My first Leica... I have $1300, what should I get?

Is there a specific reason for wanting a rangefinder? A Panasonic Lumix GX1 has a nice bright LCD screen, autofocusing, and the 14-42mm kit will leave you with about $600


Disclaimer for power-readers and the tongue-in-cheek impaired: it's tongue-in-cheek. 😉

One can make the argument against something just as easily as for it. Oh, right: the word "Leica" is toxic for those who don't care to own one. After so many years I still fail to grasp this infatuation and need to knock it down. Yeah, it's easy, just like making fun of the nerdy kid in class...

Anyway...

btw, I failed to catch this: M4 + 50mm Summicron-M for $1300? Not even with 2005 prices!
 
Gabriel M.A. said:
Is there a specific reason for wanting a rangefinder? A Panasonic Lumix GX1 has a nice bright LCD screen, autofocusing, and the 14-42mm kit will leave you with about $600


Disclaimer for power-readers and the tongue-in-cheek impaired: it's tongue-in-cheek. 😉

One can make the argument against something just as easily as for it. Oh, right: the word "Leica" is toxic for those who don't care to own one. After so many years I still fail to grasp this infatuation and need to knock it down. Yeah, it's easy, just like making fun of the nerdy kid in class...

Anyway...

btw, I failed to catch this: M4 + 50mm Summicron-M for $1300? Not even with 2005 prices!
Click to expand...
Dear Gabriel,

Wouldn't LACK-of-power readers be more accurate?

I assume that 'power reading' is what used to be called 'speed reading', i.e. something some people can do easily and others want to pretend they can do.

Cheers,

R.
 
Roger Hicks said:
Dear Gabriel,

Wouldn't LACK-of-power readers be more accurate?

I assume that 'power reading' is what used to be called 'speed reading', i.e. something some people can do easily and others want to pretend they can do.

Cheers,

R.
Click to expand...

Quite. "Power readers" have potato chips, and "speed readers" have crisps 😉 "Power" gives the sense that there was more "bang for the buck" out of those How To books, which should be a dime a dozen but are really $19.99 (while a good paperback classic is a few quid...oh what a topsy-turvy world!)

Nevertheless, it becomes empty calories. Why have ten fat-free yogurts when you can enjoy two artisan croissants, all for the same caloric content, and yet for twenty-fold more satisfaction? And it doesn't leave you wondering what it was that you just ate.

If only this principle could be applied to intertoobes forums, lots of misunderstandings would be avoided. And the enjoyment would then be manyfold!
 
ernstk said:
Welcome to the forum.

I think we need to understand your requirements before we can make sweeping recommendations.

1. Do you need a built in meter? If so, then you need to look at an M6 (unless you want to consider the slightly unconventional M5). If not, then the rest of the non metered M series is available to you.

2. What are your lens requirements? If you're never going to shoot with wider than a 50 mm, then you can consider the M3 in your list of options. If you do need to use a 35mm, then the M2, and M4 will provide the viewfinder frame lines. If you need to use a 28mm lens, then the M4P and the M6 will provide the frame lines to let you use a 28mm lens.

M3 lovers would point out that you can buy a 35mm Leica lens with 'goggles' fitted, to allow the viewfinder to show the 35 mm field of view but in my opinion, it is an awful and inelegant solution.

There are aso options such as the Minolta CLE, Leica CL, Zeiss Ikon and Konica Hexar, which use the Leica M lens mount.

Sorry if this sounds complicated. Why don't you tell us your requirements in detail and we can then make some suggestions?

Ernst
Click to expand...

Thanks to everyone for the input! I will be using this setup as a travel/street photography camera. I do think a 50mm would best suit my needs and I love the focal length. I really don't see myself shooting with anything wider than 35mm but getting that lens is way down the line. I have a guy on Craigslist who has a m6 TTL for $1200 which is, from what he tells me, is excellent mechanical and cosmetic condition.
I am currently on the road typing from my phone so please excuse any spelling errors. I will be following up with more info this evening.
Thanks!
Bran
 
Roger Hicks said:
Just thought of the obvious smart-arse answer too "What should I get?"

-- More money.

Seriously, no need. If you want a meter, yes, M6, then a Voigtländer 35 or 50 on the front. Not everyone sees the Summicron 'magic': I've had 35 and 50, and sold both. Personally I'd go for a 'purist' (and cheaper, and less flary) M2 and a separate meter. But that's as much romanticism as practicality.

Cheers,

R.
Click to expand...

More money would be ideal... Broke college kid here.
 
NeeZee said:
How about this one: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.de/images/6/6e/AF-C1.jpg ?

Even has a red dot and 1250$ left for film and processing then...

Seriously though, I would buy a IIIc with a summaron 35/3.5 and a Voigtländer external finder. If it had to be an M, the M2 plus 35/2.5 Skopar would probably be my choice. With both setups there should be enough money left for film.
Click to expand...

Been there done that. Not with that exact camera but some other quality point and shoots.
 
M2 and a 35 summaron, either f/3.5 or a f/2.8 if you can swing it.

If you are used to the widelux a 50mm lens (as your friend suggested) may feel claustrophobic.

I don't own a summaron but most everything I see from those lenses are fabulous...especially in b&w.
 
