Best Leica learning kit (newbie question)

[akptc]

Hi, after reading lots and lots of posts here, I am still not sure what would be the best Leica starter kit for me. Photography is “only” my hobby, I enjoy all of my cameras (Contax G2, Yashica Electro, Zorki 4k, Hexar AF, and a few others) but I would like very much to learn how to shoot with a Leica. so my question is – what is the “recommended” Leica M starter outfit for a very inexperienced amateur? My budget is flexible, but reason tells me to stay under $2K and get used equipment. I would appreciate your “firm” recommendation on the body and lens. – Thanks!

 

[RML]

Leica M2. Any lens you care for.
Leica CL with its wonderful 40/2.
Leica III with nice collapsible 50.

In any order. 🙂

 

[SolaresLarrave]

I started with an M6 and a Summicron 50. My reasoning was that 50 is a fairly useful focal length, and that the M6 has a built-in meter, good when you're not good at eye-metering. As a result, I got an M6TTL (the price was very right!), and a rigid 'cron with hood.

Given your current cameras, you could grab a Leica camera with a Voigtlander Ultron 35/f1.7 with adapter too. The CV is really good, and comes for a (small) fraction of what a Leica lens will cost.

 

[Photar]

With little patience you should be able to find a M6 with 35mm Summicron ASPH for about your upper price limit. That would be my recommendation because you get a built-in meter and a top quality 35mm lens. The lastest pre-asph 35mm Summicron is an alternative but auction prices are way too close to the ASPH version in my opinion. I should add that I consider the 35mm lens a standard lens for Leica M with 0.72 finder. Good luck.

 

[Mike Richards]

The M4-2, made in Canada, seems to be one of the better buys around, considering age and price. It's low in collector value due to the Canadian origin, but fully up to Leica standards. You should be able to get a used one plus a 35 or 50 pre-asph Summicron within your budget. I've come to the conclusion that the 35 is the more natural lens for the Leica, but your style of shooting should determine your first lens choice. Good luck.

 

[Ben Z]

I enjoy all of my cameras (Contax G2, Yashica Electro, Zorki 4k, Hexar AF, and a few others) but I would like very much to learn how to shoot with a Leica.

What exactly do you imagine shooting a Leica entails that requires some learning beyond what you already know from those other cameras? If you'd made that comment about a digital camera with the resultant post-processing etc, I would understand. There's a learning curve!

If you want a Leica, I say get the one that piques your fancy. They're all really very similar to one another functionally. My vote would probably have to be in favor of an M6 of some kind, only because the prices are not outrageous due to collector interest, and they've got the greatest likelihood of not needing an overhaul just to get you up and running. I can imagine that a 2 month wait capped by a $300 repair bill would be a downer to your enthusiasm. A lot of people who recommend newbies buying 30-40-50 yr old Leicas don't seem to be thinking about that.

 

[ray_g]

What exactly do you imagine shooting a Leica entails that requires some learning beyond what you already know from those other cameras? If you'd made that comment about a digital camera with the resultant post-processing etc, I would understand. There's a learning curve!

If you want a Leica, I say get the one that piques your fancy. They're all really very similar to one another functionally. My vote would probably have to be in favor of an M6 of some kind, only because the prices are not outrageous due to collector interest, and they've got the greatest likelihood of not needing an overhaul just to get you up and running. I can imagine that a 2 month wait capped by a $300 repair bill would be a downer to your enthusiasm. A lot of people who recommend newbies buying 30-40-50 yr old Leicas don't seem to be thinking about that.

I agree. If you do want an older M, though, try to wait for one that has recently been CLA'd, from a reliable seller (as opposed to *bay). They come up from time to time, and in fact, I think one was listed in the classifieds yesterday.

 

[merciful]

There no Leica-specific learning necessary at all. Pick any body you feel like paying for, add a lens of appropriate focal length, and shoot: the rest is all fiddly details.

 

[rover]

As said, they are all great cameras, and none are necessarily starter tools as any will last a life time.

Is a meter necessary? If yes, M6 Classic, 50/2 Summicron and 35/1.7 CV Ultron, this kit can be put together for around $2,000 with a little shopping and patients.

If not, for maybe a little less $, substitute an M4p for the M6.

