Scrimped and saved has paid (off)

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Welland

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Finaly (well at the end of the month) I will have my Leica set up. I have been shooting for quite a few years and progressed through a number of cameras. I knew I wanted a Leica but the price tag was out of my reach so I set about saving. I sold my turntables and amp and speakers and saved for months. The whole time reseaching which M I wanted.

I finally settled on an M4 and the day after one popped up for sale and within my price. I bought it, that was about 3 months ago and since then the poor bugger has just sat there lensless.

I had to start saving all over again. I asked for cash for christmas and my (30th) birthday. I saved and saved and was eyeing up the Zeiss Biogon 35mm f2.8 (I actually wanted the f2 but couldn't afford it) Having to wait months for the funds I changed my mind over what lens I wanted, if I wanted 50mm or 35mm. This was not a flash in the pan. I had bought some tickets for a gig which luckily sold out and the tickets became very valuable so I sold each ticket for £75 (bought for £14) Luckily thanks to the sale of the tickets it gave me the extra funds to buy the f2 which Ill get at the end of the month. I can't wait and feel extremely lucky to get exactly the camera and lens I want. I worked hard and made sacrifics for this set up which has already given me a big attachment to this camera and I haven't even shot one picture yet.
 
Tom, we as know each other via twitter, it's been great seeing your evolve your selection of equipment and i'm very excited to see what you can do with it!

and I agree with frank, I got my first M body by going to thrift stores and picking up SLR's, plastic cameras, whatever I could find and flip, eventually I could afford my first M2. and to this day regret selling it..!
 
What a great story of how you set your mind to buy what you wanted and accomplished your goal. Congrats! And, when the lens arrives, enjoy your camera!
 
very well done, you will appreciate this camera more, like youre self I have recently scrimped and swapped systems until I could work my way up to my first M
 
Tom, that is a great story and a reflection of the character it takes to pull that off. I remember getting my M3 and without a lens for some time, then, I got a lens, Johan sent me an Industar lens which sits on the IIIF today.;)

I like how you did it. Can't wait to see your photos posted on RFF!
 
I don't know what your current film setup is, or if you have an established workflow regarding printing/scanning, but I would offer this advice:

Make sure you see that as just as important as the body or the lens. I went through a few labs/scanners/software before I finally felt I was finally getting the value out of my 35 Summicron ASPH. I.e., don't get discouraged if your first roll doesn't live up to what you imagined. Remember that scanning and development are important too, and if that is the weakest link, it will show.

Congrats on the M4. I love my Ms even more than the day I got them.
 
Congratulations. I am impressed. There are not a lot of people around now days who are willing to forgo instant gratification and save money in anticipation of a goal. Enjoy your M, it really is a terrific camera. And your lens is awesome.

Have fun!!

Oh, and welcome to rangefinder forum. Lots going on here.
 
I am doing the same thing. I am literally collecting my pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters into a piggy bank. My hope is to get a new Leica 50/2.5 Summarit by Jan. 1st 2014. I have been at it one year already. It feels good!
 
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