Need Opinions

[Jordan['o"]]

I'll start by saying Hi!

I've been lurking these forums for over a year now and it's time to get involved. I'm a little embarrassed my first post is going to be a gear related one, but I need the opinions of some long time rf users. I'll start by saying I'm a working skateboard photographer and say this not to toot my own horn, but moreover to explain my ability to disseminate my own gear needs mostly. At this point my camera bag is 100% geared towards shooting skating and therefor is a total pig I resent carrying. I want something i have 0 excuses to leave at home. I started with a ql17, and recently an xa. Having shot hasselblads for a long time I very much appreciate the craftsmanship of a mechanical tank.

Here is my dilema; I've been doing a lot of reading here and on cameraquest and it seems most peoples recommendation for a first user is a bessa R**. In checking prices i can get a new r2/3m for shy of $600. Via keh I'm looking at bgn quality (I've been very impressed with bgn from keh) m2/3/4-2/p for the same money. If my 500cm was any indication of the quality I am expecting of a leica I have 0 concerns buying used, even 50 years used. Am i being caught up in brand (i did buy a hassy instead of a bronica), or am i skipping inferior construction in favor of a tank.

Sorry for the essay, your help is greatly appreciated

Jordan

 

[mfogiel]

Your primary problem should be if you need AE (which I think you do) and what fl you want to use ( I think you would love a 25-28mm range). Both of these requirements are met ideally in a Bessa R4A without the need for external finders. If you can find it used, go for it, just make sure the RF is aligned.

 

[FrankS]

to me:
a leica feels like a hasselblad
a bessa rf feels like a bronica
(flame suit on)

 

[Jordan['o"]]

I have never found a need for ae. Due to off camera lighting I am completely used to having a meter with me. I am also getting very familiar with guesstimating light. 99% of published skateboarding is shot manual focus and hand metered. I have always had a particular aversion to the distortion brought by wide angles. I would see myself enjoying 50mm and 90mm as the 80mm at 150mm are my favorite 6x6 focal lengths

 

[Merkin]

IMO, any time you buy a used Leica, you should also budget to send it off for a CLA, unless it comes with a reciept showing that it has had one recently. That would probably put the price of that old Leica up above a new Bessa body. Trust me, even the best looking Leicas can go out of adjustment in small and insidious ways, leading to lots of missed shots. Also, shooting skaters can potentially be hazardous to the continued function of any camera, and a trashed bessa is a bit easier on the psyche than a trashed leica. There is nothing wrong with the Bessa, it is a great camera, regardless of price. The only thing that is going against it is the lack of a red dot. AE and built in metering will also be very helpful for you, imo. Keep in mind that unless you have been using a RF camera for years, getting precise shots is a slow process. Go with the R*a that best suits your focal length needs.

ETA- Just saw your other post. Even if you don't need built in metering and AE, my recommendation still stands. Also, consider the continued use of your Canonet, as Shutter Priority mode is probably absurdly useful for shooting skateboarders.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Dear Jordan,

Hi!

If you were nearer I'd lend you a Leica (no-one is near where I am!)

My own inclination would be a Leica and trigger base (Tom A. knows all about these!).

I've found Leicas to be even better built than Hasselblads, but then, I've only ever had one Hasselblad and maybe 2-3 dozen Leicas over the last 40 years (though I've used other Hasselblads belonging to employers and so forth).

EDIT: Merkin and I disagree about CLAs. A decent camera, bought after you've checked it over, or from a good dealer (NOT over the internet) should not need a CLA if it is in apparent working order.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Jordan['o"]]

sorry I suppose I should have specified. this camera is in no way meant to replace any of my other gear or meant to be used in its stead. This is to be the camera for my own personal enjoyment and not meant to be used for skateboard work. Not to suggest a leica wouldn't shoot skating well, but it would take an m7 before the flash sync suited it. I am looking for a simple shooter I love taking with me.

 

[wolves3012]

If you want a small, compact Leica and aren't worried about its age, why not go for something like a IIIC? Relatively cheap and commonly available. With any Leica you're unlikely to lose much if you decide you don't like it.

 

[Keith]

With a little patience you can probably pick up a used Zeiss Ikon for around $800.00 .... very hard to go past one of these. Brilliant viewfinder and particularly suited to 50mm and 90mm shooting with the longest rangefinder baselength available.

 

[Jordan['o"]]

Thanks for the replies. Yes wolves, I've been looking into III's my only concern is a small finder. The price however certainly is right. I've also been taking a serious look at ZI's now too, I appreciate the suggestion Keith. One of the things I am getting most excited about is having all my lens investments in one basket. For all the magazine work I'd be shooting hasselblad for resolution, but since it's all multiple strobe stuff I had to get into digital slrs for the purposes of being a cost effective "polaroid back" to test lighting. Leaving me invested in ziess glass as well as its nikon crop digi equivalents. That led me to get an f100 and a few nicer ais lenses for fun. All this to say I had money pulled in several glass directions. I'll be keeping a digi body (d70s for magic-like flash sync) and be looking to unload the rest of my nikon stuff in favor of an RF for my own enjoyment. It's great knowing this is a lens path that will not backfire on me. I'm pretty torn between a ZI and an m2/4-2/p at this point. I know I'm pretty much a 50mm guy but I'd like to keep my doors open to a 35mm as well. Your input is, as always, greatly appreciated.

 

[robbert]

III's are great camera's, their viewfinders however are not imo. I had a 500C/M and a Leica M3 when I was shooting analog. I think the they're a good match. I would advice you to test drive a M3 since you stated your preference for those focal lenghts. 50mm on an M3 is divine. I also heard that for 90mm the M3 is your best bet (I don't know this since, I never had a 90mm Leica).

Good luck

 

[morback]

If it's for fun and you don't have brand fetishism, the ZI is great. Perfect for 50 and above (Mine is welded to the Sonnar), light to carry, beautiful viewfinder that makes you want to take more pictures.

And since you don't care about the light meter, it's only drawback (LED light to the extreme left and hardly visible) won't be a bother for you.

Also, you won't have to put money aside for a CLA 😉