Crossed over to the Dark side...

[benlees]

Well, I did something I thought I would never do. Bought a damn Leica! A nicely beat up one, too. Being that my budget for any one camera set up is $1000 I just figured with the recent up surge of prices there was no point even thinking about. Not that I ever did:angel:. $650 for the camera and $349 for a brand new lens and I'm a buck under! Taxes and shipping don't count of course!

I must say I am shocked how much I like this camera (I know, I know). It really does feel nice to use. And it is very quiet.

Sometimes I wish I'd never heard of RFF; where else is it perfectly acceptable to pay so much for an old camera?😀

 

[back alley]

the m4-p was my first leica, a new one too.
the camera overwhelmed me (no built in meter) and i eventually sold it...i was young & foolish...

congrats ben, it's a great camera and the cv 35 is an excellent lens.

 

[dave lackey]

Welcome to the Leica world, Ben....the view is great around here!😉

Once you have bonded with the camera, you will then know what it is all about. My whole life, I never thought I would ride a Harley Davidson. Then, I got one and rode it for years. Honda? Just as good? IMO, maybe better. No matter what, the Gold Wing was never going to be a Harley.

Same with certain automotive makes, cameras, bicycles, you name it. Sometimes you just gotta get the big dog.🙂 Only then, will you have the ability to judge what else you want to buy because you already have experienced the standard by which others can be measured. And there are a lot of other cameras out there that are great. But, they will never be a Leica. So, enjoy it for what it is. I know I enjoy my M3!:angel:

 

[Haigh]

My first and only Leica is an old M4-P. A tremendous camera. Congrats.

 

[KarlG]

My only Leica body is an M4-P and it's such a pleasure to use. There's a certain something about getting out and shooting with it that I am yet to find with any other camera.

My next camera is an M3 for 50 & 90mm lenses and then I'll be pretty set for a while I think!

 

[RFluhver]

I don't know how many times I say it. But the M4-P is a fantastic camera. As far as I am concerned, it's the last of the great truly all-mechanical Leica. Don't let some tosser tell you that the MP 2003 is it. It ain't!

Be happy with your M4-P. I love mine and it is my main shooter.

 

[sleepyhead]

Congrads - enjoy it. Be patient with the learning curve.
There's lots of love for the M4-P on RFF apparently.
I have two...

 

[johnamazement]

I did virtually the same thing as you a few months ago: my entry-level Leica was a user M4-P as well and I'm loving it. There's a family resemblance to yours with the chipped vulcanite too! I've seen quite a few M4-Ps with exactly the same piece missing. Must be to do with the brittle covering being knocked when removing the baseplate.

 

[shadowfox]

The M4-P fever is catching on.

There are a lot of discerning people here... that's good.

 

[benlees]

I've used Mamiya and Fuji rangefinders the last couple of years but yesterday was the first time I left the lens cap on. Luckily, only for 6 shots; what a noob!😀

 

[nikon_sam]

Oh...That Dark side...I thought this was an "I hate Film" thread...
Now that I'm older I try not to say, "I will NEVER...blah, blah, blah..."
I never thought I'd own a 4x5 camera, a wide angle lens or a bike frame that wasn't welded together...
Change...the one thing I hate and the one thing that I have to get used to...

Congrats on doing something different and embracing change...

 

[Paul Luscher]

Dark side?!? DARK SIDE??!!?? No sir, you have joined he ELITE. At least we like to think so (tho' others call us posers and wankers...)

 

[kievman]

Yes...... It is definitely the DARK SIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Chuckle chuckle............ Oh and that posers and wankers comment? Its TRUE!!!! Chuckle Chuckle................ -Kievman

 

[benlees]

the m4-p was my first leica, a new one too.
the camera overwhelmed me (no built in meter) and i eventually sold it...i was young & foolish...

congrats ben, it's a great camera and the cv 35 is an excellent lens.

It's funny because I was ready to order a Bessa after that morning get together in April. But that ad for the M4P popped up at the bottom of the page and I thought, well, it is only a little more than the Bessa...and I could sell for the same I bought it for. What the hell.

 

[benlees]

Yes...... It is definitely the DARK SIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Chuckle chuckle............ Oh and that posers and wankers comment? Its TRUE!!!! Chuckle Chuckle................ -Kievman

Sadly, I thought to myself "Am I actually going to take this out in public?"😀

 

[kknox]

Good job, now you are hooked. Let see some pics when you get them. Welcome to the Club.

 

[raytoei@gmail.com]

congrats. i sold my m2, m3, m4 but kept my m4p.....and i love it to bits

 

[Colin Corneau]

I'd love to have this camera...I have an M6 which was my intro to rangefinders.

It certainly is a change of mindset - congrats on a good buy.

 

[brokencivilian]

I'm currently looking for a M6 but the m4-p's are looking more and more appetizing

 

[jky]

...nice... that Skopar is a fantastic lens too... enjoy.