Affordable M Mount Body

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FS Vontz

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Having fallen in love with film photography, and rangefinders also, I wish to make my way into the what I see as the ultimate rangefinder system - Leica M(if you are confused as to why this has been posted in the Voigtlander forum as opposed to the forum dedicated to Leica M, please read on and you'll discover why). Thing is, I'm poor. So I need an M mount body, and a decent 50mm lens, for £800. I think this is possible. Please prove me right
 
Don't really know the exchange rate, but can you get an R2A and 50 skopar for that?

The R2A is my favorite Bessa, and the best in my opinion if you don't generally shoot really wide angle lenses.
 
How about Leica CL or Minolta CLE? I love my CL and it gets out pretty much everyday although the M4 is supposed to be my "main" camera. CL works just fine with 50mm lens.
 
I have no connection to www.ffordes.com (other than having bought a few cameras and lenses from them), but if you look at their website you'll see a couple of Leica M2s and a couple of 50mm f/2 Summicrons that would be within your budget (and a Zeiss Planar 50mm f/2). You'd get an excellent service from Ffordes.
 
Since you want to use a 50mm lens, maybe you should consider the R3A/M. I never had it in my hands but I've read only good stuff about the 1x viewfinder. Ofcourse a new Bessa is cheaper than a 20 years old Leica M6.
But than again do you really need a M-mount body for now? Consider something else for starters, maybe a Canonet QL 17 - just check the price tag and you'll know what I mean.
 
The bessa r2a is a fantastic camera for the money and paired with decent fsu glass is great fun to use. I recently sold mine to finance a lens purchase for my M3 but it was a great user. I'll second the last statement though why no give a canonet ql17 a try they're also great if you just really want the rf experience. If you want a cheaper m mount I'd surely reccomend a bessa and I'd go through cameraquest for one especially if you read about which one will fit your needs.
 
You should be able to get a Leica M2 and 50/2 M-Hexanon for that budget, and some money to spare. A killer outfit.
 
Keep in mind you can pick up a lot of great LTM 50mm lenses and get an adapter to turn them into M lenses. Lots of great glass out there new and old. If you are set on a 50 you might look at an M3 as an alternative to the M2, either is a great option.

B2 (;->
 
The Classic Camera had some user M2/3 for 450 GBP last time I was in there. If you're in London, take a look there, and at Aperture. That budget can be adhered to pretty easily.
 
Sandwick said:
I have no connection to www.ffordes.com (other than having bought a few cameras and lenses from them), but if you look at their website you'll see a couple of Leica M2s and a couple of 50mm f/2 Summicrons that would be within your budget (and a Zeiss Planar 50mm f/2). You'd get an excellent service from Ffordes.
Click to expand...
+1. I'm with Erik here. Ffordes are excellent, make sure the M2 doesn't need a CLA.
 
s/h r2a and s/h summicron 50mm is what i did ... i have an m6 too now but i still use the r2a more
 
Hi


I'm new to rangefinders too, although I've been a photographer (exposing, developing and printing b&w and color) for 25 years.


You've got nice answers here... (For example Ferider's M2 & Hexanon...)


I just wanted to add that there's no way you end up this road just with one body and one lens... It's not just that you'll be needing at least a wide and a normal (and a tele if you like portraits, and I guess all of us do, in one way or another, sooner or later) but it's that rangefinder cameras, because of their nature, can't give you all the best in just one body, no matter the brand or price.


Leicas, Bessas, Nikons and Ikons are all great cameras. Maybe some of them are designed to last more years, but the ones made to last more, need periodical adjustments, and that means more money too... Old ones usually need service when you get them...


I didn't have money to start, and I was just in your place three months ago. In three months I've bought three bodies (Bessas) and three lenses (two CV and one Leica).


So I recommend you to make your decission not thinking about one camera and one lens only, but one camera and one lens now, as part of a system that fits your style of shooting... This way you won't lose time or money.


From this point of view, think that a 50mm has a real narrow angle of view... For example, a 40mm can be used as a 35 and a 50, but of course you'll need a wide angle too.


I came to rangefinders when I found CV designed a 15mm lens M mount with filter thread, one of the greatest news in photo world in years... So I got it and got the best camera possible for it, the R4M Bessa.


