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

well, i ended up going a bit over my budget... about $250 over. its been on my mind for over a year to get an M mount setup. the olympus xa was serving me well, and was a lot of fun...but ready for something new!

ended up with a 50mm f/2 summicron and a M6 classic...both bought from the classifieds on this site. waiting for them to arrive now...i can't even begin to describe how excited i feel to start taking photos. feels really good!!!

and thanks luke...you're right...tbh, initially i always did prefer the setup that i ultimately went with. very happy about this!!
 
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jonmanjiro said:
You've had your $2,000 squirreled away for the last year ???
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hhaha. i just happened to budget myself $2000 both times. i didn't even remember how much i wanted to spend last time...then saw it was also $2000...i needed to discipline myself...i can see why its sometimes easy to keep spending on gear...
 
I started with a M6 TTL and a Minolta 40/2, which I have since upgraded from to the lenses you see in my signature 😛

Still have the 40, but selling it to help pay off the other two. With 35 and 50 - its just too redundant
 
I have the M6 I luckily got for $900 and a used latest version 50 Summicron for $1000. This was a few years back probably at the worst of the economic crunch. I got the camera on Ebay (in brand new condition with the plastic still on the bottom) and the Summicron from KEH in EX condition.

I haven't looked in a while so I don't know if this pricing is current.

Before I bought the Summicron I borrowed a friend's f3.5 35 Summaron (I think that's what it was -screw mount) and it was an excellent lens. If you don't need the speed it is a great rendering lens in my opinion. I think your original idea is good. 50 and 35 are my favorite focal lengths for 35mm. I wouldn't mind experimenting with 28, but that get's super pricey.

These were taken with that lens on tri-x:

oreo.jpg


soccer_fans.jpg
 
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^those are some excellent shots! i really like the stadium view...that's awesome! i actually did consider the summaron initially.

btw, i haven't even received the lens or camera yet...but i'm already contemplating adding a 35mm lens now. i already have a 28mm with the olympus xa...which i will never part with. would be a perfect setup.
 
love my 3.5 summaron, which I first got as part of a package deal and then used on a screw mount 111f. It is a beautiful lens. Be sure to get a copy internally clean or budget for a clean out. The slightest bit of haze ruines it regardless of what people say.

CV lenses are just lenses, nothing special. I have a 12/15/25 because Leica never made a 12 or 15 and the 25 was a lightweight alturnative to my 21 2.8 and 28 2.8. I would not buy any more.
 
M3 and 50mm Summicron DR should be on budget. The DR is a superb, not to say impeccable, lens and good value because it doesn't work properly on an M9. I've never managed to make it flare, it's sharp at any aperture and of course you get the close focusing. Its only drawback is that the bokeh is very "modern" and double-imagey compared to an Elmar or even a Summar.
 
If you just want an RF and a lens how about a Canon QL17? Not interchangeable but a reasonably fast lens ,pretty cheap and a great camera.
Phil Brown
 
philcycles said:
If you just want an RF and a lens how about a Canon QL17? Not interchangeable but a reasonably fast lens ,pretty cheap and a great camera.
Phil Brown
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i did think about this, also the yaschica gs rangefinders. i have been using the olympus xa for a few years now, and although i really like that camera, i just want something that will let me shoot completely manually. another thing, maybe i'm being picky here, but the 50mm lens on full frame is my favorites to shoot. with the crop factor, my 35mm on my D90 is about 50mm, and i shoot it 90% of the time. but ultimately, my friend has the same setup that i decided on, and i think that would be my go to setup for a few years now, i guess i can already 'see it' that way. not sure if that makes sense. but yeah, canon ql17 and yaschica's are relatively inexpensive, and it would be nice to be able to shoot 3-4 cameras at the same time, loaded with different films.
 
Thinking about it, my recently most often used set-up is the M4-2 w/ 40/2.0 M-ROKKOR CLE- version. Given the recent prices, ~ $800 M4-2 and & $500 for the lens one could get a very capable camera for $1300. Add $300 for a light-meter and service (if needed) and there is plenty of cash left over for film etc.
 
i just received the 50mm summicron today, and will receive the m6 on wednesday. was wondering about the probabitliy that i'd have to get either the m6, lens, or BOTH calibrated. haven't taken test shots yet, will do on wednesday...but just a little nervous, since i've spent quite a bit of money so far, and not sure how much it'll cost to calibrate, if necessary.

i've heard about DAG, and that its very reliable. does anybody here have experience with CLA and calibration of both Leica body and lens? and roughly, do you know how much it'll cost, and how long it would take to complete?
 
jonmanjiro said:
Shoot some test rolls first. Most likely the lens and body will work just fine together.
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yeah, that's the only way i'd know for sure. i'm a little curious, because when i open up the lens at the back... the 'brass ring' looks like that it has been 'filed down' in some parts. not sure if this is how its made, or if its because of repetitive use over years and years.
 
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