I love my Zorki but...

[hoddy]

...I'd really love a Leica - any Leica.

2 problems with that. The Zorki I purchased just a couple of months ago was my first rangefinder for 30+ years but I immediately loved using it and have luckily discovered that it seems to function correctly in all departments, shutter speeds, flash etc etc so there's not really an excuse there to get rid of it. If I buy an aged Leica who knows what problems I might be inheriting.

Secondly how do I convince my wife that spending 20+ times what I paid for the Zorki is worthwhile🙂

Any help, suggestions as to what I should do? As a bit of background I'm now retired and have had cameras since I was about 10 starting with a Kodak Brownie 127 and have always hankered after owning a Leica.

Given that I would probably keep the Jupiter f2 lens I have for the Zorki am I likely to see any difference in results or just a difference in experience?

If you think I should indulge myself which model would you go for, - budget is not limitless - have just seem a black M3 on e-bay having reached £8200 with days to go!

Thanks

 

[xayraa33]

Buy a non exotic used M Leica and see how you go with it.

A good camera that is well taken care of will always keep its price should you choose not to keep it.

 

[Leigh Youdale]

Curb your enthusiasm! I'm also retired. I bought an M6 simply because I thought I should own a Leica before I died. I'm using CV lenses on it because I own an R4A and also had an R3A with a suite of CV lenses and Leica lens prices are insane.
You won't see any difference in results - the difference will be entirely emotional and to do with the experience of owning and using a very nice piece of equipment. All lovely stuff, but a Voigtlander R2A would replace it very adequately.

 

[shadowfox]

Secondly how do I convince my wife that spending 20+ times what I paid for the Zorki is worthwhile🙂

No need.
I sold my Leica IIIc.
Because I prefer using my Zorki 1.

* with its SLR twin

 

[reagan]

Went through the same struggle. Found a totally beater black Leica.3 on the Bay for $200+. Then let Oleg tinker it into good working order. It looks like a cobbled up catfight (which I enjoy) but it works great and I got to keep the Zorkis. I later found another Black III about the same money and repeated the processe - Beater #2. End of story. Satisfied.

 

[pakeha]

Secondly how do I convince my wife that spending 20+ times what I paid for the Zorki is worthwhile🙂

Firstly ask yourself if you are going to get 20+ times the results? good starting point.

 

[fraley]

Both Zorki and Leica have their emotional/aesthetic/nostalgic appeal.

Leica -- reliable box that does the job
Zorki -- can be the same, can be frustrating when there are light leaks, shutter curtain issues, etc.

Leica lens -- consistent quality
FSU lens -- can be great, hit or miss though, that's a big part of the experience. When it does come through you really feel like you did something. Prone to flaring!

 

[redisburning]

ok, that was tl;dr

OP if you want a Leica just buy one.

if you don't like it sell it.

if you really have always wanted one it should be easy to convince your wife that it's not just a whim.