about the focus shift it don't seem like that serious problem.

 

[Roger Hicks]

You might want to look at:

http://www.rogerandfrances.com/subscription/zeiss.html (Zeiss Ikon)

http://www.rogerandfrances.com/subscription/ps firstlook sonnar 50.html (1,5/50 C-Sonnar)

The Sonnar is the only 50mm I normally use. The only real fault with the ZM is the hard-to-read meter, though I don't personally care for the bottom mounted rewind either. The Bessa R3A is no better: I much prefer the R3M. Or indeed the R2, which I still have. Apart from that, they're both great cameras. I've never really tried an M6 for any length of time (only M6ttl) so I can't advise you there.

Cheers,

R.

 

[TobiasL]

Excellent choices. I think you will like the M6. But I would also think about the R3A or M paired with the Zeiss 35mm f/2.8 C Biogon ZM and Zeiss Planar 50mm f/2. You will get a lot of recommendations, but it really depends on your budget, availability and what focal lengths you really enjoy shooting. I would start with the just 35 and 50mm lenses - coming from a DLSR background, you might find 35mm wide enough for your style - this is the widest I shoot on the rangefinder. Even though I shot 14mm or 17mm on DSLR, I don't really care for those focal lengths in film for some reason! If you do like wide, the 25mm Zeiss is an excellent lens, you can't go wrong with it. A voigtlander 21mm is about 1/3 the cost and 90% of the quality though.

Enjoy the departure from the DSLR - I've picked up 4 rangefinders, including medium format since taking the plunge!

My favourite focals are 35mm and 50mm but I will start with 50mm because I got a rangefinder with a fixed lens which is about 35mm so that one will have to do for now. The reason I thought of the Zeiss 25mm is because on my DSLR I got a 14mm and even if that focal is a lot of fun to use it feels too wide for me most of the time.

 

[TobiasL]

You might want to look at:

http://www.rogerandfrances.com/subscription/zeiss.html (Zeiss Ikon)

http://www.rogerandfrances.com/subscription/ps firstlook sonnar 50.html (1,5/50 C-Sonnar)

The Sonnar is the only 50mm I normally use. The only real fault with the ZM is the hard-to-read meter, though I don't personally care for the bottom mounted rewind either. The Bessa R3A is no better: I much prefer the R3M. Or indeed the R2, which I still have. Apart from that, they're both great cameras. I've never really tried an M6 for any length of time (only M6ttl) so I can't advise you there.

Cheers,

R.

Thanks for the links, I will check them out. You say the ZM is hard to read, would it cause a problem if you wear glasses? That's one thing I hate about DSLRs, the viewfinders are terrible if you use glasses, at least in my opinion.

 

[cosmonaut]

50mm has always been to much focal length for me for the streets. I suggest you go for a walk in the streets you will be shooting the most and figure out what focal length will work best for you. A little home work goes a long ways. If your streets are narrow then maybe a 28mm or 35mm. I think Winogrand used a 28mm the most. It could depend on your style, not what others would use.
As for the camera I have an M6 and love it. In the long haul I think a Leica would be easier to get worked on if needed.

 

[TobiasL]

Most of my street shots have worked best at 50mm but I like them at 35mm sometimes. However I prefer 35mm indoors but it really depends what I'm shooting.