which camera for the zeiss 35mm 2.8 zm ?

[f.hayek]

Cosina is quirky insofar as they'll continue making something no one else makes and after everyone has stopped (Bessa R line), or produce something really unique (Bessa 667/Fujifilm GF670) and then drop it never to be seen again. They did the same thing with the CV 2,5/125 which was arguably one of the greatest MF SLR lens anyone, with the exception of notable Leica Rs, ever produced.

Now of legend.

 

[jsrockit]

Adapt the Zeiss to your digital! ��

 

[Huss]

Adapt the Zeiss to your digital! ��

Yep, he already has the mirrorless that he just bought, putting him on his budget.
But I suppose it depends if it is a full frame camera, or a crop sensor.
I wouldn't bother adapting it for a crop sensor camera.

If film, the reality is it's going to be expensive. Around the $1000 mark to get a body that is worth that lens.

 

[PRJ]

The cheapest way would be to get a Leica CL and put a 35mm viewfinder on it. Or just use the 40 viewfinder built in. You can get a CL for fairly inexpensively the last time I checked. The Minolta CLE is another more expensive option, again with a 40mm viewfinder built in. The best non Leica camera you can buy though is going to be the Konica Hexar RF. Those still sell for cheap compared to Leicas which don't even have the capability the Hexar has. Lots of people hate on them, but my experience with the one I have has been nothing but great. Hundreds of rolls of film though it over a decade and lots of knocks. Still works perfectly. I use it far more than my Leica.

If Bessas are selling for the same as an M6 I have to wonder who would be dumb enough to pay that. Seriously.

 

[jsrockit]

If Bessas are selling for the same as an M6 I have to wonder who would be dumb enough to pay that. Seriously.

Bessa like the R2a, R3a, R3m etc all sell for just above $1000 or so. The R4a....with its very wide framelines sells for more. However, the M6 has gone up a lot in the past few years and is still even more than the R4a. I mentioned the Hexar RF above... I agree with you, but it seems it fell on deaf ears.

 

[ACullen]

As M2 user I can’t quite square why the best M body for a 35mm is consistently the cheapest. My CL was very cheap but the experience is far from the M ethos.

 

[jsrockit]

As M2 user I can’t quite square why the best M body for a 35mm is consistently the cheapest. My CL was very cheap but the experience is far from the M ethos.

How cheap do you think an M2 is these days?

 

[Deleted member 65559]

As M2 user I can’t quite square why the best M body for a 35mm is consistently the cheapest. My CL was very cheap but the experience is far from the M ethos.

I was suggesting an inexpensive CL while the OP was saving for an M of his choice.

Gzisis69 "im looking for the cheapest camera to attach the lens. i currently bought a mirrorless system so im on a budget. which camera would you suggest ?"

 

[GLL]

I think this marks my first post on RFF! So take from that what you will.

Seems like there are a few people suggesting that nothing but their favourite M body will do, so I might add a different perspective.

I've had a Bessa for several years now, and they're excellent cameras that will do exactly what you want. I use an R2, which has 35/50/75 framelines and an (excellent) light meter, and can be had for under $1000 often with a lens attached. The R2A adds aperture priority but goes for a bit more.

Another option that would save you a bit of money, and could be great depending on what/how you shoot, is a Bessa T, which is M mount but has no viewfinder (just a high mag rangefinder). You would need to track down a 35mm viewfinder, but you could get yourself the full kit for $400 or even less with some luck.

 

[gzisis69]

thanx for all your answers. i decided to go with a leica m2. i live in europe, from where would you suggest me to buy a repaired one ?

 

[Deleted member 65559]

thanx for all your answers. i decided to go with a leica m2. i live in europe, from where would you suggest me to buy a repaired one ?

G The only Leica I bought in Europe was in Paris. The Leica store in Vienna has at least 5 to choose from:

https://www.leicashop.com/vintage_en/leica/leica-m-cameras/m2-chrome-2-model.html
https://www.leicashop.com/vintage_en/leica/leica-m-cameras/m2-chrome-1-model.html

 

[Huss]

I think this marks my first post on RFF! So take from that what you will.

Seems like there are a few people suggesting that nothing but their favourite M body will do, so I might add a different perspective.

