Which body with which lens?

[hexar_hp5]

The problem with the M2 is that it's getting difficult to find one with a good viewfinder. The ones that I have had, I've had to send back as they have had decemting or the crazy gold in the viewfinder.

I do agree though that if you are lucky enough to find one in good order they would pretty much be the ideal camera.

For my the viewfinder is both the strength and weakness of this camera. Though to be fair the viewfinder is older than I am, but I'd hate to get one and then in 6 months have to junk it due to the viewfinder.

Please tell me I'm wrong.

 

[MacDaddy]

Whew! We do get passionate about our camera systems, don't we? And I love it! I had an opportunity to get to Atlanta and place my grubby hands on some clean Leicas (M2,3,4,5 and M6), a nice used Zeiss Ikon and Bessa R3A/M and a R4M and try them out late yesterday at a used camera dealer.
Today, I ordered both the used ZI and the Bessa R4M body from that dealer and will order CV lenses from Cameraquest before the weekend (The 28/2 and the 35/1.4 SC).
Sorry Leicaphiles, but I have to agree with Joe about the viewfinder on the ZI and with Tom about the R4M. As much as I liked the heft of the Leicas, as I'm essentially starting fresh and without bias, I chose to go with BOTH Zeiss and Bessa for the camera bodies.
Budget constraints dictated the CV lenses for now, but as I renew my love affair with minimalist film shooting and cameras that don't get in the way of the process, (MAN! Do I love THAT!) I will add both Zeiss and Leica lenses. When I do, I'll be back for additional opinions about those.
Thank all of you again for your kindness and thoughts. I'll start posting when I get back from Pleasant Hill, KY in a couple weeks.

 

[ferider]

Well, now that you got married, we cann't criticize them any more .... 🙂

Congrats, Rob ! I'm sure you'll enjoy the set !

Roland.

 

[Tom A]

Good pick for a working kit! I did exercise admirable restraint in NOT recommending the M2. They are getting difficult to find in good shape and if we keep telling the world about them. they will "dry up" completely!
Just to get your desires going, next lens should probably be the 21f4.5 C Biogon. Doesn't get any better than that one! In the meantime, enjoy the shooting.

 

[wjlapier]

Good pick for a working kit! I did exercise admirable restraint in NOT recommending the M2. They are getting difficult to find in good shape and if we keep telling the world about them. they will "dry up" completely!
Just to get your desires going, next lens should probably be the 21f4.5 C Biogon. Doesn't get any better than that one! In the meantime, enjoy the shooting.

From the beginning of this thread I was thinking Zeiss 21 and a S2 for starts. That would get close to $1500. Add 21 and 35 finders and the CZJ 35 I HAD and you're close to $2000. The CZ 21 Biogon will eat up most of your budget, but it's a beautiful lens and razor sharp. I have a couple of rolls to develop I shot with the 21 on the S2 in Glacier National Park. Red filter too! Hopefully I exposed properly😎

But I see the OP has chose his camera and lenses. Looking forward to the pics from the new kit.

 

[kshapero]

Yes, batteries are a fact of life - BUT Murphy's Law still applies. The batteries in your bag are a/the wrong ones or b/ they have mysteriously died and c/ you most likely cant poke at your AE camera with a screwdriver to make it work again!.
I like some of the AE features, but I also distrusts them. We do not agree all the time and sometimes I think that 45+ years of experience wins out over AE readings! All right, sometimes the camera is correct!

I have been shooting for about 35 years all over the world. I have used manual metered and AE cameras of several makes. I have never missed a shot because of a battery failure. I do always carry a spare set, but have never had a call to need them while in the field. Call me lucky.

 

[MacDaddy]

I have been shooting for about 35 years all over the world. I have used manual metered and AE cameras of several makes. I have never missed a shot because of a battery failure. I do always carry a spare set, but have never had a call to need them while in the field. Call me lucky.

Indeed all of you are who've never had it happen! As I shared, I drove the 75 miles to Atlanta for a shoot at an old cotton gin mill and after only 45 minutes of shooting my Nikon D300 bit the dust from the dreaded "battery charge failure" syndrome that was eventually fixed with a firmware update.
End of shooting day, beginning of frustration and impetus for me to go back to a simplified film camera that does NOT need a battery to keep shooting! I don't know if Tom A is a "belt and suspenders" kind of guy like me, but that won't happen again if I can help it! And I've been shooting for "only" 21 years. 8o)

 

[Way]

Good luck - it sounds like you've found a nice kit!

Speaking of batteries, I was on Maui using and old Agfa folder and metering with a little Sekonic meter when the meter fell and broke. Luckily I was studying the Sunny 16 rule. Not one shot was missed due to poor exposure.

 

[oscroft]

Bit late, but just a few thoughts on the R4A/M battery differences.

I bought an R4A some time ago, and I love it - but I often get the feeling that I'd have been better off with an R4M.

Over the years that I have been a bit obsessive about getting caught out with no batteries, I actually haven't lost a single shot for that reason, so that's not my worry.

My problem is that when I want to shoot at a different exposure to the camera's choice, I can set the camera to manual metering OK, but I get distracted by the viewfinder display telling me I'm wrong - I'd prefer to have a way to shoot with the meter switched off completely.

 

[Tom A]

Yesterday we went downtown for a walk. Brought a ZI, Nikon S4 and a SP.
I was trying to round out some films, I do process in 5 rolls batches and needed a couple to fill the tanks. Halfway through merrily shooting with the ZI and the 28f2 Ultron, the camera locks up!!!! I did fish out another pack of SR 76 batteries. After two shots, the camera locks up again! Dud batteries!!! Some swearing and the Nikon's were brought out. Sunny f16 and no batteries to contend with. Of course now I am 2 rolls short of a process run and the film in the ZI is 80asa Plus X/5231 movie stock and it is raining!!!
I think I am going to take a M2 with XX for a walk instead!

 

[mynikonf2]

M2's

M2's

Good pick for a working kit! I did exercise admirable restraint in NOT recommending the M2. They are getting difficult to find in good shape and if we keep telling the world about them. they will "dry up" completely!
Just to get your desires going, next lens should probably be the 21f4.5 C Biogon. Doesn't get any better than that one! In the meantime, enjoy the shooting.

Tom,
When it comes to finding good M2's this is true, it has taken me a very long time to find a GREAT M2 visit this link :
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/pho...wproduct.php/product/12157/cat/2/limit/recent

Not only did I find a great M2 but I found it a an awesome price. Thanks to RFF members like Kevin these cameras get passed on to fellow Rff members instead of being placed on evilbay just for profit.
Now I need to find a "quick rewind" for it, any suggestions as where to look? Also, I need a good 35mm lens, any suggestions here?