A problem I hope all of you get to have at least once!

[rbiemer]

Suddenly I have a fairly large pile of extra $! I won abit from the NY lottery. This is the real deal and the money is in my bank acct. Not enought to retire on--or even buy a car--but enough to put me in a gear dilema.
I have been using(and enjoying) the FSU cameras in large part because of the low cost.
I can now look at some other choices. New Leica is still out of reach if I want more than one lens.
I want to stick with LTM lenses as I think that mount will give me the most options.
My preference is not bottom loaders--are all of the Leica screwmount cameras bottom loading?
The later Canons are appealing as well--almost too many choices.
The Bessa L and the R are both tempting--I do like wide angles and have not many choices that will work on the FSU stuff I have now.
I can make a case for all of these for myself but I don't know enough about all the other(non-FSU) cameras to make an informed decision.
Any help will be much appreciated folks!
Rob

 

[ChrisN]

Canon P for the days when you feel like a classic, Voigtlander R2A for the days when you don't want to exercise your mind guessing with exposure. And a full set of lenses from your favourite maker. 🙂

 

[rover]

Well, I guess if we knew what your budget may be that would help.

Or,

Just buy a Canon P and be done with it.

I think you can rest assured that all of your choices will be good ones so you really can't go wrong.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Congratulation on the Lottery! Of course you could get a Leica body and older LTM lenses or M-Mount for use on it.

Here is a Tip: Any number of us would be glad for you to send us the money and set up a system for you. Not a good idea.

 

[back alley]

guess what i'm gonna say?!!

for a classic camera, get a canon p or a leica m2.

up the food chain a bit, m6.

for the journeyman, a bessa r or maybe r3a

the p and the r are screw mount only.

and congrats on the win.

joe

 

[richard_l]

I want to stick with LTM lenses as I think that mount will give me the most options.

Not really. LTM lenses can be used on M mount cameras (with an adapter) but M lenses cannot be used on LTM cameras.

are all of the Leica screwmount cameras bottom loading?

Yes.

 

[Roman]

Congratulations!
My Mamiya 645 Super w/ a couple of lenses & a nice holiday trip to Teneriffa with Nicole were also bough with a small-time lottery win I once made....
It would be helpful to know what sum we're talking about roughly (don't know whether you want to mention it, though), and also a bit about what your priorities are...
What things are most important to you - nice finder? Quiet shutter? On-board light-meter? Solid all-metal construction? Classic look? Compactness?

I make a wild guess that your win is in the 500 - 1000 USD range (at least that's what it sounds like from your description - not enough for a car or even a new Leica, but good enough for a Bessa or LTM Canon w/ a couple of lenses). That would mean, your option are:
Bessa R/R2/R2a/R3a
Leica CL, or 'user' M2/M3
Canon P/7/other later-model LTMs
Minolta CLE
All of those have pro's and con's , it would be easier to 'counsel' you if you mention some priorities.

A hint: I'm also coming from Russian RFs - then I got a Bessa R because I wanted parallax corrected framelines for various focal lengths, and I'm quite happy with the R; along the way I picked up a CL (the price was right, and I wanted something a bit more compact); I'm still lusting after an M-Leica, though, because of the loud shutter & short rangefinder base of the R (I'd like to use a longer lens in 'available dakness', e.g. in concerts); never thought about the Canon options, because they are rather rare and hard to find here in Europe, and also, I'd rather have a bayonet camera than LTM, I do like to use different lenses regularly...

Roman

 

[back alley]

roman, you just need a body for each lens.🙂

 

[rbiemer]

Well, I guess if we knew what your budget may be that would help.

Or,

Just buy a Canon P and be done with it.

I think you can rest assured that all of your choices will be good ones so you really can't go wrong.

I'm going to have about 2grand to spend 🙂

Here is a Tip: Any number of us would be glad for you to send us the money and set up a system for you. Not a good idea.

Truly a knid offer, but I just need to eliminate options until I get to what will serve.
Not a discussion I can have with my friends or family: I start talking about this stuff and their eyes glaze over and I have to not be between them and the exit.
I did drive to the nearest local camera store this afternoon and their usual display of used gear is decimated by the college crowd getting ready to start photo 101 classes. No new RF stuff at all(no surprise there)
While I was there I got 20 rolls of Tri-X and a couple of micro-fiber cloths.
Rob

 

[Roman]

roman, you just need a body for each lens.🙂

...and a sherpa to carry them all!

