I hope to spend $1,000 ...

[paulfish4570]

... maybe up to $1,300 or so in 2011 on an M-mount body, and one 50mm lens.

A) I have a strong urge to fill a 30-year-old empty spot with an M3, M2, or perhaps an M6, for some more money. (I traded a DS M3 and Elmar 50/2.8 30-something years ago for an SLR and couple of lenses) I'd more than likely have to use reading glasses to focus an M properly.

B) I have a strong urge to buy a new RF with easy - and inexpensive - eyepiece diopter interchangebility, such as a Bessa R3M. This Bessa series accepts Nikon threaded diopter eyepieces.

C) It is a daily revelation of clarity to look through my FE2 with 0 Nikon diopter. I get the same clarity - if not viewfinder size - with my FED-2 and its adjustable diopter.

D) Which lens? (I have a very good Industar-61 and I-26 that I could use with an adapter should an M6 end up as the target.)

What would you do?

 

[Brian Puccio]

I'm not sure why you'd need reading glasses to focus.

I can read fine without glasses up to 1.5 inches from my eye out to about 6 inches, but anything past that and I need glasses. Consequently, I need glasses to focus my camera. (I have 20/800 vision and even if they made diopters in my prescription, I'd have to wear my glasses to not walk into things, take them off to take a photo [looking one eye only] and then immediately put my glasses back on. That makes no sense, so I leave my glasses on 100% of the time.)

However, since I need glasses to focus my camera, the choice for me was simple. Leica M6 0.58x finder. I can just barely see the 28mm framelines with my glasses on.

 

[jbielikowski]

Look for M3 SS with newer type of VF, it has bigger inner diameter and you can see 50mm frames with ease using glasses.

As lens consider Summitar.

 

[kdemas]

Going the "easy load and good for glasses" route I might recommend a Hexar RF. As for the lens the best 50 that meets your budget as the 50 frames in the RF are great for glasses. You can find them for $650 or so.

That leaves a similar amount for a lens. How about a used 50/2 VC Heliar or a 50/2.8 Elmar (late). Both would be nice on that body, as would a ZM Planar 50.

Just an idea.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

A User-Grade M3 and collapsible Summicron will come in less than $1,000. Probably could get the M6 and collapsible Summicron for $1,300.

The I-26 and I-61 will give the same images whether attached to the Fed-2 or M3. I would add some faster lenses to the line-up. Also, as sharp as the Industars are- the build quality of the mechanism is not as good as other FSU lenses such as the J-3, J-8, and collapsible I-22 and I-50.

 

[cosmonaut]

I have an M6. I really like it. I have no issues. Though some experiance white out when shooting at certain angles, But I have only once experianed anything like that. I was shooting up at a ceiling fan, just playing around at I think I got the white out.
Just as important as seeing is the frameslines. If you get an older M make sure it has bright framelines and focus lines. I also had an M3 and liked the handling of it better than the M6 but not the framelines. I got a 28mm so the M6 has more options there. A built in meter is also a plus, for me anyway.
For 1000-1300 range I think I would bargain shop and get an M6 with a Summicron.

I also had a Bessa, I hated. The framelines and finder was a dream but the camera felt and sounded cheap.
I have an industar too but rarely use it. It just isn't anything compared to my Voigtlanders.

 

[mfogiel]

For glass wearers the ZI is by far the best camera, and it accepts the same diopters as Nikon, if you really need that. However for a 50mm lens I personally prefer to use a Leica (M7) with a 0.85x vf - perhaps the M3 could do as well, but you better try it first. For someone who wants to have A 50mm lens, in my opinion you shuld try at least once in your life a rigid or DR Summicron. (be aware, that the DR does not mount on the ZI or Bessa).

 

[rover]

There are a lot of good inexpensive (ish) 50mm lenses. A CV 50/2.5 or Canon 50/1.8 and Jupiter 8 all would fit well and leave you enough $$$ to find most M bodies you may consider.

 

[ferider]

If I remember right, you like heavier cameras, Paul. That points to M2 or M3 with diopter correction and maybe a 50 DR Summicron (my favorite Leica 50 - heavy, too). Should be possible within your budget.

Roland.

 

[gb hill]

I would, and will, buy a Fuji X100, but I'm not you.

I've noticed your work in the RFF gallery and quite frankly, you're too good a photographer to be faffing around with "gear".

Buy yourself a home development kit, chemicals etc (start with Diafine, dead simple) and a scanner.

Keep up the good work. 🙂

Paul already did all that.😀 Only I think he's using D-76.

 

[f16sunshine]

Paul you should consider the reason you like heavy cameras and the Leica loading style. Having a body with a swinging door may be a better option for your need. If I ever was to buy a Leica film body again it would be another M5. I like the shape, and love the "spot" meter and shutter speed dial. That said I have a ZI for it's swing door film loading and brightest and clearest VF in class.

 

[jmkelly]

If you have an emotional hankering for an M3, nothing else will satisfy - that's why I got one. The viewfinder is very good; if you are only going to use it for 50mm in my opinion it is better than the Hexar or the M6. But the Zeiss viewfinder is just spectacular. Japanexposures has diopter correction lenses to fit it for under $25.

 

[ChrisN]

Not sure if the Hexar offers any form of diopter correction - certainly not built-in, and I can't see any threads inside the viewfinder ring. Unlike Leica M, the Hexar viewfinder seems to be set with zero diopter correction, while the Leica has, I think, minus one as its norm. I'm short-sighted, -3.5 correction for distance in my right (sighting) eye, and while the Leica M viewfinder is sharp (with my glasses on), the Hexar viewfinder is slightly soft. If Paul wants the option of diopter adjustment, to allow him to use the camera without his glasses on, then the Hexar, otherwise an excellent camera, is probably not the best choice.

 

[Bingley]

I'd get an M2 in good user condition for abt half your budget and then spend the rest on the best 50 you can get.

 

[paulfish4570]

thanks for the advice so far, guys.
Raid was kind enough to let me handle his Hexar. Visually and manually, it was not my cup of coffee.
I have time, fellas - and my bride's encouragement and support.
Carlos, thank you so much for your advice. this whole exercise - and goal - are predicated on getting hold of an RF that leaves my eye and mind free to frame and compose. and i am just enough of an analogue geek to appreciate - and use - sound industrial art ... 🙂

 

[paulfish4570]

Steve (Bingley), if I go the M route, I figure a CLA as automatic whether an authenticated recent one comes with the cam - or right after purchase. I have to say, buying new is attractive, but the M's intrinsic value is just as attractive.

 

[ChrisN]

And nostalgia, too! Here's what you need:

 

[andredossantos]

I used to have a SS M3 with a 50mm Zeiss Planar attached. That was definitely a sweet combo.

 

[paulfish4570]

The M4 is up there, too.
I'm using ebay for cost comparison. on the bay right now, m3s are running a grand right now, right at the m6 threshhold. m2s are not far behind. there are not enough m5s on the bay to get a decent grasp on price.
in any case, i am hopeful this price surge will reverse itself after the christmas frenzy is over ...

 

[rover]

You are looking at the wrong auctions. I have been following some M2 and M3 auctions, all user but good mechanical bodies (if you believe the descriptions) and they have all closed between $600-$800. Be patient and buy here, better prices on more reliable cameras.