Held my first Leica - GAS imminent!

[Bobfrance]

Hi All,

I took the opportunity of fondling a Leica III whilst in a camera shop yesterday.
I have to say it suprised me. The combination of size weight and and sheer craftsmanship made it feel like no other rangefinder I've ever handled.

Now, of course, I want one. Not the III model though, the viewfinder is not my cup of tea.

Can anybody reccomend a model that would be right for me? I want samething similar to the Leica III bit with a good viewfinder and preferrably built in metering.

Oh, and how many organs would I need to sell to get one?

Bob.

 

[Meleica]

if you want a Leica, you need to go the M5, M6 or M7 or a CL to get a built-in meter.

See this Leica M body guide
http://members.aol.com/dcolucci/mmount.htm

I'd highly recommend starting with the Leica CL...small with a great finder and built-in meter...price for body $ 350-450.... they can also be found with the Leica 40mm Summicron for $ 500-700....

Good luck
Dan

 

[srtiwari]

For build quality and (almost) equal to the Leica Screwmounts, I love the Canon Rangefinders- there are many, but the ones with the variable finders have the 1:1 option. Thus there are only 2 images to deal with- when you have both eyes open. I have found this to be a BIG deal. YMMV. Only the Canon 7/7s has a Meter, but the body is too big, I think. Hope this helps.

Subhash

 

[Xmas]

A nice

Canon VT-x x= L or T
Canon P

are ok for photos, if you wanna fondle then you need to start with a M2, M3,...

The M needs an arm and leg the Canon can be lot cheaper.

Noel

 

[Turtle]

You wont need to sell both kidneys; one kidney and a chunk from your liver should do it. seeing as you are a Brit, I would say about 600-700 for a nice clean M6 classic (ie non TTL) and about 100 more for a TTL. Any Brit Leicaphiles know more about prices?

 

[Bobfrance]

Thanks for the info guys.

Interesting about the Canons Noel. I definately need to fondle more cameras before I reach a conclusion.

Is this never ending quest for the perfect camera something everybody goes through?

 

[Xmas]

Bob

Goes though is the wrong declension or something, never escapes from seems nearer the truth.

Canon sold a lot of 'P' cameras if you can live with the screw thread lenses they are ok cameras.

Noel

 

[HuubL]

Take care!! GAS is costly. You probably held a IIIc or IIIf. Their viewfinders are small. However the Leica IIIg with a very similar body has a bigger one and with parallax-corrected framelines! Now don't go looking for it...., I warned you....

No kidding, the Canons VI, P, 7, 7s are all excellent screwmount RFs and in many ways much better handling than the Leica screwmounts.

 

[peter_n]

Yes, almost certainly a IIIc or f. They are the popular cameras for users. The IIIg was the last of the screw mount models, is heavier than the c or f, has a better viewfinder, but only 39,600 were made so they are comparatively expensive. They are up in the M2-M3 range when it comes to cost. OTOH you can buy a c or f for $150-300 depending on condition, and an Elmar ($130) or Industar copy ($40-50) for it. If you are patient you could get a III + Elmar for around $275-300 which is not bad for an all Leica kit. The old Elmar lenses are fantastic and once you get used to the VF the rangefinder in the III cameras is as good as you will find anywhere. Very easy to focus and with variable diopter correction. They are not just for collectors but are still eminently practical carry-everywhere cameras.

 

[Bobfrance]

Huubl - you have some beautiful cameras there!

The leica I saw had a wierd split viewfinder a bit like a number eight on its side a bit tricky to use with glasses on. What model would that be?

 

[peter_n]

They are all like that. The rangefinder is on the left and the 50mm viewfinder is on the right. One of the innovations in the IIIg is a 50mm frameline so you can see outside the frame like on a modern Leica.

 

[oscroft]

seeing as you are a Brit, I would say about 600-700 for a nice clean M6 classic (ie non TTL) and about 100 more for a TTL. Any Brit Leicaphiles know more about prices?

Yep, that sounds about right to me - my Classic cost me about £620 (from an RFF classified). That's also about the eBay UK price range, though sometimes they go cheaper (though with more risk). And from dealers they're often higher than that range.

 

[HuubL]

Huubl - you have some beautiful cameras there!

Thanks!

The leica I saw had a wierd split viewfinder a bit like a number eight on its side a bit tricky to use with glasses on. What model would that be?

All Barnack Leicas have split rangefinder viewfinders, including the IIIg. Many photographers hate them, but you learn to live with them. Similar Canon "Barnacks" up to the models IV have the view and rangefinders combined, but they're still smallish. Another advantage of the "Barnack" Canons is that the finder can be switched to zoom in (enlarging) the field of view, which helps with framing and focusing.
But, do yourself a favor and go for a Canon P or 7. A much better (bigger) viewfinder, superb build and quality.

 

[Ronald M]

111 f with 50 3.5 and be better. Add the 50mm BL, take it off if you want smaller size.

Get clean lenses and don`t settle for less. The old glass is very good if in decent condition, 90% of it is not.

35 3.5 Summaron 90 4.0 Elmar and a 50 Summarit should relieve your gas.

The shutters are old and may look ok, many are not. Save money for repairs

 

[Ronald M]

Here is on with a LIKE NEW Summitar from last fall. This lens never has been opened.

Unfortunately I can`t get the forum to accept a sharp version of this file so I had to just keep reducing it.

 

[peter_n]

I have an Elmar from 1949 and a current one. After about f5.6 you can't tell the difference except for contrast and the old Elmar isn't as sharp out to the corners (but I don't really care myself). They are great old lenses and for B&W they are perfect. 🙂

 

[Bobfrance]

All so tempting!

I don't wish to sound like a philestine, but what about the cheap Russian copies?
Are they any good for cutting my teeth on and seeing how an older camera is to live with or are they nothing like the real thing?

 

[peter_n]

Plenty of people here own and happily use FSU cameras. Take a look at the FSU forum - there is lots to learn. The quality can be variable but the experts over there can help you through the minefields. 🙂