Leica confusion

[Ash]

Right so I'm getting a lovely condition IIIc tomorrow morning in the post 😀

I caught a bit of a GAS bug though.

I was looking for maybe a Summitar to compliment it, as my J-8 may look odd, and the I-50/Fed-50 lenses just aren't Leica (and are also f3.5 which is feeling a little slow recently). I can see the Summi will cost about £100-£130 in 'excellent' condition. Slightly out of my price range for a few weeks I think, but its on my wishlist (aside everything else).


Then I remembered! Leica Series '0' cameras! I really liked the simple look of them, but the cost is extortionate, so off I went to look at a few of the camera sites for a Leica Standard. Quite entertaining for body-only a Leica standard costs £100 more than a II or III ???

I just want a bog-standard body without rangefinder to put a slow lens and fast film in (ie, j-12, or I-50). Also I'm not that interested in buying a cheap bessa body, unless i'm quite severely swayed against an 'old leica'.


Babbling over, the big Q:

Is it worth spending MORE on a camera without rangefinder?

I need some strong opinions here, my payslips are at stake!!

 

[FrankS]

My opinion is that it is not worth spending more money on a body with no viewfinder. These bodies are worth more only due to rarity/collectors, not due to an improvement in functionality, so why pay more for a less capable body.

 

[Ash]

Frank, although an obviously retorical post, my answer is that I quite enjoyed shooting by 'guess work' using scale focusing when I couldn't trust my Fed-2 in Croatia/Venice. Something with the method appealed to me. Maybe I'm regressing?

 

[BillBingham2]

I have a IIIa and it is a fun pocket camera. I am not sure a LTM body without any RF is worth the hunt. If you want to use a winder lens, the increase in size (height) is very small so I'm not sure what the driving factor would be.

Get another IIIc or if you really have GAS, take a look at the RapidWinder Tom A has built for the IIIc!

From a glass perspective, if you are stuck on 50mm, go with a Leica 50/2, collapses small and pretty sharp. When you go down to 35mm, the world opens up and there are lots of chrome CV lenses that would look great on your IIIc.

B2 (;->

 

[matt fury]

I think this is a case where you're the only one with a good answer to this. Did you value the scale-focusing experience so highly that you would do it enough to make the body worthwhile? Does the Standard "speak" to you? Personally, I would save the money, but if you answered "yes" to these questions, then you should go for it.

 

[Ash]

Hmm thank's Matt.

I might *have to* load up the Fed with a roll of film and go shooting without using the rangefinder. Force myself to shoot like that for a whole film and see how I cope. I did kinda enjoy it yes, but it seems the general feeling is I'm wasting my money?

 

[richard_l]

I shoot a Rollei 35 (no rangefinder) most of the time. In daytime with fast (ISO 400) film and a short enough (40mm or wider) lens, a rangefinder can be a liability. Like the lightmeter, a rangefinder can slow you down and detract from the pleasure of picture taking if you are addicted to using it for every shot.

Richard

 

[jesse1dog]

For heavens sake! If you want to buy a Leica without a rangefinder, save and buy one. It's you that is going to use it and enjoy the experience anyway, not anyone else. The chances are that if you don't like it you can sell it without too much trouble, and you just might make something on it depending on the day, the weather, and everything else that affects buyers. You might loose a bit as well, but does that matter? It won't be the end of the world and you will have learnt something.
I do agree though that prices seem a bit stupid. So try the IIIc first - there is a lot of experience and learning to do with what you already have. Then see how you feel in a few weeks time - cameras will still be about then! Don't rush into anything.
But have fun - that's what it is all about.

 

[FrankS]

I understand the freeing feeling of not using the RF whenever I use my CV25mm scale focussing lens, usually on a IIf or a CL.

 

[Ash]

Thanks everyone... and thanks for the verbal slap Jesse! it's the desire that's killing me, maybe I'll give in when I have enough cash without worrying 🙂

And yep Frank, a VERY free feeling. Although more hit and miss 😀

 

[xayraa33]

just buy a Leica IIIc with a dim rangefinder for a lower price.
shoot with it by guessing the distance.
when the novelty wears off, get the rf setup with a new 50/50 mirror and a cla if it needs it.

 

[monochromejrnl]

i just got a new in box Bessa L for $85 Canadian including shipping... almost made my way through a roll already using my 21/4... the metering system is simple and effective in useage (three diodes for under, correct and over exposure)... great finderless LTM body with TTL metering.. sure it built cheap but what can you expect for a sub $100 body... i think SGandy is offering some new in box for $99! well worth it for wides and superwides...

 

[BillBingham2]

The Bessa is not a Leica, never will be. The Leica is a solid part of history. But, on the other hand, you can get two new Bessa Ls and a 25/4 lens new for what you will pay for the Leica. The Bessa has a built in meter that works very well and is through the lens on anything you put on her. The Bessa L loads a LOT faster and lighter.

I love my fathers old IIIa, but I use the Bessa L & 25/4 combo all the time. It is my everyday camera. Would I want it to be an MP or even a IIIc, leck no. I like the idea of not worrying if the camera gets trashed. Don't get me wrong, it's not a throw-away camera, it's a GREAT user.

There is something about a Leica, but I'm just not a point where I feel right about carrying one every day when a Bessa, at least for me, does a better job.

B2 (;->

 

[flashover]

The Leica is a solid part of history. But, on the other hand, you can get two new Bessa Ls and a 25/4 lens new for what you will pay for the Leica.

B2 (;->

Not always the case I bought a leica III on another fourm for 140. Clean user camera, there was also a II for 120. You just need to keep your eyes open they are around. I had an L with the 25/4. The lens was very nice but the camera, well I would be worried if I bumped it agaist a wall.

 

[Keith]

just buy a Leica IIIc with a dim rangefinder for a lower price.
shoot with it by guessing the distance.
when the novelty wears off, get the rf setup with a new 50/50 mirror and a cla if it needs it.

Hey Ash,

If you did decide to go this route let me know because I have a IIIc that is absoutely clean and functional but does have a rather dim rangefinder. I bought it recently from an Aussie eBayer and discovered the rather dim finder when it arrived. It's still usable and may just need a clean! I have another mint IIIc so I'm probably going to unload this one in the future at some stage anyway!

If you want have a look at it you can check this eBay link as it's still up ... and you can also see what I paid for it. $185.00 US

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=30030&item=260023101031

Cheers .. Keith

ps... and no, I won't take $200.00 for my D70s.😀 😀 😀

pps ...I will even hacksaw the rangefinder mechanism off and discount accordingly. ;-D

 

[Ash]

My IIIc arrived!!! It's in beautiful condition, although the whole rangefinder thing is a bit of a let down here indoors! *cough*kiev is brighter*ahem*

Although the pricing means a leica with built-in rangefinder is cheaper, it seems kinda wrong, especially when I look at the design of the I/standard.

*sigh* I'm still in a rut, especially after handling the real thing!!!

dlridings, a leica without a rangefinder WAS a real leica, before the II/III of course

 

[Xmas]

Ash

A J8m may perform better then a summitar in some situations. I can smell the 10GBP notes burning a hole in your pocket.

Dont forget to change your signature banner...

Noel

 

[Ash]

😀 Noel I had totally forgotten about that!

And I have a J-8, but I didn't like the look of it on the leica, maybe I'm thinking aesthetics over function 😱 wait! that's why I want a Leica-I !! lol

 

[Xmas]

Ash

Please also add my name is Ash and I have not opened a postal package all day.

Noel

 

[Ash]

..........I'm not falling for that one again