Doctor Zero
Established
After deciding that I will never be good enough a photographer to ever 'deserve' a Leica, I went for the next best thing: I'll wait until I have money. Now I have started my new job and it came with a good pay increase. I have money. So it's crunch time!
Question is - am I completely and utterly stupid for buying a Leica a-la-carte? A new bare-bones film camera in this digital age? Or is this the kind of lust that cannot be sated and so I should just go with it?
Essentially I want a much much nicer Bessa R2. I don't want AE exposure, I like all manual. And I need a meter, can't get myself to just do it and learn to use sunny 16 (or 11, in the UK
). So see the picture of my dream camera (if I get it attached!). I want to buy new, since otherwise Leica gets nothing out of it, and I like the idea of supporting them.
But then - it's hugely expensive. Nearly £3000, that's almost $6000. Insane! :bang: But if I buy in the US, it's about £800/$1600 cheaper. But that feels like cheating. But I may move to the US in the not too distant future (getting married there, to an American!).
Lastly, I am not quite about to put in the order. In part because a couple of expenses came my way this month and the credit card needs to recover. Which reminds me, to answer another thread, yes I will buy on credit card, but will pay off at the end of the month. Getting £3000 in cash is just not practical.
Any opinions, as ever, much appreciated.
Doctor Zero
Question is - am I completely and utterly stupid for buying a Leica a-la-carte? A new bare-bones film camera in this digital age? Or is this the kind of lust that cannot be sated and so I should just go with it?
Essentially I want a much much nicer Bessa R2. I don't want AE exposure, I like all manual. And I need a meter, can't get myself to just do it and learn to use sunny 16 (or 11, in the UK
). So see the picture of my dream camera (if I get it attached!). I want to buy new, since otherwise Leica gets nothing out of it, and I like the idea of supporting them.But then - it's hugely expensive. Nearly £3000, that's almost $6000. Insane! :bang: But if I buy in the US, it's about £800/$1600 cheaper. But that feels like cheating. But I may move to the US in the not too distant future (getting married there, to an American!).
Lastly, I am not quite about to put in the order. In part because a couple of expenses came my way this month and the credit card needs to recover. Which reminds me, to answer another thread, yes I will buy on credit card, but will pay off at the end of the month. Getting £3000 in cash is just not practical.
Any opinions, as ever, much appreciated.
Doctor Zero
Attachments
matt fury
Well-known
I could not justify the expense of a brand new Leica - especially a film body. You save a ton of money by buying a minty used MP. If you feel so bad about it, use the money you would save and buy a new lens directly from Leica. Or even just send them a check with some of the money you would otherwise save.
erikhaugsby
killer of threads
Your personalized MP looks a lot like an M2.
Kim Coxon
Moderator
There are a couple of MPs for sale in the classifieds at the moment.
Kim
Kim
ferider
Veteran
I recommend you buy it before getting married
Or maybe to get a CLA'ed M2 bridging the gap while you save up the other US 5500
Cheers,
Roland.
Or maybe to get a CLA'ed M2 bridging the gap while you save up the other US 5500
Cheers,
Roland.
BigSteveG
Well-known
Buy it in the USA and use a student ID for a 20% discount (see...you can afford the flaming red leather on it after all). This is not about justification...it's about satisfaction!!!!!!!!!
BigSteveG
Well-known
Buy It!!!!!!!
Bill Blackwell
Leica M Shooter
Yep... You're a raving lunatic!
But I say treat yourself and do it - you only live once.
But I say treat yourself and do it - you only live once.
akptc
Shoot first, think later
Buying yourself a nice present is a great reason to spend your hard-earned (or easy-come) money... unless you have kids, wife, puppies, etc...
dougiec29
Member
BigSteveG said:
is there a student discount for new leica equipment? bodies only? any more info or a link would be useful.
Thanks
Al Patterson
Ferroequinologist
If you have the money, why not? I'm personally cheap, so I'd get a used MP rather than pony up the big bucks for a new one.
peter_n
Veteran
I'm cheap too, but I would say just buy it. Get it covered with vulcanite as well. The only thing is, when you get it are you going to take the plastic cover off the bottom and start using it as if it cost a couple of hundred? If you're going to mollycoddle it just buy a used one or a regular new one because there's nothing worse than buying a new camera then just sitting there and looking at it, afraid to take it out and get it scratched or whatever.
pachuco
El ****
Wow man, that much cash would buy allot of Tri-X. Do what you need to do to make yourself happy. I would use that cash to travel with my M3 and bag full of film
aizan
Veteran
i would buy it, then have dag replace the preview lever, rewind lever, and advance lever with ones from the m4/m4-2/m4-p/m6!
