P. Lynn Miller
Well-known
I have been enamoured with the Leica O since I first seen one. Such a high quality, compact picture taking little package. There are a few things against such as the non-capping shutter and the 'gun-sight' though, and not to mention the price.
So I have been thinking is there a Leica out there like the Leica O but with a capping shutter, slow shutter speeds down to 1 sec, no finder, just an accessory shoe, and a good collapsible 50mm lens that can be had for a reasonable price, ie a couple hundred dollars.
I will admit I know nothing about Leica LTM cameras, nothing at all. I do not want a collectors item, I want to have a small, compact, quiet camera that I can load with Tri-X and carry with every where and know as long as I do my bit, I will get a good photograph. I know there are plenty of P&S camera out there, but they always argue with me about exposure details and etc. And I really hate camera that pretends to know more than me.
This camera does not even need to be a Leica, it could be a FSU LTM camera, which I really know absolutely nothing about.
Looking forward to your advice and comments,
So I have been thinking is there a Leica out there like the Leica O but with a capping shutter, slow shutter speeds down to 1 sec, no finder, just an accessory shoe, and a good collapsible 50mm lens that can be had for a reasonable price, ie a couple hundred dollars.
I will admit I know nothing about Leica LTM cameras, nothing at all. I do not want a collectors item, I want to have a small, compact, quiet camera that I can load with Tri-X and carry with every where and know as long as I do my bit, I will get a good photograph. I know there are plenty of P&S camera out there, but they always argue with me about exposure details and etc. And I really hate camera that pretends to know more than me.
This camera does not even need to be a Leica, it could be a FSU LTM camera, which I really know absolutely nothing about.
Looking forward to your advice and comments,
W
wlewisiii
Guest
Best for what you want is a Canon screwmount body. The IVSb is a very good choice - lots made, reasonable price, great (for a barnack) combined VF/RF with magnification. Put a collapsible lens on it and you've got just about as small and usable a camera as you can get. The FSU collapsible Industars are great because they're cheap, good quality & collapse into a smaller package than the Canon or non-Elmar Leica ones. Now a collapsible screwmount 'cron would make a seriously high end pocket rocket though, too 
It can be fun to have something like that along all the time.
William
It can be fun to have something like that along all the time.
William
P. Lynn Miller
Well-known
William,
If you think I know nothing about the FSU cameras, Canon has barely registered into my conscientious!
And I think someone gave a Canon away on that other thread...
What should I be looking for in FSU cameras?
And instead of a finder I would like to use this...
photo courtesy of eBay seller - rhona45th
If the Leica O came with this instead of the gun-sight, I would bite the bullet and pay the price for it.
If you think I know nothing about the FSU cameras, Canon has barely registered into my conscientious!
And I think someone gave a Canon away on that other thread...
What should I be looking for in FSU cameras?
And instead of a finder I would like to use this...
photo courtesy of eBay seller - rhona45th
If the Leica O came with this instead of the gun-sight, I would bite the bullet and pay the price for it.
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myequation
Member
olympus xa? best true pocket i know of.
and cheap
and cheap
W
wlewisiii
Guest
Hmm, I know very little about the FSU's that would be good for your expressed desire. Perhaps a Zorki 5 with a collapsible Industar?
Love that finder.
I'll admit that the O seems like a fascinating camera that would make me to buy a Leica if I had the money for one.
William
Love that finder.
I'll admit that the O seems like a fascinating camera that would make me to buy a Leica if I had the money for one.
William
P. Lynn Miller
Well-known
Olympus XA, had one... yes, very pocketable, but not what I am looking for. It takes batteries and has a 35mm lens. Not that it is not a great little camera because it is.
colyn
ישו משיח
You won't find these specs/price in a Leica. Leica introduced the slow speeds with the model III which also has a built-in rangefinder.
You might try KEH for Leica rf cameras which are usually cheaper there than eBay..
Nothing here fits the bill either however a Canon rf camera can be found close to your price range. The FSU's are cheaper but also can be troublesome...
BTMarcais
Well-known
It has a finder, and doesn't have a great accessory shoe (on the bottom)... but maybe one of the Rollei 35 variants would work? I've always been thrilled w/ the shots I get off my 35T w/ the tessar lens...and the sonnar's should be even better (unit focusing instead of front element, so should be better at closer distances, and the extra 1/2 stop doesn't hurt), although I've never felt the urge to upgrade. Good lenses, compact body, a bit quirky...but hey...like the O isn't?
