wanna join Leica club...

[Ben Z]

Leicas are great (I have some)

Agree.

but they aren't medium format cameras.

Can't argue with that.

That fact along with the low price used Hasselblads are fetching, lead me to decide not to sell a Hasselblad. (I have one.)

Can't blame you for not wanting to suffer the indignity of selling it for a fraction of what it originally cost. OTOH some people would rather get 10 cents on the dollar than nothing. That's how I got my Hasselblad outfit.

Eventually digital backs for MF cameras are going to become affordable, and Hasselblads will become popular again.

Hasselblad has discontinued all the V-series except the 503CW (and nobody really knows if they're still being made or just existing inventory), and the reason Blads are so cheap is because most of the former users have dumped them. I don't anticipate many of those people would re-purchase Blads instead of a fully-integrated digital MF camera like the Mamiya. Remember that Hasselblad was by and large bought by professionals, who tend to make rational equipment choices based on need and economics, and only a relatively small % of aspiring amateurs with brand fetishes. Leica's situation is the exact opposite, which is how they can sell the $6500 DMR and will sell a Digital M for some unholy price as well.

 

[hth]

Wen, what makes you lust for a Leica when you have an XPAN?

If I started from scratch with a reasonbly big budget, I would go for an MP with a 35/1.4 ASPH for a start. I think it is a good idea to start with a single lens and this lens is very fast (something you lack with the XPAN).
Later I would probably add a 50/3.5 Heliar if I could find one (or 50/2.8 Elmar) for people.
An alternative would be a 50/1.4 and add a 28/2.8 or a 35/2 (IV) later.

If my budget was smaller, I would get a chrome M2 or M4 (meterless), a 35/2 (IV) and later add a slow 50.

While it is nice to have fast lenses, do not underestimate slower light lenses. The budget lineup would give you a classic Leica, two very good light lenses and you would not even get close to the price of an MP (where I live I would get a little bit above half price of a new MP).

Older Leicas are well built, lots of fun and way cooler than new ones. You will not have any electronics that go wrong. You can share the light meter with your other mechanical cameras so you only have to learn one lightmeter. Well, I have two, a simple small one and a big one with lots of features.

I have never missed the lightmeter in my M2 (and M4), though the Hexar RF is sometimes very useful for fast shooting. I think I treasure its winder more than AE in such situations.

/Håkan

 

[Doug]

In your position, I'd try not to sell any gear, as that's often regretted later. So I'd buy what I could afford and as similar to the desired Leica model as financially possible. Especially for a first try at RF cameras, it might make good sense to limit the initial cost to see if this is really the way I want to go. There are some great used possibilities, some not even with the Leica name. 😀

 

[egpj]

M7 (MP if your comfortable without AE) and either the 50 Summilux ASPH or the 75 Summicron ASPH. That is to fill your requirement of shooting environmental portraits. Welcome to the darkside.

 

[richard_l]

My 2¢ worth.

For environmental portraits you would probably want 35mm or possibly 50mm. An M6 in good condition would be a frugal (and worthy) alternative for the MP. Any fairly recent 50mm or 35mm Summicron will give you exceptionally sharp images at any aperture, including wide open (f/2). It's far and away cheaper to get more speed from fast film than from a lens that will open another stop to f/1.4. (You might even entertain the heretical notion of using flash with your Leica.)

 

[wen]

I am so lucky to have all your valuable advises/suggestions...you guys are my super heroes 😉

so much new info, and new terms about Leica and RF that lots of them I have never heard before, challenging me to find out and figure it out...

hth's quesiotn leads me rethink why I wanna get a Leica when I already have an XPAN II? I don't know why I must have??? The good, $-saving part of me keep fighting with the evil GAS attacked part of me :bang: and the later one always win 🙄

or mayby, last year, I went to Japan for a month, carried my Hasselbald with 2 lens, 1 pinhole camera, xpan II, Nikon F100 with 85mm/1.4 lens with a super huge len shade, and 60+ rolls of films...feeling unsafe to leave behind, I carreid all with me all the time (barely fit everything in 2 medium size camera bags + purse). The first couple days was fun, then I got tired and tired...and almost gave up and left everything there...

I got a little smarter, later last year, I went to Barcelona for 10 days, only carries Xpan II and Nikon and an old Polaroid 100, fit everything in 1 camera bag + super huge purse for all 40 films)...walking all over the city everyday, still feeling heavy and tired carring all those...

finally, I got much smarter this June, I travelled in Europe for a month, only carried Xpan II and Nikon, why still heavy on my shoulders especial when I biking around the cities....maybe I am not young anymore 🙁

I feel more comfortable carry 2 cameras when I travel...just in case...and got me thinking of having Leica loading with Black and White and Xpan II with color :angel:

but, sound likes,...all those excuses I tried, it all lead to the evil GAS attacked part of me...what a darkside :bang:

 

[zeos 386sx]

:about 1 1/2 years ago, I got a Hasselblad XPan II with 45mm lens, and I love it, and hooked...I found out that most of time (80+%), I only use this camera not others...😉

Wen,

There is one other concern that might affect your decision - how do you "see" your pictures? Do you see in the wide-format of the XPan or do you feel more comfortable with a tighter frame? Some people are just more comfortable framing wider. Take a look at you Nikon pictures and see how you like them compared to the pictures from the XPan. If you generally prefer the wider format then a Leica may not help. You may just be a natural panoramist!

