Tipton
Tipton Photo
I second (or third, fourth, fifth etc.) getting a Bessa as your first step out of fixed lens RF's. Bessa body and a 35 2.5 Color Skopar wouldn't let you down for a minute, and both can be had for great prices nowadays. If you want a 40, I love the 40 Cron and highly recommend it, huge bargain in Leica glass.
Rezultz
Established
My initial direction was to go for a bessa. However, after spending enough time on this forum...well, I need to get the Leica lust out of my system. 
The M2 is a beauty (so is the M4). However, I will be initially crippled without a meter. Been shooting digital SLRs for a while now but never shot film. I will need some "assistance" to begin with and don't really want a sekonic hanging from my neck. Besides, if i were to buy a M4 and a VC II meter to clip on top that brings me pretty close to M6 price territory.
As for lenses, well I looked at hundreds of Nokton 35 1.4 photos last night. Seems like although the lens renders very sharp images, the OOF areas do seem jittery and nervous...as opposed to smooth and creamy (No offense to Nokton owners). Although this would be a good enough lens for me, I'm definitely not thrilled. But can 500 - 600 bucks really get me better in a 35 FL?
BTW, I mainly shoot landscape and natural light portraits and now am getting into more candid stuff like street photography. So I'd say a general purpose or good "all around" lens fits best. The Nokton would be something I'd buy without hesitation if all I was doing was street photography.
The M2 is a beauty (so is the M4). However, I will be initially crippled without a meter. Been shooting digital SLRs for a while now but never shot film. I will need some "assistance" to begin with and don't really want a sekonic hanging from my neck. Besides, if i were to buy a M4 and a VC II meter to clip on top that brings me pretty close to M6 price territory.
As for lenses, well I looked at hundreds of Nokton 35 1.4 photos last night. Seems like although the lens renders very sharp images, the OOF areas do seem jittery and nervous...as opposed to smooth and creamy (No offense to Nokton owners). Although this would be a good enough lens for me, I'm definitely not thrilled. But can 500 - 600 bucks really get me better in a 35 FL?
BTW, I mainly shoot landscape and natural light portraits and now am getting into more candid stuff like street photography. So I'd say a general purpose or good "all around" lens fits best. The Nokton would be something I'd buy without hesitation if all I was doing was street photography.
david.elliott
Well-known
The 35/2.5 cv lens is wonderful, small, and inexpensive. It isn't the fastest lens obviously but is very sweet.
Get a l208 or 308 sekonic. Fit easily in a jacket or pants pocket. Or the smaller gossen model, whatever its name is. Digisix?
Get a l208 or 308 sekonic. Fit easily in a jacket or pants pocket. Or the smaller gossen model, whatever its name is. Digisix?