I've had a Bessa for several years now, and they're excellent cameras that will do exactly what you want. I use an R2, which has 35/50/75 framelines and an (excellent) light meter, and can be had for under $1000 often with a lens attached. The R2A adds aperture priority but goes for a bit more.

Another option that would save you a bit of money, and could be great depending on what/how you shoot, is a Bessa T, which is M mount but has no viewfinder (just a high mag rangefinder). You would need to track down a 35mm viewfinder, but you could get yourself the full kit for $400 or even less with some luck.

I had the Bessa R3A, and hated it. Most probably because I already had Leica Ms and just did not find it an enjoyable experience compared to using any M.
I still have the Bessa L, which is cool cuz it only cost $80 new old stock! Use that with a 21 to 28mm lens. Very fragile film transport gears though, the plastic strips easily.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I had the Bessa R3A, and hated it. Most probably because I already had Leica Ms and just did not find it an enjoyable experience compared to using any M.
I still have the Bessa L, which is cool cuz it only cost $80 new old stock! Use that with a 21 to 28mm lens. Very fragile film transport gears though, the plastic strips easily.

R3A just didn't match M7. So is L vs Barnacks. They are same Cosina FM10 base as R3A.

And just as with M Leica vs Bessa R, L has no ground against of Leica Barnack. It was, is cheapest, most effective LTM camera. Just as R series were, are.

I had R2M and I had this 80 USD NIB L. Sold them both, spend more than 500 USD on LTM no electronics cameras. And still keeping junkie M4-2.

But OP asked for the cheapest M mount camera. With all of the fuzz, the real deal with Bessa made by Cosina cameras was the lower price tag. And nothing else. OP is after it.

 

[papih]

How about hexar rf?
With lower magnification, perfect for 28/35mm lens.

 

[Richard G]

The M2 for sure, but I also agree with M5. The C Biogon mates nicely for size with the M5.

 

[TobiasL]

A few years ago I bought a Zeiss Ikon ZM body for about $700, might be cheaper options but it works great with Zeiss 35/2.8 lens. Viewfinder is wonderful.

If I really wanted a M6 I would just start saving and shoot with what you got now assuming you have a camera. There are fixed rangefinder cameras that are really cheap that you can use until you have saved up.

 

[Mooshoepork]

A few years ago I bought a Zeiss Ikon ZM body for about $700, might be cheaper options but it works great with Zeiss 35/2.8 lens. Viewfinder is wonderful.

If I really wanted a M6 I would just start saving and shoot with what you got now assuming you have a camera. There are fixed rangefinder cameras that are really cheap that you can use until you have saved up.

I briefly tried a ZM. The viewfinder is certainly...big and brightish but the viewfinder patch totally disappears when you move your eye left or right.

 

[pirx70]

I briefly tried a ZM. The viewfinder is certainly...big and brightish but the viewfinder patch totally disappears when you move your eye left or right.

I've had my black ZI since 2009, when I bought it new as a divorce present to myself. First, I did get disturbed by the RF patch tending to disappear when looking at a certain angle - prolly because I'd read about it on RFF before 😀 - but now, after all these years, I don't really know what's the problem. I just never seem to notice it disappear at all. You just learn to use your tool I think. Then, I also tend to cover the RF window with a finger on purpose after having focussed, so it doesn't disturb me composing. So for me the RF patch is not to be there in the viewfinder at all times, rather for the instant I do the actual focussing. I have the C-Biogon and it's a wonderful combo, definitely one of my most favourite ones.

 

[jsrockit]

A few years ago I bought a Zeiss Ikon ZM body for about $700, might be cheaper options but it works great with Zeiss 35/2.8 lens. Viewfinder is wonderful.

If I really wanted a M6 I would just start saving and shoot with what you got now assuming you have a camera. There are fixed rangefinder cameras that are really cheap that you can use until you have saved up.

Now the Zeiss is in M6 $ range... every single M mount rangefinder has gone up significantly in the last 2 years or so...

 

[TobiasL]

Now the Zeiss is in M6 $ range... every single M mount rangefinder has gone up significantly in the last 2 years or so...

Then I would probably go with M6 because it doesn't require batteries like Zeiss does to function. Fixed rangefinders are still cheap though, bought a few last year for 50-150 dollars.