New to Leica, new to Rangefinder, new to just about everything!

L

llotse

Guest
Hi, first of all thanks for all the excellent info you have all provided on this site, it’s been informative reading over the past few weeks. Secondly, thanks for all the excellent photographs, which have been a great inspiration. I am on the verge of selling my FM3A and 45mm lens, D70 with associated lenses and flash etc. in order to part finance a new M7 and 50mm f2, the deal is done all I have to do is say yes! Has anyone been down a similar route? If so, are there any regrets? The only thing I think I will miss is the ability to see the image instantly, however, I always enjoy using the FM3A more than the D70 (can’t explain why :confused: ). I hope this will be more than made up for with the Leica feel, experience and hopefully I will learn a great deal, I am not a good photographer and wish to learn.
 
Hi LLotse, welcome to the forum. Another member from this side of the pond.

I can honestly say that the camera that has made me think the most and enjoy the photographic experience (not just the results) was the purchase of my M7 with F2 Cron. Very expensive but I feel it was well worth it. Do take up the one day Leica course in Milton Keynes as well. It's free to new owners and you get the chance to try other leica lenses on your M.

I've still got my D70 for those accasions when an RF gets out of it's depth, i.e. longer lens sports photography. I also still have an old Pentax MX which I'll keep having bought it new 24 years ago..

I don't have the FM3a but I guess you got more of a kick out of it was that you felt that you were more part of the process than the do everything option of the D70. Although that viwefinder is huge compared to the digital. I'm not sure what the value of your Nikon kit would be worth trade in but please make sure that you are making the right decision.

On a personal note, I'd try and keep one of the SLRs, probably the FM3a as it's a modern classic that is very well built. The D70 although very good will not fetch much on the used market but it will be updated every year or so with a new model at a cheaper price so you could always re-enter the land of the pixel later on.

If possible try out an RF, say a Voigtlander or Leica and see if it works for you before selling some very good kit.

If you get the M7 I'm sure you will not regret it.
 
First, welcome to the forum llotse! :) I have been down a similar path, used Nikon SLRs (but not digital) for many years then bought a Leica M6TTL with a 50mm/f2. Have not regretted it at all and my Nikon stuff now gathers dust. I just bought an M7 a couple of months ago and love it and I think you will too. So go for it! :) The link below is a recent thread on M7 impressions that you might have already seen:

With your permission, my M7 impression

 
A free one day course aswell! that's just about tipped the balance, what with that, the recent reviews, a free leicavit and a five year warranty it sounds a good deal even at Leica prices. But I gues this is going to get expensive with a digital M due and all those fantastic lenses? Have you (or anyone else) been on the course Fred? is it suitable for a photographic muppet like me?
 
Mr Muppet here.

I went on the one dayer and it's pretty basic really. It's good to see and gear how the little beasties are put together and you'll see why they cost the extra folding stuff.

When I went it covered the 'R' cameras as well which was fine. The folks that went were from varying walks of life ranging from company directors to err...well. me. Not an attitude in sight and a good day out.

You do get to go out and try a different lens that you might not normally consider, they supply the slide film. I tried the 90 Macro with the specs and was very pleased with the results. I also tried the 90 asph that I was equally impressed with.

I got my kit just a month or so before the five year passport and winder offer. I'd go for the Leicavit mechanical winder as it can be used quieter than the motor.
 
Very welcome to the forum, welcome to leica cameras and welcome to a very different kind of photography. I bought my M7 one month ago. Im a Nikon maniac as you can read in the review I wrote few days ago (Peter send it to you) Thank`s Peter I really appreciate it. I think Nikon cameras are fabulous cameras but everything depends on the kind of picture you want to do. I will never sale my Nikons camera. Maybe sale my F100 and buy a new F6 next year. I really need very fast Auto focus for wildlife photography like marsupials (like my avatar). I work in conservation of endangered species here in Chile, so I need fast response that’s why I choose Nikon for outdoor photography. But for any other kind of pictures Leica is the camera. Hope to share with you all kind of experience good or bad. I saw today with Matu a very beauty second hand M6 Titanium with grip and a 90 /2.8 I think he is gonna buy it as soon as possible, here in Chile is NOT SO easy as to go to the corner and enter Adorama or B&H and ask for the camera your were always dreaming about. (I think Ben Z is in a big mistake in his words!!!!, sorry friends) Actually this M6 is the second Leica I have seen in my life and the first was mine M7.
I think M7 is a great camera and believe me the second time I try with the film was much much easier. (Thanks a lot Friends for all you advices).

Believe me is much more easier to change a camera than to change you point of view with a new camera.

