Suggestions for first "m" system...

[RML]

I happen to have an M2 for sale. 🙂

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost-classifieds/showproduct.php?product=111&cat=3

 

[wlewisiii]

Another relativly inexpensive option is the CL - mechanical, metered, M mount and very compact. Frame lines are almost the same as the R3A - no 75 line, but 40, 50, & 90 are there. Get the 40/2 Rokkor or a nice 50 & your favorite 90 and you'll be quite nicely set up.

I really like my collapsible Summicron 50/2 on mine. I also use a 90 Elmar & a Canon 135/3.5 w/external finder on it as well.

William

 

[Creagerj]

I have thought about the CL, and I was very close to making that my final choice for a while, but I heard that the rangefinder is kind of dim. I do like that they are very compact, but my concern is that with size you sacrifice quality. Is the M4-P or the M6 any better? I'm not really looking at M2s and M3s, or the M5. If money wasn't an object as someone mentioned, I would buy an MP. Heck I'd buy two. I wouldn't even bother with this thread. I have looked at canon lenses. I want to get the canon f.95 50mm eventually. Is that lens as good as it is cool? Again, I'm not buying anything for a while, like six months to a year so I hate to burst your bubble if you have anything for sale.

 

[rover]

Is the M4-P or the M6 any better?

Some would say, but I bet the real answer is no. Meter or no meter? That is the question. In the end, every Leica RF camera is great.

I want to get the canon f.95 50mm eventually. Is that lens as good as it is cool?

Again, this is only conventional wisdom, but no, it is cooler than it is good. That doesn't mean it is bad though.

 

[RML]

I don't find th CL's vf dim at all. The vf of the Bessa and especially of the ZI are brighter, though. I have all three cameras.

 

[Creagerj]

i've also heard about problems with lieca CLs and shooting with low (wide open f2 and bellow) apature settings. Any insite as to what the problem is there?

 

[RML]

The problems are mostly exagerated, though I can imagine that some people might have some difficulty focusing a very fast lens accurately because of the short rf base length. The biggest problem with the CL, however, is the meter-on-a-stick. The cell can fail over time and the stick can fail as well. Sherry Krauter can resolve these problems, though.

 

[wlewisiii]

The short base line does make it more difficult to accurately focus a fast lens wide open. However, from what I've read, Cosina had the CL & CLE as target markets for their 40/1.4 as well. I haven't had any difficulty focusing my Sweeney/Jupiter 3 50/1.5 on my CL.

The meter is the real beast with these. When I get the money, I'm sending mine to DAG for work on it. In the meantime I have my Sekonic L28c 😀

William

 

[Creagerj]

I see, in that case I would just as soon spend a bit more on something that could potentially have less problems. I have no issue using my hand held meter if that is what it comes to. Well I thank all of you for your suggestions. Looks like I have a lot to considers still. I'm torn between what I want and what I should actually get. Good thing I've got a while to think about it.