I want to buy a film M; I need help.

[Godfrey]

Pfreddee,

It's a camera. Buy one, learn how to use it, let it inspire you, enjoy it. A film M is not very difficult to use, and very easy to enjoy. Get an M6 if you want a meter, an M7 if you want auto exposure. Buy from a reliable dealer if you want service and support—I've bought most of my Leica gear from Dan Tamarkin (http://www.tamarkin.com) in Chicago; he's a pleasure to do business with. Dan can also help recommend the right camera and lens for you, he's very knowledgable and honest.

Don't worry about your skill. Letting a Leica inspire you will help you leave the School of Blind Squirrels behind one day. Meanwhile we'll all enjoy having you here in class ... 🙂

G

I'ver finally decided to go ahead and gather the funds for a film body M. I need help getting over the last hump: buying this camera for myself.

Let me explain. I've lusted after a Leica M film camera for 40 years. I always took care of my family and saw that they had things they wanted, and of course this took my "discretionary cash". Now I'm retired, and I can afford at last to get the camera of my dreams. But I'm not by any stretch a really great photographer. I photograph my world and family, and I'm a charter member of the "Blind Squirrel School of Photography."* I can make an occasional good image, and most of them satisfy me, if not others.

But I feel somehow that the film M, for me, would be rather like buying a Bosendorfer Concert Grand piano, and then playing "Chopsticks" on it. I guess what I am looking for is for someone to tell me that it's OK to go ahead and get one, even if I'm not a world-class photographer.

Thank you to all who reply.

With best regards.

Pfreddee(Stephen)

* Blind Squirrel School of Photography: even a blind squirrel can find an acorn every now and again.

 

[FrankS]

Pfreddee,

+4 (GO FOR IT!!)

There are a number of Ms out there and each has it's own strengths and SuperPowers.


B2 (;->

🙂 I like this! 🙂

 

[Pioneer]

First, I recommend that you go ahead and buy the camera. Since you have dreamed of a Leica for a very long time you deserve to indulge yourself.

Next, you can still buy new Leica M film cameras. They can be pricey but they come with excellent Leica service warranties, including the Passport Warranty which protects you from unintentional damage.

You can also by used Leica cameras in very good condition as well. Used Leicas tend to hold their value pretty well so if, in a couple months, you decide to sell it you will likely get most of your money back.

If you decide to go new, buy from a Leica store near you. You can look them up on the internet.

If you decide to buy used, I still recommend you buy from a Leica store. The camera will have been checked out and the store will have a warranty of sorts to protect you in the early months.

Another very good option is KEH. They provide an excellent return policy that ensures you have time to work with the camera and, if you find you do not like it, or it doesn't work properly, they will take it back.

Another option is the classified on this forum and other Leica forums. I have purchased things here and have been happy as a rule, but I have also picked things up that needed work to be right. It should be a better option than E-Bay, and in my experience it is, but there really is no guarantee. As a rule the people here are a good bunch but bad apples pop up everywhere. You buy at your own risk and there may or may not be any return allowed.

Then you will need to buy a lens. This can end up being a life long obsession, or you can buy one and stay with it forever. My recommendation is to start with a Summicron 50/2. It is very hard to go wrong with this lens. There are various versions but you don't need to buy the latest one, unless you want to. All of them are very good lenses and were considered Leica's flagship lens.

Finally, do you want a meter in the camera? Do you want auto exposure available? Or would you prefer to work with an entirely mechanical camera that uses no batteries and pick up an external meter. Any of those options will work. The M7 has aperture priority auto exposure and can be purchased new or used. The MP has a meter on board but no auto exposure and can be found new or used. The M6 TTL and M6 are very much like the MP but are only available used. The M5 had a meter in the camera and is available used. These are a bit larger and different than the rest of the M cameras but are very well built cameras. The M-A is Leica's newest film camera and can be found new or used. It has no internal meter and is entirely mechanical. The older Ms from M4 backwards are all great alternatives and they are all mechanical cameras with no meters.

The Leica M film camera is still a terrific way to record what you see and I do recommend that you try it out. Exactly which path you take to ownership will depend a lot on your finances. Fortunately there are several ways to own a Leica. Good Luck!

 

[Jerevan]

Go out there and get one before it gets too late. And then get going putting some good amounts of film through it.

It doesn't matter exactly which one you choose, as long as you get something overhauled/or new from a reputable dealer.

A tool that makes you happy just picking it up will inspire you to get out there and make photographs - the more the merrier! 🙂

 

[Pfreddee]

Thank you all so very much for the kind encouragement! I haven't settled on which model to buy, yet. I know how to process my own B/W film, and I suppose I could learn to do color, but for me, 35mm says Black and White Photography. I do like color, but I find B/W a wonderful challenge, technically and artistically.

I grew up with B/W photography, and I'm still very attached to it. For color, I usually go digital. Occasionally I'll get a roll or two of Ektar 100 and see what comes out. For me, the process of making the picture is as important as the results.

Thank you all again!

With best regards.

