If we are talking love of photography, I would not discount a Leica at 17. You are right, there is a different feel, a fit, a oneness that I find with a Leica M. My Bessas feel good, a fine camera. My Nikon S2 feels great, a solid camera and I am at home with her. But my Leicas are one with my hand.
In Junior High School I got better pictures with a Konica III and a Vivitar 152 than a professional photographer who worked at Kodak. He had a Leica SLR system. I had a Nikkormat system with Nikon glass throughout High School and still have it. I used ‘blads, Nikons, even 4x5s, I barrowed from my father (another photographer for Kodak). I agree that it’s not just the camera, but it does help to have a good camera you can rely on for learning and work.
How long will you be in NYC? If it is a week and a half you might try purchasing mail order and have it shipped to the hotel to your attention. I would bet that Stephen Gandy could help you (
www.cameraquest.com). I buy a lot of stuff from Stephen and trust him. He does not have any used Leica stuff, but he is a great guy to deal with.
Richard Tillis has always been a straight shooter for me. Woodmere Camera (
www.woodcam.com) is out on the island (much of NYC is on Long Island too), you could take a train I think but check with him on how far away from the station his shop is. Richard is a good guy too.
I’ve been buying all of my CV stuff from Stephen of late, but I got my first Bessa from Rich at PhotoVillage (
www.photovillage.com). He treated me very well. They are in Manhattan. I think they may have some used Leica stuff.
Years ago I used to buy from Ken Hansen in the photo district. Great people, high price, but they stood behind their stuff. I’m not sure they are still in business or not.
Here are some thoughts in no order.
Bessa L with a 25mm CV, it becomes your carry everywhere camera. If the camera breaks, send it back to the place you purchase it and have them send you a new one. I suspect that you should not have to pay taxes if you get shipped back what you ship out (one dead L for a working L).
Get a M4-P if you want a Leica, that’s what I started with. While I love my M6 and the built in meter is handy (ok, great), the M4-P should be in your budget (good M6s are more these days) and allow you some extra stuff. If you can get the extra money, the M6 is a great camera.
Adorama has a silver ZI for $999. Not sure if they will be there still when you are in town. I have heard great things about the camera, but long term fixing her (25 years) I am not as sure as with a M4-P, I know you will get parts. The fit and the finish from folks how have touched is great.
Perhaps one answer is to get a ZI body, a Bessa L 25/4 combo and you are set. I would try to get everything from PhotoVillage, but at very least get the Bessa and lens from them.
While I have many Leica lenses, I am just as happy with the quality of the CV lenses. The newer ones (e.g. 40/1.4) are great and feel as smooth as the 35’cron. You can reuse your current 50 if you like, depends upon what you are looking to shoot. I find CV lenses sharp and better at controlling flare than my Leica lenses.
IMHO, do not take the time with Russian glass. Unless you are using it on a Russian body, there are just way too many issues (experienced and heard). I have had three different sets of Russian glass and out side of the 35/2.8 have never been happy with any of them. One big problem with the 35/2.8 is that it will not work on my Bessas or my M6. It will work fine on my M4-P.
If you do go the ZI route, look around for a Nikkor 85/2 LTM. They are great lenses and if you can find one in black, smooth and light weight. Chrome finish is heavier, but just as sharp. The ZI has an 85 frame line rather than a 90. I hear Zeiss glass is great, but the prices are way to close for my needs these days.
For street shooting the Bessa L and a 25/4 is find, small, not as quiet as a Leica, but fine. You do not stand out they way to do with a big DSLR. I carry one just about everywhere and love it. I wish I had it for street shots when I lived in NYC years ago.
Hope this helps. Again, like with all opinions, your mileage may vary (an American saying that you might not get the same results, comes from some car adds years ago talking about fuel milage).
Now go out and shoot, make every frame count. Look at books of famous photographers in the library, what makes the shot good. Look at lighting, look at people and enjoy.
B2 (;->
