Student with G.A.S.

[HSI]

Talk me out of it, but I feel like I want a new body
for my lenses to sit on. I'm looking at bodies with the
M4 framelines or just a cleaner M2 to replace my Franken-M. (M3 w/M2 VF)
- I mostly use a 35/2 and 50/2
- I don't want to spend over a grand.
- I want a better loading system than the M3
- I'm up in the air about meters (M5 is really the only option)
- And I'm particular to a Black camera, but a nice M2/M4 can talk me out of that.
-
Dish!

 

[aizan]

black paint zeiss ikon. the last two on ebay sold for $920 and $850.

well, that was easy.

 

[maddoc]

M4 or M4-2, M4-P ... The M4-2 and M4-P are black, cheaper and do the job very well ... 🙂

 

[HSI]

black paint zeiss ikon. the last two on ebay sold for $920 and $850.

well, that was easy.

I've talked around, and I want to stay Leica for the time being.
Its odd what an old lady can talk you into, it really is.

M4 or M4-2, M4-P ... The M4-2 and M4-P are black, cheaper and do the job very well ... 🙂

The M4-P has the M6 framelines, so I'd suppose the 35/50 are shrunk like the M6.
I really do like the camera, I just don't really plan on using anything wider than a 35.
- Now that M4 you got, thats a camera. Why do collectors have to screw me over?

 

[rogue_designer]

KEH has a BGN M4 (with a previous owners engravings) for $850ish

Buy it before I do.

 

[HSI]

Well, is an M4 really worth it in that condition whereas I could buy an M4-2 for $200 less or even a better condition M5 for about the same price? I've never got to play
with all of these, so really, I should just go feel before I buy, shouldn't I?

 

[maddoc]

The M4 has the best VF if you don't need 28mm. The M5 has the same VF as the M4 (if I remember correctly) and the meter. If you buy an M5 check for the meter-arm, sometimes there are problems (bent arm). In case of an M4 plan for a CLA, the weak point of the M4 are the shutter curtains which tend to come of the drum when the lubricants dry out. Otherwise the M4 is a really nice camera.

The M4-2 has the same set of frame lines as the M4 (35/135-50-90) but many don't like this modell (avoid the early ones) The M4-P has the same frame line set as the M6, in fact it is a a meter-less M6.

 

[cmogi10]

No dice on the M4-P? They're great for the money, it's a little wider then you want but using the 50mm framelines and focusing isn't a problem.

 

[blacklight]

Ok, I'm talking you out of it. Keep your Franken-M, you won't get much better than that.

- I mostly use a 35/2 and 50/2 - your M2 viewfinder is perfect then
- I don't want to spend over a grand - you won't spend a penny
- I want a better loading system than the M3 - I don't understand what's wrong with M3 loading, it takes few seconds more, no big deal
- I'm up in the air about meters (M5 is really the only option) - buy a handheld meter
- And I'm particular to a Black camera - forget black, chrome is classic

 

[Vincenzo Maielli]

Bring the Leica M4 chrome, i think is the best choose.
Ciao.

 

[maddoc]

Ok, I'm talking you out of it. Keep your Franken-M, you won't get much better than that.

- I mostly use a 35/2 and 50/2 - your M2 viewfinder is perfect then
- I don't want to spend over a grand - you won't spend a penny
- I want a better loading system than the M3 - I don't understand what's wrong with M3 loading, it takes few seconds more, no big deal
- I'm up in the air about meters (M5 is really the only option) - buy a handheld meter
- And I'm particular to a Black camera - forget black, chrome is classic

These are good points ! (Since I know that Franken-M 🙂) Otherwise go for the M4-2. Cheapest M, fast loading, uncluttered VF. OK no meter but a handheld meter is cheaper then the price difference to an M5 or M6 ... 😉

 

[Limpovitj]

Ok, I'm talking you out of it. Keep your Franken-M, you won't get much better than that.

