What was your First Leica and First Lens for it?

About a year ago the only experience with film I had was from playing w/ an old Lubitel TLR that we had in a closet, but I liked the experience and developing film very much so I wanted to have a simpler camera.

I stumbled across this forum when I was ebaying old cameras and decided to order a Zorki-6 rangefinder. I liked it and ordered a Zorki-1 and so on, all the time dreaming of a Leica M.

So this summer I finally decided it would be worth it and first bought a Leica M2 and a month after that a Summicron 50mm DR. Couldn't be happier!
 
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A single-stroke M3 w/50mm Elmar, picked up at a flea market a couple of years ago.

As I found out how much fun the whole rangefinder thing was (I am a die-hard F Nikonite at heart), the Elmar was quickly replaced by an 11819 Summicron and a 90mm APO-Summicron followed a few months ago.

I recently found a bargain M4-P which sees more use than the M3 nowadays - mostly because it is still the 'new' camera. GAS being what it is, I've already started looking for a nice M4 to replace the M4-P, though. 🙂
 
My first M mount was a LeitzMinolta CL. I traded it in for a M3 DS with a Canon 50 1.8. A real beater. Everything about that M3 was off, but it was a Leica and it just kept on working despite its faults. While I don't abuse my cameras, the CL is just not robust.
 
My first Leica was an M2. I'll never part with it. Bought an DR Summicron to go with it. That, I did part with, in favor of a Nikkor 50/2. It's not as much fun to handle or look at, but I can't argue with the results: Sonnar RULES!
 
My first Leica was actually the digital X1, since I wanted a compact asp-c camera for my Asia trip. Then came the sweet little Leica CL with the 40mm summicron and 90mm elmar lens, which triggered my desire for a true M. Bought the M4-P and an elmarit 28mm lens, to which I then added the Canon LTM 50mm f/1.2 for the fun of it. In the meantime I had also bought the wonderful digilux2 for more digital versatility.

That's my Leica start. We'll see where this all ends. 😀
 
In the early 90's I bought an M2 with a goggle-ised 35v1 Summicron and Two IIIf's one with a Summitar and the other an Elmar 5cm 3.5 .. I sold the IIIf with the Elmar..
The M2 is still my go to M and the Summitar is an absolute fav.. the IIIf sadly has pin holes in the blinds, the Summicron gets occasional use but the gogg's are not in the best shape.. but it still take capable of mighty fine pics.
 
First Leica was a screw mount IIIa with a 50mm rare earth Summicron.
First Leica M was an M3 with a rigid 50mm Summicron, that also came with a 28mm 3.5 voigtlander.
 
First Leica a IIIC from 1949 used with an Industar 22
My first M was an M6 and a 35mm f1.7 CV Ultron both bought used.
Before you buy the Summaron take some time to consider alternatives like the 35mm 2.5 Skopar (a very good lens I only bought the Ultron as it was one stop faster)
 
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At the height of the recent credit crisis I bought a 35 Cron V.4 and 75 Lux at depressed prices, both at Adorama in the same purchase using zero APR credit.

Over a month later I eventually bought an unusual M6 off Ebay that has a Ti toplate with the Wetzlar engravings of the early M6's. Came with a surprise: a dead frame counter.

Eventually I had the camera overhauled by Sherry, the frame counter repaired, and had a MP finder installed. Today it also features a TA Rapidwinder and a TA Rapidgrip.

Cal
 
IIf and Canon 35/2.0

I highly recommand the Canon (plus adapter), as is offers Summicron quality for some $500. It's incredibly small and light weight and
it doesn't need a hood.
I also have the Canon 50/1.8 and 100/3.5 (plus a P). Fine glass too, but the 35/2.0 is outstanding.

wallace
 
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