Merkin
For the Weekend
I started shooting when I was 8 or 9 with my dad's backup slr, the ubiquitous pentax k1000, with a ricoh 50mm f/1.7 lens and Ilford HP5, pretty much the universal beginner setup. I had great luck with this setup, winning a couple of junior contests in my hometown. Several years later, I got a jones for "modern" gear, so I got a Canon EOS elan IIe, a tamron 28-200 zoom, and I started shooting color. This is in the top three worst mistakes I have ever made in my life, as I found myself gradually giving up on photography. Part of this was a subconscious realization (I didn't come to the conscious realization until several years later) that the quality of my work promptly went in the toilet. A few years ago, when I was living in the mountains of NC, up on the side of a mountain, we had a snowy day that jarred something in my brain, so I borrowed my then-girlfriend's digital point and shoot, and spent the day alternating between drinking beer and taking pictures. It was great to shoot again, but I wasn't pleased with the quality of the images I grabbed, so I started researching digital cameras. All of the cameras at that time were, in my mind, either too expensive, or too low in quality. Not too long after that, Leica introduced the D-Lux 3 point and shoot, which exhibited a very high quality at a price that was still a bit high, but "cheap for a leica." I bought it, and shot it for a few months until I realized that I was completely hooked on photography again. It was around this time that I decided to go back to film, so I set down the Leica and picked up the Pentax. I took a couple of classes as a refresher and ended up switching pretty rapidly to medium format, as I had a seagull that my dad and I had picked up in the mid nineties for 100 bucks or so. From there, I started shooting Holgas after my seagull broke. After a while, I found myself tiring of the lack of control I had over my images, so I spent several months considering all sorts of different medium format cameras. Around this time, I moved to kentucky, where I didn't have a darkroom, so I had to get my medium format film processed at a local shop, which turned out to be disastrous. This made me decide to go back to 35mm, and it didn't take me long to realize that a rangefinder was right for me. I spent several months considering every rangefinder under the sun, and I am sure that people here on the forum got utterly sick of me asking 309967 questions about every aspect of every camera I was considering. Finally, after a long time of weighing every option, I decided on an M4-2 with a 35mm f1/4 CV lens, as well as a 90mm f4 elmar which I picked up for a song. This setup is utterly fantastic. A few weeks ago, i found a deal I couldn't pass up on a Leica CL which is in mint condition except for two tiny scuffs on the baseplate. I ended up picking up a 50mm f2.5 color skopar to pair with it, as I couldn't bring myself to disable the working meter in order to use a collapsible lens. At some point in the next year or two, I will pick up another medium format camera, but right now, I couldn't be more pleased with my Leica kit. It all fits in to a very small military surplus satchel, and looks completely anonymous.
The one piece of advice I would pass on to you from my experience that led me to my Leicas is to not rush your decisionmaking process, and weigh every piece of minutiae carefully, to make sure that you buy what you want at the price you are willing or able to spend the first time. You can buy a Leica body in fantastic shape for not much more than a new voigtlander if you are patient and do your homework.
The one piece of advice I would pass on to you from my experience that led me to my Leicas is to not rush your decisionmaking process, and weigh every piece of minutiae carefully, to make sure that you buy what you want at the price you are willing or able to spend the first time. You can buy a Leica body in fantastic shape for not much more than a new voigtlander if you are patient and do your homework.
normclarke
normclarke
First Leica
First Leica
My first Leica was an early II in 1962 but this was soon replaced by one of the first Pentax as this was all the craze at the time. I went through many years of Pentax and Nikon ownership until in 98 I saw an M2 advertised at a very low price. On obtaining same it was obviously in need of some TLC. It was sent to Malcolm Taylor who breathed life into the ailing shell and I was hooked. Since then I have obtianed a fair selection of lenses and after sampling an M4-2,an M6TTL, an M4 and two more M2's have settled on the M2 and M4. I also have a very sad M1 which I have managed to bring back from the proverbial, it was a basket case for £50, certainly not my bestbuy!
