Leica for my sister

If you want to go wide... what about an R4a instead of the r2a? then you won't need the external VF for the 25 skopar.... and could even go to the 21 if you want instead.

-Brian
 
The M6 is out of the picture...

But the Bessa R4a sounds perfect... no need for external finders with wide-angles and auto-exposure for convenience. I know you seem to have your heart set on a 25mm, but I would really recommend that you consider going with a 28mm which is at the very limit of being able to take people photos without unflattering distortion.

While I would be looking at the 35mm lens as one lens kit, if you give her a 28mm, she can easily pair it with the inexpensive CV 75 for portraits and tighter work and the gorgeous little CV 21 as really wide lens for tight spots. All for not a lot of coin...
 
There is an M6 in the classifieds here for $850! Damn! I could snap that up with a Nokton 35 1.4....Hm.....depends on how things go. R4A is more likely to be a contender though.

P. Lynn Miller I appreciate your view on the 25mm, I hadn't thought of that.

I wish I wasn't such a mixup on the lenses I just don't really know how a normal lens for me (35) would be for her on the boat so I am at a loss. She might have to live with a standard and then go either wide or long depending on her preference or if she even wants another lens.

All of your feedback everyone has been tremendous I am really very thankful thus far.
 
For the price of an 850$ m6 and a new nokton 35mm 1.4... you could get the R4a, 25mm skopar, and 35 f/2.5 skopar new... then you have your wide (25) and something a little more general purpose (35), even if it's not quite as fast.

-Brian
 
If the M6 fits your budget, then grab it! The M6 will have 28mm frame-lines, so you could fit a CV 28/2 to the front and you have your dream set-up.

BTMarcais said:
For the price of an 850$ m6 and a new nokton 35mm 1.4... you could get the R4a, 25mm skopar, and 35 f/2.5 skopar new... then you have your wide (25) and something a little more general purpose (35), even if it's not quite as fast.
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My first rangefinder kit consisted of a Bessa R2, Color-Skopar 35mm f2.5 C, Color-Skopar 50mm f2.5 and the APO-Lanthar 90mm f3.5, a bit on the slow side, but a very compact and effective kit. If I was to do it again, I would have gotten the Color-Skopar 28mm f3.5 instead of the 35mm.
 
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I'm with P.Lynn on this one too. The bessa is nice... but if it was me I'd always be looking to "upgrade" at some point to a Leica. If you can swing the m6, go for it. and you can use the 28 without an external finder, definitely a plus.
-Brian.
 
Hope this does not add to the confusion, we were told in sales, never show more than two things to the customer, they never make up their mind.

Contax G2 with 28mm. Excellent optics, very easy, fast camera to use, compact, and they should be reasonable. She should get your money's worth out of it.

Well, a thought.

Regards, John
 
I would have thought the new all white Leica M8 would be just perfect! :)
Realistically, I own Leica IIIf's and Bessa R3A and R4A. My pick for her would be the Bessa R4A and a 28mm lens. The camera will give her frames for 50mm down to 21 for later expansion if she wants. Better than the 90-40 range of the R3A. Both have AE which is great for quick shooting but can also be operated on manual if wished.
 
You can still get the Leica M6 at a great price, if possible, You'll have to be a bit patient ;-)

I still believe that a 35mm focal length lens would be the best as the very first lens ;-)
 
Ah I would love to get a M6 for her at a great price but I only have until 15 May. Like a lot of kids my age I sort of procrastinated on this one. I will look into that Contax.

The white m8 is for when she is sent to the Antarctic.
 
Oh yeah, 15 days is not a lot for finding a good deal on the Leica M6.

Good luck then, let us know what You finally got for your sister ;-)
 
Been thinking about this for abit...

If I was going to be spending time on a ship, with lots of security, soldiers, sailors, secured places, I would definitely want a Leica.... there is not other camera that operates as silent and still allows you the luxury of interchangeable lenses.

So the M6 would be my choice, even though the R4a would actually be the more versatile camera. Combine the M6 with the CV Ultron 28/2 and you have a very capable, compact, fast, silent package.

Just my opinion...
 
Well I have to admit that I also agree with P. Lynn Miller.

But I guess that your budget will be a bit too tight...
 
rphenning said:
Ah I would love to get a M6 for her at a great price but I only have until 15 May.
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Put a wanted ad in the Classifieds that you are looking for a good M6 as a gift to your sister and that you are willing to pay $850(or whatever price you choose) for it. With hard times coming to many of us, you may be surprised how quickly you will get a response.

Also put the same notice in your signature...
 
I think an m6 0.72 with a 24mm is perfect. you just frame the entire vf.. that will be a perfect 24mm. no need for an external vf.

ps. 25 biogon is great
 
rphenning said:
Opinions on the Bessa's?
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I have a Bessa R2 and an M6,
apart the fact that the meter of my bessa is lazy and to meter a shadow
needs prior to meter a light so it overexpose and then it is able
to read darker things.
viewfinders are similar, Bessa lacks of 28mm framelines,
I find the viewfinder more airy in the bessa.

M6 feels far away more solid than the bessa, but it's really ok,
I used it for about a year and she travelled many times in my work-backpack
without problems.

the "CLACK" of the metal-blade shutter of Bessa is more audible
than the soft "chlick" of the M6.

in my opinion:
Leicas are good, well constructed, reliable, solid, quiet.
Bessas are similar, obviously cheaper but they do their job very well.

bessa R2 has M mount, [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] 35/50/75/90 framelines with a 28mm viewfinder coverage, mechanical shutter
(batteries are only for the meter) and a meter (a good meter)

r2a and r2m (the first has AE, the second is mechanic) with R2 are similar to the M6 for the viewfinder coverage so they might be a good choices.

(sincerly in my M6 I find difficult to see 28mm framelines, I have to push my eyeball IN the eyepiece..)


hope I was helpful


cheers

Matteo

(sorry for the rusty english..)
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By the way, I just saw a Leica M4-2 on the classifieds at 700 USD, it's a great deal I think.

Afterwards You can get a Sekonic L208 as lightmeter around 90 USD ;-)
 
rphenning said:
Ah I would love to get a M6 for her at a great price but I only have until 15 May.
Click to expand...

P. Lynn Miller said:
Combine the M6 with the CV Ultron 28/2 ...
Click to expand...

15 days may not be sufficient to get a good copy of the CV Ultron 28/2, though. :(

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Cheers,
Uwe
 
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