What is your favourite "Poor man's Leica" ?

[elcud35rc]

Luckily in Portugal the Leica brand in unknown.

For most people a camera is a 'Kodak'.

Like 'Hoover', 'Band Aid' and 'Jeep'.

So, super safe.

You know this already, Pedro. I do street in Lisbon at night and never ever feel in danger.

Since Leicas are unknown there, are they still going for a high price? 😛

 

[johne]

@Kiev4a
I was not trying to sell a brand set like the FED but the result of a function unit--zorki and Industar mesh nicely.
Johne

 

[Benjamin Marks]

For a new camera, let me suggest the excellent and inexpensive Bessa-T ($185 new through CameraQuest). Although you need accessory finders, you can use it with all M-mount lenses (Leica, Konica-M, Zeiss-Ikon, Cosina/Voigtlander) , all LTM-mount lenses with an adapter (Leica, Canon, Cosina Voigtlander, Leotax, USSR Jupiters and the like). It has a longer rangefinder baselength than the Bessa R which will enable you to more accurately focus fast and/or long lenses, has an available trigger-winder. IMHO It is much more versatile than the Bessa-R (FWIW, I own both). With this camera there are literally hundreds of lenses to choose from with a wide range of classic and modern lens designs. This will allow you to grow without changing camera platforms. Years from now when you are rich and famous, you can slap a $2,500 50/1.4 Asph on a Bessa-T and no one will be able to tell the picture was not made with a Leica MP. The Bessa-R does have a nice finder and does have an in-finder meter (with the T, the meter is on the back of the camera. You can see it in your periferal vision as you hold the camera to your eye). And the Bessa-t comes new; no hassling with dim rangefinders, shutters that need CLA's, exotic camera-loading protocols etc. With whatever warranty Mr. Gandy is selling these days. No personal interest, just a satisfied user.

 

[Solinar]

If you have a little extra cash, don't forget the "Hermes edition Zorki 1", which I seen with the molded wood - yes wood - covering where the normal vulcanite would be.

For those that are a bit poorer, there is the "a la carte FED 2", which I've seen in red and purple paint over the existing vulcanite.