Pfreddee(Stephen)

 

[JustPlainBill]

Hi Pfreddie,
The condition of the M Leica you buy is important, When I read the review of the Leica M4 in Camera 35, I wanted to own one. I bought the first used M4 I found advertised. Turned out that a hole had been burned in the shutter curtain and then patched before I bought the camera from a camera store in Los Angeles. I had the shutter curtain replaced at my expense. Still have my M4 forty some years later. Have thought I have been better off buying a new M4. The capability of changing lenses quickly is of little value if you don't have lenses to interchange. I often carry a 35mm, a 50mm, and a 105mm lens in my bag and am trying to find a way to add a 25mm lens to that outfit.It's fine to begin with one lens and add a longer focal length lens or a wideangle lens when you feel the need. I hope you have the opportunity to experience several M Leicas and buy one you like. I still like to use my M4 and M2 forty years later.
JustPlainBill729

 

[nobbylon]

When you are ready, def buy from a member. There are usually some nice choices in the classifieds and you will have a better chance of getting the right camera from the start.

I'm not trolling but for example, I have a near mint M2 that I may list soon which I would not sell to a collector or some clunk-head on Ebay.

Don't wait to get a Leica there is nothing else like it IMO.

Ray

Good advice from Ray. Most here are enthusiasts and look after their gear. Most cameras will have had some recent use unlike a lot on auction sites which have sat idle for years. Get one thats already had a recent cla and you should be fine.
Most important is to get one with good clean and good contrast rangefinder patches. If possible look through and try focus before you buy or get a return policy agreed. Everything else can be fixed easily if necessary. M2, M4 or M6 if you like a meter. Add a 35 C Biogon or 50 Summicron and your sorted 🙂

 

[HuubL]

No mention of the best of them all, M4...?

Pfreddee,

+4 (GO FOR IT!!)

That said, tell me about what sort of cameras and lenses have you used over the years. There are a number of Ms out there and each has it's own strengths and SuperPowers.

The M6 has a built in meter, M7 is AE (Aperature Priority), the M3 is wonderful with 50's and 90's, the M2 ROCKs with 35s, the M5, while larger, is every bit an M, loved by some folks with bigger hands, even the MD (no finder built in) is fun with a 15mm lens attached.

You need to own an M, the question is which fits what you want to do today.

Tell us more so we can help.

B2 (;->

 

[bucs]

Go and buy one. You deserve it.

But try as much as possible to settle for one 😀

 

[Ko.Fe.]

One which is working and you are willing to pay for.
Plenty of choices between 700-1300.

 

[iphoenix]

I haven't settled on which model to buy, yet. I know how to process my own B/W film, and I suppose I could learn to do color, but for me, 35mm says Black and White Photography. I do like color, but I find B/W a wonderful challenge, technically and artistically.

I grew up with B/W photography, and I'm still very attached to it. For me, the process of making the picture is as important as the results.

Hi Stephen,

I'm around your age and a few years ago, also found myself able to get the camera of my dreams. Of course, it was a Leica.

I bought an M3 with a dual range 50 Summicron. The camera was confining (restricting??) with its limitation to 50mm to 135mm lenses, but wonderful.

Since, I've had an M2 (which I would recommend due to its 35 to 90 mm finder), M4, M4P and M6. All of which I would recommend because of their individual attributes. (Now, I prefer my M4).

I suggest though, that your early dream camera/s may be the place to start.

Based on my experience in Australia though, make sure that to process your film, you can always get the chemicals or that there is a local processor.

 

[jamin-b]

Hi Stephen,

I'm around your age and a few years ago, also found myself able to get the camera of my dreams. Of course, it was a Leica.

I bought an M3 with a dual range 50 Summicron. The camera was confining (restricting??) with its limitation to 50mm to 135mm lenses, but wonderful.

Since, I've had an M2 (which I would recommend due to its 35 to 90 mm finder), M4, M4P and M6. All of which I would recommend because of their individual attributes. (Now, I prefer my M4).

I suggest though, that your early dream camera/s may be the place to start.

Based on my experience in Australia though, make sure that to process your film, you can always get the chemicals or that there is a local processor.

Actually the 35mm with goggles lenses are also great on the M3 - such a big field of view. Tack on a working Leicameter and you've got a versatile system with 35, 50, 90 and 135mm options (once you get over the Frankenstein look of the set up)...

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

If you've always wanted it, then you should buy it. A little of what you fancy does you good, as the song goes.

But try to stick with just one. Once the numbers get into the hundreds it's pointless and you start to forget what you have and where they are and then the unused ones start to deteriorate.

Regards, David

 

[Dpingr1]

Go for it -- I bought my M4 on this forum this year, for a great price and recently CLA'd. If you pay 20% or so more, you can buy from Tamarkin or KEH or another reseller and have a warranty. But the good news is that if you buy a quality M in good shape, there is little risk. Film Leicas (unlike digital anything) hold their resale value. Best choice I ever made, and I never thought I'd love a camera more than my Crown Graphic. Advice? I thought about which one for a while, and eventually it came down to what most on RFF will tell you -- it's whether or not you need an in-camera meter. By the way, the best RF accessory is free --- it's this forum and its members, IMHO. I've learned an awful lot in a short time here!