Help me Spend £2000

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Poppers

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Hello All, I'm a new user here. So I was saving up for a new Nikon DSLR and then i thought, to be honest I dont always use my current one as it's too big to take out all the time.

So I decided to buy the Fuji Finepix X100, I thought it might be wise to use a camera with a fixed 35mm for a while and see how we go before taking the leap. So into the shop I went and enquired about the price of Olympus XA cameras.

Then it happend, out of interest i enquired about the Leica M6, The crafty salesman put on in my hand and that was it. So I've decided I have to have one. No new DSLR no new X100.

So I want an M6 and i've chosen to buy a Zeiss 35 F2 or 2.8 (Which ever appears on the used market first)

To go with this I plan to develop my own film and would like a film scanner, i was thinking of the NIkon Coolscan 4000. I'm using an Imac with OSX. I do have acess to a darkroom at the moment so do people think it will be worthwile learning to print my own images?

I know that it's probably a better lens/camera combination than i am a photographer and perhaps i'd get on just as well with an old fixed lens rangefinder, but it's something I've always wanted to try.

So I have a maximum of £2000 but Id prefer only to spend £1600 ish.

Any suggestions?
 
Your plan sounds pretty good as is to me ... and as far as I'm concerned no camera is better than the photographer using it. The M6 is perfect and your choice of glass is spot on IMO.

And welcome Poppers! :)
 
I think you've got it all worked out, and it's all within your budget I'd say.

For your M6, check out Red Dot Cameras, Aperture Photographic, The Classic Camera and Ffordes. The Classic Camera has the Zeiss lenses new, but did not see any used ones last time I was in.

The scanner sounds good too, if you want to go new though, for warranty etc. look at the Plusteks. As you're shooting only 35mm film, I would not recommend a flatbed scanner, but if you think you may want to shoot medium format, look at an Epson V700 for your scanner. It's 35mm scans will be acceptable depending on your standards.

I'm looking to develop myself soon too, I've only ever dabbled with developing/printing, basically looking over someone's shoulder, but if I had room for a darkroom, I would.

I think you've got a good idea for a set up there, the M6 body can go under £1000, so you should have change for the lens and scanner. If you find yourself a little short for the lens, look at the Voigtlanders, they're cheap and good. The Zeiss does look like a superb choice though.
 
If you are using film, then yes, ABSOLUTELY learn to print black and white if you have the opportunity. It's what film was meant for.

You won't got wrong with the Zeiss 35/2.

Personally, I'd skip the scanner and spend the money on lots of printing paper...
 
Thanks for the quick responses. I live in Manchester UK so there are a couple of dealers here. I also have limited access to a Hasselblad scanner as well as the darkroom. I'd like to make contact sheets at home then decide what to scan and print. There are plenty of M6 bodies on the used market but i'm having to wait for the Zeiss lens to appear.
 
Poppers said:
I saw that thanks, I'm after a black one really which seem to crop up less often.
Click to expand...

Just a word of warning, they come up very rarely. It may be worth contacting dale photographic in Leeds. They charge very reasonable prices for the zeiss lenses new and quite often get stock in.
 
In your shoes I wouldn't jump in too deep in one go. Get the camera, lens and some film and get a dealer, 1 hour lab or whatever to D&P it at first. Then start looking at a scanner and so on after learning the M6.

Regards, David
 
Yes, if you buy a M6 and a good lens (look for a "reasonably" priced Summicron 35 ver. IV pre-asph), you should definitely learn to wet print. The joy of developing your own images is like nothing else. Scanning can be tedious.
BTW, a good 35mm film scanner can be quite costly. The Coolscan IV is great, though. But if you wet print and want a digital image, you can always use a regular flatbed scanner to digitalise the print. Any scanner will do that well enough.
 
menthel said:
Just a word of warning, they come up very rarely. It may be worth contacting dale photographic in Leeds. They charge very reasonable prices for the zeiss lenses new and quite often get stock in.
Click to expand...


thanks for that , just check ed their website and the prices seem good. Maybe they will do deal on a lens hood and a lens together. I'm still undecided about the F2 or F2.8. I like the size of the 2.8 but the speed of the 2. I suppose all things in life can be a compromise though.
 
Snapper_uk said:
If you are using film, then yes, ABSOLUTELY learn to print black and white if you have the opportunity. It's what film was meant for.

You won't got wrong with the Zeiss 35/2.

Personally, I'd skip the scanner and spend the money on lots of printing paper...
Click to expand...

and how will we see his pictures then ?

Stefan.
 
Poppers said:
thanks for that , just check ed their website and the prices seem good. Maybe they will do deal on a lens hood and a lens together. I'm still undecided about the F2 or F2.8. I like the size of the 2.8 but the speed of the 2. I suppose all things in life can be a compromise though.
Click to expand...

Give them a buzz and discuss, they are a very nice bunch of people!
 
I did the very same thing on Monday this week! I bought a lovely black M6 TTL together with a new Voigtlander 35mm F1.4 Nokton Classic from Ffordes. They were delivered yesterday and i'll shoot my first roll at the weekend. Can't wait. I have been thinking about a Leica M for a long time!
I bought a really nice Bronica SQ-A from Ffordes earlier this year and have really enjoyed the stunning image quality it produces from those big negs. Film seems to have taken over for me this year, although i still love my EOS 5D.
I just joined Rangefinder Forum last night and am hooked. Such good advice and friendly people.
 
Mr5D said:
I did the very same thing on Monday this week! I bought a lovely black M6 TTL together with a new Voigtlander 35mm F1.4 Nokton Classic from Ffordes. They were delivered yesterday and i'll shoot my first roll at the weekend. Can't wait. I have been thinking about a Leica M for a long time!
I bought a really nice Bronica SQ-A from Ffordes earlier this year and have really enjoyed the stunning image quality it produces from those big negs. Film seems to have taken over for me this year, although i still love my EOS 5D.
I just joined Rangefinder Forum last night and am hooked. Such good advice and friendly people.
Click to expand...

Welcome - and have fun with the M6 TTL.

John
 
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