Whats your favorite Leica Body + Lens Combo

[ChrisN]

Nobody likes the M4? I do! For me the M4 was more attractive than either M2 or M3 as it gives the 35, 50, 90 and 135 framelines and adds a rewind crank. Plus the bodies are younger therefore (maybe) in better condition. Some say it's the last of the Leica bodies with classic build quality. I'm not sure about that but it sure is nice to use!

For the lens - a Summicron 35/2 or 50/2 if the budget will stretch, otherwise I'd be very happy to sit with the Canon Serenar 50/1.8 and/or CV 35/2.5 (with LTM-M adapters) while saving for Leica glass.

Don't discount the Canon P either. I spent a few hours on Sunday afternoon alternating between the M4 and the P - the P ergonomics are as good or better, the shutter is slightly louder at the same speeds, and the viewfinder is clear and bright. I wear specs and for me the M4 is better with the 35mm lens as I can't see the 35 framelines in the P viewfinder. Others have no problems. I use the P with the 50mm lens.

 

[flipflop]

Thanks for the replies...im going to check on a Canon P...How does the finder compare to a leica in terms of brightness?

Also is there a big difference between screw mount and M mount lens quality?

 

[richard_l]

Nobody likes the M4? I do! For me the M4 was more attractive than either M2 or M3 as it gives the 35, 50, 90 and 135 framelines and adds a rewind crank.

Who doesn't like the M4? The problem is that the M4 is rarer and therefore usually more expensive than an M2 or M3 in comparable condition.

 

[Andrew Touchon]

m6ttl/ 35 summicron

 

[celluloidprop]

two choices:
M4-2 - best deal of the older bodies, easier film-loading than an M2/3, 35/50/90/135 frames + a new Zeiss Biogon 50 or a used Summicron (or a Summarit if you need speed, or a Nokton if you want to save some money). I don't see too many M4-2s up for sale, I think they're averaging $750ish - a new Biogon's $600. You lose out on one stop of speed (vs. Summilux), but you get a great lens at a great price.

'user' M6 classic + C-V 50mm Nokton. Find a good user body for $900-1000 and a new Nokton for $329 (I think), or a used one off Ebay for $225-250 and you've got a good body and lens right on your budget.

 

[RayPA]

I'm having a blast shooting color with my M4-P and my M-Hexanon 50/2; before that it was my M7 with the chrome Ultron 35/1.7.

😉

 

[ChrisN]

Thanks for the replies...im going to check on a Canon P...How does the finder compare to a leica in terms of brightness?

Also is there a big difference between screw mount and M mount lens quality?

There's general agreement that the finder on the P is not as bright as the finder on an M3, but it is certainly well up there amongst the best. Brightness isn't the whole story. The P finder is 1:1 viewing - you can look through the finder, keep both eyes open, and the images received by both eyes are the same size, allowing natural viewing with both eyes open. I focus with both eyes open, but close my left eye to compose and frame the shot.

Leica finders have differing degrees of magnification - I think my M4 is 0.72 magnification, giving a smaller-than-life image, but a wider view.

Stephen Gandy (RFF Sponsor) has a good comparison of finders on his site at http://cameraquest.com/leica.htm. Interestingly he ranks the P at 17 on his list. I've used two samples of P and one was definitely superior to the other, so it pays to shop for one in mint condition if you want a good user.

On lenses - others can chime in here with better advice, but you can get fine lenses in both screw-mount and m-mount. Have you settled on a focal length yet for your first lens?

 

[former member]

The M3 is a fine camera, and has the highest-magnification viewfinder of any Leica, which is helpful for 50mm and longer lenses. If you want a wider lens, like a 35mm, the M2 and others should be considered.

For $1,200 you should be able to pick up an M3 in EX or better condition, a 50mm F2 Summicron or 50mm F1.5 Summarit, and have them CLA'd.

These are with the Summarit, wide-open at F1.5.
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=9628
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=9629

The Summicron is sharper and has more contrast at F2 than does the Summarit. At F4 they are pretty close.

There are MANY lenses for Leica Thread Mount that are easy enough to use on an M3 with a $35 or so adapter.

 

[Joerg]

Hi,

funny that is the combination I ended up with: M4 + canon 50/1.8 and CV 35/2.5.
Not much experience with it yet


Joerg.



Chris N wrote:

Nobody likes the M4? I do! For me the M4 was more attractive than either M2 or M3 as it gives the 35, 50, 90 and 135 framelines and adds a rewind crank. Plus the bodies are younger therefore (maybe) in better condition. Some say it's the last of the Leica bodies with classic build quality. I'm not sure about that but it sure is nice to use!

For the lens - a Summicron 35/2 or 50/2 if the budget will stretch, otherwise I'd be very happy to sit with the Canon Serenar 50/1.8 and/or CV 35/2.5 (with LTM-M adapters) while saving for Leica glass.

 

[Nikon Bob]

The first choice in an M body is easy for me, I have only one an M4. With it I like the 35mm pre asph Lux. In LTM bodies it is a post war IIIc and pre war uncoated 50 Elmar F3.5 for that classic look. Too many good choices out there and any combo would be fun.

Bob

 

[thmk]

Currently my collapsible Summicron 2/50 lives on the M2.

Thomas-Michael

 

[cary]

For me, My M3 and 90mm Rokkor lens.

Cary Chin

 

[Ben Z]

Hi,
I dont have a leica but I think I would like to get an older one something like a M3 with either a 35mm or 50mm lens. I would want only one lens relatively fast 1.8 or faster. I dont want to spend more than 1200.00.

Let me know what you would get.

Thanks I look forward to your comments...

The whole point to me of spending the money on a Leica is for interchangable lenses. If I was only going to get one lens I'd buy something far less expensive, perhaps a Canonet GIII or something like that.

That said, a used but not abused pre-M6 body and a new Voitlander 50/1.5 Nokton should come in at about your price range or less. However the big caveat with that is the cost of a potential and likely overhaul on an older Leica body, to the tune of about $300. IMO you're better off buying a blemished but more recent M6. I got 2 of them a few months ago, for avg $900 apiece.

 

[peter_n]

Hi,

funny that is the combination I ended up with: M4 + canon 50/1.8 and CV 35/2.5.
Not much experience with it yet


Joerg.

Congratulations on the acquisition Joerg! 🙂

 

[Joerg]

Peter,

thanks.

I will take the M4 for a spin in NYC over the weekend ;-).
Now the 90mm frameline is begging, but I will be deaf.......

Ciao

Joerg

 

[CZeni]

For the budget you've got, an M4-2 or M4P with a 50mm 'cron is the only thing that might get close. Personally I'd be more inclined to go for an M-mount Bessa and find a user 35/2 Summicron to get the Leica glass, and get the Leica body later...after all, it's about the glass, not the body.

Favorite combo: M6 and 35/2 Summicron pre-asph. Love it.

 

[FrankS]

At the moment it is this combo: M3 + Summarit. I just need to find a filter or step up ring for it.

 

[vha]

Will also recommend Classic M6 with 28mm elmarit / Elmar 2,8 50mm as a add on.
Perhaps not that budget-friendly, but gives nice photos.
And a small warning : It´s easy to get addicted of elmars. 😀

vha

 

[Fred]

Personal preference is M7 and 50 Cron

But the 35 Cron is what tends to be used the most...... which is odd...

 

[kbg32]

Leica M4 and the 28 Elmarit.