How did you end up with your first Leica M?

Like many here, I was fairly invested into SLRs... and then, one day, after a trip, I simply didn't enjoy photography any more and wanted a change. I looked into RF cameras, bought a Canonet, then a small batch of Japanese RF cameras, then a Contax G...

Then, I went on a trip with my Canonet. When even my wife liked my photographs (with the RF camera), I considered myself worth a Leica, so I bought into the system... and remained in debt for about a year and a half. Of course, I have enjoyed every minute of it ever since (and that was 2003).
 
Back when I was a photographer for the Seattle Post Intelligencer and United Press International, I couldn't do the courthouse assignments as SLRs were not allowed for obvious reasons. So I got an M6 so I could use the pool lens 135mm, along with my 35/90mm. The system remains with me today updated with an upgraded M8 for most excellent vacation and family images as well as the occasional free-lance project.
 
Today I got my first Leica M camera. It came without a lens but I do have various Nikon and Canon SM lenses. I had to look up the directions of how to load it and I ordered the adapters so I could use the lenses I have. I may not wait because I called around I found one shop that has a 50/2 Summicron and tomorrow I will probably go look at it.
The Canon and Nikon RF lenses have been doing great on my Bessa R and various Canon RF's but I lusted after a Leica M and it came in today from a winning bid on Ebay.
I have a Leica IIIf and various Leica RF lens which will have the adapters on them as soon as they come in. Can't wait!
Joe
 
I bought a used M3 ds in 1974 at a camera shop on M Street while a PJ student at Syracuse. I sold it a few years later because I needed the money and wanted to keep my Nikon FTN kit. Since then its been several Nikon SLRs, film and digital. About a year ago I bought a used Epson RD-1 and made the mistake of buying a 50mm 'cron. That was the beginning of the end. Since then, another M3 ds (sentimental purchase) with a DR 'cron, an M8 and more glass. BTW, I still have that FTN.
 
I had dabbled in photography for years, but never very serious. I always loved it though, but could never devote the time. When I moved to San Francisco I saved for months to afford a Nikon D200 (which was my dream camera) and a few lenses. And though I got a great deal of wonderful shots with it, I was never totally satisfied.

I met an old photojournalist while living in SF who offered to give me some photography lessons. After weeks of instruction, he convinced me that digital was making me "lazy" and I wouldn't be able to truly learn the craft until I used film. He used an old M3 with a 50mm lens, and I was always amazed by what he was able to do with such a simple setup.

So I sold my Nikon and bought my M6 and a 50mm Summicron. Best decision of my life.

As a side note, I take a bit of joy in thinking on the fact that my Nikon D200 is now probably worth very little, but my M6 is most likely worth as much as when I first got it.
 
FrozenInTime said:
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.
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I remember edinburgh cameras use to come in there and have a look at the nikon f4s dream camera! I think they cost about £1800 at the time.
 
I love seeing how many young users of film rigs there are here. It really helps to dispel the notion that everyone wants to shoot digital now days and that only old luddites use film.

Rock on!
 
My first Leica was an M3 with a 35mm goggled 2.8 which I now remember I bought from Edinburgh cameras when they had moved to Holy corner, kept it for a while but didn't get on with the goggles and no light meter. Traded the lens in for a M6ttl which I still have and sold the M3 in the back of amateur photographer. Funny my favourite Leica now is my M2 without the meter I think it is because its so farway from using my work cameras!
 
IN my case, it was no sudden move. Mine happens to be an M4-2 which I bought new in 1983. My interest in photography goes back at least to high school, and I had spent half my life wanting a rangefinder Leica.

One year my income tax refund was enough to finally make the move, so I did. I bought the body and 50mm. f/2 Summicron. Later, as funds permitted, I added the 35mm f/2 and the 90mm. Those were all I ever wanted, so I'm satisfied.

As it happens, by now I have enough other cameras, including a DSLR, that the Leica gets only moderate use. Since I've always been primarily a color slide enthusiast, the digital now pretty well takes up what I do.

I might add that what I paid for my setup is a fraction of what it would run nowdays. But of course, even back then, it was a major investment for the time. And I'm not really interested in any more Leicas, anyway.
 
I've had Barnack Leicas since 1963 - a IIIc (Serenar 50mm/f1.8 - camera and lens, at different times, from the bandits at Olden Camera in NYC), then, in addition, a IIc, with a 50mm Summar ($25 out the door from Fotoshop on 32nd Street in Manhattan in 1965). I eventually traded the IIc for a IIIf, again at Fotoshop, so that I could use a $16 Spiratone electronic flash.

In 1984 I found an 1955 M3 (DS converted to SS) at a camera shop in Red Bank, NJ. The dealer wouldn't go below $200 so that is what I paid. That M3 has been all over Europe and Japan with me and has been completely reliable. I still have that jewel, much improved by the cleaning that DAG did on the RF/VF - I sent it to Don after using it for 20 years reckoning that a service would be needed at some point or another.

