Budget in hand, help me join the RF ranks

Because of my rookie rangefinder status, I probably would look to a recently CLA'd Leica, just to be safe.

I've been reading photo.net for years but have never purchased anything from members. That's a good route and so is KEH, from what I've heard. I've also been checking Ritz Collectibles in Phoenix. Can anybody recommend them?

Are there other good places to check? I'm not confident about eBay because I don't know enough.

You guys are great. Thanks for such prompt and useful information. Funds are snug, so I want to be smart about how I spend it. I feel much better about getting one body/one lens for now.
 
Probably best if you don't have a budget, keep in mind this is only the first GAS attack of many. I like the M3 idea though maybe a user body and a 'cron. If you go the Bessa route you can have a brand new body and get some Leica glass.
 
To give a more personal opinion, if it was me, I'd be getting a user M3 and a 50mm 'cron. Why? Many reasons. I seem to be most comfortable shooting at a 50mm focal length. It allows me to get close but not too close. It works for a lot of situations including street portraits and all-around photography. I generally don't like anything wider than 35mm unless I'm getting into the fisheye end of the spectrum.

Also, to at least make mention, you CAN get an M3 and Summicron in user condition for your budget on Ebay. You *may* even be able to get one through others such as Keh and Photo.net.
 
I feel most comfortable using a 50mm for the same reasons you mention, Stephanie. Although, when I look at my work on the walls, I sometimes see a lot of tension in the way I frame subjects in the viewfinder. That's why I might steer toward a 40 or 35mm in RF.

All this GAS talk revives another long-held desire: a Rolleiflex. Six months ago, when I last started looking to expand my kit, the camera budget was half what it is now. Maybe a Rolleiflex and a scanner with 120 capability is something else to throw into the mix. Leicas and Rolleiflexes produce the same kind of gooseflesh 😉

We could check out Hasselblad 501s at school, and the negative size still astounds me after shooting 35 for so long. That's where I was first infected with GAS, I suppose.

I hope this doesn't get me kicked out of the RF forum already 😉 Despite what I've posted, I'm really quite decisive. I just like to inform myself as much as possible first!
 
unless you're pretty sure what focal length works for you, i'd recommend buying a leica m2 and 35mm lens first. that way, if it's not for you, you can sell it without losing money and then go for an r3a with 50/40/28mm lens or whatever.

just ask yourself: are you a robert frank, or a garry winogrand?
 
I would buy a early zorki 4 with a j8 50mm/ƒ2 for under USD25(i bought this combo for $23) then get a J12, 35mm/ƒ2.8 for around usd50. Save the rest of your budget for film ,scanner and developing chemicals. With this combination, you can go anywhere and not worry about the economic consequences of loss or damage to your kit. You won't be bothered by people drooling on your leica gear. The zorki weighs less than a Leica. You could buy two bodies and not have to change lenses. The zorki is easier and faster to reload. I have an M3 and a Zorki 4 as well as several feds and other rangefinders. The zorki's viewfinder is as large as my M3's. I never worry about the zorki and I can concentrate more on photography.
 
MolteniOrange, I just read you post about wanting a rolleiflex. I have had one for many years and I really like using it. In large crowds I can hold it upside down above the masses and still compose in the viewfinder. But when i want a compact mf street shooter, I use an Ikonta B. It has exactly the same lens, focal distance and negative size as my rolleiflex, but it fits in my coat pocket when folded. You could get an inexpensive 6X6cm folder for less than USD100, such as a agfa Isolette.
 
Or if your not so sure, go for a cheaper, but good option like a Bessa R & 35 combo. See how you go and if its all good, get something better? atm I am doing my best to save for a leica, but only cos I want the quality mechanical feel in my hands that one of those babys can give. Dosnt mean im gonna take better pictures with it 😛 Its not the camera that takes the pictures, you do. So if you have the skill, get something which your skills would best be suited for. I dont know if this makes sens.. but you should know what I mean 🙂
 
On that budget you should be able to find an M2 - the viewfinder is good with the 35 mm summicron 2.0 - you should be able to find that below 1.100 USD

I use the seconic 508 to and I like it a lot! I do have a meter in my M6 but since I got a M2 I use the seconic instead for both and get good results.