Cheers
normclarke
First Leica
My first Leica was an early II in 1962 but this was soon replaced by one of the first Pentax as this was all the craze at the time. I went through many years of Pentax and Nikon ownership until in 98 I saw an M2 advertised at a very low price. On obtaining same it was obviously in need of some TLC. It was sent to Malcolm Taylor who breathed life into the ailing shell and I was hooked. Since then I have obtianed a fair selection of lenses and after sampling an M4-2,an M6TTL, an M4 and two more M2's have settled on the M2 and M4. I also have a very sad M1 which I have managed to bring back from the proverbial, it was a basket case for £50, certainly not my bestbuy!
Cheers
normclarke
Freelander
Member
My downward spiral...
~15-20 years ago, Nikon N70
Traded for a Nikon FM2n 10 years ago. This camera with the 50/1.4 AIS lens taught me that less was more.
9.5 years ago I bought a complete CLE kit (used) that had been sitting in a camera shop window for ages and fell in love with rangefinders. Lusted after Leicas but not in a position to buy.
4 years ago went digital with D70s then D300.
June last year on a whim, got out my CLE and shot a roll of XP2 and fell in love with it all over again.
July last year a local camera shop had a black paint MP for sale at less than used EBay prices. (Not a big market for high end, all manual film cameras in my town). You can guess the rest.
Ultimately I blame the FM2n. It changed the way I thought about cameras and photography.
I do so agree with all you say here . I traded in a less than 1 year old EOS 600 for my first FM2. I have a digital Canon G9 but no DSLR. I'm shopping around for my first M
chrishayton
Well-known
I got my leica very recently(january) I had previously had a couple of russian rfs, a bessa and an xpan, and shooting digitally on a canon dlsr ( briefly had a dabble in mf but getting photos developed frustrated me)
I wanted a small high quality camera I could take anywhere and there no small digital equivalent ( for less than the price of a car ) so knew i need a film camera. the bessa was nice but not special so i sold it and returned to using an slr primarily. I then got an xpan kit for £500 which i used for a little white but realised i could sell it and get my dream camera, a Leica M.
I like Leicas so much due to the build quality and of course the very functional and fuss free design. the viewfinder is huge and rangefinder focusing is so easy and accurate AF on my dslr seems like a compromise to me. I wanted a camera I could keep forever and i think i now have one.
Since buying it ive bought a 35mm ultron and 90mm elmar c, and 2 days ago a industar 22 so i can fit the camera in my laptop bagand keep it with me all the time.
I wanted a small high quality camera I could take anywhere and there no small digital equivalent ( for less than the price of a car ) so knew i need a film camera. the bessa was nice but not special so i sold it and returned to using an slr primarily. I then got an xpan kit for £500 which i used for a little white but realised i could sell it and get my dream camera, a Leica M.
I like Leicas so much due to the build quality and of course the very functional and fuss free design. the viewfinder is huge and rangefinder focusing is so easy and accurate AF on my dslr seems like a compromise to me. I wanted a camera I could keep forever and i think i now have one.
Since buying it ive bought a 35mm ultron and 90mm elmar c, and 2 days ago a industar 22 so i can fit the camera in my laptop bagand keep it with me all the time.
Fred
Feline Great
For me I was an SLR user for many years and like a few others here went through a very quiet photography patch. After picking getting a new F80 Nikon (N80 in the states I think) I went on a course and my photography desire returned.
At a camera show back in 2002 or 2003 my buddy who used to have a Leicas in the past persuaded my to have a look at the M7 at the Leica stand, I was very impressed, to see everything in focus in the VF was such a boon instead of looking at what would be in focus at full aperture on an SLR. Very fast to focus as well. I was hooked right then. After my buddy bought an M7 about a year later I was thinking of getting an R2A that was about to be released at the time but that M7 feeling at that show still nagged. It took a while to get but I'm very happy with the M7. I used to use CV lenses apart from the cron that I got with the camera but following the death of my freind I bought his complete kit off his son. That kit included the 35 cron asph , the 50 lux asph and the 90 cron asph. I would not have been able to afford these lenses new and had trouble affording them then but definitly worth it and have no regrets.
I only wish my photography could do it all justice. My SLR use is very rare these days.
