Help me choose a one and only camera and lens system

[gzisis69]

Hi, i finally decided to get into the leica film system after a long time of thinking. Im not a collector, ill use my equipment to photograph and not let it in a box for the next generation. As a camera from what i have read i think the m6 is the best buy for me cause it has a photometer and is easier to load and use as an m3 or an m2 for example. The newer models are extremely expensive and for my use dont justify the price tag. I cant decide which magnification is best for me cause im not so experienced and have only tried two m6 from friends. I wear glasses for nearsightendness all the time if thats important to decide. Or maybe is the lens decision first more important to decide after the camera model ? im leaning towards 35 or 50mm. Im not sure which one though cause i really like both and have used both in the slr world for many years. For me its important the small size
and weicht.I dont want the lens to block the wiefinder. I would surely prefer 1,4 but if that happens with all 1,4 lenses,ill settle with a summicron option. If the summicron quality is the same
as the summilux i will surely not discard the summicron option. Critical focus is realy important and i have read that summicron focus easier but i havent compared both. i wont buy another lens in the future cause one is enough so that must be really good. And now the use, ill travel for the next 2 years the world so the use will be general. What would you suggest ?

 

[zuiko85]

If I could travel then I’d definitely take two lenses. RF lenses are quite small and a 28mm will get you into tight spaces where you cannot back up.
Just me but a 28 and 50 combo + body + film could all be carried in a small bag and would not be too heavy.

 

[ktmrider]

Meter or no meter? The best meter Leica ever made is in the M5 which will be much cheaper then an M6. Yes, it is an odd size but it was the last of the hand assembled M cameras and has the same film loading and rewind as later M cameras.

No meter? My favorite is the M2 as the single frames which come up are pure heaven. It and a 35 are perfect together. And it does not need to be a Leica lens either as the Voightlander 35f2.5 is great or the 35f1.4 or possibly the sharpest 35mm lens, the Zeiss 35f2.8 C Biogon.

In 50mm there are also great options from either Voightlander or Zeiss. The 50f1.5 is outstanding and can be had for $600 used. It has been compared favorably with the pre ASPH Summilux.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Yout post shows you're suffering from opinion overload syndrome, which comes from reading too many things written by people who don't share your experiences.

Think: have you shot meterless cameras? If so, did you like it? If yes, go for one. If you didn't enjoy it and saw yourself doing it forever, just ditch it.

When you photograph, what is it you want, expansive views or careful detail? If the former, get a wide angle. If the latter, get a 50mm.

Now, will you be able to live with third-party lenses or do you absolutely want your first lens to be a Leica brand? I know I wanted not just Leica, but as new as I could get, and in the end, once I found the used market (and the third-party used market!!), I realized that the lens is just a means to an image, not the end of the road. Hence, I'd recommend that you consider used glass, used or new Voigtländer, or used or new Zeiss-Ikon. To a great extent, they're all comparable (with very slight differences).

The M6 is a great camera, but you may also want to consider the M6TTL, an improved version that came out some time later, which has an easier to handle shutter speed selector dial and electronics for through-the-lens flash metering (using a dedicated Leica flash). You don't need the flash, but the camera will be newer than the M6.

Again, have these ideas in mind while you shop and forget what you've read or heard about lens performance and a lot more. Enjoy photographing things instead! 🙂

 

[narsuitus]

I was once in a position similar to yours.

Based on the experience I had with a Nikon F2 SLR with a 35mm f/1.4 and an 85mm f/1.8, I knew that I wanted two similar lenses for my rangefinder.

I considered the Leica M2, M6, and MP. I probably would have been happy with any of them; however, I stumbled upon an M6 for a reasonable price.

For lenses, I decided on a 35mm f/1.4 Zeiss and a 90mm f/2 Summicron. Yes, the lenses block a portion of the viewfinder but I need the faster glass more than I need to see the corner of the viewfinder.


M6 Rangefinder by Narsuitus, on Flickr

 

[Deleted member 65559]

GZ, You'll be fine with one lens...whichever suits the way you see (50 or 35mm). BTW Summicrons are absolutely superb lenses and both smaller and lighter than the 1.4 Summiluxes. I've photographed for years with a similar set-up & although i've had other lenses, i most likely shot 80% with an M (film) body and a 35mm f2 Summicron.

