Leica LTM I have a goal: IIc or IIf by Jan. 1

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
I have purchased a Contax G1 and am amazed by the feel and quality of it. Now I just have to save up for a lens! I cant believe how much they are. Cant wait to use it.
 
The Leica II's are outstanding cameras, but they do not have slow speeds (below 1/30). That's not a huge limitation and there are shutter timers available (I hear). I personally think there is something special about the build quality of the IIf - perhaps the surviving examples just saw less use so it appears that way! About $300 for a really good IIf is the market price. All that said, a Leica III of any suffix is a fine camera, with very reliable slow speeds and all, if properly serviced.
 
Also, if may dissent a bit here, while the P (7, etc) are fine cameras and offer some advantages practically, I think the Leica's are made better and handle easier. (I've owned and used most of the models under discussion here too.)
 
I am glad this thread floated back up to the surface. In the intervening weeks I traded a CLA'd SP1000 and lens to an RF member for a CLA'd FED-2 and I-26. This rascal is mechanically smooooooth, the film is aligned perfectly with the rails, there are no light leaks., the back comes off crisply and easily, and locks into place crisply and easily. It focuses perfectly with the I-26 that came with it, and the I-61 I already had, the diopter works superbly. My black I-50 has shimming issues, but I ain't complaining. This FED will do nicely as my reliable LTM body for a while, at least ...

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I've never had trouble with the slow speeds either on my 1951 IIIf (bought new by my father) or my 1938 IIIa, which I only got a few years ago. The IIIa hadn't been used or CLA'd for a good 30 years -- shutter still accurate enough for negative film.
 
Hi Paul
Glad you have got fixed up with something you like - fixed for the time being at least? Won't you still just wonder a tiny tiny bit about what a Leica IIf might be like?
jesse
 
I'd say watch for a good IIIf ... I bought an M3 ... then M2 ... then lately a IIIf rd from this board ... guess what? I brought all 3 cameras to a recent trip to Japan and I only used the IIIf ... roll after roll after roll. It could be because it's new to me, but it's just so much more travel friendly to me than the Ms ... btw, I always cut my film before loading and I never have problem with any roll since roll # 1 ....
 
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