mlzplayer
Member
I have nothing but glowing reviews for the Nikkor 50mm f2 on my S2. I think it's a brilliant lens, and most commonly I shoot it with fomapan 400 done in Xtol.
I do think a grittier developer might serve well. Also have shot this with ilford and rodinal to good effect.
wlewisiii
Just another hotel clerk
The VC lenses of that generation got the fogging in cemented pairs that can't be serviced before or after. That's the problem - it's the cement itself that they used. They will either fog or not and if they do, then there is nothing that can be done so far as I am aware to repair the damage.
JohnGellings
Well-known
You could always go Leica M4 and Voigtlander R4m.
DGS
Newbie
I have owned an M, M2 (with 35mm frameline built in), M4, M5, and a couple SPs (both of which I still have). If you need 28mm and are averse to using an accessory finder (although I highly recommend the accessory viewfinder, as it is much preferable to built-in 28mm framelines, in my opinion), then I would definitely look for the Nikon SP. I looked for a few months before finding one that was clean and working properly. Of course, within a few weeks of buying that one, I found a cleaner example and now own two. Both of mine are later versions with titanium curtains. You need to be sure that the one you get has a decent rangefinder patch; many are very faded to non-existent. You can remedy this somewhat by placing a piece of colored gel over the viewfinder, but it's better to start off with a decent RF patch. The benefit of the Nikon SP is having all of the framelines from 28 to 135, available in the viewfinder. Be aware, however, that the 28 and 35mm lines are in a fixed separate VF window, without parallax correction. Therefore, if you use 28mm a lot of the time, I think it's still better to get an accessory viewfinder. I would go with a Leica M2 which already has the 35mm lines, then get a 28mm external finder for those times I want 28. I didn't get on with the M4, as I thought the VF looked too congested with multiple framelines at once. I loved the M5, but again, no 28mm lines.
BillBingham2
Registered User
Another stellar lens (IMHO) is the CV SnapShot 25mm. I had one on my Bessa L for years and LOVED it! I can see it being addictive on a Ic.
Coldkennels
Barnack-toting Brit.
That lens and a Ic would be a fantastic combo, that's true. However, I already own the 21mm Color Skopar, so 25mm sits a bit weirdly between that and the 28mm, and it'd be a bit hard to justify spending the money on it.
I've also got the original 15mm Super Wide Heliar; putting that on the Ic is borderline hilarious. It's definitely the least used of my three CV wides, but it's a lot of fun to play with from time to time.
JeffS7444
Well-known
"Sometimes", but not always in ways you might expect: For example, some of the Trinovid binoculars have a lovely, single-wheel focusing mechanism which is a delight to use, though optically, you might be able to find better for less $.
And like other manufacturers, Leica has long sought for ways to streamline and economize. Sometimes the changes make for a better shooting experience (M6 with it's die-cast top cover is a swell shooter, IMO). And sometimes, less so: Same M6 has an undersized plastic rewind spinner and a mildly flare-prone rangefinder patch which aren't quite so good as those found on the older M4.
Sticking strictly with L (M4 and earlier) N and C rangefinder bodies, all have a high level of finish, but I think Leica spent more $ on the top covers, ensuring that even the faintest tooling marks were erased, whereas you might see faint marks on the N and C around the some of the sharply creased areas.
M4-2 was my first M body and I loved it at the time, but would hesitate to recommend it now, because it came at a time when Leica needed to "streamline" things, and it was also a time when they were experimenting with the use of composite materials, and is often the case with such things, mistakes are sometimes made.
mlzplayer
Member
As far as hand fit and carefully assembled goes, the s3 might be better than a post m4 leica.
Godfrey
somewhat colored
Boy. I guess I better toss all my film Leica cameras other than the IIIc and replace them with old ones. ...
Um, no. Both my much-maligned M4-2 and M6TTL are very nicely made and work very well, thank you.
What is the point to such picayune discussions? All of these cameras are very well made and work very well. They're not art pieces to keep on a shelf, they're cameras to use, toss in a bag, etc.
G
JeffS7444
Well-known
JeffS7444
Well-known
Todays's Leica knows full well that people fetishize the things.
mlzplayer
Member
This does not mean either of those things. I do not particularly care either if something is hand fit or manufactured. It was an off hand comment because I know some other care about these things. In fact, it was just being brought up w/ reference to M series Leicas.
The re-issue. The SP re-issue is probably even better, but I dont think its a viable option. I would kill for an SP 2005, but I wont spend $3,000. But man, what an awesome camera.
I have had 3 of the re-issue S3s, two chrome, one black. And a re-issue SP. All were exquisite! Although there was a common issue with squeaky helicals. I prefer my original SP now, as it only cost me a couple hundred bucks. 
Godfrey
somewhat colored
If you don't mean something, if you don't care aobut it, why say it?
Otherwise, every discussion becomes just so much meaningless blah-blah-blah.
G
mlzplayer
Member
Godfrey, I meant what I said. It doesn't seem we actually disagree about anything. No harm, no foul.
Godfrey
somewhat colored
So: disparage Leica for producing special editions for those who want special editions, and deny that Leicas are actually cameras to be used and make photographs with by pointing to the special editions. Sweet, you have 'em coming and going.
My Leicas are bought to be used. I don't obsess over their fit and finish; I know and can presume that they're good enough for purpose. If a particular camera has a problem, I send it to them and they fix it.
G
JeffS7444
Well-known
Why does it matter to you? Today's Leica is a luxury brand: It's their niche in the marketplace, and they do it pretty well. I don't see it as my duty to serve as unofficial spokesman for Leica or any other brand, unless I have a stake in it. I also think you are choosing to ignore Leica Camera AG's own messaging, which presents the cameras as something more than mere photographic tools.
I think Douglas So's museum looks fantastic, and I was always fond of Leica T's very modernist vibe.
Godfrey
somewhat colored
JeffS7444
Well-known
So you won't mind if I do pay attention to said messaging, and share my interpretation of what's going on? I'm intrigued by why I prefer certain products and brands over others, and to what extent I've been influenced by others without even knowing it. Can't help it, I recently read Martin Lindstrom's 2011 book Brandwashed, and feel I'm seeing much of it being played out before my eyes.