 

[gzisis69]

thanx for the quick and very important answers. ill try to answer some of your questions and opinions to help you help me more and possibly also other people who are in this path. First of all i don‘t want a camera without lightmeter. i have tried that and thats simply not my thing. i can see the good light for sure but for sure a lightmeter is very important to have precise light control. For the camera model i dont care much. the lens is more important and will be for sure a leica one. if i wanted a voightlander or Zeiss lens id buy also the cameras from those companies. i have tried from a friend an m9 with a 50 summilux 1.4 and that blocked the viewfinder, which drove me crazy so i want a lens that doesnt do that. I think from my photos that a 50 is more natural to my eye( i checked the exifs and the most are with 50mm) so maybe i could live with the 50mm. The only thing that makes me think of the 35mm is the possible versatility otherwise the 50 is good for my eyes. from the 50mm lenses which one would you suggest ? and are all 1.4 so big that block the viewfinder ? if yes then only summicron is for me..

 

[Huss]

Get an M6 and a 35mm lens. The M6 now is about $1600-$1800. A 35mm lens can be anything from $250 (7Artisans 35f2) to Leica Summicron Asph (thousands$$) with fantastic options in between from Voigtlander and Zeiss.
The question really is how much do u want to spend on your lens?

Sorry just saw u want it to be a Leica lens and 50mm. Summicron 50 whichever is in ur budget.

 

[a.noctilux]

The large choices narrow down to M6 + Summicron-M 50mm 😛.
Which Summicron 50mm ?
That can be difficult as I have/use some.


- Collapsible 5cm LTM with adapter can be a fun choice if limited to 1m same as Rigid in this aspect.
- Rigid 50mm (version II) or Somni (so called DR Cron ) which have same optical cell has some "flaws/or characters" depending on user

- Version III this is good choice if some users don't declare "flare prone"
- IV or V can be had with or without sliding hood with same optical cell, the most expensive but newest



As second choice M5 + Summarit-M 2.4/50mm or cheaper 2.5/50mm , this is my choice if I use only one kit.


Anyway your project can also change over time :angel:


Arnaud

 

[Tim Gray]

I’d get a Leica M6 and a Zeiss ZM 35 or 50, depending on your preferences. Voigtländer lenses are nice too. Don’t worry about viewfinder magnification unless you shoot a lot of 28mm. The ZM 35/2.8 is supposed to be a wonderful lease. I had a Leica 50 Summicron, and while it was nice, I’d definitely go for one of the ZM 50’s over and save the money.

 

[Mute-on]

Sounds like an M6 (original, not TTL) is what you are thinking of. It is 0.72 magnification, which was the “standard” magnification for Leica M for most models. It will be perfect if you are using a 50, and very likely useable if you are using a 35 with glasses too.

Since you want a Leica lens (which I think is only natural, and the reason for using Leica in the first place) a V4 or V5 50 Summicron will be hard to beat.

Best of luck!

 

[Bolo Kukus]

Let me throw a small spanner into this debate...

Consider a Contax G1 or G2 with either the fabulous 28mm Biogon f/2.8 or the similarly fantastic 35mm Planar f/2.0. Add a 90mm Sonnar f/2.8 and voila! Your new Leica-alike kit!

Some will no doubt argue that the Contax G is an 'ancient' camera - true, it dates to the 1990s, but is the M6 any younger? Metering is excellent. Focus takes a bit of practice but once you've nailed the (simple) technique involved, you will be fine. The lenses are far ahead of the camera bodies, but a G1 can be bought on the used market (Japanese sellers seem to have an endless stock of them) for very little money, so if your G1 goes bad on you, just buy another and go on shooting.

My first was bought in 2004 and I have since added three bodies for (on average) A$200 or less. So I am set for life.

Just a few thoughts for your consideration. If not suitable, my good wishes to you for the very best of luck in finding your dream M6 and Leitz lenses. Be sure to take lots of money with you when you go out shopping...

 

[Bolo Kukus]

Yout post shows you're suffering from opinion overload syndrome, which comes from reading too many things written by people who don't share your experiences.

Think: have you shot meterless cameras? If so, did you like it? If yes, go for one. If you didn't enjoy it and saw yourself doing it forever, just ditch it.

When you photograph, what is it you want, expansive views or careful detail? If the former, get a wide angle. If the latter, get a 50mm.