At a camera show back in 2002 or 2003 my buddy who used to have a Leicas in the past persuaded my to have a look at the M7 at the Leica stand, I was very impressed, to see everything in focus in the VF was such a boon instead of looking at what would be in focus at full aperture on an SLR. Very fast to focus as well. I was hooked right then. After my buddy bought an M7 about a year later I was thinking of getting an R2A that was about to be released at the time but that M7 feeling at that show still nagged. It took a while to get but I'm very happy with the M7. I used to use CV lenses apart from the cron that I got with the camera but following the death of my freind I bought his complete kit off his son. That kit included the 35 cron asph , the 50 lux asph and the 90 cron asph. I would not have been able to afford these lenses new and had trouble affording them then but definitly worth it and have no regrets.
I only wish my photography could do it all justice. My SLR use is very rare these days.
robin a
Well-known
Hi,I've always been interested in photography and cameras.I've had a few through the years and still have the bug for new gear.After lurking around this forum I decided to take the plunge and go after a M.Bought a really clean M3 from a guy named Marcel in the classifieds.A great choice on my part,I will be keeping this one.................Robin
Al Kaplan
Veteran
I started out with a bottom loading Canon "Leica copy" in 1962 because of the price, less than a Leica. I think I paid about $90 with a 50/1.8 lens. I then got a Leica III-C followed by a III-F. When the M4 first hit the market (1967?) I made the plunge. I remember that It listed for $288 and I got a set of three LTM to M adapters from Spiratone for $10. Then I added a "user" double stroke M3 followed by a button rewind M2 over the next couple of years for $100 each. Every pro I knew was buying Nikon F's and dumping their "old fashioned" Leicas.
Since then it's been a gradual "upgrade", buying clean barely used bodies when the price was right and selling off the now beat up ones as opportunity allowed. I've maintained a stable of three or four bodies for about 40 years now. I've done the same thing with the lenses.
Since then it's been a gradual "upgrade", buying clean barely used bodies when the price was right and selling off the now beat up ones as opportunity allowed. I've maintained a stable of three or four bodies for about 40 years now. I've done the same thing with the lenses.
b.espahbod
Optophile
Leica was always in our family and friends its the only 35mm camera i ever seen around me (M2 with rigid summicron 50 my first inherited camera) after that, I treated myself with a 503CW(the evil ugly nasty big hell of a SLR) and a Mastertechnika the king of rangefinders .
) and a Mastertechnika the king of rangefinders .
Austerby
Well-known
My father used a Zorki back in the 1960s and 70s. He encouraged an interest in photography but I was never keen on the heavy old Zorki. He first made me aware of Leicas but could not afford to get one. I went down the SLR route and from film to digital but was disatisfied with using a computer to take photos.
I still have my Nikon FE which I love but it's now worn out so was looking at Nikon F3s on the internet auction site when for some reason I remembered those conversations with my father and looked at Leicas. To my surprise they seemed affordable and after research I decided to get an M3.
It was in quite ropey condition with a poor summicron collapsable lens and my first results were terrible but I loved the mechanical feel of it and bought a replacement summicron and an exposure meter. I did take it with me on a trip to Kenya (along with a D70 for the wildlife) and took just a few shots with it - most failed but one took my breath away. It was of some orphans singing in a concert and it was quite unlike any photograph I'd ever taken before with a luminous glow and character that I still find special.
From then on it was a rejuvenation of enthusiasm which I have maintained for well over a couple of years now with no sign of abating.
I still have my Nikon FE which I love but it's now worn out so was looking at Nikon F3s on the internet auction site when for some reason I remembered those conversations with my father and looked at Leicas. To my surprise they seemed affordable and after research I decided to get an M3.
It was in quite ropey condition with a poor summicron collapsable lens and my first results were terrible but I loved the mechanical feel of it and bought a replacement summicron and an exposure meter. I did take it with me on a trip to Kenya (along with a D70 for the wildlife) and took just a few shots with it - most failed but one took my breath away. It was of some orphans singing in a concert and it was quite unlike any photograph I'd ever taken before with a luminous glow and character that I still find special.
From then on it was a rejuvenation of enthusiasm which I have maintained for well over a couple of years now with no sign of abating.