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BigSteveG
Well-known
Dougie.....
Dougie.....
Just contact your local authorized Leica dealer for an application. The discount apples to bodies and lenses. Use photovillage or Popflash for easiest dealings.
Dougie.....
dougiec29 said:
Just contact your local authorized Leica dealer for an application. The discount apples to bodies and lenses. Use photovillage or Popflash for easiest dealings.
BigSteveG
Well-known
I agree...it's a 2 bladed sword....
I agree...it's a 2 bladed sword....
The first few scratches bother a bit....after that, they become battle scars to be proud of....and I'm the one who put them there!!!! No one but me!!!!!-
I agree...it's a 2 bladed sword....
peter_n said:
The first few scratches bother a bit....after that, they become battle scars to be proud of....and I'm the one who put them there!!!! No one but me!!!!!-
amateriat
We're all light!
Under assorted circumstances, going a-la carte is (here comes a fave Britishism of mine) barking mad.
Unless...you know what you want–and don't want–in a Leica M body: wind lever, rewind crank, framelines, on-body inscriptions...these sort of preferences tend to come with years of experience shooting with the things, and can make an a-la carte choice more than just a dilletante-ish excercise; you will have created a camera you will most definitely use, early and often. Which, IMO, is all that matters.
Knowing my habits, if I were to do an a-la carte star-turn, I'd get a "blackout" M7 with a minimal number of framelines, weather-sealed electronics/mechanics, and no inscribed nomenclature besides serial number...not even name or rank. AND, if I could possibly request it, a tough, semi-matte, expoxy-black finish just like my Hexar RFs: about the only paint finish that makes sense to me for a camera that will spend precious little time on a shelf at home. Just add film.
- Barrett
Unless...you know what you want–and don't want–in a Leica M body: wind lever, rewind crank, framelines, on-body inscriptions...these sort of preferences tend to come with years of experience shooting with the things, and can make an a-la carte choice more than just a dilletante-ish excercise; you will have created a camera you will most definitely use, early and often. Which, IMO, is all that matters.
Knowing my habits, if I were to do an a-la carte star-turn, I'd get a "blackout" M7 with a minimal number of framelines, weather-sealed electronics/mechanics, and no inscribed nomenclature besides serial number...not even name or rank. AND, if I could possibly request it, a tough, semi-matte, expoxy-black finish just like my Hexar RFs: about the only paint finish that makes sense to me for a camera that will spend precious little time on a shelf at home. Just add film.
- Barrett
BillBingham2
Registered User
Dr. Z,
Are you crazy, no, not by a long shot. Having been a DINK (Double Income No Kids) is a wonderful thing. After getting married money was very tight. Once my now ex graduated it loosened up. I was able buy a new M4-P. It was wonderful to open the box, it was mine. I put the first roll of film through her and many many more, still am.
Would I do an MP now, I’m not sure. There is something I love about film cameras, glass and control Would I be as happy with an M8, hell yessssss. I would change the layout of my glass, but digital would be way cool. What about an M8? It’s not perfect, but it’s one hell of a camera?
B2 (;->
Are you crazy, no, not by a long shot. Having been a DINK (Double Income No Kids) is a wonderful thing. After getting married money was very tight. Once my now ex graduated it loosened up. I was able buy a new M4-P. It was wonderful to open the box, it was mine. I put the first roll of film through her and many many more, still am.
Would I do an MP now, I’m not sure. There is something I love about film cameras, glass and control Would I be as happy with an M8, hell yessssss. I would change the layout of my glass, but digital would be way cool. What about an M8? It’s not perfect, but it’s one hell of a camera?
B2 (;->
jarski
Veteran
Doctor Zero, are you using film or digital currently ?
if you are coming from digi world, you might be surprised how much $$$ is spent on films, development, scanning, printing etc (unless you want play with chemicals in dark room by yourself).
this was far bigger and sadder surprise for me, than the expense of film camera gear itself.
if you are coming from digi world, you might be surprised how much $$$ is spent on films, development, scanning, printing etc (unless you want play with chemicals in dark room by yourself).
this was far bigger and sadder surprise for me, than the expense of film camera gear itself.
sepiareverb
genius and moron
Just buy it. You will absolutely love it and once you're married to the American you'll have to explain why you want it.