A starter kit ?

You might as well have my 2d worth... If you picked up and were hooked on a Leica M6 then I'd say go for that because buying another will leave a little nagging doubt at the back of your mind. Once you've cleared that hurdle you can go on and start the inevitable collection or - unlikely - just stick with it forever.

As for the lenses, you've a digital somewhere (you said?), any one of those little programs like EXIF Image Viewer could be used to analyse the focal length, shutter speed, aperture or whatever to show you what you use most.

Personally, I'd suggest the classic two lens outfit of a 90mm for portraits and a 35mm for landscapes and street photography. Others will suggest 28mm for the widest but that's the point where careful handling is needed to avoid weird perspective distortions. OK they're not really distortions but you can get buildings etc at the pictures edge leaning over, etc.

The other problem is aperture and Leica's offerings can distort things. Personally I'm happy with the f/2's and f/2·8's and know that you seldom need f/1-and-a-bit for landscapes, but you may lurk in dimly lit bars...

And finally, buying: I'd look at dealers' offerings. You get lower prices, honest descriptions and a guarantee. I wish I could say the same about ebay. Talking to a dealer yesterday about a camera in the shop window, he said he was going to take it out of the window as he'd just sold it on ebay for about £100 more than the price on the label...

Regards, David
 
Last edited:
The op seems to have his heart set on an M6. Then go ahead and start off with an M6 and your choice of lens. You can always buy/trade/sell later and build your kit as your heart and desires change over time. Buying a Leica is as much a matter of the heart as anything so why not follow the heart? If your heart is set on starting off with an ultrawide lens then do it, but I can guarantee you that everyone will chime in and offer their opinion and advise you on their own favorite ultrawide.

Figure out what your heart wants and start there.
 
kemal_mumcu said:
The op seems to have his heart set on an M6. Then go ahead and start off with an M6 and your choice of lens. You can always buy/trade/sell later and build your kit as your heart and desires change over time. Buying a Leica is as much a matter of the heart as anything so why not follow the heart? If your heart is set on starting off with an ultrawide lens then do it, but I can guarantee you that everyone will chime in and offer their opinion and advise you on their own favorite ultrawide.

Figure out what your heart wants and start there.
Click to expand...

It would be hard to phrase it better.

Cheers,

R.
 
Have to agree. If the OP is leaning toward an M6, then just do it. I have nothing against Zeiss products. One of my absolute favorite lenses at the moment is a 50 planar. But there is just something about the Leica RF (the film models, at least).
Get an M6 (rather than an m7) and use the extra money for lenses. Photos will not be any better with an M7 over an M6. But having access to better/different lenses can make a difference.

If I had $2,500 to build a film kit with. I guess I'd get an M6 for around $1,000 and then add a 35 summicron (v.3) for around $900. With the remaining $600, I'd get a 50 planar or a 90 of some flavor. (or both FLs, if I felt like going the budget route on those lenses)
 
Karlori, You probably stopped reading ages ago, but I'll throw this in FWIW. Buy a used M6, the best deal on a user that you can find. And then buy the 35mm lens of your choice -- either a Summicron 35/2 or the small Voigtlander 35mm pancake lens. And then stop. Use that combination to take photos and begin to feel yourself getting used to it, anticipating what the lens will see, getting faster at focusing, utilising the strengths of the RF system and sidestepping its weaknesses... And just keep on doing that until you feel the need to explore another focal length.

"...constant practice is necessary to master a craft - exactitude can be attained only through relentless repetition." – Ansel Adams
 
I am still reading, and finding all the replies invaluable. True everyone has their own opinion but trough their opinion I can get new insight and ideas on how to start my Leica kit and what to choose and what not. So again i thank you all for participating in this thread you are helping me a lot !
 
I think the M6 would be a great choice. i have one and love it. I think you should go wider than 50mm. 40 or 35. I have the 40mm Nokton it is wonderful for B&W. If you get a Leica without a meter you will regret it. Get the best you can afford now.
 
I see that most recommendations are for the M6. I had one. Not a bad camera, but a few things to keep in mind. It's not as smooth as older Leicas. It also has a very annoying Viewfinder Patch Flare problem. If you dont know what it is - google it - lots of info out there. There are several "fixes", with best one being - sending this camera to a professional tech, like DAG and pay a lot of money to have some parts replaced to make RF/VF as it supposed to be. How bad is that problem - some say that its nothing. Me - it bothered me so much I did spend the money and sent it out to DAG to have it fixed (after trying a few "home fixes"). If you do this - you may want to consider a CLA anyway, as camera will be there for a service, so might as well do it. But all together it costs about $500. So, based on all that I'd say that chose wisely which camera you want. I prefer metered cameras, so I ended up with M5 - and I still think its the best Leica RF camera. But I would really look into Bessas, Ikon or Hexar RF, if I were you, and spend your money on a better glass.
 
The flared-out patch problem doesn't bother me 99.9%of the time, but there have been times when it makes the camera unusable. I was shooting some folk musicians at the Ramsgate festival a few years back and had to switch to my M2 in order to be able to focus reliably and quickly, every time.

Cheers,

R.
 