I found a DR Summicron at Camera Barn in Manhattan. It evenually went to Leitz in Rockleigh where the did a complete overhaul for $80 (1984 again). I'm using a collapsible Summicron 50mm on it now.

The camera will be working perfectly well long after I'm gone. I hope the next user will appreciate what he/she has as much as I have.

- Graybeard
 
My grandfather had several cameras, but when he passed away my mom had most things sold in an estate sale. I was unable to go see what was there, and anyway at the time I was not photographing. Knowing his interests and tastes he probably had a Leica or other interesting cameras.

Did anyone here who is fairly new to Leica first look at the film cameras and end up with an M8, or both?
 
I think my first real camera was a Minolta SLR in the early '80s. I must have used it for at most a year until I moved on to a Nikon FE2. The Nikon got me through college and much more, for close to 20 years.

I went digital with a Nikon D70s but that didn't last very long. I was quickly disappointed with focus, white balance and automation issues. Constatnly recharging batteries grew tiresome too.

At some point I remembered how easy it was to use film and I started hanging out at RFF. I got a very nice F3 from someone right here and an Hblad from KEH. But I had my sights set on an M and I spent about a year deciding which one to get.

Finally, I got a mint M4 from KEH w/ a 90/2.8 Elmarit and a 50mm Summilux and I've been in photographic heaven ever since. I'm now searching for a fast 35mm to complete the system.
 
I had been photographing for ever, starting with an instamatic in the early 60's when they were introduced, buying a Mamiya 645 system as my first serious camera, moving through view cameras, Canon slrs, finally 'going digital' in the 90's with a Nikon 950, then Nikon DSLR cameras, loads of lenses, getting back into film with an OM-1n. I was shooting nudes with that camera when this guy, Ralph Gibson, hands me his camera and says "Here's the camera you should be using." It was a red MP with a 50mm Summalux. I'd shot a rangefinder before but when I looked through his viewfinder, it was SO easy to focus!

Then about a month later I was in my favorite photo store and there is a used M4-P in the case. Although it was black, it looked just like Ralph's. At the time I didn't know the difference between a MP and a M4-P. I tried it out, an it was the same magic. I came back to the internet, and asked my friend Ned (y'all know him as disgraced member here NB23) about it, and it was the exact same camera that he had. "Just buy it." he said.

So I went back to the store, checked out all the mechanical parts, talked them down two hundred bucks and put it on my credit card. Only after all that did I look up who Gibson is, and I found out that he's a big shot photographer hired by Leica to influence impressionable kids like me! Ned, on the other hand, is my Leica idol. I'm sure glad they talked me into it - I haven't forsaken my other cameras, but I use the Leica more than all of them combined.
 
I had an Olympus 35SP which got me hooked on coupled range-finders but wanted one with interchangeable lenses. Then several things happened; I got some back pay and a rise; the Leica CL was discontinued and a supplement on travel photography in "Camera Technique" mentioned that the last CL's were still in the shops. So I bought one (£275) and later on the Elmar-C.

I still have it (and the travel photography supplement), it's the film camera I use the most (film in it this week and new film going in today) but if I'd know then that I was at the top of a long and slippery slope I might not have bought it and been miserable ever since (sigh).

It's led to me having some of it's ancestors, some of its children and even the R5, a Fed or two and a Zorki or two. Then there's the heap of 1920's magazines, the 30's booklets and so on...

Regards, David
 
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Given to me in 1977 when I turned 17, an M2 with 50mm Summilux, filter, hood, case, box and instructions. Still have it, recently serviced, now 50 years old. I shoot film 90% of the time. The alternative offer from Dad was a metered CL with two lenses. I chose the classic M. Teenagers are like that, go for the hard choice. I just gave my daughter a beautiful Nikon F3 for her 16th birthday. She wanted a proper SLR and I could not buy something second rate.
 
KM-25 said:
I love seeing how many young users of film rigs there are here. It really helps to dispel the notion that everyone wants to shoot digital now days and that only old luddites use film.

Rock on!
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what is age but a label society prints on to justify how it treats its members.
 
KM-25 said:
I love seeing how many young users of film rigs there are here. It really helps to dispel the notion that everyone wants to shoot digital now days and that only old luddites use film.

Rock on!
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I reckon I am quite a young M-user at 20, however I have owned this camera for over 3 years now...

I can't say I regret spending (literally) every penny to my name on a camera, however it did take along time to get into the rangefinder swing.

Now I'm eager to get on and learn some dark-room skills, can anybody recommend how I go about this? Introductory books etc. I am going to get in touch with a local camera club and see if they can help...

James.
 
James,

I'm not sure where to look, but the way I learned a lot of protocol in using local repeaters for HAM radio was listening. In this case I'd suggest go and watch others. Perhaps after a while ask if you can help.

The basics are straight forward, budget a bit of cash to just to learn with. One place to look for some important background is info on the Zone system. While lots of folks focus on the image capture of the Zone system, the darkroom part is just as important.

PM me and I'll dig through the old noodle and see what else I can find.

B2 (;->
 
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