where to begin

[grizzlyadam]

I have been lingering these forums for a while now. I took some time off dreaming about better rangefinders because of new wife, job, and city. Now i am settling in nicely and feel that a nice rangefinder would be a great compliment to my SLR setup I use for part time work. I have a FED II and love it but am finding it needs to be CLA'd and the local camera repair shop near me (Madison, WI) thought it would be awfully expensive for them to do. I enjoy shooting the smaller RF's on a day to day basis.
I really like the idea of a leica, but am not sure if I would just be buying it for the red dot. although I know their quality is top notch. my budget is around $500-$600 US and would like a good start. ie a body with nice walk around lens.
Where would you all start? I am admittedly ignorant and get a bit overwhelmed with the HUGE selection of cameras/lenses in the rangefinder family. any ideas would be awesome. even if you are looking to unload a camera let me know. I would have to OK the purchase with my wife of course 🙂.

 

[monochrome_joy]

Leica CL?

Leica CL?

Take it for what it's worth, but I don't own one myself. The price range you've mentioned and the requirements of a "walk around" camera and lens, seems to fit a Leica CL with the 40mm lens that was made for it.

 

[snip]

Or get a Voiglander bessa.

Or get a Voiglander bessa.

It's not as quiet as a Leica, it's not made of quite the same materials, it has no red dot but a good user R2 with a 35 or 40mm Nokton or even a 50mm Skopar can be had for very attractive prices.


I love mine.

//Jan

 

[tedwin]

What's your preferred focal length?

 

[grizzlyadam]

well my original camera had the standard 50mm. I really enjoy a wide-angle so really something around the 35mm mark would be awesome.

 

[grizzlyadam]

I am afraid I may just give up for a while. I am going to be investing in some digital gear for weddings (have to make money somehow) and will not have the money to get into what would be for me a side project.

I have a FED II already and may just look into getting a wide angle lens for that if I can figure out what will even work on it. I am getting a bit frustrated because there are soooooo many options and none are in my reach as far as price points. ughhhhh
🙁

 

[Andrew Sowerby]

For $600 you could probably get a used Bessa R2a and 35mm CV lens. That would be a very good start.