rissajaneen
Newbie
Hello!
I am hoping that someone on this forum can help me with some advice. My grandpa is well into his 80s, but he's still going strong. Back in WWII he was a paratrooper in Europe, and he carried his camera everywhere with him. (He jokes that he always carried more film in his backpack than bullets!) He had a rolleicord camera back then (still has that working camera in fact) and took pictures of everywhere he went. After the war he was still into photography and had a dark room and developed his own pictures probably into the 70s. He says that he got away from photography when things switched to color.
He's always said that he wanted a Leica because they were the best cameras. I would love to get him one for Christmas so that he could start taking pictures again. He and I are both artists, so I think that having a nice camera would be something that we would both enjoy and could do together. The problem is that I know nothing about film cameras, let alone about Leicas... I am wondering if anyone can offer advice about which type of Leica camera or lens I should look for and where I should look for it? I live in Charlotte, NC but can't find much info about camera stores in my area. Ball park how much should I expect to pay for a decent camera and lens?
Thank you for any help or advice that you can offer to someone who is new to all this!
I am hoping that someone on this forum can help me with some advice. My grandpa is well into his 80s, but he's still going strong. Back in WWII he was a paratrooper in Europe, and he carried his camera everywhere with him. (He jokes that he always carried more film in his backpack than bullets!) He had a rolleicord camera back then (still has that working camera in fact) and took pictures of everywhere he went. After the war he was still into photography and had a dark room and developed his own pictures probably into the 70s. He says that he got away from photography when things switched to color.
He's always said that he wanted a Leica because they were the best cameras. I would love to get him one for Christmas so that he could start taking pictures again. He and I are both artists, so I think that having a nice camera would be something that we would both enjoy and could do together. The problem is that I know nothing about film cameras, let alone about Leicas... I am wondering if anyone can offer advice about which type of Leica camera or lens I should look for and where I should look for it? I live in Charlotte, NC but can't find much info about camera stores in my area. Ball park how much should I expect to pay for a decent camera and lens?
Thank you for any help or advice that you can offer to someone who is new to all this!
Kent
Finally at home...
Buy a Leica that was manufactured in the year he was born.
Well into his 80s? OK, that might be a bit expensive then. What year was he born in?
Well into his 80s? OK, that might be a bit expensive then. What year was he born in?
Beemermark
Veteran
There are no camera stores in Charlotte, or at least I've never found any. There are two in Raleigh which isn't too far from you. Peace Camera on Peace street usually has some Leica stuff. Southeastern Camera may have something. Both good old fashioned stores with lot's of camera stuff.
You didn't mention how much you're willing to spend but my recommendation would be either an M2 or M4 with a 50 Summicron.
I'm over in Wilmington and would be happy to show you some cameras if you come this way. I go to Charlotte quite a bit but doubt if I'll be over that way before Christmas.
You didn't mention how much you're willing to spend but my recommendation would be either an M2 or M4 with a 50 Summicron.
I'm over in Wilmington and would be happy to show you some cameras if you come this way. I go to Charlotte quite a bit but doubt if I'll be over that way before Christmas.
Vics
Veteran
What's your budget? I was in your grandfather's shoes when I turned 60, my kids cooked up that plan to buy me a Leica. My daughter did all the research and ended up with a real winner. BGN condition Leica M3 with the collapsible 50 mm Summicron f2 lens. Back then they paid $1200 at KEH (2005). The older screw mount cameras can be less, and are even more Leica-like. Still KEH.com is your best bet. They're in Atlanta.
ncc1701
Established
How's his eyesight? Glasses?
Maybe an CV R3m with 1:1 viewfinder
and a 50mm Summarit or even 40 1.4 Nokton
Can be had for under 1k
Maybe an CV R3m with 1:1 viewfinder
and a 50mm Summarit or even 40 1.4 Nokton
Can be had for under 1k
Beemermark
Veteran
There's an ad on the Raleigh Craigslist current for a nice IIIF with 35 VC lens, $500. Sounds like a fair price.
crispy12
Well-known
I don't think this would be as nostalgic though, however they are great cameras. I was thinking of something like an M3, the most popular and best built Leica camera with a 50mm summicron or summarit. The names summicron, summarit is a company naming system related to the size of the lens aperture and also sometimes to the year they were produced.
KEH.com has decent prices and a big selection. Look for something that's rated as BGN or higher, don't get anything labeld as "UG" or ugly as they're not good for taking photos.
The IIIf is actually a great idea, more affordable as well but not so sure how suitable it would be for 80 years old (unless he has great eyesight, I'm 50 years younger and still find it difficult).
Gotta love it when someone recommends a camera that is outside of what the OP is requesting.
Kent
Finally at home...
The problem is that the OP is not really giving any details of what he is requesting (max. price, age, type...).
ray*j*gun
Veteran
Very nice story and nice to hear about such a nice relationship. But we need more info....as noted above.