Possible first M?

ibrando

ibrando

Photographer?
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Jul 4, 2007
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Hi all,

I just recently found this site and have been reading many, many posts about the M system.

I'm looking to jump into the Leica world shortly and need some advice.

My local camera shop as an M4-2 with a 35mm f1.4 Summilux (both made in Mindland, Ontario Canada). They say it's "collector" grade as opposed to "user" grade and want $2400 for the package. It's in great shape and I trust the owner as he sold me my Rollei 35S and all was good...

I also have a chance to get an M3 (ss) with a 50mm f1.4 Summilux for $700 Details are as follows...

1) Leica M3 Rangefinder camera. Serial No.: 1110535
2) Leitz 50 Summilux Lens. Serial No.:1927685
3) Leather carrying case for M3.
The seller claims "the camera works perfect.The viewfinder is clear and bright.Cosmetically it's also excellent,there is one knock on the left shoulder. The lens shows some wear on the body, saw some fungus through some direction,but it's very hard to see."

Would I be better to stick with my local guy or take a chance on the M3 package and have it CLA'd?

The difference between the 35mm and 50mm focal length is not that big a deal for me. I mainly shoot street and candid and could use either lens. All prices are in Canadian dollars.

Thank you for your time!

Brandon.
 
Thats a great deal on M3 with 50 lux. Buy it or lose it! Also the 50 lux is the 2nd
version of the lux and is agreat lens. Also the m3 Serial # is above a million with the best rangefinder. BUY IT NOW! The deal on the M4-2 with lens sucks.
 
Thank you both for your replies.
So even with the fungus in the lens the M3 package is the better deal?
If the seller is accurate and the fungus is very hard to see, will it affect the images?

Cheers,
Brandon.
 
ibrando said:
Thank you both for your replies.
So even with the fungus in the lens the M3 package is the better deal?
If the seller is accurate and the fungus is very hard to see, will it affect the images?

Cheers,
Brandon.
Click to expand...

Send the lens to DAG for cleaning. The price will still be right..
 
tandemliebhaber said:
excuse me, is that price real or a joke?
IMHO fly 2 europe & buy it there in mint conditions & save upto 1000US$, or have a look @ the bay & find somebody sending world wide .... or ask a serious dealer in EC (4 example http://www.foto-lambertin.de/gelegenheiten_leica.htm) M3 for 600€ & that's not a cheap source
Click to expand...

Both prices are, in fact, real. They are Canadian dollars, currently 600euros is around $865 Canadian.
 
ibrando said:
Hi all,

I just recently found this site and have been reading many, many posts about the M system.
Click to expand...

Oh dear. Many before you have stumbled across this site, and are still here. It's like "Welcome to the Hotel California"...

I'm looking to jump into the Leica world shortly...
Click to expand...

See. It's irresponsible letting innocent people read these pages, without some warning that it will cost them dearly, in the long run.

... and need some advice.
Click to expand...

As pointed out by John, 700 $ for an M3 (ser 1000000+) AND a Summilux 50 is a very good price. Send both to DAG for cleaning.

DAG is a well respected Leica repairman.

Don't worry about wides for the moment. You will be buying further bodies and lenses soon. Are you married, btw? This might interfere with GAS (which it took me a while to figure out means Gear Acquisition Syndrome). A common affliction here... 🙁

Good luck, and welcome.

colin
 
Thank you colinh...

I'm not married...yet...but I am fully aware of GAS. I used to have a bad GAS problem with Nikon. I have digital equipment currently (canon) and also have a Rollei 35S and a Yashica Electro 35 GTN.

Cheers,
Brandon.
 
Thank you for all your replies!

Alas, the M3 slipped through my fingers and is gone. 🙁

I may see if the seller of the M4-2 will come down a bit in price... from wha tI read, the 35mm summilux is a very nice lens.

Cheers,
Brandon.
 
Brandon, the Summilux and M4-2 package is too expensive. The M4-2. if it is in "collectors" condition, it means that it will need a CLA before you use it. Also check the serial number on the M4-2. If it is below 1.500 000 have it checked out as some of the early M4-2's had problems with the shutter brake.
The Summilux 35/1,4 has gone up in price for some reason. It is unfairly tainted with "not being sharp" - very early examples from the 60's were less than stellar and had a problem with flare. The later ones are very good. Check the serial number on the lens and if it is around 3 000 000 or above it is fine. In its latest configuration (post 3000 000) it is far less flare prone than the famed Aspherical Summilux's.
If you are a street shooter and then most likely will be using 400 speed film, you will not have any problem with the 35. I have pulle 2x3 feet enlargments from that lens for shows with no problem (from Tri X).
In Canada you can always use Kinderman in Toronto for your service, not cheap but they actually have parts and Gerry is a master "fixer". He jsut re-surrected and old and severly battered M2 of mine. Now it is a joy to use!
 
I am glad Tom A put in a good word for the pre asph Summilux 35. I have a later model pre and enjoy it very much. I have used both DAG and Kinderman for CLAs and found both did an excellent job. The plus for Kinderman is that you save the cross border shipping hassle. Lots of luck in your quest to find an M.

Bob
 
Thank you TomA and Nikon Bob,

I have asked the seller of the M4-2 if he will lower his price, but he seems firm and says "you're paying for quality". He also told me to stay away (at all costs) from an M3? He said parts were not available and I would not be happy with it.

Is he just throwing me a line trying to sell his M4-2?

Cheers,
Brandon.
 
Brandon, for $2400 you should be able to put together a nice little kit. Good, user M2's run around $7-800, a late user M3 would be the same. Add a 35/2.5 VC lens (similar quality to a Summicron 35/2 non-aspheric) and a 50/2 Summicron or even a Planar 50/2 and you would be set for a while.
The alternative is a M6 and a couple of lenses (35/50 to start) - again some careful shopping on E-bay/Tff classifieds or even phone calls to places like KEH camera/Photovilla/Cameraquest should keep you within budget.
The early M3's with double stroke advance are not easy to get some parts for. Shutter brakes are not available, finders are expensive so always check that if you are looking for them. The good things with Leica's is that if everything is fine now - it will probably remain so for the forseable future.
The M8 has put pressure on the availability of late Leica lenses, particularly the wider lenses, but we are very lucky today that there are plenty of top grade stuff available from other sources, Voigtlander,Zeiss Ikon, Konica and Kobalux.
Rangefinder shooters have never had it this good!
 
Wow, Thank you Tom A.

I had a feeling I was being thrown a line with all the M3 users I see here.

There are a couple of M3SS' that I am sniffing around. I also looked at Voigtlander 35mm f1.7 lens last night that look really nice. To me that sounds like a nice package and I may be able to get it for about $1500.

Cheers,
Brandon.
 
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