BTMarcais
Well-known
er, re-read your specs. the Rollei 35s only go down to 1/2 sec, and have a 40mm lens. better than 35mm for you I guess...but not quite a 50 either.
If there was a perfect camera....
I wouldn't have so many.
(and my wife would be happier...)
If there was a perfect camera....
I wouldn't have so many.
(and my wife would be happier...)
aizan
Veteran
the only zeiss ikon sw to sell recently on ebay went for $500.
anyhow, what about the bessa l or t?
anyhow, what about the bessa l or t?
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P. Lynn Miller
Well-known
You are not alone!
I have tried to replicate the Leica O with a Bessa T and the Collapsible Heliar 50mm f3.5 and 50mm finder which is a good kit with an amazing lens. But it is far from being a pocket camera, because the Bessa T is quite bulky and the Heliar actually does not collapse that small. In fact, my CV Color-Skopar 50mm f2.5 protrudes less than the Heliar and my Bessa R2 is more compact than the Bessa T with a finder.
So all this have sent me in the direction of a Leica LTM... and being able to play with one at the camera shop a few weeks back, which was a mistake, because now I am sure I need one!
aizan
Veteran
maybe an olympus pen s, if half-frame is ok.
FPjohn
Well-known
A Leica IC ? IF, IG ? I've no idea of availability or cost.
OTH why not a IIIC with your sportsfinder? It would fit easily in a coat pocket.
yours
FPJ
OTH why not a IIIC with your sportsfinder? It would fit easily in a coat pocket.
yours
FPJ
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P. Lynn Miller
Well-known
FPJ,
'Leica IC ? IF, IG'
I think you forgot about my lack of knowledge about Leica LTM cameras. I have no idea about these models...
As for a IIIc, since it has a 50mm finder built-in, I would not need the sportsfinder. Which is fine... I suppose a IIIc with its built-in viewfinder and rangefinder is not much bigger than a Leica O since the 'hump' finders is little higher than the wind and rewind knobs. But there would be abit more weight...
Someone brought the Voigtlander Vitessa to my attention...
'Leica IC ? IF, IG'
I think you forgot about my lack of knowledge about Leica LTM cameras. I have no idea about these models...
As for a IIIc, since it has a 50mm finder built-in, I would not need the sportsfinder. Which is fine... I suppose a IIIc with its built-in viewfinder and rangefinder is not much bigger than a Leica O since the 'hump' finders is little higher than the wind and rewind knobs. But there would be abit more weight...
Someone brought the Voigtlander Vitessa to my attention...
Goldorak
-
It seems the One and Only logical choice is a Leica CL or Minolta CLE. Your decision and needs is exactly why those cameras we're made for, in the first place.
I would avoid FSU cameras and other cheapies. A CL can be had for 300$. It is a tiny, compact camera with all shutter speeds.
I would avoid FSU cameras and other cheapies. A CL can be had for 300$. It is a tiny, compact camera with all shutter speeds.
Gary Sandhu
Well-known
just get a leica screw mount; i have a iiif with 50mm elmar 3.5 : tiny set up, and a viewfinder, too.
ZeissFan
Veteran
If you're willing to leave Leicaland (and its neighboring territories), there are many cameras out there.
-- Etareta: A little Czech camera with a collapsible Etar. Very well made camera.
-- Folding prewar Retinas up to, but not including, the II and the "a" series and beyond: Small and pocketable. Not a collapsible lens but certainly as compact.
-- Postwar Zeiss Ikon Ikonta 35 and Contina II: Small compact folding cameras with either a Novar (triplet) or the Tessar (four elements). The Ikonta 35 is a viewfinder/zone-focus camera while the Contina II has an uncoupled rangefinder.
-- Folding Voigtlander Vito, Vito II and Vito IIa (but not the Vito III, which is a much larger camera): These had the Skopar or Color-Skopar (coated) lenses, which are Tessar-type and excellent.
-- Balda Jubilette: Tiny folding 35mm camera.
-- Welti: Another great German folding 35mm camera.
-- Agfa Optima-Parat: Excellent half-frame 35mm camera with a sharp Solinar (Tessar-type). I've gotten some outstanding photos with this camera. Lens doesn't collapse but it doesn't need to. Uses an accurate trap-jaw metering system, which might disqualify the camera. Too bad, because it's an excellent camera.
