So I just got my first rangefinder...

[Major Tom]

I've been playing around with DSLR for a bit and I've quickly found that using it in public is unseemly at best and usually impractical. I don't have $1k just lying around for a nice mirrorless and I've also been very curious about film so I decided to get a rangefinder.

I just got (perhaps unwisely) a Canon IVSB2... but without a lens. I anticipated finding serviceable Leica screwmount lenses would be somewhat difficult, just not this difficult. I've more or less given up on eBay (while keeping one eye open) and so far local shops don't have them.

So I'm contemplating the following:

1. Sit tight and wait for a lens to pop up.
2. Cut my losses and get an M-mount rangefinder (Bessa R2 maybe?)
3. Get a Contax G1 w/lens.
4. Get a Konica III.

Meanwhile I am going to look at the classifieds here. Let me know what you think. (And I already know I'm an idiot 😛)

 

[NeeZee]

Never got the impression that getting LTM lenses is that hard. What focal lengths are you looking for? For anything wider than 50mm I'd recommend the cosina voigtländer offerings (modern lenses which should be in good condition even used). They show up on ebay frequently and also here in the classifieds. For 50mm you can get Russian LTM lenses pretty cheap still, especially the Industar-22, -26 and -61.

 

[NeeZee]

By the way, i think your choice of camera was pretty good, but I'm biased because I just love the old screwmounts. I use a Leica IIIf as my main camera.

 

[Major Tom]

Never got the impression that getting LTM lenses is that hard. What focal lengths are you looking for? For anything wider than 50mm I'd recommend the cosina voigtländer offerings (modern lenses which should be in good condition even used). They show up on ebay frequently and also here in the classifieds. For 50mm you can get Russian LTM lenses pretty cheap still, especially the Industar-22, -26 and -61.

Maybe I'm too skittish about most (Russian) eBay offerings, but they are usually in questionable condition and almost never tested. I don't plan on starting out with something much wider than 50mm (or narrower for that matter). Depending on my mood I may very well just toss in for a $50 Russian but right now I'm just farting around till I feel like pulling a trigger.

 

[tempest68]

Search ebay for Voigtlander lenses that are LTM mount. I was watching a Voigtlander 75mm f2.5 LTM mount that also came with the M mount adapter, and it sold before I could make up my mind on purchasing it. Just keep looking and you'll find something good. And welcome to the fun of rangefinders.

 

[Major Tom]

By the way, i think your choice of camera was pretty good, but I'm biased because I just love the old screwmounts. I use a Leica IIIf as my main camera.

I won't deny the Leica III and it's copies (especially Canon's) have their charm. I almost got a IIIf myself instead of the Canon but I felt a little guilty about the extra expense (not that it isn't worth it). I'm sure I will own one some day, though.

 

[NeeZee]

Well, I wouldn't pay more than 20$ for any of the Russian lenses mentioned above to be honest but they are easier to find in Germany, I guess. If you are from the U.S., how about trying a free 'want to buy' ad in the classifieds here? Many members on here own various 50mm LTM lenses, be it Russian, Japanese or original Leitz. Shouldn't be too hard to get a decent lens within your budget this way...

 

[Scrambler]

I say take the ebay punt on the Soviet lens. Most are usable, at least as an introductory lens.

There are no bargains in Leica mount lenses. Due to the mirrorless epidemic a lot of people are buying and shooting legacy glass at the moment and the newer, sharper lenses are sought by people who spent more money than they really wanted to on a Leica digital body and are now scrouging for decent lenses.

If you want to pay under $200 you are taking your chances with the Ruskis. and in that case I suggest you either go with a reputable seller (Fedka is often mentioned) or pay as little as possible and cross your fingers.

One thing I have done previously is bought lenses that LOOK bad. I bought a Industar 61 that had its aperture ring on upside down. The lens works fine, but it was peanuts due to the fault.

EDIT: I like NeeZees idea too. You will get an honest appraisal of the lens, which is the real risk online.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

You can pay a lot of money for non ex-USSR lenses and get rubbish and it more expensive to sort out...

Regards, David

PS And I've been pleased with all my ex-USSR ones, even the one that cost me pennies in the flea market.