Classique said:
Is there a specific reason for wanting a leica? I sometimes also find myself searching the classifieds and ebay for film leica but always stop myself from going any further since I have a great RF kit already with Canon P 35mm, 50mm and 105mm set (amounting to about $6-700 including amadeo nikkor s to ltm adapter).

One thing that stops me most of the time is that leica has magnification of 0.91x max (m3) and goes down from there when canon P is life size 1x. Canon 7 with 0.8x finder seems too small in comparison. It may be worth it to compare different rangefinder options available for you to make the most of your 1.3K. I think if I had that much laying out, I would go for Epson RD-1 to add to my kit =D.
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My whole yet modest 10 years, I'm 22, shooting photos all I wanted was a Leica. All my friends go 7d's or d700's and went trigger happy shooting uninteresting content because they had a 32gb SD card. My grandfather is a hunter of exceptional garage sales and started picking up old Pentax K100's, Yashica range finders, loads of Contax gear and lots more and gave them to me. Not only did I fall in love with film, I fell in love with craftsmanship and the feeling of holding something that feels proper. None of these camera's ever felt as perfect as I wanted them to so I began lusting over anything Leica made. It's finally time...

P.S. I looked a lot at a Contax G2 and even though it is nearly as good optically and more practical, I still want/need to get my hands on a Leica
 
Nothing wrong with seeking the best, and your budget does permit. I recommend the M2 plus Elmar 50/2.8 classic for a nice street kit. Price will be $1000 for Ex condition. Meterless operation is part of the charm, and Sunny 16 is easy enough. Later, you can explore the 35mm and 90mm FLs without viewfinder complication.
 
basurf9 said:
My whole yet modest 10 years, I'm 22, shooting photos all I wanted was a Leica. All my friends go 7d's or d700's and went trigger happy shooting uninteresting content because they had a 32gb SD card. My grandfather is a hunter of exceptional garage sales and started picking up old Pentax K100's, Yashica range finders, loads of Contax gear and lots more and gave them to me. Not only did I fall in love with film, I fell in love with craftsmanship and the feeling of holding something that feels proper. None of these camera's ever felt as perfect as I wanted them to so I began lusting over anything Leica made. It's finally time...

P.S. I looked a lot at a Contax G2 and even though it is nearly as good optically and more practical, I still want/need to get my hands on a Leica
Click to expand...

I totally agree with you on that. That is the reason why I started getting into the world of film and classic cameras that are built to last, even after I got a perfectly good D700 and high end lenses. Mind you, I am more of a vintage fanatic (as you can tell from my username) with not only cameras but saxophones, surfboards, headphones, tennis rackets, fountain pens...you name it.

However, as a recent graduate myself and similar in age as you, I am still conscious about the amount of cash I put into a hobby. After all, I am not making much money off of photography so I go for the bargain deals without selling myself short.

Now, the point is, If you got the cash and you want it, definitely go for it. I was merely sharing an alternative and was also interested in hearing your reason for wanting a Leica. My reason for leica would be to experience that workmanship that no other company has and also the pride of owning a beautiful piece of history i can actually use.
 
basurf9 said:
My whole yet modest 10 years, I'm 22, shooting photos all I wanted was a Leica. All my friends go 7d's or d700's and went trigger happy shooting uninteresting content because they had a 32gb SD card. My grandfather is a hunter of exceptional garage sales and started picking up old Pentax K100's, Yashica range finders, loads of Contax gear and lots more and gave them to me. Not only did I fall in love with film, I fell in love with craftsmanship and the feeling of holding something that feels proper. None of these camera's ever felt as perfect as I wanted them to so I began lusting over anything Leica made. It's finally time...

P.S. I looked a lot at a Contax G2 and even though it is nearly as good optically and more practical, I still want/need to get my hands on a Leica
Click to expand...

If you care about old school craftsmanship and design, you should look at either the older M's (M3, M2, M4) - or the screwmounts. These cameras were made the old way - parts were fitted and _adjusted_ by hand until they fit right, making each body unique. From M4-2 onwards Leica started using different finishing materials, steel gears instead of brass gears and shifted towards mass production assembly techniques.

An M2 would probably be the best bet - they are generally the cheapest and have the luxury of unpaired 35mm frame lines. Add a Summaron 35 f/2.8 and you have a classic (substitute with f/3.5 LTM + adapter for savings). I haven't had much fondness toward the 35mm focal length on other camera types, but it does feel strangely appropriate on a Leica rangefinder.

M4 has the advantage of the faster loading system (also available on the M2-R) and rewind crank instead of a knob. But they are usually more expensive (much less were made).
 
I chose an M6 as my first Leica after getting hooked on rangefinders from Yashica and Canon.. I wanted a meter and easy film loading. No regrets. I love my M6 and will hopefully be buried with it.
 
I was on a similar budget and leaned for a classic M4 and Summicron type-2. I have not regretted it since.

I went for the M4 since:
1> These were newer than the M3 or M2 which were also in my budget.
2> Wanted the 35mm frameline.
3> Easier to load/rewind film.
4> Didnt want the cluttered viewfinder of the M6.

Also, I already had a Voigtlander vc II meter so I was not looking for a metered body.
 
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