About to be new to RF's

[texchappy]

Firstly, hello, first post. I've been hanging out on the Leica forum thinking about buying a Leica. Well, I made a very modest move in that direction; I've got a Zorki 4 with an Industar 50mm Lens on the way from the Yukraine. Got that to see if I enjoy shooting a range finder.

I'm (probably) about to be medically retired from the Army and want to do more photography. I have a back and neck problem so lighter is better (that's where the rangefinder desire comes in). Currently I shoot a Nikon F2 photomic and a D40.

Got a couple of questions if ya don't mind. I don't know if this is the power of suggestion since I want a Leica, but looking around I find myself really drawn to photos taken by Leicas. Even noticed it in looking at a few shots on this forum (and before I notice the shots were from Leicas). Is there something special about Leicas?

 

[FrankS]

Welcome! There is something special about Leica IMO, it is the superior build quality, fit and finish, and engineering. (I speak of the models up to and including the M5.) But good photos are due entirely to the photographer, not the gear.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Welcome! There is something special about Leica IMO, it is the superior build quality, fit and finish, and engineering. (I speak of the models up to and including the M5.) But good photos are due entirely to the photographer, not the gear.

Agreed. I find rangefinders to be great for some types of photography, and for that, Leicas are built better than the Russian cameras or the Voigtlander Bessas. The lenses are terribly overpriced. I only have one, a 50mm Summicron. My other lenses are Zeiss ZM lenses, which are extremely sharp.

I made great photographs long before I got my Leicas though, and still do so with my other cameras, which I still use regularly. You do not need a Leica to be great.

 

[tuanvinh2000]

Agree with Chris. It's just another way to record the image. But rangefinder is a fun way to do it.

 

[reagan]

Welcome to RFF, texchappy. You're going to like RFs just fine.

Yep, even the oooldie Leicas are pretty special. (I've also got a couple of Zorkis that I think are kinda cool, too. 😉 ) IMO, no matter what brand name is engraved on the top of it, the key is to find the camera that feels right in your hands and in front of your eye and then go shoot the heck out of it. Expensive, cheap, fancy, simple, cool, uncool - whatever feels right to you - go with it. Here's a photo uploaded in gallery today by Alex Krasotkin that I think is great. It was shot with a Holga, about the simplest camera around.

The best camera is the one you like best ... for you.

 

[John Bragg]

Hi and welcome to RFF. Good choice to try the Zorki first. I got the rangefinder bug that way. Leica glass is about as good as it gets and rangefinder lenses are generally easier to design than their equivalent slr designs since there is no mirror in the way. Also the absence of that mirror mechanism means that with a steady hand you will get to hand hold at slower speeds with a rangefinder..... at least one speed difference. That in itself makes for sharper results in low light.

 

[texchappy]

Thanks for all the welcomes. Hope it doesn't take long for the Zorki to get here 🙂

 

[ChrisN]

What is special about Leica is the lenses, espeically if you like to shoot with a wide-open aperture.

 

[reagan]

Thanks for all the welcomes. Hope it doesn't take long for the Zorki to get here 🙂

Ahhh, that's another joy associated to FSUs. The looooong wait.

the postman cometh

 

[sojournerphoto]

I had a Zorki 4k and that led to my current rf kit, that includes both Zeiss Ikon and a Leica MP. It's a bad habit. Are Leicas special - they don't make your pictures any better, but they feel special if only due to the cost. Finding a camera that you are comfortable using and that pleases you might make a difference, or it might not.

Welcome to the mad world of rfs.

Mike

 

[shadowfox]

Two things make me hang on to a Leica M (not screw mount) body.
1. The best rangefinder patch from any other RF cameras I've owned and tried
2. Reliable and predictable

The quality of the picture is totally up to me. Like those wise folks up there say already.

 

[segedi]

Leica's are great, but not the lightest to carry. With you neck and back problems I suggest you get your hands on one to see if there is any weight savings compared to your current cameras. Rangefinders are smaller though.

For a lightweight rangefinder setup, the Bessas (R2,3,4) are lighter, cheaper and fine cameras.

The Leica lenses are gems but can also be heavier than their size would make them appear. The Summarit line are nice, light and good value. The f/2.5 means less weight of glass too, but you lose some speed. The Voigtlanders that I've seen do quite well and the 21mm is tiny and light, but if you are sold on Leica images, the lenses might be what you are after.

Anyway, welcome aboard!