Tom A said:
$2500 gives you a lot of choices. Think first about what you want to shoot. Black/white, color,color slides?
As you are posting on the M-forum, I suspect that you want the "Leica" experience - at least to start with.
If you are mainly going to shoot bl/w - go for a non-metered camera, a M2/M4/M4P and a small "pack" of lenses. A 35mm is part of the basic kit, a 50 for a slightly longer view and the 90 as a portrait and long lens. Some careful shopping should get you all of this with money to spare. Some of the new lenses from Cosina/Zeiss/Konica are superior to older Leica lenses (in spite of the bias here). A 35f1.4 Nokton, coupled with a 50f2 Planar and either a Elmarit 90f2.8 or the Voigtlander Apo-Lanthar 90f3.5 would cost about what a new 50f2 Summicron (a 60 year old design and it shows).
Color negative film can be handled with same kit. Slide film might need a bit more consistency between lenses. Look at the Zeiss ZM series, about as good as it gets - though you might have to forego the 90mm here and spring for a metered camera (M6/M6TTL).
Initially buy the body and 1 lens and get used to the "rangefinder" way, later you can add lenses and by that time you will know if you want wider or longer lenses to complement your kit.
I you go meter less camera, pick up a small, handheld meter (Gossen, Seconic) and stick to one film. You will quickly figure out what works lightwise and after 20-25 rolls, the meter is left in the pocket.
The main difference between using rangefinders versus SLR's - is the size. A small lightweight "kit" with one or two lenses is better than all the big stuff. You can wander around for a whole day with a body on the shoulder, one lens (usually a 35) and the 2nd lens in a pocket (50/90), 1/2 dozen rolls in your pocket. You will quickly learn how to gauge a scene, light, exposure, timing - and most likely have a better "hit" rate than with a hulking SLR and some wonder zoom ( which would be a compromise between lens performance, size and price anyway).
Comfort is paramount to successful photography. Good shoes, a good jacket and a camera that fits your hand is more important than all the Aspeherical, multicoated wonders out there.
I have a lot of cameras/lenses etc - but truthfully, I could survive with a M2 and a 35. I am just happy I don't have to. Even going from mega-buck lenses to a mundane, $200-250 lens rarely makes that much difference to the final image.
Ideally, you should pester your fellow shooters with access to rangefinders for a "loaner" for a week or so and try it. $ 2500 spent on something you find out you cant stand - is money badly spent.
Click to expand...
You will not get better advice anywhere, IMHO.
 
karlori said:
Greetings !

I have been a long time lurker, not because i had a RF camera or anything but the amount of information i can use in everyday photography. I find using film and RF cameras a purist style these days. So after being with digital throughout my hobby and getting to try medium format some time ago, I think that i am at a point where i am seriously considering a RF system.
(had a Zorky 4 but that ended in tears)

So i ask you dear members if you could afford a bit of your time and point me in the right direction. I am looking at around 2500$ of spare money to spend on my first RF/Leica kit.

(btw i once held a M6 with i think a 50mm lens ? - from that moment on i was photography hooked 😀 - so if i get a Leica it is like a dream come true !)
Click to expand...


I'm in similiar situation. ...

Dreaming have Leica M since long time ago,after use DSLR and Hassy 500CM . Last year bought Konica Auto S2 to get RF experience and "feel". ....and I love it.

I have $2000 budget, see in KEH, M6 price $1200 in EX condition so still have $800 for 50mm or 35mm lens.
I'm not familiar with Leica lens, so what lens lens should I buy ?


~jazz~
 
I went ahead and got me a Voigtlander Nokton 50 1.5 used from a user of these boards. Its at the customs as is my Leica i ordered. For me the 35 is a bit too wideish for everyday use. Hope this helps.
 
Not to rain on leica M parade ( 🙂 ) , but i spotted on cameraquest that they have nikon rf lenses sale where you can get 4 voigtlander lenses for 800 $ ( one 35 , 2 50's, and an 85) and after that you only need a body whicha can be a voigtlander r2s or any rangefinder in nikon line-up. So for about 1500$ you're covered for life.
 
karlori said:
I went ahead and got me a Voigtlander Nokton 50 1.5 used from a user of these boards. Its at the customs as is my Leica i ordered. For me the 35 is a bit too wideish for everyday use. Hope this helps.
Click to expand...

karlori,
Hmmm, Voight Nokton 50 1.5, how much does it cost (used)?
Can you share some pictures, wanna see image quality of this lens especially on f1.5.

thanks
 
The nokt is stuck at croatian customs as is my camera so i can't give any photos yet. I bought it for 350$ from classifieds here from member cnphoto maybe you could ask him some sample shots. Good luck !
 
reiki_ said:
Not to rain on leica M parade ( 🙂 ) , but i spotted on cameraquest that they have nikon rf lenses sale where you can get 4 voigtlander lenses for 800 $ ( one 35 , 2 50's, and an 85) and after that you only need a body whicha can be a voigtlander r2s or any rangefinder in nikon line-up. So for about 1500$ you're covered for life.
Click to expand...

The kit didn't actually sell well, so you can buy that 4 lens kit on ebay now (New from cameraquest) for $500. Even better 😉
 
Juan Valdenebro said:
karlori,

Congratulations on your lens & camera purchase... That aspherical 50 is considered a great lens: sharp and fast, with nice bokeh... A very good decision...

Cheers,

Juan
Click to expand...

thanks, the m7 silver was 1700$ in mint condition with Leica Passport was 100$ more than the m6tll i ordered and the seller was nice enough to cancel that order and send me the m7.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Ken Ford
Change of plans, no longer thinking about replacing my NIB S3 2000 with a user S3 2000 Black
2 3
Replies
43
Views
2K
Ken Ford
Ken Ford
M
Pivoting my rangefinding
4 5 6
Replies
106
Views
6K
mlzplayer
M
L
Looking for a good vintage RF
2 3
Replies
45
Views
4K
santino
santino
peterm1
Who has hobbies other than photography?
3 4 5
Replies
97
Views
2K
bulevardi
bulevardi
Ken Ford
Considering a SL series body
5 6 7
Replies
126
Views
7K
Ken Ford
Ken Ford
Back
Top Bottom