Set myself a $2000 budget for First Rangefinder + Lens Combo...

Don't mean to kill your enthusiasm, but US 2000 is a bit steep for M6 and 3.5 Summaron. You can get a variety of faster 35mm lenses within your budget, all at least a full stop faster. If you want modern, the CV 35/2.5 is as good as anything out there; if you want classic, you can get the Nikkor 35/2.5, for instance (for less than US 500 these days).

There is a CLA'ed 40 Summicron in the classifieds for US 400 - an outstanding lens that will fit your M6 well. Just saying ....

Roland.
 
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The M6 is a good choice, but also consider a Zeiss Ikon. The Leica has it's charms for sure, but personally preferred my Ikon to my M6. Also look at Voigtlander and Zeiss lenses, although I think you should be able to find a "user" Summicron within your budget, assuming you don't overspend on the body.

If Leica really appeals, by all means get one, but also look at the Ikon, you owe it to yourself. :)
 
I agree with the 40mm sc. If you are going to shoot B&W. I find the VCII meter to be very accurate. Maybe M3 and a 50 mm and VCII.
 
If you settle on a 40/2 Summicron-C or M-Rokkor, both of which are fantastic, don't forget about the CL. The CL will have the proper framelines which none of the other cameras have. And you will be far under your $2k budget.
 
In terms of lens you should definately try for a 50mm Summicron - look for a black 50mm with focussing tab as it has the same optics as the version with built in lens hood that preceeded the current ASPH. If you can find one with mint optics but cosmetically a bit worn on the outside you should get something to suit your budget.

As far as camera body is concerned - go for the M6 Classic. There are quite a few in very nice condition appearing on the market right now with people upgrading to the M9/MP.
 
d_c said:
In terms of lens you should definately try for a 50mm Summicron - look for a black 50mm with focussing tab as it has the same optics as the version with built in lens hood that preceeded the current ASPH. If you can find one with mint optics but cosmetically a bit worn on the outside you should get something to suit your budget.

As far as camera body is concerned - go for the M6 Classic. There are quite a few in very nice condition appearing on the market right now with people upgrading to the M9/MP.
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this is pretty much my dream set up. the 50mm cron w/ the focussing tab is what my friend has, and i instantly fell in love with that lens, the focusing, the build, and the way it renders photos. it just happens to be my favorite focal length too.

the buddy of mine uses that lens on his m6...and its like a dream to use. if i could find that same combination for about $2000, i'd get it. but it seems as though prices for leica HAVE gone up...

from what i'm seeing, price of a used m6 is good condition is about $1500, and price of the summicron 50mm f/2 tabbed, is also about $1500.

so that's a whopping $1000 dollar over my budget.

i might just wait a little longer, to see if prices come down. i'm in no rush, but i have been waiting over a year for an M system setup.


Here's the funny thing though, I've seen a used 50mm f/2 (latest version) sell for MORE than the price when NEW!! That has to mean a shortage...and probably not the best time to buy right now... not sure...




EDIT: would it be fair to say, that a fair price for a used summicron f/2 (tabbed) would be about $1200?
 
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ottluuk said:
Amen !!
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by the way, thanks for your suggestions before. i can't wait to shoot some b/w photos. i have an lx3, and i use to get amazing black and white images with it... obviously trying to emulate a tri-x film. but really excited to shoot ACTUAL tri-x.

i hope film sticks around forever. I recently saw that Kodak is ending their Porta 160nc and vc film. Sucks really bad!

but thanks for your advice...ultimately you're right, i'm going to be happy with pretty much anything that the M system of lenses and cameras offer.
 
d_c said:
In terms of lens you should definately try for a 50mm Summicron - look for a black 50mm with focussing tab as it has the same optics as the version with built in lens hood that preceeded the current ASPH.
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Umm...there is a 50 Summicron ASPH? :)

Rangeman133 said:
i hope film sticks around forever. I recently saw that Kodak is ending their Porta 160nc and vc film. Sucks really bad!
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Wait til you try Portra 400 or 800 (the new emulsions.) You'll forget 160NC and VC ever existed...
 
Budget your money front-to-back. Buy the lens you really want, then scrimp if you must on the body. It's the glass that makes the image. The body is just a light-tight box. I'm sure the M6 is a great body, and I sure love my M3, but Leica photography IMO is all about the optics. Get a great Leica lens in your fav focal length and maybe an M2 or a Bessa. Either would make a great backup body down the road.
 
^-- I beg to differ. I'd swap out my Zeiss 35/2.8 Biogon-C for a CV 35 or 40, or a Rokkor 40, before I'd give up my M6. From f/5.6-16 you'd be hard-pressed to tell them apart except under very well-controlled conditions. For me, shooting M is mostly about the ergos of the body and finder. These are all very good lenses and I do think that the Biogon-C is unsurpassed, but for my purposes the M6 is the best 35mm body ever made. I'd rather have my M6 than an M7 or MP or any meterless M.
 
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Rangeman133 said:
this is pretty much my dream set up. the 50mm cron w/ the focussing tab is what my friend has, and i instantly fell in love with that lens, the focusing, the build, and the way it renders photos. it just happens to be my favorite focal length too.
....
the buddy of mine uses that lens on his m6...and its like a dream to use. if i could find that same combination for about $2000, i'd get it. but it seems as though prices for leica HAVE gone up...
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if you're thinking 50's there were a couple of hex 50's in the adverts just recently, which is an excellent lens?
 
Two options:

Silver Zeiss Ikon with silver Voigtländer 35 1.2... Superb tools and really beautiful equipment... And you get uncluttered framelines for 35mm and for 50mm...

Or-second option- both black...

If you want another brand :) you'll lose 1/2000 with AE, and you'll also lose the fastest 35 with the most beautiful out of focus rendering.

Cheers,

Juan
 
Let me pose a very different alternative. Put $1,000 away and spend the other grand on a used Bessa body and used CV lens. Find out if rangefinder cameras are for you at a much lower cost of entry.

Be assured that the quality of your photos will not be limited by your equipment.

If you later decide you simply want to spend more on equipment, it will be easy to get 90% of the price of the used gear back from resale.
 
i keep going back and forth!!

this is what i'm thinking right now...

m6 + 40mm rokkor

bessa r3a + 50mm summicron ver 4

m6 + jupiter 8 50mm f/2

bessa r3a+ 50mm zeiss planar f/2 (which incidentally happened to be my first choice a year ago...
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1432852#post1432852


IDEALLY, I would love to have the m6 + 50mm summicron ver 4 combo. But at over $3000, i don't think that's gonna happen any time soon.

the more i look into this, the more uncertain i feel about it all!
 
There are umpteen combinations. Pick one. Shoot. Times a' wastin'. Otherwise before you know it, a year might pass! ;) And prices will be even higher as the dollar buys less.
 
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Frankly, I'd just throw down the money for the Leica gear - if you find out you don't like it you can definitely get your money back, if not - consider it a rental cost! :)

I got my Leica M6TTL + Cron 50/2 for 2k.
 
For $2K: A fine M3SS + Summaron 35/2.8 w/goggles + Digisix (or Seconic)...

You can add a 50mm Summicron or Planar later on.
 
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