Leica LTM Considering LTM - seeking some advice

[tbarker13]

So I've been looking to get a film Leica to go along with my M8.
In the past, I've used the M2, M3, M4-p and M6. I've sort of been looking for a user M3 or M2. But then I started reading this section of the forum and have become intrigued. I've never even touched one of the screw mount versions.

I'm trying to figure out which way to go here. Would I be able to find something that comes relatively close to the experience of the earlier M models? I'd rather be able to use the camera viewfinder for framing/focusing.

What do these things do for framelines? Would a 50mm be my widest option without using an auxilary finder?
(sadly, the only ltm lenses I have are in 28mm and 35mm right now)

I've done a little bit of searching of the forum, and I'm starting to get some ideas. The RD III f seems to be a nice option.

Thanks.

 

[Film dino]

Only the IIIg gives something "relatively close to the experience of the earlier M models" in terms of field-of-view, but then really only for 50mm (& 90mm) lenses. As you know rangefinder & field of view windows are separate, though side by side. The viewfinders on IIIc- IIf- IIIf are squinty & small; I almost always use an external VF even with a 5cm lens

The IIIg is also a larger machine than the IIIc-IIIf & prices are inflated by "collectability"; & IMO the IIIg doesn't really offer that much more functionality over a IIIf

That's a quick response.. no doubt lots of posts will follow

Happy hunting!
David

 

[colyn]

If you will need flash sync go with the IIIf RD. The BD is also a good model but I much prefer the RD. If flash will not be used a good user IIIc will do.

The built-in finder is for the 50mm so you will need accy finders for each focal length lens you use. Voigtlander makes some very good finders at a reasonable price compared to original Leica finders.

 

[mfunnell]

Some good advice here (from people who know a deal more than I do on the subject). I just wanted to note that the Canon P is a nice camera to use and seems (to me) close enough to my M3 in use (details differ of course), takes LTM lenses directly and gives me 35mm framelines. I do find the 35mm framelines a bit of a stretch (I wear glasses) but still better than an M3, with no framelines wider than 50. However, 35 is as wide as I can go with the P.

...Mike

 

[xayraa33]

the screwmount Leicas are a different experience than the M Leicas, but well worth it.
just think bare essentials.

 

[tbarker13]

Hmm. Thanks for all the advice.
The Canon P sounds like it might be what I'm looking for. I have a 35 Hexanon UC on the way right now that could be paired with it.

 

[Kim Coxon]

If you are looking for a totally different experience, an early Leica is likely to give you that. In this case I wouldn't think so much about the Canons etc. If you are thinking more of the different experience with film, I would go for an M mount camera. Your LTM lenses will all work on M mount with an adapter but not the other way round.

Kim

 

[payasam]

You might also consider a Voigtlander body.

 

[Solinar]

One note - while screw mount lenses will work in a bayonet mount body with an adapter - bayonet or M mount lenses cannot be made to fit an LTM body.

I say this because I'd sure like to use a couple of my M mount lenses on an older LTM.

If you plan on shooting more often than not with a 35mm focal length lens then I'd definitely recommend a Cannon P or a modern V/C Bessa. Otherwise, you'll be using an external finder.

Old Leica screw mounts are best used with a collapsible 50mm lens. Ideally it is best to use one that does not block the viewfinder.

 

[Luddite Frank]

Thoughts from a Leica thread-mount newbie....

I have several screw-mount Leicii - a II and a couple of III's, the latest being a 1950 III-f (black-dial).

A good friend who is an avid collector and very good photographer keeps telling me to get an M; I simply can't afford an M body, and for the kind of ham-handed work I do, I really don't think that I need all the amenities of the M-cameras.

I have several lenses between my LTMs: couple of 50s (Elmar, Summar, S-cron), 90 mm Elmar, 135 Hektor & Elmar, plus a 135 Tele-Rokkor (Minolta).

I got a Leitz VIOOH (Imarect multi-focal finder), which lets you use the same finder for 28/35/50/73/90/ 135 lenses... it is very "squinty" though, esp when you dial down for the longer lenses. The Nikon Vari-Focal finder is MUCH nicer to use. Or you could get all the dedicated finders a la carte, such as Voightlander.

One of my reasons for wanting screw-mount Leicii is that they are a bit different from the M-series... the screw-mounts fall very close to the parent tree... using a 1950 III-F is almost no different from using a black-body Leica F from 1933.

The III-g does give you a larger view finder, with focus-coupled parallax correction, but nice III-gs seems to be priced the same as decent M-bodies...

If you don't need speeds slower than 1/20 or 1/30 sec, consider a Leica II-c or f; these are the same camera as the III, minus the slow-speeds. They run a bit cheaper.

Try to get a camera w/o corrosion, all functions working...

My thoughts after a couple months with LTMs...


Good luck !

LF

 

[tbarker13]

I've been looking a bit into the Canon Ps.
I see a couple on the KEH website. One is 275, rated EX.
The other is 199, also rated EX, but with oil on the curtain.

Both of them have wrinkled curtains, but I understand that is nothing be worried about.
But what about the oil?