My first Leica

[jhthomasii]

so, i have been shooting rangefinders for a few months now and i find it much easier than anything else. i have a canonet ql17, xa and an oly 35 rd. a couple of weeks ago, i was at a shop and got my hands on an m3. needless to say, i was done for after that. i have since decided to get a Leica but im just not sure which one.

i live in austin and there arent any at the local shop and i dont know anyone i could borrow one from so i cant try out any other models. im pretty sure i want to shoot a 35mm lens (probably the 35/1.4 voigtlander from CQ) and dont want to have to use an external VF. does that rule out the m3 or can it be used without the framelines?

are the advantages of the m6 over the m2/m4 worth the extra money? the meter would be nice but i can get by without it. i like the simplicity of the m2 but the m4's easier loading and rewind lever seem like they would be worth the slightly higher cost.

im sure im missing a lot of stuff here. any advice would be much appreciated.

 

[Pablito]

Not missing much. Just decide for yourself. Personally I would stay away from M3 if you want to use the 35mm lens. M4-P is very sweet, or M6.

 

[sweathog]

I can't say that I've had any real experience with any Leicas, but I know that I've always lusted after the M6...

 

[RF_newbie]

Check out the Classifieds here on the forum for a used M.
M2 is a great camera. M4 is just a bit more money used, but a little more easy to load. M6 is great for the meter unless you don't need one. The extra frame-lines can be an eye sore for some. I am by far not as worthy of giving advise as a lot of the shooters on this forum, but those are the quick obvious points to me. http://www.cameraquest.com/classics.htm also points out the good and bad of the M camera's.
The finders info here - http://www.cameraquest.com/leica.htm

 

[woodphoto]

Plenty of M6's, M4's and M3's on B&H and Adorama. I prefer a meter and went with a M6. Works great and got it for around $1500. Great all around camera. Go for the .72 finder on the 6 as it can cover more lens options if you go that route.

 

[kosta_g]

who needs more lenses? 😛

stick with the m3 and just use a 35mm lens, you will get used to the framing. I believe the finder (if you hid the framelines) is close to 37mm anyway! you could always try out a 35mm finder attachment while you get used to it. once you know, it's easy. and you get the nice finder of the m3 to work with.

put it this way - you aren't missing much by getting an m2 or m4. (you can add to the m3 to get quicker rewind with CQ rewind lever, and a quick load kit if you find one). enjoy it, it's a great camera

 

[seakayaker1]

. . . . . KEH also has a number of used Leica M's for sale and they now offer a six month warranty on their used cameras.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[jhthomasii]

i found a black m6 for $1000 in ex+ condition. the ad just says it has those paint bubbles on the top plate but that doesnt matter to me. im waiting for the seller to send me some pictures.

 

[jhthomasii]

. . . . . KEH also has a number of used Leica M's for sale and they now offer a six month warranty on their used cameras.

Good luck with your decision.

another thing i have been meaning to ask someone. if i am interested in an bgn item from keh, will they be able to tell me why its bgn if i call them? some of the listing online say whats wrong but some dont. i assume a lot of them are just cosmetic though.

 

[seakayaker1]

another thing i have been meaning to ask someone. if i am interested in an bgn item from keh, will they be able to tell me why its bgn if i call them? some of the listing online say whats wrong but some dont. i assume a lot of them are just cosmetic though.

I have bought a few lenses from KEH, I believe all of them were rated EX and they all fit the description. I was happy with the transactions. I did not call and speak with anyone at KEH prior to the purchase.

If you do call, please share your experience.

Thanks.

 

[Bingley]

I bought a bgn M2 from KEH several years ago. The camera arrived in perfect working order, rf aligned, vf bright, shutter speeds on. The chrome top plate was in excellent condition, maybe a few rub marks on the base plate. There were some small pieces of vulcanite missing, which is probably why keh graded it bgn. The price was $525. Best camera investment I ever made. I've since had it recovered and CLA'd by Youxin Ye. I recently bought, on a whim, a bgn grade Leica IIF red dial from Keh. Arrived in great condition and perfect working order. So I highly recommend keh.