-- Agfa Solinette II and Super Solinette: Also sold as Ansco Regents and Super Regents. Great, lightweight folding camera with either the Apotar (triplet) or the Solinar.
-- Prewar Zeiss Ikon Tenax I and East German Zeiss Ikon Tenax and Taxona: These are all 24x24 cameras. The prewar camera has a Novar, while the postwar cameras can be had with a sharp Tessar. The lens isn't collapsible, but the body is so diminutive that it doesn't need to be.
-- Zeiss Ikon Nettax (35mm rangefinder): Uses a collapsible Tessar, but the camera's weight is considerable.
-- Zeiss Ikon Super Nettel: This is the folding version of the Nettax (above) and came with either a noncollapsible Triotar (a very good triplet) or a noncollapsible Tessar. Also somewhat heavy but not has heavy as the Nettax.
These are the ones that come to mind.
-- Etareta: A little Czech camera with a collapsible Etar. Very well made camera.
-- Folding prewar Retinas up to, but not including, the II and the "a" series and beyond: Small and pocketable. Not a collapsible lens but certainly as compact.
-- Postwar Zeiss Ikon Ikonta 35 and Contina II: Small compact folding cameras with either a Novar (triplet) or the Tessar (four elements). The Ikonta 35 is a viewfinder/zone-focus camera while the Contina II has an uncoupled rangefinder.
-- Folding Voigtlander Vito, Vito II and Vito IIa (but not the Vito III, which is a much larger camera): These had the Skopar or Color-Skopar (coated) lenses, which are Tessar-type and excellent.
-- Balda Jubilette: Tiny folding 35mm camera.
-- Welti: Another great German folding 35mm camera.
-- Agfa Optima-Parat: Excellent half-frame 35mm camera with a sharp Solinar (Tessar-type). I've gotten some outstanding photos with this camera. Lens doesn't collapse but it doesn't need to. Uses an accurate trap-jaw metering system, which might disqualify the camera. Too bad, because it's an excellent camera.
-- Agfa Solinette II and Super Solinette: Also sold as Ansco Regents and Super Regents. Great, lightweight folding camera with either the Apotar (triplet) or the Solinar.
-- Prewar Zeiss Ikon Tenax I and East German Zeiss Ikon Tenax and Taxona: These are all 24x24 cameras. The prewar camera has a Novar, while the postwar cameras can be had with a sharp Tessar. The lens isn't collapsible, but the body is so diminutive that it doesn't need to be.
-- Zeiss Ikon Nettax (35mm rangefinder): Uses a collapsible Tessar, but the camera's weight is considerable.
-- Zeiss Ikon Super Nettel: This is the folding version of the Nettax (above) and came with either a noncollapsible Triotar (a very good triplet) or a noncollapsible Tessar. Also somewhat heavy but not has heavy as the Nettax.
These are the ones that come to mind.
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sanmich
Veteran
I second that..
urban_alchemist
Well-known
I've just fallen - HARD - for an Olympus Pen FT. Small (about the same size as a Barnack Camera), ttl metering (though not lense-coupled) and built like a tank. I even like the half-frame format - allowing for quick, cool diptychs in one go.
A few hundred dollars buys a great one, and they're worth every penny and more IMHO...
A few hundred dollars buys a great one, and they're worth every penny and more IMHO...
P. Lynn Miller
Well-known
Thanks everyone for the advice and suggestions...
First, I do not want a 'half-frame', a 35mm negative a big enough step down in quality from medium-format...
Secondly, 'ZeissFan', thanks for the huge list of alternatives. I am not stuck in 'Leica Land' so I will definitely investigate the cameras on your list.
Thirdly, I should really quit complaining and just shoot what I have... the Bessa T is not that big!
Not to mention a very capable kit.
But the lure of the Leica O is just so strong...
First, I do not want a 'half-frame', a 35mm negative a big enough step down in quality from medium-format...
Secondly, 'ZeissFan', thanks for the huge list of alternatives. I am not stuck in 'Leica Land' so I will definitely investigate the cameras on your list.
Thirdly, I should really quit complaining and just shoot what I have... the Bessa T is not that big!
Not to mention a very capable kit.
But the lure of the Leica O is just so strong...