Darthfeeble
But you can call me Steve
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Question about buying a film Leica
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Stuart John
Well-known
The prices of Leica M bodies to today have really gone up in price. The M5 used to be the cheap ugly duckling camera but even they sell for 2 to 3 times more than I paid for mine.
The FM3a has also got expensive due there not being so many of them.
I still think the best Nikon deal is the FM/FM2/FM2N or the FE/FE2. Add a Nikon 28mm Ais or a 35mm Ais and your laughing. Great cameras easy to use.
Canon FD gear is great to and is often better priced than Nikon manual focus gear.
The FM3a has also got expensive due there not being so many of them.
I still think the best Nikon deal is the FM/FM2/FM2N or the FE/FE2. Add a Nikon 28mm Ais or a 35mm Ais and your laughing. Great cameras easy to use.
Canon FD gear is great to and is often better priced than Nikon manual focus gear.
The FE2 + K3 screen = FM3a, other than having the new logo font 🙂 and mechanical speeds.
I for one don't think mechanical speeds are important, just carry an extra set of batteries that weigh about 5 grams.
1/4000 shutter.
For an M body, instead how about three/four copies of the Hexar RF, which is the only M body with 1/4000?
I for one don't think mechanical speeds are important, just carry an extra set of batteries that weigh about 5 grams.
1/4000 shutter.
For an M body, instead how about three/four copies of the Hexar RF, which is the only M body with 1/4000?
narsuitus
Well-known
Before I purchased my M6, when I needed something small, I used a pair of Pentax ME SLR cameras.
They were small and expendable but they were not as quiet as the Leica.
Small 35mm film Cameras by Narsuitus, on Flickr
They were small and expendable but they were not as quiet as the Leica.
Small 35mm film Cameras by Narsuitus, on Flickr
gb hill
Veteran
I don't think the R4M has the same guts as my Bessa R has. It is much better build than my R.But that being said I like my R for it's lightweightness.
jsrockit
Moderator
skucera
Well-known
I really enjoy the Leica M3 kit that I inherited, but if you're looking to get into your first film camera I'd recommend getting something less expensive. Really, any brand-name Japanese SLR from the Eighties or Nineties will give excellent results. Probably the best value for the excellent optical quality is Konica, but Olympus, Pentax, Canon, Minolta, and Nikon all made excellent cameras and good lenses.
Good luck,
Scott
Good luck,
Scott
Bill Blackwell
Leica M Shooter
The M6 would be my favorite Leica M (behind the M2), but there is no way I would buy one now based on current prices. They're going for up to two times what they originally sold for new. Prices are surging for a number of reasons - price of a new MP, lack of availability of a new MP, resurgence in film usage, etc. ...
For my money, I would go for a Nikon FM2 (or variant), or some other compact bayonet-mount film camera - there are lots to choose from - all are overpriced (but none as bad as a Leica M6)! DO NOT buy a CV Bessa - IMHO, they are NOT worth anywhere near what they're selling for today (~$1,000 or more).
If you must have a Leica, then get an M3/2 or 4. If you shop around you should be able to find one for around $1,000 - add the cost of a CLA.
Also, there is the Leica M5 (prices have not surged on the M5 like they have on other Leicas). It is a real Leica, but 'out-of-shape' and more expensive to CLA compared to other film Ms.
For my money, I would go for a Nikon FM2 (or variant), or some other compact bayonet-mount film camera - there are lots to choose from - all are overpriced (but none as bad as a Leica M6)! DO NOT buy a CV Bessa - IMHO, they are NOT worth anywhere near what they're selling for today (~$1,000 or more).
If you must have a Leica, then get an M3/2 or 4. If you shop around you should be able to find one for around $1,000 - add the cost of a CLA.
Also, there is the Leica M5 (prices have not surged on the M5 like they have on other Leicas). It is a real Leica, but 'out-of-shape' and more expensive to CLA compared to other film Ms.
jukka
Established
I don't personally understand the allure of M6 – for the price, at least get an M6TTL or the M7.
But there is a simple reason they are getting expensive: these things are not made anymore. There's going to be fewer around going forward.
Also, I do find it funny that gear-heads on internet forums, who list M10s and what not super unnecessary possessions as their signature, advice against getting a "user" film Leica.
Geez, get one if you want one (and can afford it) – life is short.
Filter Factor
Established
One guy with an M10. Small sample size.
But more to the point: OP is concerned about price. he also wants to get into shooting film. "Therefore, a Leica". As if there is no other alternative. We are just making him sure it COULD be done without spending Leica money, if money is a concern.
Steve Bellayr
Veteran
Alternate: Nikon F3hp w/35mm Carl Zeiss 35mm f2.0 Much heavier than the M6 with a summicron.
valdas
Veteran
Not “to get into”, but “back into”, I’ve read. And he used to use M3, so, I assume he knows what he wants and why. The question was about the price consistency, not that he can’t afford. But yes - there are cheaper alternatives, will always be. But there are reasons people continue using (and buying) M6. Good reasons or bad reasons - it’s pointless to rationalize. We are different and love different things for different reasons.
gavinlg
Veteran
If you know what you want and can afford it, buy the m6. The excellent cheaper slr alternatives listed here are fantastic but won’t scratch your itch, they’re just not the same. The m6 is never coming down, not while film photography is still available.
