Leica LTM Leica LTM as a more compact shooter (for an M owner)

[SlappyPeterson]

I recently became the proud owner of a Leica II. I purchased it on the classifieds and received it last week. Got to play with it over the weekend, and absolutely loved it. It did fit in the pocket of my somewhat baggy Carhartts, but I wouldn't exactly call it a pocket-camera. It would fit nicely in a large coat.

Focusing it takes me a few more seconds that with my M3, but overall not too cumbersome considering you're using 80 year old technology. My first developed roll came out nicely. The 5cm Elmar is pretty darn good lens! Overall, the body of my Leica II is not that much smaller than my M3. It's really the collapsible lens that makes the big difference, which obviously you can use on an M or LTM.

 

[Pioneer]

Since this is the Leica LTM forum this probably belongs in another forum but the best pocket option I have is my Zeiss Ikon with the MS Optical Perar 35/3.5. Even extended with the hood on the lens is very compact.

 

[georg16nik]

Since this is the Leica LTM forum this probably belongs in another forum but the best pocket option I have is my Zeiss Ikon with the MS Optical Perar 35/3.5. Even extended with the hood on the lens is very compact.

Until someone says his Minox A is the best pocket option...😉

 

[besk]

How about a Leica CL with M to S adapter, and VC 50/2.5? About the same size and weight as my IIIf but with built-in meter, and better finder.

I haven't tried it yet but a Leica Elmar could be used (but put tape around the barrel to keep it from collapsing all the way and damaging the meter.)

 

[MISH]

I like the M cameras but I also like shooting with a Barnack (IIIf) or my CL, each a very satisfying experience in its own way. The 35 Cron is very similar in size to the collapsed 50 Cron

sorry about the crappy pictures but it should give you some sort of size relationship

 

[Steve Bellayr]

50mm Elmar-M out performs the other collapsibles.

 

[Godfrey]

My compact Leica M-bayonet camera is a CL. With the stock 40mm f/2 lens, it is substantively more compact than an M. It doesn't work well with collapsible 50mm lenses, though, due to the metering semaphore, but it's darn compact with the Voigtländer Color Skopar 50mm f/2.5 fitted (although not particularly light weight).

 

[Godfrey]

Until someone says his Minox A is the best pocket option...😉

Sticking to 35mm cameras, the Minox 35GT-E or Rollei 35S are about as compact as I'm interested in. 🙂

 

[msbarnes]

Does a collapsible 50mm f2.0 lens + Leica IIIc/M fit in your (coat) pocket?

Like seriously? I've thought about this but I feel that only an f3.5 lens is barely suitable.

 

[goamules]

Does a collapsible 50mm f2.0 lens + Leica IIIc/M fit in your (coat) pocket?

Like seriously? I've thought about this but I feel that only an f3.5 lens is barely suitable.

Not exactly what you specify, but close, a II and a F2.5 certainly does. And with no strap lugs, it's a logical conclusion to put it in your coat pocket.

 

[Timmyjoe]

Does a collapsible 50mm f2.0 lens + Leica IIIc/M fit in your (coat) pocket?

Like seriously? I've thought about this but I feel that only an f3.5 lens is barely suitable.

I carry my iiif with collapsible 5cm cron in my coat pocket. I even have the metal hood on the lens, which makes it somewhat bigger. Can't fit the same lens & hood and my M3 in the coat pocket though.

Best,
-Tim

 

[Bingley]

Does a collapsible 50mm f2.0 lens + Leica IIIc/M fit in your (coat) pocket?

Like seriously? I've thought about this but I feel that only an f3.5 lens is barely suitable.

Yes, when the lens is collapsed it will. I'm thinking of a IIIc/Summitar combination; collapsible chron should be the same.

 

[Spicy]

Yeah, but unfortunately that hektor is wayyyy expensive, and you obviously have to want a vintage look (pre-war, uncoated optics)

 

[kanzlr]

I also have a Kodak Retina (50mm f2.0) but the ergonomics are slow to operate...not sure how much I like it but I doubt a more ergonomic folder exists.

Voigtländer Vitessa L.

It is about M3 size, but folds, is easy to use, does use the EV system (like a lot of cameras, and it is really a great system once you use it more), but provides you with a meter offering EV readout, so it is no big deal. It's finder is decent, the rangefinder, at least on my sample, is clear and contrasty.

Superb lens, too, these Ultrons.

 

[rumbliegeos]

Just a word about Elmar 3.5 lenses: very compact, but if you like to shoot with filters, they are not for you. You have to be able to access the front of the lens to adjust the aperture.