Slightly frustrated...

[Moriturii]

Hello all...

I have only one system I use all the time and so far I've been very happy with it (M7 + 35 cron asph)
Until one day while on vacation 6000km away from home, I had a nasty accident and was left basically with no working camera. So, after coming home and repairing it, I've decided to try and put together a less expensive backup system, an old-ish full mechanical rangefinder and a compact 35/2 lens.

After quite a bit of research online, I'm now basically facing two equally unattractive options, either an affordable, new-ish, slower 35mm (Zeiss 35/2.8 or Leica 35/2.5) or an older, expensive, faster one (typically Leica crons) with prices averaging 1500$ at least

Argh..... !!! I feel like I'm turning in circles with no decision in sight

First off, all Leica M cameras are the same, so get a M4 or whatever. Only thing you thing you wont have is Aperture Priority, big woop, in fact it will probably work better since it has lest cheap parts in it, even if the technological field of plasic have come a long way.

Second of all, there are so many incredible lenses out there that the summicron asph is by comparison only SLIGHLY better... maybe. Get a Nokton 35mm 1.4, 35mm f1.2, Konica M-Hexanon 35mm f2, Zeiss Biogon 35mm f2, all of which is a fraction of the price of the asph summicron and 99.5% of the performance.

Buy and try a Hexar AF as well, it is an acquired taste though, like cheese with mold.

 

[alun severn]

I don't quite understand why your back-up needs to include another 35mm lens. The great thing about Leicas (all of them) is that you can take the lens off and stick it on another camera. They're brilliant in that respect...

 

[jsrockit]

I'm thinking his current 35mm lens was being repaired too...

 

[sanmich]

M2+35 Nokton 1.4 or skopar 2.5 @ ~ 1k$

 

[shadowfox]

Lots of good ideas here, thanks folks.

I do have a 50mm that I rarely use, ever since I got the 35mm It's been on 99% of the time

Me too.
And the Ultron 35/1.7 that many has mentioned here is my *main* lens.
It should do well as your backup.

 

[John Rountree]

As was stated earlier, a Minolta CLE w/40 mm lens would get my vote. The CLE was the forerunner of the M7 in every way and will be a natural for you to use. Cameras often vary in things like which direction you focus the lens, and change the aperture. With the CLE all the movements are either the same, or very similar to the M7. The 40 mm Rokkor is acknowledged as a gem of a lens. A backup system that feels foreign in your hands is not going to allow you to concentrate on the image.

 

[rxmd]

There is a Canon 35/f2 for $500 in the classifieds.
Add $600 or so for an M2 and you've got a $1100 backup system that many people would dream of as their first system.

Aiming still higher for a backup system only means creating luxury problems for yourself.