Al Kaplan
Veteran
Anybody buying a CL should be doing it because it's a cute quiet little camera with a killer 40mm lens, and it accepts most other M mount lenses, not for the meter. Budget for a seperate light meter whether or not the camera's meter works.
W
wlewisiii
Guest
KEH has a EX CL with a busted meter for $286 right now. OTOH, a BGN M2 can be had for $599... (I hate being broke ... 
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William
)William
Johann Espiritu
Lawyer / Ninja
My everyday cameras are either: (a) a Leica M7, loaded with B/W film; or (b) a Bessa R2A, loaded with color. I do have a few other RFs, but for daily use, I find that AE works well for me.
The R2A is in the $500-800 range, and is a good place to start if you want a brand new camera. At least if anything goes wrong within the warranty period, you're relatively hassle-free.
Enjoy your search!
The R2A is in the $500-800 range, and is a good place to start if you want a brand new camera. At least if anything goes wrong within the warranty period, you're relatively hassle-free.
Enjoy your search!
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gnuyork
Well-known
I would also recommend KEH. Their prices are usually better than Ebay even, unless you find that rare deal that seems rare these days. The advantage of KEH is also you can return it if you are not satisfied.
I got one of those rare deals on Ebay for my M6 body in new condition, but ended up buying my lens through KEH.
Also check the classifieds here.
I got one of those rare deals on Ebay for my M6 body in new condition, but ended up buying my lens through KEH.
Also check the classifieds here.
ZeissFan
Veteran
With most of the classic cameras, the more you use them, the better they are mechanically. Sort of like a car. Worst thing in the world is for them to sit.
Of course, a car isn't a camera, but using a camera regularly is much better than allowing it to sit untouched for years.
There are a lot of people on this board who regularly use cameras from the 1930s on up to the current Leica M, Cosina Voigtlander Bessa and Carl Zeiss Zeiss Ikon.
My favorite cameras are from the 1930s and 1950s.
Of course, a car isn't a camera, but using a camera regularly is much better than allowing it to sit untouched for years.
There are a lot of people on this board who regularly use cameras from the 1930s on up to the current Leica M, Cosina Voigtlander Bessa and Carl Zeiss Zeiss Ikon.
My favorite cameras are from the 1930s and 1950s.
OntheRez
Newbie
Wonderful community!
Wonderful community!
Thanks so much for all the thoughtful responses. As most of you surmised, I'm not a camera collector (as he glanced at his 3 digital, 1 P&S and the 4 tubs of old gear a neighbor gave him cause, "you're a photographer - take this stuff or I'll just throw it away!"). Anyway, I want to carry this camera with me when I'm "out and about" as something discreet and available - so called street shooting. Given this, a working light meter would be a plus as it is one less thing to carry.
As I understand it, Wetzlarian evolution goes something like this: M3, M2 M5, M4, M6, MP, M7. Aside, is there an online reference that lists the model chances chronologically? I think, the M5 was the first one to have an internal light meter? Yes, No?
Someone noted that the M6 was selling on eBlow in the $800 range, but I have seen anything below $1,000. I suppose I should keep looking. I will check out KEH. Forgot about them.
Two other cameras I've been looking at are the Contax G1, G2 and the Konica Hexar RF. The Contax seems a bit automated, but I'm seeing some very nice prices for kits in excellent shape. In the tubs of gear, I've found 3 Konica Hexanon lenses 28, 50, and 135 so the Hexar has some attraction though they seem rare. I have no direct experience with either camera other than I held a G2 once and it seemed rather larger.
Again, any thoughts and directions as I continue my search are greatly appreciated.
Robert
Wonderful community!
Thanks so much for all the thoughtful responses. As most of you surmised, I'm not a camera collector (as he glanced at his 3 digital, 1 P&S and the 4 tubs of old gear a neighbor gave him cause, "you're a photographer - take this stuff or I'll just throw it away!"). Anyway, I want to carry this camera with me when I'm "out and about" as something discreet and available - so called street shooting. Given this, a working light meter would be a plus as it is one less thing to carry.
As I understand it, Wetzlarian evolution goes something like this: M3, M2 M5, M4, M6, MP, M7. Aside, is there an online reference that lists the model chances chronologically? I think, the M5 was the first one to have an internal light meter? Yes, No?
Someone noted that the M6 was selling on eBlow in the $800 range, but I have seen anything below $1,000. I suppose I should keep looking. I will check out KEH. Forgot about them.
Two other cameras I've been looking at are the Contax G1, G2 and the Konica Hexar RF. The Contax seems a bit automated, but I'm seeing some very nice prices for kits in excellent shape. In the tubs of gear, I've found 3 Konica Hexanon lenses 28, 50, and 135 so the Hexar has some attraction though they seem rare. I have no direct experience with either camera other than I held a G2 once and it seemed rather larger.
Again, any thoughts and directions as I continue my search are greatly appreciated.
Robert