 

[alienmeatsack]

I own 3 Russian lenses, none of which cost me more then $20-30 each, two of these take really lovely photos. I had no problems finding them online or finding them through reputable dealers. You can also, as suggested, check with people here in the classifieds. Seems like the assorted old Russian 50mm lenses are everywhere.

And as far as actual Leica LTM goes, I've purchased all of my LTM lenses from someone here who was offering them at a nice price. I go for the lenses that look kinda worse for wear but are working perfectly and have yet to be disappointed.

I don't care if they have brassing or someone's name or SSN etched into it as long as the glass is good and the lens works. Those are the ones to look for. Collectors want perfect, shooters want functional.

 

[hepcat]

The FSU glass is always interesting. I have had many FSU lenses and cameras over the years, and they all had 'character.' Don't hesitate to buy something if you think the description is accurate and you're willing to pay the asking price. They all take images, and some take amazing images. "'Sharp' ain't everything."

 

[froyd]

Keep an eye on the RFF classifieds, LTMs turn up fairly frequently.

I second the suggestion of looking for LTM Voigtlanders, but I like FSU lenses as well, and Fedka is a trustworthy place to get them from. Also, look at KEH and Cameraquests.

 

[colyn]

Maybe I'm too skittish about most (Russian) eBay offerings, but they are usually in questionable condition and almost never tested. I don't plan on starting out with something much wider than 50mm (or narrower for that matter). Depending on my mood I may very well just toss in for a $50 Russian but right now I'm just farting around till I feel like pulling a trigger.

Check out Fedka's site. He's here in the USA and services everything he sells..

 

[Major Tom]

I'm now considering some lenses from Fedka and the classifieds. Thanks for the tips.

I'll let you know what I wind up getting and hopefully I'll have some scanned photos to show.

I think I'm going to get one Russian and one "nicer" lens so I can compare them, as well as having a lens I don't have to worry about replacing. A Canon/Nikkor/Nokton/Summar/etc lens might have to wait a bit longer though till I have the clams.

 

[Al83]

I'm in exactly the same position, having recently bought a Canon P. I bought a sliver Jupiter 8 from 1961 and paid about $20 and I'm really quite impressed with it. I've also put it on my NEX with an adapter and it gives some nice results...certainly worth the money. It'll do while I save and look around for something nicer! I'd say go for it.

 

[02Pilot]

Seems a lot of people are in the same boat. I started with a FED-2 with an I-26, then got a Jupiter-8 and a Jupiter-12 for it. After I decided I wanted to get into some other focal lengths, I acquired a Canon P, an Elmar 90/4 and a Nikkor 135/3.5. Then I started wondering about other 50s - there's a lengthy recent thread on this deliberation in the Canon RF forum - and ended up buying a Canon 50/1.5 from the classifieds here. And I don't doubt that I'll sample some other 50s in the future, when funds allow and curiosity gets the better of me.

All of this is to say that, while lens buying is clearly addictive, the Jupiter-8 was just fine (I never tried the I-26 on the P, but it was good on the FED) and I could have easily continued with no other 50s. I got the J-8 (and the FED) from Fedka - I highly recommend buying from a reputable source like this to avoid the frustration of getting a poor example.

 

[Boris Stupak]

Buying and selling old cameras/lenses requires a certain mindset.

You need to have a wheeler/dealer mentality and if you find it hard to locate lenses, cameras, etc, you don't have this ability.

Nothing is usually going to be "perfect". You'll pay insane high prices if you buy from so-called "reputable" dealers for the same junk you can get at flea markets, street sales, etc.

It is all VERY OLD, often tampered with, things aren't in spec with other stuff. You have to be an experimenter.

If you approach buying and using antique equipment the same way you buy new things from retailers, you're just going to be out a lot of money and you're going to be confused and frustrated.

People need to realize their limitations and abilities. Old photo equipment is a HOBBY, not a "retail experience" with a world of guarantees, warranties, perfection and so on.