SimonSawSunlight
Simon Fabel
mmmh in sumer 2008, I worked in one of the very few dedicated and professional photo/camera stores here in Berlin fot two months. slavery. but we had a beautiful M4 (600€) and an M2 (700€ -wtf?-)in our second-hands, 20% less for employees and tada, I had my M4 for 480€, a nokton 1.5/50 one month later (used a jupiter-8 from my zorki 1 before that), happy ever after.
about 2 months before that, I was lucky enough to be borrowed an M2 with Voigtländer 50 and 35mm lenses for one day by a fellow RFF member, during the 'euromeet 2008' in berlin. I have to admit that I was a little sceptic about that "leica hype" -which I would rather call a "friendly tumour" now- before, but that smooth M2 blew my mind.
I got myself an M2 in addition to the M4 about 3 months ago, but had to send it back to the seller for CLA and I'm still waiting
no regrets at all, loads of plans for more glass, no money at all
about 2 months before that, I was lucky enough to be borrowed an M2 with Voigtländer 50 and 35mm lenses for one day by a fellow RFF member, during the 'euromeet 2008' in berlin. I have to admit that I was a little sceptic about that "leica hype" -which I would rather call a "friendly tumour" now
- before, but that smooth M2 blew my mind.I got myself an M2 in addition to the M4 about 3 months ago, but had to send it back to the seller for CLA and I'm still waiting
no regrets at all, loads of plans for more glass, no money at all
peter_n
Veteran
When I was a lad living in Ireland I should have bought an Exakta but could only afford a Zenit. I should have bought a Leica but could only afford to buy the occasional Leica Fotografie magazine, because a Leica cost ¾ of my then yearly salary. I still have the magazines on my bookshelf and almost 6 years ago I finally bought my first RF, a Leica M6TTL, after the pictures in the magazines had finally gotten to me... I bought it from a dealer in NYC and loved it. I don't have the M6TTL any more and have moved through a number of cameras and lenses and have settled down with two Ms and a number of lenses that I like. Also I now have a subscription to LFI, the modern-day Leica Fotografie.
JamSee
James Craig
Great idea for a thread!
I came about Leica when I had only been using film for a short while. I had become disappointed with the results from my EOS 300D a few years back and decided that I would go film as I couldnt afford a high end DSLR, I bought a an EOS 5 which I used until the shutter died. I sold some things and toyed with the idea of a 5D, however upon trying a friends M6 I fell in love with the size and unimposing nature and felt it would be a lasting investment...
haha, Leicas are special.
James.
I came about Leica when I had only been using film for a short while. I had become disappointed with the results from my EOS 300D a few years back and decided that I would go film as I couldnt afford a high end DSLR, I bought a an EOS 5 which I used until the shutter died. I sold some things and toyed with the idea of a 5D, however upon trying a friends M6 I fell in love with the size and unimposing nature and felt it would be a lasting investment...
haha, Leicas are special.
James.
colker
Well-known
i bought it.
FrozenInTime
Well-known
Working every weekend in a camera shop while a student. Anyone remember Edinburgh Cameras Lothian Road ?
Finally could afford a used M2 and 35 summicron (and then only once I sold my entire Pentax MX kit, 28mm,40mm,50mm and 135mm). It took me another 3 years to add a 90 summicron.
Finally could afford a used M2 and 35 summicron (and then only once I sold my entire Pentax MX kit, 28mm,40mm,50mm and 135mm). It took me another 3 years to add a 90 summicron.
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martin s
Well-known
It was given to me on my birthday, after wanting an m3 for years. Best gift ever, of course.
martin
martin
januaryman
"Flim? You want flim?"
During a long holiday weekend, an M2 was being offered on the bay, listed as a "user" but it was listed by Youxin Ye, who I know did CLA's on Leica's. Long story short, not many bidders, I guess they were busy doing something with their families, and I picked it up for less than $500. A warranty came with it! Happy holiday for me.
andrewteee
Established
Hey, thanks everyone! These are great to read - very interesting and informative. Seems like a lot of people bought used and at opportune moments. Reminds me a lot of how I bought my first stereo receiver many years ago - worked hard as a kid, earned some cash, and blew it all on a hand-picked audio system. Lasted 20+ years. Of course, I don't have a Leica yet, but the Leica and general photography paths of many of you sounds familiar to my own path. I wish I could reply to all of the comments, but there are too many to do so individually. But, in general it sounds to me like once you end up with Leica the "search" ends to a certain extent, unless there was an obvious need for something in addition, such as medium format.
