Whats your favorite Leica Body + Lens Combo

[flipflop]

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...

 

[ray_g]

The M3 has no framelines for the 35mm.

If it were me, M3 + 50mm summicron. But since you want a faster lens, it would have to be an LTM lens, like the Nokton, Canon 50/1.5, 1.4 or 1.2, or Nikkor 50/1.4. Any of these combos should fit your budget.

 

[ray_g]

If you are considering the 35 at all, as i think you are, you'd be better off with an M2 or newer body.

 

[FrankS]

M3 with 50mm Summicron/Summitar/Summarit. 🙂

 

[Honus]

If you want a Leica lens faster than f2, given your budget, a 50/1.5 Summarit would probably be the only possibility. It would work nicely with either a M2 or M3.

Alternatively, a 35/1.7 Ultron with a M2 or 50/1.5 Nokton with M2/M3 should be possible for $1200.

- robert

 

[richard_l]

Something to think about. A recent 50mm f/2 Summicron is "faster" than a 50mm f/1.5 Summarit in the sense that the Summicron retains most of its characteristic high definition and contrast even at f/2, while the Summarit needs to be stopped down to f/4 or f/5.6 to have sharpness comparable to the Summicron.

However, the Summarit has other virtues wide open (such as suitability for portraits) which may be more important than mere sharpness.

The "one lens" requirement would make me think hard about about a Summicron (even though it is only a measly f/2 🙄 ), maybe a rigid or a DR. That and an M3 would make a splendid combo.

 

[zpuskas]

First choice, M6 and 35 Summicron. Second choice, M3 and 35 Summicron.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

That is really tough to narrow down to "a favorite", but if I must in these definition-oriented quests:

M6 + tabbed 50 Summicron or 50 pre-asph Summilux
M2 + Summitar

 

[VictorM.]

M2 with Canon 35/1.8.

 

[peter_n]

I'm lucky enough to already have my favorite which is an M7 with (for lightness) a current 50mm Elmar-M or (for speed) a 50mm pre-ASPH Summilux.

An M3 doesn't have 35mm framelines so if you really like the 35mm focal length consider the special from Photo Village in NYC (who have become a sponsor - did I miss the announcement?) which is a new CV 35/1.7 for $249. See this link for the offer. That lens is a screw-mount so you could use it on a IIIC or F or something to get you started and only spend about $600 for the whole kit! 🙂

 

[ray_g]

Don't discount the barnack leicas. This was my first body, and lately, has become one of my favorite carry-along cameras again: IIIF + Summar + CV 50mm finder.

 

[peter_n]

Welcome to the forum Gipsy! 🙂

 

[richard_l]

Another option: an M3 with a 40mm Summicron-C or M-Rokkor. You should be able to find a lens in excellent condition for $300 or less, which would leave $900 for a really nice M3. You would then have a nice Leica kit with the most versatile focal length, IMO.

 

[dcsang]

I'm with Ray on this one.. the IIIc/IIIf/IIIg with a collapsible 50 is way cool to look at and quite a conversation piece.

It is my current hot body.. the old stalwart is the M3 with the 35mm Summaron (or Summicron) with goggles.

Dave

 

[back alley]

really nice looking rig ray!

joe

 

[flipflop]

then again the canon p looks quite nice as well...backalley you should sell me one. :>

 

[back alley]

not likely at this time...

 

[ray_g]

Thanks. I'm cutting off the leather neckstrap from my M3 case, and will be making myself a few more wriststraps. As soon as I find my wife's little sewing kit 😉

 

[humanized_form]

i think i found mine.

i think i found mine.

leica m7 with .58 viewfinder and a 35mm summilux asph. beautiful combo.

 

[Biggles]

Another option: an M3 with a 40mm Summicron-C or M-Rokkor...

And, to further distill it, a 40mm Summicron-C on a CL body. No, it's not in the same league as an M(x) for heft and durability, and it has other flaws as well, but it's a really, really small package. The 40 sees a bit more than I'd like it to, but its pictures don't have that blatant 35mm curvature I'm used to seeing.

Of all the rangefinder cameras I've pawed over the past 20 years, this body & lens combo is the one that makes me want to grab it and walk around with it all day. Light weight. Pocket-stuffable. Integral light meter. Pretty good viewfinder. Logical control placement. And the 40mm Summicron is crazy-sharp without being harsh.

You can get this set-up for well under a grand US. Money left over for a used rigid 50mm Summicron.