 

[mike rosenlof]

I don't think the OP identified a location or budget, but there are several online retailers who sell LTM lenses. One of RFF's sponsors, Cameraquest, has a few. KEH has several. Igor Camera and George Ury usually have a decent number also. If you're looking local, you need a shop that really puts emphasis on Leicas or other collectible cameras to have a reasonable chance of finding anything.

The Canon IVSB2 should be a lot of fun. I have it's lower-price contemporary, the IIF2 (might be S or D, I can't keep the Canon alphabet soup straight) It will certainly not be as convenient as most more modern RFs. I like it a lot with the VF at the higher magnification and with a shoe mount FV.

All of that said, I think an M mount body is a great idea. The VFs are all nicer than the Barnack style LTMs, and you can use both M and LTM lenses perfectly well on them. I also have a Leica CL, but no M-mount lenses, the LTM lenses with adapter work great.

If the Canon IVSB2 is in clean shape, you should have little problem selling it here in the classifieds if you choose that route.

 

[PatrickCheung]

I feel like having the "guts" (or just be nuts enough!) to go and tinker with "user-grade" lenses has helped me score a few deals, and made russian lenses much more accessible. AND craigslist/kijiji/local classifieds are an endless source of great deals if you know how to check gear.

My girlfriend got a 50/3.5 Elmar for $125 off craigslist because the seller thought the focus was broken. Glass and body were perfect, all it needed was a little cleaning and lube!

I got a Canon 35/2 LTM in a pretty beat up condition for about $200 because (again) the focus was stiff and the body was in VERY used condition. But again, a little cleaning and lubing gave me possibly my favourite lens!

Jupiter 8s are also really easy to disassemble, and are cheap enough for me to not feel bad about taking them apart. They're also the lens that "taught" us how to take apart lenses.

AND finally... I just found a fully CLA'd and operational Leica CL with a few bumps and scratches on a local classified for $200.

There ARE good deals out there on Leica gear, be it M or LTM... you just gotta look around and not be afraid to tinker 🙂 Just don't sell the gear for profit or without notifying the buyer that you tinkered with it!

 

[Major Tom]

Buying and selling old cameras/lenses requires a certain mindset.

You need to have a wheeler/dealer mentality and if you find it hard to locate lenses, cameras, etc, you don't have this ability.

Nothing is usually going to be "perfect". You'll pay insane high prices if you buy from so-called "reputable" dealers for the same junk you can get at flea markets, street sales, etc.

It is all VERY OLD, often tampered with, things aren't in spec with other stuff. You have to be an experimenter.

If you approach buying and using antique equipment the same way you buy new things from retailers, you're just going to be out a lot of money and you're going to be confused and frustrated.

People need to realize their limitations and abilities. Old photo equipment is a HOBBY, not a "retail experience" with a world of guarantees, warranties, perfection and so on.

I am due for some thrift store runs, but the last time I went roughly a year ago it was all cheesy SLRs (lots of Canon AE-1, go figure) and associated cheesy lenses. The sad fact is the area I live in is not exactly where the well-to-do would go to spend their sunset years and the junk that turns up here reflects that. While it may not be the most complete sample, I've noticed on shopgoodwill that all the "good" stuff comes from Florida or California. I keep making rounds every once in a while, but I never get my hopes up.

I'm going to "be out a lot of money" regardless, it's just a matter of how much. I think my coming here demonstrates I'm looking a little further than "retail", albeit this is not the darkest corner of the internet and I know having been to quite a few Web 1.0 derelicts maintained by lone Aspies in my time.

It also comes down to a matter of time vs money saved. I'm young, I work full time and I go to school. If I were retired I'm sure I would scour flea markets, thrift shops, pawn brokers and drive around to pick up CL listings to my heart's content, but alas. While my expectations may be somewhat out of whack for this "hobby" as they often will be when introduced to something new, I shouldn't be expected to, nor am I able to be as fully invested in it as others, even though I value their experience and insight. So I might be more aware that this is a hobby with the attendant caveats than you suppose.

And yes, while what is largely dealt with here is very old I've found in other areas of interest that the relative care taken by owners can soften the impact of many years to an incredible extent. So while I'm not above using kludgey things and I do not expect immaculate condition, I certainly prefer to get them that way if I reasonably can.