I went through f4, f2, F3, fm2n, om4 etc and ended up at an m4-2 I got for a good price and had serviced. The M2/4 are a good option but the lack of inbuilt meter does make it a little less convenient. Bessa’s are lovely but not worth over 1k.
I went through f4, f2, F3, fm2n, om4 etc and ended up at an m4-2 I got for a good price and had serviced. The M2/4 are a good option but the lack of inbuilt meter does make it a little less convenient. Bessa’s are lovely but not worth over 1k.
aizan
Veteran
I agree about the itch. If you want a Leica M, you have to buy one to get it out of your system. Afterwards, you either keep it and don’t mind the expense, or you sell it for a profit and have lived to tell the tale. 😀
I’m tempted to sell my 0.72 MP and replace it with a 0.58 Frankenleica because I wear glasses and like 28mm. The Konica Hexar RF, Minolta CLE, and Bessa R4a would be great, too. I’d love a Nikon or Canon, or even a Leica screwmount. The itch has been scratched, I’ve learned what really matters to me about rangefinders (something I could have learned with any of those options), and I don’t care anymore about having a Leica M. I just want a rangefinder for the scale focusing by feel and reverse Galilean viewfinder. If it weren’t for that, I wouldn’t bother because honestly I get more of a kick from Pentax Spotmatics and Olympus Pens.
I’m tempted to sell my 0.72 MP and replace it with a 0.58 Frankenleica because I wear glasses and like 28mm. The Konica Hexar RF, Minolta CLE, and Bessa R4a would be great, too. I’d love a Nikon or Canon, or even a Leica screwmount. The itch has been scratched, I’ve learned what really matters to me about rangefinders (something I could have learned with any of those options), and I don’t care anymore about having a Leica M. I just want a rangefinder for the scale focusing by feel and reverse Galilean viewfinder. If it weren’t for that, I wouldn’t bother because honestly I get more of a kick from Pentax Spotmatics and Olympus Pens.
Evergreen States
Francine Pierre Saget (they/them)
Prices are only going to go up. If you can afford to buy a Leica M and don’t like it, you will be able to sell it later for more than what you paid for it. The very worst that happens if you buy one and don’t like it is that by the end of the experience you got to use a Leica for free. Unless it breaks or gets stolen, that is.
Yes, it's just a matter of tying up cash for a while. Or forever, as the case may be. 🙂
You'll get it back unless you drop it, or it otherwise needs service.
You'll get it back unless you drop it, or it otherwise needs service.
mpaniagua
Newby photographer
I currently own and use both M6/M5 since I like to have a lightmeter.
M6 is a pleasure to use. Very expensive now but if you really like it I think it will keep their value for sometime. Like previously stated, they supply is getting lower since most people that have one (like me) are not considering selling them. I would think the that people that uses M5 would like to switch to M6 since CLA and repair is getting harder, so that would be another source of demand.
If you can afford and like M6 I would say go ahead. As with most classic/collective cameras, I bet you could get your money back easily if it doesn't suit you or get bored of it.
Just my 2 cents.
Marcelo
M6 is a pleasure to use. Very expensive now but if you really like it I think it will keep their value for sometime. Like previously stated, they supply is getting lower since most people that have one (like me) are not considering selling them. I would think the that people that uses M5 would like to switch to M6 since CLA and repair is getting harder, so that would be another source of demand.
If you can afford and like M6 I would say go ahead. As with most classic/collective cameras, I bet you could get your money back easily if it doesn't suit you or get bored of it.
Just my 2 cents.
Marcelo
Bill Blackwell
Leica M Shooter
I'm assuming you're referring to me here, since there are no other contributors in this thread with "M10" in their signature.
First off - I did not recommend against a "user" from Leica. In fact I essentially said I would opt for a M2/3 or 4 instead of an M6. In fact, I followed my own advise by having an M2 [for film] instead of an M6.
And not that it's anyone's business, I bought the M10-P when it was more affordable compared to today and [mostly] traded other pieces for it.
mpaniagua
Newby photographer
Just curious Bill, why aren't they worth the money? I used to have/use a Bessa R2 and it was a fantastic machine. Also, Cameraquest still service/repair them. Built quality/realibility is great. Just wondering about your thoughts.
Best regards
Marcelo
Bill Blackwell
Leica M Shooter
I owned a Bessa R2 years ago when they first came out. I used it as a back-up to my M6. I supposed it was worth the ~$500 I paid for it back then, but in my opinion, not worth ~$1,000 or more today. The RF base is short and the RF patch does white out fairly easily.
Again - just my opinion.
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