Buying a Leica: How long did you dream about it?

[onespeed]

a buddy showed me his grandads screwmount over 20 years ago it took me about 18 to get my first 3c now I have an m3 and am thinking of trading for an m2

 

[pesphoto]

still waiting..........

 

[ZdenekP]

I thougth about Leica about Leica 3 or 4 yrs. First I wanted R body. About a half yr ago I "discovered" the beauty and classic look of M. ... so yesterday I pulled the trigger and ordered a brand new MP (0.72) and 50 cron, both in chrome.
Do you have any other suggestions as to the most versatile set of lenses? I plan, after I will gain some experience with the basic lens, to extend the equipment to 90/2 and 35/1.4 or 28 mm lens. But they are the dreams of a newbye in RF photography.
Zdenek

 

[Magus]

Post deleted by posters request

 

[ezio gallino]

Do you really want to know it? Leicaflex SL2 was still produced and I bought an MP hammertone last year... but not so strange... when you're older some (small!) dreams may become true: a Ferrari or a Residence at Beverly Hill or a big yacht can be more problematic...
However my name is not Bill Gates, and not especially that Bill Gates... but a Leica M is not so expensive respect too many other things; if you're lucky you can even earn money over it... and just looking to it gives me peace of mind... not bad...

 

[Oh Two]

Leica wet dreams

Leica wet dreams

I've had my M4 for 38 years (bought it new), and I had a M2 DS (cost $250) before that which I traded for a Triumph TR3. Along the way I had a IIIf.

What's all this talk about Leicas being expensive? My M4 cost $500 which was less than the hot/popular Nikon F that was the leader of the pack then. I was just entering college and was an art major but I had a job too. Yes it was quite a bit then, but really not super expensive like now. I paid $150 for the IIIf with a collapsable Summicron. It was a dandy pocket camera.

I have many other cameras, 4X5's, 6x6's, digitals. The finest of all and most convenient to use is the old M4. Yes, sell your first born son to get a Leica, but I'm glad I got into them when they were cheap.

 

[steenkamp]

very long

very long

started to dream about a Leica when i was 18. Bought my first one last year when i was 32 ;-)

Guido

Just like some wait and wait for that one true love, I'm DYING to have a Leica MP: black laquer, 0.85 viewfinder with a 50mm Summicron. Perfect. It is the most perfect and beautiful object I have ever seen. Not surprisingly, I can't afford it! I think it will be years before I can buy one, which is pretty frustrating. So, how long did you guys have to wait like this? Years? Months? Still waiting?

 

[AShearer]

I use two digital SLRs for much of what I do. I got a wild hair several months ago and decided to put a film set up together. So; I bought an old Nikon FE for $75 in really perfect condition. Most of my Nikon glass works beautifully on the old fim slr. Altogether very satisfying experience for the price of a dinner out. However, an SLR is still fairly obtrusive no matter how simple. It's loud, larger just says "I'm taking your picture" invasively. So, I got interested in rangefinders, I think mainly due to the compactness and weight of the SLRs. I spent a LOT of time researching the new CV's with various lens combinations etc.. That led me to start looking at used Leicas and a trade off analysis, i.e. a new Bessa R2/R3 vs a used M6 etc. etc. I was able to justify a used M6 in extremely good condition with a 50 f/2 cron for $2k all in. I have since added a 90 Elmarit in new condition for $1k. I say I was able to justify it. Thats only for me . Others have to make their own call. I'm fortunate enough to have some disposable income I can spend on things like this. It's very difficult to actually make a cost benefit analysis and come out with a Leica. The CV Bessas and several other cameras are very good and, has been said. It's not the camera that takes the picture. Build quality, durability and failure rates are in favor of the Leica, but one could buy two CV Bessas for the price of one good used M6. So, in terms of mechanical problems, you could replace the Bessa and still be ahead. The one thing that seems to weigh heavily in favor of the Leica is longevity and consistency of compatible lenses and other accessories. As much as people love their Cosina products, will Cosina be here producing parts, lenses etc for the really long haul? There is a ton of Leica product out there already and more being made every day. It's hard to make a case for Leica not surviving in business. Absolute dollars aside, these are considerations as well.

I haven't actually answered the question? No dreams for any extended period. I just approached it from an analytical standpoint and ended up where I am. Six months ago, I had no film camera.