My Rangefinder search...

[rfaspen]

Being an RF guy myself, I still have to agree with the simple SLR suggestion. AF is a help when dealing with quick kids and pets. Possible yes with an RF, but takes practice to become competent in fast moving situations....many folks become discouraged during that steep learning period. With an SLR you'll be getting good hits from day one.

 

[Klikkie]

Yeah, I already own several SLR's. I just love the focusing and the silent "click" of a rangefinder. But my rangefinder is a nice piece of Soviet engineering, but not very refined.

I've been reading and watching YT about all the beautiful rangefinders and the Bessa(s). Well. For the prices I've seen, I came to the conclusion that a Leica is no bad option.

But now I'm trying to decide if I want a M3 or M4. I'll drop the lightmeter, and will go for the sunny 16 or a little external lightmeter.

 

[shawn]

If you go for a M3 make sure you check the viewfinder/rangefinder very carefully. Shine a light through the front and look at it from the back at an angle. You are trying to see if the prism is oxidizing. Youxin Ye pointed this out to me on the first M3 I brought over to him for a CLA. It took me 3 tries to get a M3 that didn't have this problem. There are a couple of people that can resilver the prism but it is expensive or a in depth DIY repair.

As far as M3 vs M4 the standard answer is M3 for 50mm and up or the M4 if you want to shoot a 35mm and have framelines. M3 finder is almost life size image so shooting with both eyes open is pretty easy.

*BUT* if you are looking to shoot kids/fast and want Leica I'm going to recommend the M5 or a CL or CLE. The meter and display in a M5/CL means you can follow kids quickly through changing lighting and adjust without moving the camera from your eye. The CLE has aperture priority auto exposure so it is even faster for this kind of situation.

Edit: Or one of the larger fixed lens RFs and it would leave a huge amount of money left over for film. If you want the precise feeling of the Leica something like a Konica IIIa is beautiful and a true 1:1 viewfinder that adjusts for parallax and frame size.

Second edit: Or really go for your want of a rangefinder and medium format and get a Fuji GL690 and the AE lens, shoots fast!

 

[Klikkie]

If you go for a M3 make sure you check the viewfinder/rangefinder very carefully. Shine a light through the front and look at it from the back at an angle. You are trying to see if the prism is oxidizing. Youxin Ye pointed this out to me on the first M3 I brought over to him for a CLA. It took me 3 tries to get a M3 that didn't have this problem. There are a couple of people that can resilver the prism but it is expensive or a in depth DIY repair.

As far as M3 vs M4 the standard answer is M3 for 50mm and up or the M4 if you want to shoot a 35mm and have framelines. M3 finder is almost life size image so shooting with both eyes open is pretty easy.

*BUT* if you are looking to shoot kids/fast and want Leica I'm going to recommend the M5 or a CL or CLE. The meter and display in a M5/CL means you can follow kids quickly through changing lighting and adjust without moving the camera from your eye. The CLE has aperture priority auto exposure so it is even faster for this kind of situation.

Edit: Or one of the larger fixed lens RFs and it would leave a huge amount of money left over for film. If you want the precise feeling of the Leica something like a Konica IIIa is beautiful and a true 1:1 viewfinder that adjusts for parallax and frame size.

A M5 is too expensive for me. 2000euro is now my max. By CLE, are you talking about the Minolta?

 

[shawn]

A M5 is too expensive for me. 2000euro is now my max. By CLE, are you talking about the Minolta?

Interesting, in the US the M5 is same or cheaper than a M3 or M4. Yes, Minolta CLE. Very nice little camera though it lacks 50mm framelines. Pair it with a Voigtlander 40mm 1.4.

 

[38Deardorff]

The Leica CL is a wonderful small camera. The 40mm Summicron C is 1st class. Parts are available for repair. & as DAG (Don Goldberg) has said....they're tougher and more reliable than people give them credit for. An especially convenient travel camera.

 

[BillBingham2]

Don't forget the M4-P, a wonderful meter-less camera with a 28mm frameline built in!

B2 (;->

 

[Klikkie]

I recently went out and took a good look at a Leica M2 and M3. I instantly fell in love. I noticed though that the M2 had a slightly more dim viewfinder (a bit blueish). I don't know if they all have it, or merely that copy. But I started to read online about the M3

 

[38Deardorff]

I recently went out and took a good look at a Leica M2 and M3. I instantly fell in love. I noticed though that the M2 had a slightly more dim viewfinder (a bit blueish). I don't know if they all have it, or merely that copy. But I started to read online about the M3

They're old cameras....you likely saw the difference in condition between two individual cameras. An M2, M4, etc can be just as bright or more than the M3