I NEED SOME ADVICE...Thanks

[sarge]

Ok...so I have recently found a great love for RF cameras and have spend the last few days roaming the internet searching for info and this site has by far provided the most data and information/opinion.
Well, I am sure this comes along quite often, so those of you willing to entertain it, THANK YOU!
The Question: What is the best 35mm set up for someone who is going to spend a year packing through Central and South America with a budget of about $1300-$1500.
I was thinking of a Bessa R2A with a few lenses...that way I could jump up to a M6 and transfer the lenses when the time comes. Body and lens suggestions are appreciated. Thanks again.

 

[akptc]

Hi Sarge, I found this site useful when I was trying to decide. Also, after wading through a maze of LTM and M-mount lenses, the on thing I know for a fact is that the 50mm M-Hexanon is an amazing value (I found a mint one for $350); the CV 15mm turned out much more useful than I ever expected; the CV 75mm is simply stunning; and that one can go broke buying Leica gear 🙂) Good luck to you.

 

[egpj]

Popin a few hundred more for this little beauty:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost-classifieds/showproduct.php?product=1732

and you will be living the high life on the road and very uncomplicated at that with just one lens.

 

[jaapv]

Welcome. Difficult such a blanket question when you don't state your shooting preferences... Anyway, just stand back and watch the opinions differ. Have fun 😉
I would say: A used M4 with dents: 600$, a user Summicron 35 450$ and a user Elmarit 90/2.8 425$. Throw in a 25$ exposure meter and you're there.

 

[sarge]

I know...very general question....
I definitely enjoy wide angle shooting and plan on being close to the subject but would like to also have a more standard lens. Thanks thus far for the suggestions.

 

[sarge]

What are the differences between the M3 and M4...would one be more advantageous?

 

[Wayne R. Scott]

How wide is "wide" to you? I would grab the 35mm f2.5 Color Skopar listed in our want ad's with the ltm to M adapter for $190.

Then I would look for either a Canon P in the range of $250-$300 and spend $118 for a CLA at Essex, or I would look for a "user" Leica M2 or M4 in the $600-$700 range.

On the 50mm I would just be open to what was available and buy on condition of the lens. If you get a ltm lens you will need a ltm to M adapter for your Leica. It is pretty hard to get a bad 50mm name brand lens if it is in good condition. I'd budget somewhere in the $75-$100 range for a handheld meter.

If you are going with just one camera body, I would look at a Leica M mount as I find changing ltm lenses a PITA.

Wayne

 

[back alley]

sooooooooo many options.

if it were me...and i was heading out on the road for a year...and i wanted good photos and didn't want to worry about my gear's safety and theives etc...i would get a bessa r and the 35/2.5 and the 75/2.5.
that kit will take care of 75 to 90% of most picture taking opportunites, comes in way under your budget and if still in one piece and in you bag when you get home...bonus!

joe

 

[Nick R.]

Sarge, your original idea sounds well thought out. Worry about getting an M when you get back; you'll still have the M lenses to go with it.
I'd worry about having a Bessa R on the road. It didn't seem that sturdily built, to me. Otherwise, it took fine pictures with the Cosina LTM lenses.

 

[matt fury]

If it's an M you ultimately want, I say get an M now. And to answer your question: The M4 isn't necessarily "better" than the M3. It does have quicker film loading and a crank rewind, which are an improvement, but you should be more concerned with the different VF magnification and framelines. If you want to shoot 35mm you'd probably want to get a M2 or M4.

You can get a nice user M for $600, a good 50mm for $300 or less, a wide for $200-300, and a long for $200-300. If you skip the long lens, you could likely get a M6 + 50mm + wide angle within your budget.

 

[Uncle Bill]

Sarge,

I recognize you from Flickr world. If you want the Leica M with a 35mm lens, the M2 is what you want. I have a DS M3 and I use an auxillary finder when I put the 35 F2.5 Skopar Voightlander lens. No big deal for me.

Bill

 

[photocrazy]

what film do you shoot?If more slide or colour, you'd better have modern lenses. CV produces very good lenses. Konica's even better. 35mm can be used as a universal lens. if you mainly shoot b&w, then you will have more choices. Vintage Leica glasses are not that expensive and Canon, Nikkor screw mount lenses are plentiful. Just a remainder, whatever lens you buy, don't forget getting a hood for it.