Leica for my sister

[JohnTF]

Not really feeling the Contax. Quick scan of some online viewpoints say that the camera is pretty noisy and a bit complicated I think for her. Thoughts on that JohnTF?

Might help to have your hands on one, the noise normally occurs after the shot. ;-) Does not seem to bother much, the focus makes a little noise. Not something you would notice in most streets, and if you are using a wa close, people will know you are there.

Might be hard to decide without seeing one first hand.

I know it might be heresy to some, but I always liked Zeiss and Leitz glass pretty much equally. I do not recall using manual focus much.

Image quality is outstanding, I printed the RA4 myself. Negatives were very consistent, and I could carry two bodies, three lenses in a relatively small case, or two bodies on straps with the third lens in my pocket.

I think a lot of bang for the buck especially at this time, am pretty sure you can take your choice of the 28, 35, 45, 90mm Zeiss lenses for $200 each and those finders are built in with automatic adjustment.

Regards, John

 

[Richard G]

If you go back towards Leica, the M4-2 is excellent and great value. It has 28mm frame lines. The lack of a meter may not be such a big deal. No different to your M4 if you were giving her that as per one suggestion. There's pretty constant lighting below decks, and she could soon learn sunny 16 on deck. It's not much more difficult than learning to obey the LEDs in the M6 finder, and some understanding of exposure is necessary and would this way be forced on her. The 'rise to the occasion' push of the Leica is still a factor, eloquently alluded to early in this thread. Otherwise I'd go with the much simpler Contax G2 with 28mm as others have suggested.

 

[rphenning]

Might help to have your hands on one, the noise normally occurs after the shot. ;-) Does not seem to bother much, the focus makes a little noise. Not something you would notice in most streets, and if you are using a wa close, people will know you are there.

Might be hard to decide without seeing one first hand.

I know it might be heresy to some, but I always liked Zeiss and Leitz glass pretty much equally. I do not recall using manual focus much.

Image quality is outstanding, I printed the RA4 myself. Negatives were very consistent, and I could carry two bodies, three lenses in a relatively small case, or two bodies on straps with the third lens in my pocket.

I think a lot of bang for the buck especially at this time, am pretty sure you can take your choice of the 28, 35, 45, 90mm Zeiss lenses for $200 each and those finders are built in with automatic adjustment.

Regards, John

I am having a bit of hang up now that I have basically two equal cameras to choose from. I am still sort of leaning towards a Bessa but from what I am reading the Contax is just as good if not better.

 

[splitimageview]

http://www.kenrockwell.com/contax/g-system.htm

 

[rphenning]

That is a proper link with some good info, thank you. Back to the drawing board.

 

[splitimageview]

There is a like new 28/2.8 Biogon in the classifieds for $250...

 

[JohnTF]

I recall warning that you never show more than two items to a customer. ;-) That said, I think it would be fair to tell you I own all four, G1, G2, Leica M's, Bessa R's, and a few more. ;-) I used to carry two G2's, three lenses, and an M7, until I got the M8, and I am still trying to figure out the best lenses. I do not have a Holga, but do have a Czech Pionyr.

My friend Zuzanna has a G1, G2, 35mm and 90mm.

If you lean toward the Contax, it is the right time to buy.

It was never a simple question.

Regards, John

 

[FrozenInTime]

Why did she like the M4 so much ?
If it was because of a mechanical appreciation - then nothing else but a Leica will do.
If it was because of the aura and legend of Leica and classic photographers then she will want a Leica.

If the thrill of the M4 was a long time ago - then the relative inconvenience of perfecting film photography (i.e. posted without a home darkroom/scanner) might now favor a good digicam.

With B&W like tri-x or color neg like NPH/400H, there's no real need for a light meter - a estimate and accumulated knowledge does a better job.

In a similar situation, being a photography/film/RF enthusiast, I would personally cover both bases with a classic meter-less mechanical M series with a fast VC 35 lens, a few bricks of tri-x and a fun waterproof video capable digicam such as the DMC-FS1/FT1.

 

[rphenning]

So I had a deal going with a few members of the forum to get a Contax G2 system for a screaming deal but the fact that it would have to be shipped internationally and could have potentially sat in customs for a while nixed that, unfortunately. I just ordered a G2 with a 35 f/2 and a flash, all with boxes, from B&H and requested that it be over night air'd to me. I leave for the east coast on Thursday and arrival time was estimated at Tuesday so I have a day of buffer. Fingers crossed.

 

[BTMarcais]

Good luck, I think she'll like the G2!
-Brian

 

[rphenning]

Gave her the G2 in the holga box, she wasn't all that surprised weirdly enough. I hadn't even hinted at anything. Regardless of her reaction she cruised around with it and put 2 rolls of Kodak Gold through it and is working on her first roll of Tmax 400 pulled to 100 (helped her with that).

The camera seems really fun to use and she seems to want to use it a lot. Pretty stoked overall! I have 7 rolls of film to develop, plus photos my parents took so I will post up some photos soon. Do you think I should post them on this thread or make a new one?

 

[rphenning]

Alright fellas I am going through and scanning heaps of film but these are what matters to this forum:

There are a bunch on my flickr account that have nothing to do with rangefinderforum.com but I think are worth a look. Thanks again everyone. She was stoked.

 

[__hh]

You are one good brother!!!!

 

[ZeissFan]

Hey -- congratulations to both of you. That was extremely generous -- a trait that isn't seen often enough.

 

[bgb]

A happy ending is all we were after ...

Well done mate :angel:

Any additional photos should be posted here too i think

 

[JohnTF]

I think it will serve her well, and you can keep a eye open for any glass that comes around at a too good to pass up deal, for the next event. It is some of the best available.

She will learn a lot using it, and get good results right out of the gate.

Nice to see the end of the series, and will wait for the "new season". ;-)

You might take a look at the thread from Raid -- he just bought a Contax G1 and posted some shots.

Regards, John

 

[elshaneo]

Yeah mate, You're indeed a good brother ;-)

 

[rphenning]

I guess I shouldn't mention all the kids I had to beat up for their lunch money to afford this then?

 

[bgb]

It's ok to beat up small children if it's in a good cause and as you were doing the right and proper thing for you sister it was ok ...hell it was you duty!

As your advisers we will require constant updates with pictures, hell she might have to start a blog or something 🙂

:dance:

 

[rphenning]

I think I am just going to make her a set on my flickr account and then try and drive traffic to my stuff and hers.