 

[Paulbe]

I think the very best buy on the Leica used market today is an M6 of some variety. Get one with a .72 finder and a 50 cron and you're in there. All the Leica you'll ever need. And the M6 meter is surprisingly accurate too...
Paul

 

[akptc]

What exactly do you imagine shooting a Leica entails that requires some learning beyond what you already know from those other cameras?

Good question, I should have elaborated. Two main things are drawing me to a Leica: the quality of the images that I've seen on this and other forums and the fact that it feels very "right" to hold it (I've handled an M6 and an M7 at a store). And one more factor - the viewfinder (at least on the M7) is amazing. I've used a Bessa R3A recently and liked the 1:1 finder but the brightness of the Leica one is very appealing to me, just a real pleasure to look through. Not sure if it's the same with older models, like an M4-2?

Lens-wise, I quite like the 35mm on the Hexar (just got the 35mm for the G2), so expect that I'd go for a 35mm Leica lens.


Ok, so far I am hearing this:

Body
M2
M4-2
M6TTL
Leica III with collapsible 50 (with recent CLA)
Leica CL with 40/2 lens


Lens
Collapsible 50
Summicron 50
Voigtlander Ultron 35/f1.7
35mm Summicron ASPH
35 pre-asph Summicron
50 pre-asph Summicron

Thanks a bunch everyone for your advice, I have a feeling I will go through a few body/lens iterations before "nailing down" what feels just right.

 

[akptc]

There no Leica-specific learning necessary at all. Pick any body you feel like paying for, add a lens of appropriate focal length, and shoot: the rest is all fiddly details.

I was hoping to hear that!

 

[akptc]

Is a meter necessary? If yes, M6 Classic, 50/2 Summicron and 35/1.7 CV Ultron, this kit can be put together for around $2,000 with a little shopping and patients.

I like the metering feature but it's not a requirement for me. I am very comfortable with my Zorki4k (have literally grown up with it) and haven't really needed one most of the time. But wait, are you saying that I can get an M6+ the 50/2 Summicron+ the 35/1.7 CV Ultron *altogether* for under $2K?

 

[jaapv]

If the viewfinder is very important to you, avoid the M6TTL. It has some flaring, which doesn't bother me at all, but might annoy somebody else.

 

[akptc]

If the viewfinder is very important to you, avoid the M6TTL. It has some flaring, which doesn't bother me at all, but might annoy somebody else.

- I read that "(on the M7) Viewfinder windows given blue/purple anti-reflective coating to minimize flare" - is it safe to assume then that only the M7 has a coated viewfinder while the optical quality of the older Leicas is "typical" or "average"?

Btw, I just found the the "Leica FAQ Page" at http://www.nemeng.com/leica/index.shtml, seem to have lots of answers.

 

[richard_l]

Since the lens is more important than the camera, it seems slightly obtuse for a "Leica learning kit" to consist of a Leica M and a Voigtländer Ultron (which, however optically excellent, will not even fit an M without an adapter). Okay, the 35mm Summicrons are pricey, so I would suggest an M2 body (preferably having had a fairly recent CLA) and a pre-ASPH 35mm Summicron.

 

[FrankS]

Here's a thought: since you already have the Hexar AF with a fantastic 35mm f2 lens, how about a Leica M3 with your choice of 50mm lenses, as a partner to the Hexar?

 

[akptc]

Here's a thought: since you already have the Hexar AF with a fantastic 35mm f2 lens, how about a Leica M3 with your choice of 50mm lenses, as a partner to the Hexar?

- Good point... I was just admiring (again) this photo taken with a 50mm: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=21711&cat=5275&si=50mm&perpage=12

(Wow! )

 

[SolaresLarrave]

The stuff about the Leica flare in the VF is greatly exaggerated. I learned to live with it. I have two M6TTL and one M3. Granted, the M3 VF offers a more forgiving magnification (0.92) and gives a new meaning to shooting with a 50mm lens, but the flare can always be handled the few times that appears (mostly when focusing backlit subjects).

So, go for any camera that makes your mouth water! 🙂

 

[Honus]

... I would suggest an M2 body (preferably having had a fairly recent CLA) and a pre-ASPH 35mm Summicron.

Richard - you just described my latest kit. I love the combination. Throw in a new Gossen Digisix and I am still under the $2K budget.

- robert