Now, will you be able to live with third-party lenses or do you absolutely want your first lens to be a Leica brand? I know I wanted not just Leica, but as new as I could get, and in the end, once I found the used market (and the third-party used market!!), I realized that the lens is just a means to an image, not the end of the road. Hence, I'd recommend that you consider used glass, used or new Voigtländer, or used or new Zeiss-Ikon. To a great extent, they're all comparable (with very slight differences).

The M6 is a great camera, but you may also want to consider the M6TTL, an improved version that came out some time later, which has an easier to handle shutter speed selector dial and electronics for through-the-lens flash metering (using a dedicated Leica flash). You don't need the flash, but the camera will be newer than the M6.

Again, have these ideas in mind while you shop and forget what you've read or heard about lens performance and a lot more. Enjoy photographing things instead! 🙂

This is the best advice I have read in this entire thread - even better than mine, ha!!

Cameras are about loading them with film, taking them out and using them - and making the best of the camera you have in your hand at any given time.

Common sense prevails throughout. Also saving money.

Good on you, SolaresLarrave for having written this.

 

[Bill Clark]

First Leica for me, M4 with a 50 f2.8 Summicron lens version 3.

I don’t own any Leica cameras with electronics such as an on board light meter or digital.

Sekonic L-158 light meter.

F.Y.I.:

Truth be known, for me, I’m using my iPhone 6s more and more. Our grand daughter, who lives in L.A., was in a school play of Aladdin and I made a nice photo of the entire cast with it.

 

[splitimageview]

Have you shot many rolls using a rangefinder yet?

 

[leicapixie]

This is an opinion only..based on experience as a pro, now retired.
Basic question, have you used a film camera!
A Leica used or new is a cosiderable investment.
They need maintenance and adjustments..expensive.

If a First film camera, get a SLR , Pentax KM or K1000,
Canon AE-1P, Minolta X series, Nikon F3, FE..
Bodies between $10 to $200 (F3).
The less expensive usually no meter working (Pentax).
The Canon's are all semi auto. and are stunning.

My Pentxes used pro have never reqd. a service..
If heart set on Leica M6TTL, there ae no more circuits if fails..
The frames are particularly lousy with 50mm len,
Rather a 35mm.

 

[Beemermark]

Here's my 50+ years of experience. Onc camera, one lens - buy a nice Kodak Signet. Or splurge and get a Canon IIIQ, or better yet an Olympus SP.


I've got tons of Nikon, Fujifilm, Leica M4, M7, M9 and a ton of lenses. The above named cameras will take pictures just as stunning. I have money to buy toys thus the Nikons, Fujifilm, Leica and many more. Save your money and buy film.

 

[Rob-F]

One Leica, One lens: If you settle on a 50mm, don't get an M6 because the 50mm frameline is very undersized. It only covers the field of a 60mm lens at normal distances. The M2, M3, M4, or M5 all have better framelines. The M3, with its .91 magnification, is OK with the 50mm lens, even with eyeglasses. The M2/M4/M5 are usable with 35mm and glasses, but you will be shifting your eye around in the finder to see the edges and corners. If you want the 35mm focal length, then since you wear glasses, you will be happiest with an M6 with the .58 finder. The view with the 35mm lens while wearing glasses is very comfortable with the .58 finder!

Do you want a compromise between 35mm and 50mm? Get the 40mm Summicron modified to bring up the 35mm frameline, and use it on an M6, because its 35mm framelines, being just a little undersize, are perfect for 40mm! Here too, get the .58 finder.

 

[BernardL]

Here's my 50+ years of experience. Onc camera, one lens - buy a nice Kodak Signet. Or splurge and get a Canon IIIQ, or better yet an Olympus SP.

I've got tons of Nikon, Fujifilm, Leica M4, M7, M9 and a ton of lenses. The above named cameras will take pictures just as stunning. I have money to buy toys thus the Nikons, Fujifilm, Leica and many more. Save your money and buy film.

+1.
Not same but similar here. 50+ years as amateur. Have many toys (Nikon FM2, 3-lens kit, Mamiya C220, 3-lens kit, etc). But most often I go out shooting with a modest Olympus 35RC. And the other half of the story is in the darkroom. If your goal is ownership of a Leica, just go and buy the most expensive you can afford.

 

[Rob-F]

Hi, i finally decided to get into the leica film system after a long time of thinking.

Here's my 50+ years of experience. Onc camera, one lens - buy a nice Kodak Signet. Or splurge and get a Canon IIIQ, or better yet an Olympus SP.

Here's my 60+ years of experience. The man wants a Leica. Let him buy a Leica.