As I knew I needed a normal, and I should use it on my R4M too, I got the 40mm 1.4, a lens that for its size, price, speed and sharpness, is just a miracle. That's the minimum for me: a body with a normal and a wide.


Then I fell in love with the Bessa T, a camera for external finders and able to focus any lens. I picked it because on it I could use both my 40 and my 15, and I prefer not to change lenses or using two kinds of film at the same time...


Then I decided to complete my first set, and got the Leica 90mm Summicron for portraits, the old black one with a convenient tripod socket: it's cheap because next versions were smaller. It has the best bokeh I have ever seen. I didn't find it too big, as I'm used to carry Hasselblad equipment even for street shooting. Got another Bessa T for it.


I carry my 3 cameras in a small leather bag, and never go out shooting with only one...


Maybe a good start is buying a camera you can use well with a normal and a wide.


CV equipment is really wonderful. Buy new from CameraQuest, Stephen is fast and very well priced. He's sent me cameras and lenses three times to Spain.


Cheers,


Juan
 
hello there

as a newborn rangefinder user, i have to admit, that i had flash on M body as well. not wealthy either (M6/M7 is out of question), i have tried buddy's M2. everything felt just right, except for one thing. i have never shot a film before. i realized i need metered body, otherwise there's looong learning curve filled with tries and errors and spilled possibly great shots. i have returned M2 to it's owner. gosh i felt so sorry... bought myself a R3A for a time being, till i get it right.

i don't regret my decision, bessa is just great. for you guys, that have shot the film for years now, may great meterless body such as M2 feel just the right choice. i think that modern (even it's not the best one) body can help poor rookie a lot. even with meter, there's a lot to learn.

anyway. just my five cents.

cheers

Jiri
 
Pickett,
I'll check out the exchange rate if you can give me the price in your currency. And I don't do much wide angle either.

Michiel,
why the Hexar RF in particular?

Sandwick,
It is a pity they don't have Voigtlander or Hexar as well as Leica, but I will keep an eye nonetheless.

Thardy,
Have you any problems with it? Is anything particularly good about it? The body I mean, not the lens.

Przemek, Doomed,
That is something I too have been mulling over. I have an Olympus 35RC which I use, but do bear in mind that I shan't be making this purchase for months. I first must have a goal in order to be able to work towards it.

George,
I own a Zorki 4k, and I sincerely wish I had never bought it. I have yet to get a film out of it that wasn't ripped or didn't need me opening up the back to get it out. I have not had a good first experience with FSU cameras and I'm not going back.

Juan,
I have to make start on the system, and I don't have the means to buy two bodies and five lenses at once, nor would I if I could. I'm going to start with one lens, one camera, and if I like it I'll buy more, and if I don't, I'll sell up and go elsewhere. I'm slightly tempted to buy the R4M right now, off Mr. Gandy, but I'm going to mull this over for a while longer.

Jiri,
I have been shooting film for a few months now, which is probably too short a time to buy another body. As such, I am going to make my mind up on a body, and then wait till at least Spring next year to buy. I think I will know for certain whether this is for me or not by then. I would also recommend a hand held spotmeter if you're having trouble with meterless cameras. They're cheap and effective.
 
Matt Alofs has right now a Hexar RF camera on sale for $350. Add to this camera a used 50mm Summicron,and you have a super kit.

Hexar .................$350
Summicron 50 ......$450
CV 28mm/3.5 .......$200
lots of film ...........(your money - $1000).

Why the Hexar RF camera: It is difficult to get a better M mount body for less than $350. It is a very well made camera with lots of Leica like features.

Why a Summicron 50mm: This classic has high resolution and great finish. Also, you still get the Leica look.

Why a CV 28mm/3.5: This lens is praised by many people as being very sharp and well made at a low cost. There is no need for a fast 28mm lens in most photography situations.
 
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Raid,
What does CV mean?

My list of cameras to consider consists of Bessa R2A, R3A, R2M R3M, and the Hexar RF. At the minute I err towards R3(A/M) as they have that wonderful viewfinder.
I don't suppose someone would be so helpful as to give me current prices of these items?
 
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