Roman

 

[richard_l]

Go ahead and get the M2 now instead of later.

 

[Roman]

OK, don't know whether you want to spend it all on photo gear, but if you do, you're definitely in Leica territory...
a user M2 for around 500 to 700 USD, and two to three lenses (depending on your preferred focal lenght; either new Voigtlander ones, or older Leica M-mount ones, or various screw-mount options from Leica, Canon, Nikon);
A Leica CL with 40 & 90mm lens-set should also be doable for that money.
Joe is going to advise you to go for a Canon P and 3 or 4 different 35mm Canon LTM lenses 😉
Or you could just get a Bessa R from CameraQuest, and a 35mm lens and a second one, depending on what you like - a 50, 75 or 90, or maybe something even wider.
I guess this is not making it easier... Maybe you should wait for one of those good deals here in the Classifieds section?

Roman

 

[FrankS]

With 2K, I'd get an M6 or M6ttl and still have a bunch left over for other lenses and film. If I only had 1K I'd suggest a Canon P or Leica M2. Just what Joe said.

 

[rbiemer]

All good cameras you guys have suggested.
Roman, your short list is appealing and most of them are what I'm trying to sort through. The questions you asked are more helpful, however. I think my first deciscion will be vintage or new. From how I go with that, I will have a much smaller range of choices.
This isn't something I'm going to hurry through. It's too much fun!
Rob

 

[FrankS]

For sure Rob, enjoy the process!

Just be aware that there have been several Bessa cameras advertised for sale over the last month because the seller got a Leica and the Bessa just sits in the bag. There is a reason that Leica is more expensive. You can feel it. To many people it's important, but granted, not for all folks. Find out which type you are. Pick up a Leica and use one for a while if possible. With the windfall that you won, you have the opportunity to buy a Leica, something that does not happen so easily for most people.

I think that the Canon P and VI cameras also exibit the uber-quality of Leica and would make a great choice if you want to spend less and can live without the built-in meter of an M6.

 

[Kin Lau]

I'll suggest getting the Bessa R + 35/2.5C from Cameraquest (use the click-thru so that RFF gets the referral) first, it's only US$399-. Play with that for a while to see how you like it. If you want to go the M2, M6 or P route, you won't lose much on it, only about the value of a couple of FSU RF's.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

For that kind of money you can get an EX+ M3 or M2, have it CLA'd, and pick up some classical glass. You could also go with an M6.

If you went with a Canon P, Vt, or VI you would be picking up the body, have it CLA'd and buying 5 or 6 lenses.

My near mint Nikon SP was $2,000 with an F1.4 lens. It felt like winning the lottery on EBay, it was $400 real dollars turned into $2K after EBay. But I don't think you want to get into Nikon RF's.

I'd go with the Leica for that kind of money, unless you want an instant Canon Camera Collection. You have the money to pick up a better condition camera, lenses, and have them CLA'd. It will last you a lifetime.

 

[rbiemer]

I suppose I could spend some of it on a touch typing class so I can keep up with you guys 😀
I have only ever bought one new camera(Stylus Epic 3 years ago and now on permanent "loan" to my mother). So that does have some appeal.
The CLE that Roman mentioned isn't going to be on my short list--if a $40 FSU camera tanks, no big deal--but if the CLE's electronics go that would bug me a bunch.
Metering and AE aren't a big deal to me.
If I decide to buy new, seems like I'm looking at Bessa R,R2A,R3A, or Rollei?
But...those Canon P and L cameras are very good looking...
Silly me, I have been looking at and lusting after one seriously good 35mm camera for a long time, I thought this would be easy 🙄
Very helpful so far, people, but I am not working tonight and am getting ready to go hear some live music and get on the outside of a beer or seven.
Have a good night, all, I'll see you tomorrow!
Rob

 

[Terence T]

Ahem... look at my sig... 🙂

 

[rbiemer]

I'll suggest getting the Bessa R + 35/2.5C from Cameraquest (use the click-thru so that RFF gets the referral) first, it's only US$399-. Play with that for a while to see how you like it. If you want to go the M2, M6 or P route, you won't lose much on it, only about the value of a couple of FSU RF's.

If I ultimately decide on new Bessa, Mr. Gandy will be the guy I buy from.
One question: 2 FSU RF's? I've got good ones and the R+35 combo is about 5 or 6 of 'em.

Ahem... look at my sig...

I have noticed that as a matter of fact. Good gear there.
Later, folks. Jazz is calling.
Rob