See you soon in the forum

Andy
 
hi llotse

I've got a D70 that got me back into photography after a bit of a hiatus.. it was nice to have, and still has its place in my collection.. but I somehow fell into place with this disreputable crowd and it has reawakened my photographic/artistic eye.. I used the D70 mostly for still lifes and macro photography, but I pull out my RF for 'slices of life'

and it's true that people don't pay much attention to you when you've got a quaint little camera in your hand.. but I'm sure you know how it is when you put that D70 up to your eye.. people seem to dive out of the way

hope you enjoy your stay here, and post lots of great photos!
 
Hi there,
Welcome to the world of Leica, if I were in your shoes, I would unload the D70 and save for an M3 or an M6 TTL. The new Leicas are just too nuts price wise. I would hold onto the FM3a though, I am biased but I like mechanical NIkon SLR's. Anyhoo, welcome to the tribe, you will have a lot of fun here.

Bill
 
Ditto what Uncle Bill says, but I don't think that's the sort of advice you want to hear, so sell your present equipment, get a new M7, and later buy another FM3a when you get the urge to do macro or long telephoto. :D

I'm a multi-film person and like to keep my M3, M2, and M6 loaded with three different types of film, and there's a Nikon FM (actually my wife's) for those times when I want to do something which rangefinders can't very well do. I'm not terribly fond of the "digital look" and am revolted by the idea of trying to mimic film by adding artificial grain and such to digital images.

Anyhow, I would find a single M7 very limiting, but that's me, and you're you. I'm just trying to give you some food for thought.

Welcome! Enjoy the forums!
 
I am forced to keep my digital gear, a pair of Kodak SLR/n 14mp Nikon mount slr's, and a Nikon D100 slr, and a Betterlight Scanning Back for 4x5, because I need to use these professionally, my clients demand digital, however I do not use digital for my personal work at all. Went through a phase, got out of it, now back to film for good, I hope. (as long as I can get film).
I do, however prefer scanning and printing digitally, as opposed to long hours in the darkroom.
 
I'd second those who suggest not to sell the FM3a. I bought a Leica MP earlier this summer to supplement my FM3a and OM-2 (which I haven't used in over a year) and while the Nikon has seen very limited usage since I bought the Leica, I'm happy to still have it around for those times that I feel like shooting with it. A little variety here and there never hurt anyone. :D
 
If you can afford it, buy an MP or an M7. You'd be adding to the effort of keeping Leica in business and supporting a company that's been around for more years than some of us have been alive.

If you can't afford new, don't feel bad...not many of those here can't either. :)

Edit: You could tell that I was up late posting. Sheesh.
 
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First: Welcome to the forum. I'm a relatively new member here and can only say you'll really enjoy it. I came the same way you did, albeit with a lot more photographic history, having used Leica M, then Leica R, switched to Canon 10D ,was very happy about digital but missed the "real" pohotgrapy so I came full circle: back again to Leica M. I decided to keep my 10D, a macro lens a 300 mm and a 1.4x converter for the following reason: Leica M camera's are not and never have been universal camera's (the Visoflex was a valiant effort in its day, nowadays makeshift at best) so for my wildlife photography I need a (D)SLR. I bought my Leica bodies secondhand, as I am avidly awaiting the digital M, which hopefully will appear next year. But even after that happens, I will retain my M3. My advice would be, if you like digital, to buy a secondhand M now, build up your range of lenses with a 1.4 crop factor in mind and step into the digital M next year.
 
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Many thanks for all the replies and advice. I thought this might get expensive! Unfortunately the FM3a will have to go aswell to help purchase the M7 but from what you have all said I think it is going to be worth it. Maybe in the future I will have a couple of bodies and maybe even an R but I guess if I stick with an M7 for the time being I should learn quickly. I just ordered a book about rangefinders by a Mr Roger Hicks would that be the same as posted here?
 
Knowing British camera prices would it be a good idea to hop over to the continent for your purchase? (Hong Kong being a bit far :D)
 
Jaap, I am very fortunate in that my work takes me all over the world and I regularly visit Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok etc. in fact I bought the D70 from HK Supplies. However, given the free Leicavit, free one day course and five year passport, I think it may be worthwhile buying from the UK this time, also I would be supporting Leica here in the UK.
 
That certain MR Hicks is the same one you see here. The very same who writes in the UK version of the Amateur Photographer weekly publication.

Good luck with the M7, I'm sure that you'll enjoy using it and seeing the results probably more so than your other cameras.

Loading the film seems a tad odd at first as it goes in from the bottom. It's really no harder than the 'swing back' cameras it's just different. Just follow the manual exactly and you should not have a problem.
 
Well, says he, smiling modestly -- that's me!

As you might guess from the book and the AP column, I have a certain weakness for rangefinders.

And the current UK Leica people are very nice and well worth supporting -- unlike the arrogant so-and-sos two or three decades back.

Cheers,

Roger (www.rogerandfrances.com)

Cheers,

Roger
 
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