- I mostly use a 35/2 and 50/2 - your M2 viewfinder is perfect then
- I don't want to spend over a grand - you won't spend a penny
- I want a better loading system than the M3 - I don't understand what's wrong with M3 loading, it takes few seconds more, no big deal
- I'm up in the air about meters (M5 is really the only option) - buy a handheld meter
- And I'm particular to a Black camera - forget black, chrome is classic

I second that! The M4-VF just adds the 135mm frameline, which sits in the 35mm frame and you will never use it anyway.
Faster loading? Look for a couple of extra takeup spools, and preload these with film. Then just drop them in as you go. Old style loading gets faster with practice too. When I bought my M2 I was so used to loading LTM-Leicas it took me about a year before I loaded the improved M2 faster.
For metering, I'm partial to handheld meters, but the VC-meter II would be an option for on-camera metering.
Can't help with the black thing, but it sounds like you can live with it.

I'd really prefer a Franken-M2/M3 to the M4!

 

[philhirn]

I also agree with blacklight, this will also free you to focus your student GAS on medium format or faster lenses 🙂. Not that I know that spot.

 

[hans voralberg]

I also agree with blacklight, this will also free you to focus your student GAS on medium format or faster lenses 🙂. Not that I know that spot.

LOL seriously dont advice him that, I'm a student as well and have GAS attack on 3 fronts, Leica, DSLR and Medium format, that's way worse than dropping a grand on another body

 

[pvdhaar]

Provided that the camera you've got is dependable, Blacklight's advice is solid. Especially that part about the light meter..

 

[HSI]

Those are some good points blacklight.
I'm thinking I might just grab an older M2 and drop a Quickload kit in it if they show themselves in tandem. Really can't go wrong with that, then the Franken-M can go on to get more people addicted to this camera we call Leica.
-
Next on the list: 12526 Lens Hood.
-
Oh, and as for a meter. I love the heft and build of the Weston Master's, but I'm still worried about buying a V off the bay since they are an old selenium meter and prone to breaking quite easy. How have you gentlemen faired with these?

 

[venchka]

If your M-2 is functioning normally and producing acceptable results, keep it and use it. Spend your money on film & paper & chemicals. Your photographs will benefit from more practice. Take a look at Gary Winogrand's M4. Pretty bodies don't make better photographs. If that were true, Bigfoot would have landed me a job at Magnum by now.

Someday way down the road, I waited 30+ years, you can treat yourself to a newer, nicer body. You can then send your M2 off to Japan for a repaint and new skin. It won't make better pictures, but you'll look good making them.

Leica hoods don't make better pictures either. Heavystar hoods are plenty good enough.

 

[HSI]

Leica hoods don't make better pictures either. Heavystar hoods are plenty good enough.

Hey I'm on a roll, got two newer Leica lenses for what I should have paid for half of one of them, an IROOA lens hood from a generous man on this site, and other odds and ends for pennies. Whats wrong with dreaming of finding stuff for cheap? If I can get a V4 35/2 for under $500, just think of the possibilites!
-
I know Heavystars work fine and I even had one on my 40/2 Rokkor which is in the hands of Hans of this site, but I just want to be cool and use Leica goodies.

Take a look at Gary Winogrand's M4. Pretty bodies don't make better photographs.

Gary Winogrand was using top of the line M4's at the time. And If I could shoot 100+ rolls at a time, I would. Thing is, B&W is slowing losing its grip on the market. Tri-X in the 1970's was eaiser to come by then Starbucks and wireless internet nowadays.

 

[venchka]

Whatever floats your boat

Whatever floats your boat

... but I just want to be cool and use Leica goodies.

Cool is good. If you're finding Leica goodies at bargain prices go for it.

Now get out and make good pictures.

I often wonder where I would be now if I had had half the stuff you have today when I was your age. Before all of Life's Incidentals got in the way. You know, the Trivia like families, mortgages, kids, groceries, working long hours to take care of the preceding.

Good grief, lighten up Wayne! 😎 😀

Now get out and make good pictures.

 

[aizan]

$80 rapid load kit
$500-700 shintaro or crr luton repaint

i wouldn't get into weston masters, or any old selenium meter. they're probably troublesome by now.