I also highly recommend the M2, partcularly if you prefer a 35 lens. The vf framelines are uncluttered. It is not hard to load. And the price of a good user model is far less than you will pay for an M6 or even an M4. Since you say you don't need a built in meter, the M2 meets all your criteria, and is a gorgeous camera to boot.

 

[David Murphy]

RFF is about the best place to buy a Leica. You want an M2 or M4 to avoid an external finder. These are both incredible cameras if the condition is good - you won't regret.

 

[jhthomasii]

I also highly recommend the M2, partcularly if you prefer a 35 lens. The vf framelines are uncluttered. It is not hard to load. And the price of a good user model is far less than you will pay for an M6 or even an M4. Since you say you don't need a built in meter, the M2 meets all your criteria, and is a gorgeous camera to boot.

RFF is about the best place to buy a Leica. You want an M2 or M4 top avoid an external finder. These are both incredible cameras if the condition is good - you won't regret.

Sounds like the m2 will be the best for me. now i just have to find a good one and sell some cameras, most of all my gf-1.

 

[maddoc]

M4-2 (above SN # 150xxxx) / M4-P without meter or M6 if you want to have a meter.

 

[keatensaba]

another thing i have been meaning to ask someone. if i am interested in an bgn item from keh, will they be able to tell me why its bgn if i call them? some of the listing online say whats wrong but some dont. i assume a lot of them are just cosmetic though.

I just got my BGN rating m4-2 in the mail from them today and it is practically flawless i would rate it EX personally. When i asked the seller at KEH they couldnt tell me the exact condition because he said he didnt actually have it with him in the warehouse or what ever it is. Anyways im sure you would be very happy with a bgn off of KEH.

 

[jhthomasii]

keh has a bgn m2 with the button rewind for 665. im going to call tomorrow and ask about it.

 

[David Murphy]

M4 opinion: I've owned the M4-P and the M4 (Wetzlar German-made). The M4-P is a decent camera, but it's not in the same league as the M4 Wetzlar. Of course one pays dearly for the M4 as with all the most desirable from Leica! From what I know, my choice would be either a German M4 or an M2. I can't say too much about the M4-2, I believe it was made in Canada - probably pretty good.

 

[RanceEric]

another thing i have been meaning to ask someone. if i am interested in an bgn item from keh, will they be able to tell me why its bgn if i call them? some of the listing online say whats wrong but some dont. i assume a lot of them are just cosmetic though.

I have bought many, many things from Keh.. most of them in "Bargain" condition, that turned out to be just fine.. Unless you want something completely flawless, I wouldn't worry about buying "BGN".. I have also bought several things in "UG" condition for dirt cheap that turned out to be nearly flawless (only one thing I've bought in UG condition was actually beat up)

Good luck with whatever M you decide on!

 

[shadowfox]

who needs more lenses? 😛
...

put it this way - you aren't missing much by getting an m2 or m4. (you can add to the m3 to get quicker rewind with CQ rewind lever, and a quick load kit if you find one). enjoy it, it's a great camera

Agree that you only need one lens 😀

But, a complete opposite *personal* take on M3. After reading so many people praising it, I finally got one (plus a DR Summicron and a 135mm Hektor, in a local 'fire' sale). Had it serviced, and tried it.

Put it this way, it just made me like my humble M4-P (and 35mm lens) more. It's a very underwhelming experience (considering my hype-elevated expectation) from loading (slower, awkward), shooting (I kept backing up to get the framing that I like), everything.

At some point I actually wondered, have someone played a cruel joke on me?? Needless to say, I have no trouble at all passing that camera on.

So unless you *really* love 50mm focal length, I'd save some bucks and get an M4-P. An M4 has nicer film advance and rewind, but expensive and you can't get the black version unless you are prepared to pay some ridiculous amount.

 

[jhthomasii]

i dont really want to spend as much as a good m4-p will cost.

i called keh today and they said that items marked bgn are graded so because of cosmetic problems only. they said if something has mechanical problems, they are labeled as-is or the problem is listed in the items description.