Recently I got two M2 bodys and 3 Scremount bodys of an auction for less than your budget. The lenses that came along was elmar 3,5 Elmar 90, summar 2,0 Fed 52, and a summarit 50 1,5 + plus a leica rangfinder device , two baby box cameras and two leica meters! I keept the best M2 and the Summarit 50 1,5 and sold the rest in single pieces and ended up getting the M2 and the Summarit - the rangfinder thingy and the best meter for free and a plus of close to 500 USD.

In short my advice would be wait for a lot of cameras comming up at a place that is not used to deal with cameras and do not have the right costumer for cameras, by the lot - sell of what you do not need and keep the best for your self "for free-" might take you two-six months to find the right auction but it will show up and you will be happy - you can get a lot of film for a 1.100 USD 🙂
 
Excellent advice, everybody! Mucho appreciated.

I think the local shop had two M3s in the case last week, so I can at least sample a Leica to help make my decision. I'll do that today.

I guess I'm more Robert Frank than Garry Winogrand. I naturally gravitate toward deeper, more soul-searching documentary work like Sally Mann and Emmet Gowin (wish I could afford a view camera). For RF and 35mm, my biggest influences are Elliott Erwitt and Rene Burri.

The idea of wading slowly into RF with a Bessa R is an option (the local shop had one on the shelf, too), but I feel OK wading a little deeper. I'm an active shooter and want a solid, reliable and fun tool that will keep up as I continue learning and exploring.

Any other comments on the Bronica or Rolleiflex route?
 
Well, if you're going to shoot wider, get an M2. The M2 has the brightlines for the 35 in the built-in viewfinder and the M3 does not. There are several M2s on Ebay right now that may or may not go over your budget.
 
About the Rolleiflex - if your budget is already pretty stretched by whatever you finally decide on getting RF-wise (I'd say, a Leica CL & 40/2 Rokkor might be another good choice in your price range), don't overlook the Yashicamat series - the 124 G is a bit overpriced, the earlier models are less expensive and just as good (as long as it's a model with Yashinon lens). I'm currently cheating a lot on my rangefinders with my Yashicamat...

Roman
 
How's this for luck: My budget unexpectedly jumped from $1,100 to $1,650 today! (Unexpected, long-forgotten inheritance windfall, not a more understanding wife.) Because the boost is from inheritance money, I feel much stronger about getting a Leica. That would be a fitting tribute to my grandparents.

Now things get really interesting on my choices. I'll start rearranging my list now and remain open to more ideas. Don't know if it's enough to swing the Mamiya 6 at the top of my list, but it's closer than where I was yesterday.

I handled an M3 today at the local shop today and loved it. The Bessa R also felt good and was quieter than I expected. Quieter than the Rollei 35RF (isn't it the same as an R2 or R2A?).

Maybe an M6 and a CV lens are in range now, huh?
 
i'm not sure when the cutoff date is, or if it has passed, but .85x and .58x viewfinders will only be available through a la carte, raising prices on those versions of the m6. lemme search photo.net....

update: can't find it! *sigh*
 
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UPDATE: With the budget boost, I went for my dream and got the Mamiya 6 with 75mm. I'll get a flatbed scanner that handles medium format and start shooting like crazy.

Thanks for all the excellent advice! It was a tough decision. I hope I don't get buyer's remorse, but somehow I think the size of those first slides/negs will cure that 😉 The radical change from 35mm to 6x6 is what really pushed me in this direction. And, instead of being a backup to a Leica or Bessa, my FM2 will still get used in certain situations (closeup work, action, etc.).

I'll post to a gallery in the coming weeks. Have a good weekend, everyone. And thanks for such a warm welcome to your ranks 😉
 
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Oohh... 6x6 is always a good choice. Enjoy it and post soon! 🙂

William
 
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