 

[Doug]

Good point, zeos! And, Wen, do you often switch the XPan to 24x36mm format?

 

[jaapv]

And of course if you want the highest magnification finder possible, want a classic, and don't need a meter, get the M3. I am required to say that. It's one of the Leica Forum Rules.

Woops! my mistake!!! I thought it was one of the Leica Forum rules to BUY one! :angel:

 

[egpj]

The dark side always requires complete and unquestionable allegiance. With that in mind you should buy one. 😛

 

[jaapv]

The dark side always requires complete and unquestionable allegiance. With that in mind you should buy one. 😛

I'm lost, Im lost, Oh my eternal soul.. 🙁 I did so last Friday 😀

 

[zeos 386sx]

This forum is starting to sound more and more like Leicaholics Anonymous... 😛

 

[camera09]

😕

hello, I am new here, found out this site yesterday, love it....and just registered today.

I got some quesitons and wanna see if you could give me some feedback...any suggestions/answers would be greatly appreciated...

I wanna get a Leica camera for so long...but, for the past years, I have been using Hasselblad 500cm classic with 80mm, and 150mm lens, Nikon F3HP (with 50mm lens), Nikon F100 with 85mm/1.4 lens.

about 1 1/2 years ago, I got a Hasselblad XPan II with 45mm lens, and I love it, and hooked...I found out that most of time (80+%), I only use this camera not others...

So, is it a good and wise idea to sell my equipments (except Xpan II) and jump into buying my very 1st Leica??? Will I be regret later??? If so, where is the best place to sell for good price I could get from those???

As for Leica, I am thinking of MP, but also heard good thing about M6 and M7, do you guys prefer one to the others??? and Why???

Also very confused about the models between 0.72, 0.58 and 0.85??? I read through all the brochures, but, maybe I am so beginner on this, I don't know which one to get???

I like to travel and travel a lots as well...I also like to take environment portrait, which lens do you recommand to get first, and second???

thanks so much for your time, and suggestion...I really appreciate 😉

I just bought my first Leica after 35 years with Japanese cameras. Even Japanese cameras with German Zeiss lenses. Nothing compares to the images delivered by my 35mm Summicron ASPH. The higher contrast, accutance, definition blow me away. The images sparkle almost. The camera is well worth it. I bought a lens then waited to get an MP body. I resisted getting a Bessa for the lens and am glad I did. The Leica is built like a tank and will last a lifetime. It is well worth it! Go There! Ken

 

[sestosan]

Hi and welcome.
I will sugest starting with little money, buy a Voigtlander bessa R body with M mount lenses, get few lenses like 21mm f4. , 35mm. f 1,7 and a tele 90mm ,beautiful lenses!
for not much money. After you feel confortble buy a M6 or7 and still use the lenses on the new Leica body.🙂

 

[spysmart]

Hi wen,

You have several distinctive cameras and probably go through cycles where say the xpan is the way you see and then a few months later the 500cm fits your frame of mind. That's the way it works for me anyway.

Don't sell everything to get a MP - aim more modestly and get a compliment to your current cameras. Otherwise at some time the situation will arise when one of those other cameras will be just what you need and you will regret selling.

So what your missing is a available light system - Your already familiar with RF operation - a 'classic' M6 0.72 with a fast 35 or 50mm lens sounds to me what you need without blowing the bank.
The XPan 45 f/4 and Leica 35 f/1.4 combo would be ideal for travelling.

Hassselblad blew it big time not making a fast 35mm only lens for the Xpan.

 

[boilerdoc2]

Exactly! Everyone is correct Wen. What I did was get the M7 (has the meter and auto exposure) and added Voigtlander glass from Cameraquest. Steve Gandy is the BEST, as is Tony Rose at Popflash. Stay away from KBCamera, it is out of business at the moment. They owe me $700, so don't go there until things are resolved.
Also the Tri-Elmar is superb as well. One lens and you have 29-35-50mm! Only downside is f4, but not a big deal. It is sweetness! But pricey! Enjoy. It is an illness. Steve

 

[fluffthecat]

Choose carefully and you will not regret it!

Choose carefully and you will not regret it!

Hi Wen,

So many people go through this type of thought process!
I bought a Leica M4-2 recently and don't regret it for one moment. I can't afford an M6 model but you will find the earlier but non-metered bodies very tempting.

Have a little look at my blog page to wet your appetite!

http://leica-m4-2.blogspot.com/

Good look in your search for an M camera, i love using mine for purely b/w photography.

Regards,

Fluff

 

[Nick R.]

Wen's original post was in August of 2005!. I'm pretty sure he's decided one way or the other by now.

 

[SergioGuerra]

If a M2 would make the trick, I am selling mine on ebay. A lot of scratches on it, signs of its use, but it is a fully working unit 🙂

Cheers and sorry bout the pub. 😉

 

[wen]

thank you everyone...yes, Nick is right ,I posted this a year ago...,and thanks so much for all your advise...I am very sorry that I forgot to update and let you guys know...

yes, I got an MP 0.58 silver chrome last year 😉 A christmas gift for myself!!! After I got my camera, early this year, I got layoff, and not able to buy a lens right away...

and now, I am doing some research on buying a lens (of course, this year christmas gift to myself as well)...still back and forth on 35/2, 35/1.4 or 28/2....but, I am looking forward to, finally...