Thinking of getting a RF

[noelleong]

Dear all,

this is my first post. I have been using digital camera (Olympus E-1) for about 2 years now. I really love it alot. Here are some photos taken with. it

http://www.photo.net/photodb/member-photos?user_id=550093&include=all

However, since my visit to the Leica gallery in New York, I am getting more and more interested with RF. The photos at the gallery are taken mostly with Leica which is just great. Furthermore, I love B/W photography.

In actual fact, I have never actually come in contact physically with any RF.

So right now, I am torn between either a leica M6TTL, M7 or MP with 50mm f/2 or R2A or R3A with 40mm f/1.4

Not sure which to get?

Can any please help me out.
1) How loud is the R2/3A shutter as compared to Leica?
2) How much better are the Leica lens as compared to Viogtlander?

Thanks in advance,
Ben

 

[Todd.Hanz]

Welcome Ben,
Those are tough questions, esp. when you haven't held or used an RF. Rangefinders are fun to use and most are of high quality. Some of us use RF's exclusively while some keep riding the fence between RF's and Digital (me!).
My suggestion is to initially buy a fixed lens RF like a Yashica GSN, Canon QL17, etc. It would be a small investment (20-50 dollars if you shop around) and you can get a feel for the way they work.
I love the Leica gear, others prefer Canon, Voigtlander, Contax, etc. It appears that your interested in a Leica with an internal meter (M6 M7, MP) and all would work well. Remember that the lenses are as, or more, important than the body and Leica lenses are first rate. You can also use the newer Voigtlander lenses that are also exceptional while being less expensive.
That brings up the R3A/R2A, I haven't used one but others say the quality is really good.
I would say before you buy, try and borrow one or go to a camera shop and "fondle" some at least so you can make a good decision. Remember, no matter how good the equipment is, it's who's behind the camera that makes the image.

Good luck and let us know what you do!

Todd

 

[richard_l]

So right now, I am torn between either a leica M6TTL, M7 or MP with 50mm f/2 or R2A or R3A with 40mm f/1.4

Don't overlook the M6.

 

[Rob]

Thats gonna be an expensive lesson if for some reason you dont like using a rangefinder camera. I would also suggest getting a much cheaper fixed lens rangefinder to test the waters with. Several come up here in great shape a month from reputable people who know the cameras for less than $100, sometimes much less. Leicas and lenses can cost far more than that.

 

[RML]

If it you want to go the RF road just because the photos at the Leica gallery were taken with a Leica and shot in B&W, I think you're blinded by the Leica glow. Any camera can shoot B&W, and the quality of the shots has much more to do with the qualities of the photog and his printer.

Before you commit yourself to spending hundreds or thousands of $$ maybe you better loan a Bessa or Leica for a few days (weeks?) and see how it works for your style of shooting. Maybe there's an RFF member living near you who's willing to guide you on your first steps into RF land?

If you ask me, you're better off taking advantage of the $425 deal on cameraquest (Bessa R + 35mm lens) than to spend a month's wages on a Leica body (and another month's wages on a lens). You can recoup on your Leica investment but you'll always loose money. Can you afford to? Like Socke said recently, and I agree wholeheartedly, he likes to shoot and travel instead of shoot and stay at home. 🙂

To answer your questions: the Leica shutter sounds like a soft, short, click; the Bessa has a metallic clack. I have no problem with either, though sometimes the Leica's shutter makes me wonder whether I tripped the shutter at all. Unless you need to shoot in a slince area, either camera will do. The sound of the Bessa will be drowned in street noise or concersation.

The Leica lenses are undoubtedly of a higher quality than the CV lenses, but at a 5-to-10-fold premium. CV glass is good glass at a moderate price. You won't regret buying it, and many here on RFF shoot Leica with CV glass (and also Bessa with Leica glass). The most important thing is that the lens renders the picture in a way that you find pleasing; a reason why I mainly shoot my cheap Jupiter-8.

 

[noelleong]

Dear Guys,

thank you for your valuable insight on helping me decide which RF I am going to get. I will like to get more opinions. Anyway, I will be dropping by a RF shop within this few days to try out. Also, I can also try out my friends Canon QL17. Will let you guys know soon.

 

[Huck Finn]

Run now . . . & don't look back! 😱

 

[RichardS]

Dear Guys,

thank you for your valuable insight on helping me decide which RF I am going to get. I will like to get more opinions. Anyway, I will be dropping by a RF shop within this few days to try out. Also, I can also try out my friends Canon QL17. Will let you guys know soon.

There are many Russian rangefinder cameras, FED, Zorki, Zenit and others that are based on the Leica design, and Leica lenses will fit some of them, but not all Leica lenses will fit all the Russian cameras. You can buy a Russian camera quite cheap and try the Leica design out and see if you like it. A Russian camera will probably come with a Jupiter lens and the lens isn't that bad.

Dick

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

Welcome. Hmmm. How loud? It sounds like a Nikon FM camera, a metallic definitive sound. Definitely louder than a M camera. So much depends on whether you need stealth with your photography. It clearly doesn't matter if you use it to shoot landscape, trees don't care about noise.

As for quality of lenses. CV makes some very good lenses. Build quality is very good, and they make good economic sense. Leica has some very special lenses that have particular "signatures", such as out of focus rendition (bokeh), and contrast etc. High contrast? get a 50 summicron. Lower contrast, get an older version. It all depends on what you want. So there is no "better", just different tools for different tastes. good luck

 

[peter_n]

Run now . . . & don't look back! 😱

This is very sage advice. Follow it! 🙂

 

[noelleong]

Thank all for your advises.
I just couldn't wait. Went to the shop and tried the R2A. I was expecting it to be lighter and it is kind of hard to handle. I look through the view finder and it is bright. However, I didn't try it with any lens on. The shop has only the wide angle left 15, 21, 25. I am not sure how the photo will look like when it is printed out. My widest lens is the Zuiko 14-54(28-104).

 

[wlewisiii]

I'll second the advice to try some kind of rangefinder before spending the money for even an R*A, much less a Leica to be sure you like this kind of photography. A rangefinder is an excellent choice for many kinds of photography, but not for all by any means. If you use anything longer than 135mm on a regular basis or do macro work, an RF is not for you.

There are a large number of good fixed lens RFs out there and a Fed 5 Leica derivative can be had for less than $10 on ebay. It would be a good idea to at least try one of those before spending the large amounts of money on the cameras you mention in your original post.

But what ever you decide to do, I hope you enjoy it and I hope you'll share your images with us.

William

 

[Canon Junkie]

When my father looks at many of my photos he say "Well, the camera is nice". This bit of sarcasm is good advice when starting out in any form of photography. Many great photos are taken with less than great camers, and many terrible photos with great cameras. I would advice you get a canonet ql-17, but if you have a big budget... why not get a leica. If I have a choice between a honda and a Ferrari and money is of no issue.........