So my ikon won't make it home in time before my holiday...

[kosta_g]

I had to send my ikon in for a warranty repair - and it doesnt look like it's going to make it back before i travel for a month to Japan. (i leave next wednesday)

I could trade some lenses toward a second hand m7 at the local camera place - but that seems sort of counter intuitive as i dont want to end up with two ae leica bodies...and be down a couple lenses. I have an M2 but that plans to live off b&w film.
The ikon was going to shoot all my colour stuff.

What would you do? I'd love some advice.

I may end up using the M2 for colour, or just doing the whole trip in b&w....

Thanks in advance!🙂

 

[maitani]

Hi get a used Hexar RF, they're rather cheap, and great AE cameras, for a fraction of the price of an M7.

 

[kshapero]

Get a Bessa R3A. It served me well for many years. Or get the M7 and then resell it.

 

[boomguy57]

Go for the Bessa, or just get another Ikon, expedited shipping. Sell one when you get home.

 

[hipsterdufus]

There's a Bessa R2A in the classifieds that would make a good backup in the meantime. No relation to the seller.

 

[filmfan]

Why can't the M2 shoot colo(u)r? I'd go that route for it seems perfectly acceptable to me. Hope it all works out for you.
If you are just desperate for two cams, then get a Hexar RF for like $500 and re-sell it after.

 

[boomguy57]

There is an Ikon for sale in the classifieds (full disclosure: not mine, and I don't know the seller)...just as an option. If you're already familiar with the camera then you won't have to learn the layout of it while you're on vacation. That's my recommendation. Selling one when you get back shouldn't cost too much.

 

[mfogiel]

Why don't you use your cellphone for colour? It will look like you've been there...

 

[Jockos]

Refurbished NEX perhaps?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sony-alpha-...551019?pt=Digital_Cameras&hash=item20c4ca616b

Add a M adapter and use current lenses.

 

[thegman]

I'd probably just get a Pentax ME or something, just a half decent cheap film camera. Cheap cameras are great for holidays, you're there to have a good time, not stress about damaging a pricey camera.

 

[kshapero]

I'd probably just get a Pentax ME or something, just a half decent cheap film camera. Cheap cameras are great for holidays, you're there to have a good time, not stress about damaging a pricey camera.

Neat idea, may I suggest a Nikon FE w/ Nikkor 50mm f1.8. Can be had easily for way south of $200. That is my "walk into a possibly not safe neighborhood" rig.

 

[maitani]

Jon has a point here, Japan is used cameras paradise, why not buy one over there after fondling and trying it... 🙂

 

[Austerby]

I'd do the whole trip with the M2 and monochrome film.

If you definitely want colour the best suggestions are the smart phone camera, a Nex-3 with M adaptor or the Nikon FE (I have all three).

 

[PointOmega]

Buy a Bessa R2/3 a or m. I was in the same boat waiting for my MP and bought one new for ~$700. Brilliant camera, and it's basically an ikon internally. I'm very happy using it as a backup. Functionally, it's a good as the MP.

 

[kokoshawnuff]

Like many across the world did (do) for many years, use your M2 for B&W and color. It doesn't know any better 😉

 

[jsrockit]

When my M8 went in for repairs (a few years ago) and I had no other M camera for vacation, I bought a CV R3a and used that with slide film (super accurate metering). Sold it once the M8 came back.

As for not using a new camera on vacation... these are very simple cameras we are talking about from a learning curve perspective and they are pretty reliable. Even your most historically reliable camera can break down at any time.

 

[kosta_g]

Thanks everyone for the food for thought. I know it is a rather silly problem. Hexar rf or a bessa sound interesting. Otherwise i guess i'll just pick up a cheapo meter and use my m2 for the colour film. (which i bought for the trip)

I'll look for a loaner bessa/rf/m5/6 locally just in case.