Leica LTM Best Non-Leica LTM Rangefinder

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
C

chuckroast

Well-known
Local time
1:39 AM
Joined
Feb 10, 2024
Messages
531
I'm sure this has been asked and answered before, so a pointer to the thread is all I need.

If I want to buy a non-Leica body to use with my LTM lenses, what's the best choice of the bunch. By "best" I mean build quality, reliability, meter reliability if it has one, etc. (It would be nice to find one with multiple selectable framelines, but I'd guess this is a big reach.)

Again just looking for a pointer, but happy to hear detailed responses as well.
 
Canon rangefinders are very nice. I own a Canon 7s and I am very happy with it. Some people prefer the more simple Canon P. Or older models.
They are all very beautiful, well made, quiet heavy weight, and reliable. You find some comparisons here and here.

1717619632710.png
 
i have a Canon 7, and the light meter doesn't work, but besides that it has worked great for me; it has multiple selectable framelines that work well

allegedly the specially included bayonet mount for the f/0.95 lens might interfere with some LTM lenses being able to mount, but i have not tried any lenses impacted by this yet
 
chuckroast said:
I'm sure this has been asked and answered before, so a pointer to the thread is all I need.

If I want to buy a non-Leica body to use with my LTM lenses, what's the best choice of the bunch. By "best" I mean build quality, reliability, meter reliability if it has one, etc. (It would be nice to find one with multiple selectable framelines, but I'd guess this is a big reach.)

Again just looking for a pointer, but happy to hear detailed responses as well.
Click to expand...

Canon P at Cameraquest He mostly shows a black paint one, which while pretty, is rare and overpriced. Get a regular one instead. Cheap, simple, reliable.

Simply the best - better than all the rest; to paraphrase Tina Turner, unless you're a masochist (of course, if you're using film in the first place it can be argued that you are already a masochist... ;) ) and want a barnack experience. Then the Canon IVSb2 is for you.

None of the meters is worth bothering with. Just buy a good handheld and get used to it.

Yet ultimately, for me? The best non Leica way to use my LTM glass will be the same way I expect to use my M glass and my M42, S mount, F mount, FD mount, & etc mount glass after my birthday - a Nikon Z5 and adapters.
 
I'm going to be the voice of dissent:

I don't like the Canon LTM bodies. None of them.

The early ones are solidly made and run well (the later ones... I'm not so sure), but none of them are as pleasant to use as a Leica III.

For me, if you want the best non-Leica LTM rangefinder, it's Nicca or Leotax all the way. Solidly made with just a few small changes from the classic Barnack template that are all actual improvements. I can't really say that about Canon's options.

The only real problem with Leotaxes in particular is that it seems most of them have spent too much time rotting away in a damp Japanese cupboard; a lot of them have pitting to the chrome and fungus in the viewfinder. But if you can avoid that, they're lovely things. The late ones all have good 50mm framelines, smooth lever winds, and a proper rewind knob that is a lot better/smoother/more stylish than either the Canon ones or the weird canted one Leica introduced with the M4 and kept until the modern day.

Every time I use a Canon I wish I was using a Leica instead. I don't think that when I'm using a Leotax.
 
I have three earlier Canons that work well for me but for non-Leicas, I have a wonderful Zorki 1 that I bought from Oleg with his CLA and it is a dream to shoot. It's more fun than my Kardon and a little better than my Nicca. I like the clean lines of the Leica II and the copies of it and rarely use the slow shutter speeds of the others.

I still shoot my Leica Barnacks the most.
 
wlewisiii said:
if you're using film in the first place it can be argued that you are already a masochist... ;) ) and want a barnack experience. Then the Canon IVSb2 is for you.
Click to expand...
Totally agree William. I have various Barnacks and my IVSb2 body beats them all for viewfinder image and ease of use.
 
Coldkennels said:
I'm going to be the voice of dissent:

I don't like the Canon LTM bodies. None of them.

The early ones are solidly made and run well (the later ones... I'm not so sure), but none of them are as pleasant to use as a Leica III.

For me, if you want the best non-Leica LTM rangefinder, it's Nicca or Leotax all the way. Solidly made with just a few small changes from the classic Barnack template that are all actual improvements. I can't really say that about Canon's options.

The only real problem with Leotaxes in particular is that it seems most of them have spent too much time rotting away in a damp Japanese cupboard; a lot of them have pitting to the chrome and fungus in the viewfinder. But if you can avoid that, they're lovely things. The late ones all have good 50mm framelines, smooth lever winds, and a proper rewind knob that is a lot better/smoother/more stylish than either the Canon ones or the weird canted one Leica introduced with the M4 and kept until the modern day.

Every time I use a Canon I wish I was using a Leica instead. I don't think that when I'm using a Leotax.
Click to expand...

I had earlier Canon, Leotax and Nicca. Ditched them all, not worth comparing to Barnacks, which are still affordable.
But due to insane prices of M, P is good alternative. Got its own charm, just like FED-5 :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom