Sell everything and get an MP a la carte?

[twhittle]

Seeing as it is the new year soon, I was interested in your opinion of what I should do:

After ammassing quite a lot of gear and having lots go through my hands I'm thinking of selling everything. I would replace it all with one MP a la carte.

Currently on rotation I have: Mamiya 7ii with 80/4, Fujifilm GA645, Rolleiflex iib, Pentax 67 with 105/2.4 and 135/4 and 200/4, Canon T90 with 50/1.4, Nikon FE with 85/2 and 50/1.8, Contax T2 and Leica M2 with 50/2.8 and 35/2.

I would sell everything except the two Leica lenses and order an MP a la carte in black paint, original vulcanite, 35/50/90 frame lines and original script. It would almost be a straight swap if I do this.

So what should I do?

 

[Robert Lai]

No 35mm film camera will give you the image quality of medium format. So, I would not sell the entire lot.
Besides, what does the expensively modified MP offer you that the M2 doesn't besides a meter?

 

[twhittle]

No 35mm film camera will give you the image quality of medium format. So, I would not sell the entire lot.
Besides, what does the expensively modified MP offer you that the M2 doesn't besides a meter?

I am happy with 10" X 8" prints from the Leica. I do love the bigger negs but I don't need it.

The M2 frame counter constantly annoys me as does the flash sync.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Absolutely to sell all of it. But it will cover 1/5 of the MP cost.

 

[sjauch]

If you really want an MP then sell everything and get one. I'd just keep one of the MF cameras though.

 

[thirtyfivefifty]

You're living my dream! I'd say go for it (but keep the Pentax 67).

 

[Joe Jesus]

I'd keep the P67 and one of the 35mm SLRs, or whatever you use the most.

 

[dave_]

If it was me I would have kept the M2 with the 35 and 50 + Contax T2 and sell everything else.. if you want to 'upgrade' the M2 I think you should look at getting an M4 instead of an MP.

 

[Out to Lunch]

If you like 'pretty', consider a mint M6 Millennium edition body at a much lower cost.

 

[madNbad]

It is possible to have too much stuff sometimes. You could upgrade the M2 with PC style flash plugs but a nice new MP is a tempting choice. It also makes deciding which camera to take a lot easier.

 

[Robert Lai]

Let me understand this. You want to sell lots of really good gear, including several fine medium format cameras, just so that you can get an automatically resetting film counter, and a PC flash synch port with hot shoe? And also the internal meter.

I'd think about this lots and lots if I were you. Then think about it some more before you do this. Someday you'll reach for the Mamiya 7ii and it won't be there because you sold it.

I've done enough things like this in my life that I KNOW you will regret this.

 

[brennanphotoguy]

Absolutely to sell all of it. But it will cover 1/5 of the MP cost.

False, if he sold everything he would pretty much cover the cost of the MP for sure.

It's a really tough call. I talked a friend of mine into doing something similar about 2 years ago but he had amassed an M4, M4-2, M4-P, a couple M lenses and a couple LTM lenses that he didn't use and traded it all for a brand new MP and a 35/2 and later picked up a 28/2.8 and 50/1.4 (all ASPH). He doesn't regret his decision at all but he has zero intention of selling any of it and has all but stopped buying 35mm gear since he bought all of that. It really comes down to whether you *want* to have a brand spanking new camera that you know for sure that you'll never trade/sell otherwise it's not worth it. Having one camera that will always be a constant in your bag is a nice feeling. If you don't know whether it'll be something that you'll hold on to you might as well sell it all and buy the mintiest M4 or M6 Millennium or something that you can find so you won't lose a lot of resale value later on.

Also, whether you decide to keep one or all of the MF systems that you have is really based on how much you'll end up using it. Having something around that's just gonna sit on the shelf isn't really worth it. The good thing about all that stuff is that it's all very common and will be easy to buy again if you have sellers remorse.

 

[struene]

Keep one MF Camera and one 35mm.
I would stay with the Leica lenses get a used leica M6 or MP if you dont like the M2 and keep the Mamiya M7 with it. Thats all i would need.

schöne Grüße,
Johann

 

[Huss]

I get selling everything to get one item you want to treasure. But from a photographic perspective, nothing anyone makes at the 35mm level matches any of your MF gear. Even at 10 by 8 print sizes.

If it was me, I'd get an M5 or M4 to get those frame lines and the resetting film counter, and keep one MF camera. But if you really want the MP the way you want it, do what makes you happy.

 

[SaveKodak]

Yes. You have to have an MP. The shiniest, most expensive Leica takes the best pictures. An M4 is completely incapable and will only let you down.

/sarcasm

The pride of ownership feeling you'll get from a shiny new MP will wear off. You will miss a Pentax 67 or medium format in general. IMO you can't go wrong with a freshly overhauled M4 and a Rolleiflex 2.8F in a bag. Plus meterless Leica's force you to use better technique a la a Sekonic.

 

[Pete B]

I bought two excellent condition MPs and sent them to Leica to refit to my requirements. Black frame counters, vulcanite and 24/35/50 framelines. You might like to consider doing the same. It was a much cheaper option than ordering a-la-carte but with the exact same outcome. I've really enjoyed owning them, and because they are so portable, I rarely use my MF cameras despite their better image quality.
Pete

 

[nasmformyzombie]

You could get a black repaint M4 and have a tech change the camera to bring up only the frame lines you want. A much cheaper alternative to an MP a la carte. Should you ever want to sell, the M4 will likely hold its value more than an MP a la carte. Pocket the difference and buy 35mm lens(es) and/or keep some of the MF gear.

 

[Calzone]

I bought two excellent condition MPs and sent them to Leica to refit to my requirements. Black frame counters, vulcanite and 24/35/50 framelines. You might like to consider doing the same. It was a much cheaper option than ordering a-la-carte but with the exact same outcome. I've really enjoyed owning them, and because they are so portable, I rarely use my MF cameras despite their better image quality.
Pete

Plus one.

I had a black paint MP with the 0.85 finder that I found used. I had the 75mm frames stripped out and had it overhauled. Saved lots of money and had the camera I always wanted.

Also know that my camera when bought used was already covered in Griptac which I really liked. Mine came "boxed" and displayed gentile brassing. It was new enough for me.

Good luck.

Cal

 

[johannielscom]

Don't know the fella sellin' this BP MP (link) but if you can convince him to sell abroad you might be able to keep one of the MF cameras. I for one wouldn't like to be without an MF camera.

Or, get yourself a black M4P or M4-2 from this shop and sell the M2.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

False, if he sold everything he would pretty much cover the cost of the MP for sure.

It's a really tough call. I talked a friend of mine into doing something similar about 2 years ago but he had amassed an M4, M4-2, M4-P, a couple M lenses and a couple LTM lenses that he didn't use and traded it all for a brand new MP and a 35/2 and later picked up a 28/2.8 and 50/1.4 (all ASPH). He doesn't regret his decision at all but he has zero intention of selling any of it and has all but stopped buying 35mm gear since he bought all of that. It really comes down to whether you *want* to have a brand spanking new camera that you know for sure that you'll never trade/sell otherwise it's not worth it. Having one camera that will always be a constant in your bag is a nice feeling. If you don't know whether it'll be something that you'll hold on to you might as well sell it all and buy the mintiest M4 or M6 Millennium or something that you can find so you won't lose a lot of resale value later on.

Also, whether you decide to keep one or all of the MF systems that you have is really based on how much you'll end up using it. Having something around that's just gonna sit on the shelf isn't really worth it. The good thing about all that stuff is that it's all very common and will be easy to buy again if you have sellers remorse.

The only reason I'm keeping MF and some other film cameras is because I'm emotionally attached. Two folders were from our relative who wanted to come to Canada, but passed away too early. Plus Canadian Brownie made in Toronto.
Two ELC Leica cameras, both were taken care of by recently passed away good person.
One film camera I won in contest, one like my wife and MiL have then they were on low income. Couple of more like this...
Emotional, cultural if not spiritual ties...

Mamiya 7ii with 80/4 - 2000.
Fujifilm GA645 - 400.
Rollei flex ? iib - 200.
Pentax 67 with 105/2.4 and 135/4 and 200/4 - 1500.
Canon T90 with 50/1.4 - 200.
Nikon FE with 85/2 and 50/1.8 - 300
Contax T2 - 500.
Leica M2 -500.

It is 5600, based on ebay prices, before fee is taken.
MP a la carte is about the same.

Sell, sell it all. If no emotional strings are attached just fire sell it all!

I have no idea, why some are so attached to MF. Same as OP, I do 8x10 and Leica gives it nice and easy with very special character of the Leica lens, which most of MF gear has not. Most boring in the character of lens rendering prints I ever seen are from those Japanese MF cameras. They are sharp and ... nothing else. Yes, I also printed from IIb cord (flex) lens and it is also nowhere near to Leica rendering.

Sell it all! Support Leica!