Can't afford a Leica M3.......

[MiniMoke]

.....or at least I haven't checked my latest lottery ticket.

If I want an interchangeable lens rangefinder, what are the options, new or used (from a good source).

There's Bessas, Zeiss, and older Nikons and Canons. As for lenses, I guess a good 35 or 40 and a 75 (or about that focal length) would suit me. Or perhaps a 35 and somewhat bright 50.... And then the question: M-mount or screw?

What are my options for a small Budget? Guess I'll be limited to around 700$. Or schould I stay with my fixed lens babies and buy film?

All input is welcome - anyone sending an M3 my way is welcome too 🙄

 

[thegman]

How about a Leica IIIf? You're well in budget with $700. They are a bit of a fiddle compared to an M, I aborted my first attempt to load it, but they are very nice to behold, typical Leica quality, and very small.

However, $700 will also buy you a ready to go Bessa R2A or similar, and if you're not bothered about that Leica script on the top, then the Bessa is likely a better camera in every respect other than build and small size.

 

[bastian a.]

Look for a Bessa R/R2 and a Color-Skopar 35/2.5 or Canon 50/1.8 (LTM).
You could get a cheap Leica M3, M2 or Canon P, too.

 

[pgk]

All input is welcome - anyone sending an M3 my way is welcome too 🙄

Dealer Peter Loy in London is showing an M3 at £295 (may need a CLA but said to be usable) or an M2 at £375 with warranty. Also 50 Elmars at around £150. So within your budget by the look of it - and if used, then serviced later this combination should serve you well.

 

[RallyFan]

The Bessa's are real nice, and don't hold their value as well as the Leica's so you can get a used one at a very nice price with funds left over for a good lens. You could also look at a Leica CL, another great camera in your price range (there's one in the classifieds right now for 155 euros with a non-functioning meter). If you're patient, you could probably find a M3 or M2 in that range as well. It may be well used cosmetically, but don't let that deter you. Those are your 'M' options, which will allow for a much greater variety of lenses as you can use LTM lenses as well as M lenses.

For LTM - I'm very partial to the Leica III's and you could probably get a great body, 50mm and 35mm lens for around your budget, just do some homework so you know what you are buying. The Canon P and/or 7 series and/or L series are also great cameras in LTM. Voigtlander still makes a fair amount of LTM lenses, and they are very nice and affordable (35/2.5 is one of my favorites). There's also some great LTM glass from Canon, and of course the vintage Leica LTM glass as well.

I'd say at $700 you have a pretty good range of options, just be patient and the camera will come to you.

 

[mfogiel]

For changing lenses M3 is not exactly the ideal RF camera - in practice, it is a 50mm body. You would be better served by an M2, and these tend to come cheaper. Just insist on finding one in good working order, even if it has dents and dings.

 

[froyd]

Not sure about Luxemburg, but $700 for an M3 is not unheard of. You might just find a good user body in your budget.

If you truly married to the M3 VF magnification, then the only other choice that's comparable are the Canon P (I believe) and the Bessa R3, but a new Bessa R3 costs nearly as much as an M3, so you have to decide if you want to experience a Leica body or if you can be happy with anything else as long as it is a rangefinder.

I had a Bessa R2A and really liked it, so I imagine the R3 would be equally great. However, the M4 is now the camera that I'm more likely to take with me when I walk out the house.

 

[VTHokiEE]

If you have a reasonably small budget (as did I), why not get a Bessa R and a canon 50mm f1.8? You'll have some money left over and can maybe add an Ultron later? I ended up with a Bessa R, a Canon 35mm f1.8 and an FSU 50 (but when funds allow I think I'll add a Canon 50mm). I'm very happy with the results and with the camera. I originally wanted a R3A and a 40mm, but you can't always get what you want (add the rest of the Rolling Stones lyrics if desired).

 

[maddoc]

Nikon S2 with 50/2.0 lens .... 🙂

 

[NeeZee]

I'm a big fan of the IIIf as well, it's my main camera actually, but as i can tell from your signature you've been using fixed lens 70s RF cameras so far, so you probably don't wanna lose the convenience of a combined RF/VF window. The Leica CL is probably the best bet. On German ebay they regularly go for about 200€ body only and a bit more than 400€ with the 40mm f2 summicron. Of course ebay is hit and miss sometimes but there are some dealers offering 14 days return policy.

 

[ferider]

A good Canon P with clean 50/1.4 should run you around US 500. Very, very close to an M3. Great lens, 1:1 finder, quiet.

 

[ottluuk]

From a practical point of view, there are cheaper and, dare I say, better cameras to be had. But if you want a Leica, you want a Leica. Buying a cheap substitute and then moving to a Leica later is more expensive than buying a Leica at once 😀.

At $700 you're not that far from your target. Just save a little more and look for an M2 instead of M3 - they are typically a bit cheaper. Leica lenses are expensive but there are various alternatives, especially in the LTM world: Canon, Nikon, FSU... A Jupiter-8 might cost you $30 - but it'll work.

 

[thegman]

Nikon S2 with 50/2.0 lens .... 🙂

My Nikon S2 is in the classifieds now, in budget. In the interests of full disclosure though, although lovely cameras, I don't think they quite extinguish Leica lust, although they do have a charm all of their own.

 

[PentHassyKon]

.....or at least I haven't checked my latest lottery ticket.

If I want an interchangeable lens rangefinder, what are the options, new or used (from a good source).
... I guess a good 35 or 40 and a 75 (or about that focal length) would suit me. Or perhaps a 35 and somewhat bright 50.... And then the question: M-mount or screw?

What are my options for a small Budget? Guess I'll be limited to around 700$. ....
All input is welcome - anyone sending an M3 my way is welcome too 🙄

Why not a Leica CL? or a Minolta CLE? There's one right now for ~150 Euro's and I've seen them here occassionaly from $200-$500. The 40mm summicron is also deemed to be an excellent lens and I'm quite sure you can find a body/lens combo within your budget. Every once in a while the meter is wonky or batteries are hard to get but since you're pining for an M3 not having an internal meter shouldn't be an issue.

 

[MiniMoke]

Yeah, thought about the CLE already - I'll check it out.

 

[PatrickT]

For the M3 experience on a budget, definitely a Canon P + whatever Canon LTM lens. The P is a fantastic camera.

 

[Vics]

I'd think a IIIc or IIIf would be a great Leica experience for about $300, add an Elmar 50/3.5 for a total that's still within your budget.

 

[FalseDigital]

I love my Bessa R! I prefer it over Leica anyway. The viewfinder is unbeatable!! If you've got a little extra cash go for the R2 (because then you can use M mount lenses) but honestly....I couldn't be happier with another rangefinder.

 

[Phil_F_NM]

Another vote for a Nikon S2 with either 5cm f/2 or 5cm f/1.4 lens. That combo will run you less than $700 usually.

Phil Forrest

 

[alphonse2501]

Last year I asked Mr. Youxin Ye $700 for a budget M3, then he found a well used 1957 M3 DS. Of course IIIc/IIIf is good too.

If you do not mind FSU cameras, they are far cheaper than Leica.