Advice Needed by Leica Newbie

[CC72]

Greetings to all!

I've been into photography since highschool. I cut my teeth on an old Olympus OM1. Now I use a Nikon FM2 from 1992. I also have a Canon Rebel Digital SLR but I use that for family/vacation snapshots. I love all-manual cameras and would like to move into rangefinder photography.

So, fellow RF enthusiasts, my question is this...what sort of Leica M system can you reccomend for a budget of USD2000? I don't mind a second-hand body or lenses. Leica glass would be ideal but I'm open to other brands. The camera must be an M though. AE priority is not necessary and I don't do flash photography. I mostly do street/candid portrait/cityscape photogrpahy with available light in B&W.

In an ideal world, I would buy a brand new chrome MP and brand new 28/35/50/90 lenses. Wouldn't we all!

Thanks in advance.

CC72

 

[dnemoc]

Keeping in mind the ideal world, I recommend a Leica M4-P + 50mm Summicron (preferably the latest version), and a 90mm Elmarit if you feel like it 🙂 Totally manual and perhaps ideal for street/candid portrait photography.

 

[CC72]

Advice for Leica Newbie

Advice for Leica Newbie

HI,

I'm sorry. I forgot to say that my budget was to cover just one M body and ATLEAST one lens (preferably 35MM). If you think another lens could fit in my budget I would get either a 28MM or 50MM.

Thanks again.

CC72

 

[x-ray]

A nice clean M6 classic for around $850, new Zeiss 35mm Biogon for around $700 and a nice clean 90mm elmarit for about $400. $50 for film. The M4-P is a little cheaper but not much and the internal meter is grerat.

Another choice would be a nice M2 with 35 P CV and 90 CV. Don't overlook the CV lenses, they're superb. You could pick this kit up for about $1300-$1400.

 

[mervynyan]

why can't we live in ideal world? you can hold back the purchase now and save a bit until you have enough to get a MP and 35lux.

there is absolutely no reason not to get the things you wanted, especially spending $2000 on things you might regret later.

 

[dreamsandart]

I second what x-ray said about the M2/M6. M2s are selling at great prices now (for the buyer), you may find one for around $500-600, but you should factor in a good CLA for around $300 which would get you a perfect working camera without problems. The M6 with the meter is another great camera, newer you may get away with out the CLA but they are still 20 +/- years old now and a CLA may be in order too. I mention a CLA (clean,lubricate,adjust) because you want not just a camera, but one working as it should, and we are talking older used cameras here.

The Voigtlander lenses are the best value. If you are going to get a couple lenses now it may be the best way to go cost wise. Or just pick-up one nice 35mm or 50mm Leica lens to see how you like things and get used to the M-series and think of other lenses later.

 

[sepiareverb]

An M6 classic w/ a 35 would work well- but don't rule out the M5 as an option- they've been going cheap on ebay lately. The M5 has the meter if you need a meter as well. If you don't need the meter I'd say an M4-2 or M4-P as a less expensive body option. But I would consider what Mervyn said- save up a little longer and seek out a used MP. From what I hear they are to die for.

 

[thomasw_]

As you want a 35mm FL, all mechanical and to shoot only available light shots, the best choice is the M2. It has the simple, uncluttered VF for 35, 50 and 90 lenses. If you desire to go wider to a 28mm lens, I would recommend the M2 as well; for the whole finder of the M2 -- even outside the 35 lines -- will show the 28 FL quite nicely.
Go classic, go styling, go with the M2.

As for your lens: if you can find a deal on a 35/2 biogon, then grab it. Same for the summicron 35/2. But, instead of those rather expensive lenses, I recommend the VC 35/1.2 for available light shots, as you state that is a priority for your shooting; it is a very fine fast lens for your money. If you want a 28mm lens, then snag a VC 28/1.9 for your wider street shots....it is a splendid lens!

have a blast using whatever kit you decide on!

 

[Sisyphus]

As far as my experience, I have used and own the Leica M6, M7, and now an MP silver body, which has been a dream of mine for a long time, and I got really lucky with how I purchased it. Since I bought this camera body, I have not been able to put it down since. I love all three bodies and all for different purposses. When i am photographing events, carnivals, street scenes where their are a lot of action, I really like the M7 because of its aperture priority, and on the few occasions I use flash--It just simplifies the process so you can concentrate more on the moment, framing, and depth of field choices.

The M6 you can work just as quickly, especially if you use a motordrive. I like that it is a stepped removed from the automation of the M7. Allowing for possible mistakes, which can be detrimental or a blessing. It is fast and reliable, and I have never been disappointed with its performance, but I think this can be said about any leica. I would also reccomend the pre-ttl version of the M6, since I have had friends that returned theirs because the ttl was draining the battery to quickly (Keep in mind this is what I have heard, and I think other people on this forum would have more experience with this to either refute it or agree).

The MP, really puts the joy into rangefinder photorapher. It feels like it is a back to basic camera, in its simplest form. I have not added anything accessories to it like a motordrive, and I think this would defeat the MP's purpose. It is almost like a zen like quality, and now have a better understanding how HCB could just sit hours at a time, waiting for somthing or action to move into, across, or through his frame--waiting for that one perfect moment, just sitting staring. My wife asked me to go shopping with her on Sunday, so I brought the MP out for the first time, which took me the whole day to photograph, using one roll of film.
So I almost think to really experience that rangefinder magic and MP, or as others suggested, the M2, M3, the M4-P, I would imagine all of these camera bodies, eventhough I have no experience working with them, would be a very similar quality to what I experience and feel when I am photographing with the MP.

As far as lenses, that is a real personal choice, and the amount you want to spend. Additionally, after reading some of these thoguhts, reviews, etc, about the Biogon, I have been used in the past the 90mm, 50mm, 35mm, 28mm, and 24mm. My favorite have been the 24mm and 35mm. So i would probably suggest the 35mm, which is a little wider than the 50mm, but not by too much. However, if your style of photographing is from a distance, then I think the 50mm would be a good choice. I also like photographing in low levels of light, so i have an older version of a lux, but am thinking about selling this lens and a few other things to purchase the asph.

I hope this helps . . .

 

[venchka]

To meter or not to meter

To meter or not to meter

...The M5 has the meter if you need a meter as well. If you don't need the meter ...

I'd say take the battery out of the M5. Shoot a roll or two. You'll put the battery back in. 😉

In the last month I know of two satisfied KEH BGN grade M5 buyers.

In the last month 2 C/V 35mm/1.2 Noktons have appeared in the classifieds here. Somebody will no doubt spring forth and advise the C/V 40/1.4 as well. Or maybe the 40/2.0 Summicron. 😉

 

[colyn]

I'd say take the battery out of the M5. Shoot a roll or two. You'll put the battery back in. 😉

I'm surprised at how accurate the meter in mine is..🙂

In the last month I know of two satisfied KEH BGN grade M5 buyers.

I would be one of the two.. 😀 😀

 

[Artorius]

Cv 40

Cv 40

Somebody will no doubt spring forth and advise the C/V 40/1.4 as well. 😉

When I purchased my M3, I jumped on this when I found it at CameraQuest. Having never been a 50mm kind of shooter, I opted for the VC 40 SC version. I use it on both M6 and M3. NO problems. I also have a 40/2 cron, but it doesn't get much use unless I am in pocket-able stealth mode.
The M6 and M3 seem to be holding steady price wise, either would be good.

 

[CC72]

I thank everyone for their valuable input. I will need to mull this over a bit.

Thank you!

CC72