My first RF. need your opinions.

M

multivitamins

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Hi guys,

Im shifting to RF coming from dslrdom. Been reading RF stuffs and somehow have an idea how RF works. Im thinking of getting bessa R3M but I really really like leica and wanted to get one as much as possible. But my prob is, I can only afford to spend $1200 - $1500. With this budget, do you think I can get a leica with 35-50mm fast lens? I don't mind using voigt lens on leica body.
 
Hi, and welcome!

If you're willing to go unmetered and shop carefully, depending what you personally consider to be fast no problem at all meeting your budget even with Leica glass. Metered, you should be able to pull it off with either a Leica Summicron 40/2 or a wide choice of C-V lenses.
 
Bang for the buck, IMO it's hard to beat an M4-2 or M4-P for an unmetered body or an M6 Classic for metered.
 
If you look arround you should find a M6 classic and a Summicron 2/50 for 1600 or so. Go for a metered body, it is more fun.
 
abumac said:
If you look arround you should find a M6 classic and a Summicron 2/50 for 1600 or so. Go for a metered body, it is more fun.
Click to expand...

Hopefully... Ebay would not be a good place to find a cheap M6. Hopefully one will pop in the classifieds. If I cn't find one by Nov. I might get a bessa. But leica... will be just a dream for now.

@Ken - Someone is selling an M4-P for $1200 with free watameter. Is that a good price?
 
Seems really steep to me considering one sold in the classifieds here for $650 recently and that KEH has a bargain grade M6 for $1035 right now.
 
uh.. $650.... bad luck for me... Guess I need to watch out the classified. Been looking for some meter for m4. Hehe, they are also expensive... Is there an alternative meter for m4? Like 3rd party?
 
There were at least two M4s went for $800 on classified in past two days, including mine in excellent condition.

And I scored a CLA'd SS M3 marked as "user" but turned out to be excellent condition for $600 there as well.

So yeah, definitely watch out the classifieds here. I find I can trust people here and what they are selling way way more than ebay or pretty much anywhere else on the interwebz. ;)

For metered M, I'd recommend M6 Classic with Elmar 50mm 2.8 (first version) You can get BGN grade (which is usually EX+ grade elsewhere) for $299 from KEH.
 
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coelacanth said:
There were at least two M4s went for $800 on classified in past two days, including mine in excellent condition.

And I scored a CLA'd SS M3 marked as "user" but turned out to be excellent condition for $600 there as well.

So yeah, definitely watch out the classifieds here. I find I can trust people here and what they are selling way way more than ebay or pretty much anywhere else on the interwebz. ;)

For metered M, I'd recommend M6 Classic with Elmar 50mm 2.8 (first version) You can get BGN grade (which is usually EX+ grade elsewhere) for $299 from KEH.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Im looking at KEH website now. Shipping price is also my prob. Im kinda in Asia. so I expect a $100+ shipping cost. Im really like the M6. I think I can wait until december and watch out for the classifieds. But.. I will not shoot for 2 months... Damn, I will use my cp camera again.
 
Now that you have an M3, all you need is a lens or lenses -- and a meter which gives both incident and reflected readings. With the M3 you cannot use a 35mm (or wider) lens without an external finder.
 
As Ken said, well maintained M3 is such a joy to use. My 53 years young M3 is as smooth and silky as you can ever expect from any device. ;)

Just be sure to get one with recent CLA or add $80+shipping for Youxin's CLA, then you have a beautiful picture taking machine.

Do you have a link to the M3 you found?
 
Workflow is subjective, but I find I use my unmetered cameras less than my M6. Little extra steps add up, whether it's an external view finder or an external meter. And, for me at least, film loading with the M6 'tulip' is easier/quicker than an M3. Can't really go wrong with any of these options, and I don't know what your shooting style is so I'll shut up now...
 
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