Great stories all!
Great stories all!
DougFord
on the good foot
How did you end up with your first Leica M?
I joined eBay back in 2001 for the sole purpose of buying a manual camera from which to learn the fundamentals of photography. I ended up with an m6 classic, my first eBay purchase, which has long been sold. I no longer own any leica cameras but thanks to eBay, I’ve been the temporary owner of an M2,3,6,and an MP. If I was ever to return to using an m body, I would buy another m6 classic.
I joined eBay back in 2001 for the sole purpose of buying a manual camera from which to learn the fundamentals of photography. I ended up with an m6 classic, my first eBay purchase, which has long been sold. I no longer own any leica cameras but thanks to eBay, I’ve been the temporary owner of an M2,3,6,and an MP. If I was ever to return to using an m body, I would buy another m6 classic.
raid
Dad Photographer
I had recently moved to Pensacola, and I received out of the blue a phone call from someone who heard that I liked cameras. It turned out to be a Navy guy who was in the middle of a divorce situation, and his Leica had to be sold. It was a well-used Leica M4 MOT. I sold it to KEH the same evening as I had no leica lenses nor was I into RF cameras. I just knew from reading every night Shutterbug magazine what the market values are. I have been following market prices for about 25 years now. Now I have a like new M3 [chrome] and M6 [black]. I am content.
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BillBingham2
Registered User
What drew you to them and how did you go about your purchase?
My first adjustable camera was a Konica IIIm. I had used my fathers IIIc many times and loved it and my Konica. I went SLR as I could barrow lots of glass and stuff from and through my father. I grew my SLR kit after getting married and having two incomes till the day I realized that I was carrying around way too much stuff with me and not enjoying stuff. Being in NYC I went to Ken H and got hooked on Leica and picked up an M4-P new and a 35/2 'Cron new.
Since then, how has your photography and gear progressed?
I picked up a 90/2 and 21/2.8 and a motor and used them till I got a M6 for an anniversary (she got a big diamond). I found a 35/3.5 and 90/4 to pair with my M4-P as a carry everywhere kit. Switched to P&S and then a Bessa when kids came and stuck with Bessas till a few years when I pulled out the Ms (kids were older). I've always carried an SLR kit when I was shooting and got frustrated with the different directions of aperture and focus between systems, so I moved to Nikon RF. I sold all my Leicas and am in deep love with my S3-2000.
What has surprised you about the experience?
Handling for me is about the total experience not just how the camera feels in my hand.
Was there a path of rangefinders prior to your M?
Used and Konica IIIm back in High School for a year.
Did you have doubts before committing to Leica, due to its cost of entry?
No, while today I would buy used and get it CLAed, but that's because I am really into manual cameras. Price of used Ms has never been more attractive.
B2 (;->
My first adjustable camera was a Konica IIIm. I had used my fathers IIIc many times and loved it and my Konica. I went SLR as I could barrow lots of glass and stuff from and through my father. I grew my SLR kit after getting married and having two incomes till the day I realized that I was carrying around way too much stuff with me and not enjoying stuff. Being in NYC I went to Ken H and got hooked on Leica and picked up an M4-P new and a 35/2 'Cron new.
Since then, how has your photography and gear progressed?
I picked up a 90/2 and 21/2.8 and a motor and used them till I got a M6 for an anniversary (she got a big diamond). I found a 35/3.5 and 90/4 to pair with my M4-P as a carry everywhere kit. Switched to P&S and then a Bessa when kids came and stuck with Bessas till a few years when I pulled out the Ms (kids were older). I've always carried an SLR kit when I was shooting and got frustrated with the different directions of aperture and focus between systems, so I moved to Nikon RF. I sold all my Leicas and am in deep love with my S3-2000.
What has surprised you about the experience?
Handling for me is about the total experience not just how the camera feels in my hand.
Was there a path of rangefinders prior to your M?
Used and Konica IIIm back in High School for a year.
Did you have doubts before committing to Leica, due to its cost of entry?
No, while today I would buy used and get it CLAed, but that's because I am really into manual cameras. Price of used Ms has never been more attractive.
B2 (;->