Which camera is right for me?

[astrosecret]

It's always been a dream of mine to shoot photographs with a Leica... Now I think I have some extra money to invest into one.
I sold my dvx100 to pay for my thesis film on 16mm, and i have approximatly $1200 left over, and i know leica's hold their resale value very well.
Which body and lens outfit would best make use of my funds? Used items of course.

 

[VictorM.]

Depends on what you photograph. If you aren't sure, I'd recommend an M3 with a Summicron 50/2, in user condition but with recent cla. Add a meter if you don't have one.

 

[David Murphy]

I'm more curious about your 16mm film. Do you have a link to it online?

I agree about the M3 and Summicron. Fantastic choice. An M2 would be nearly as good. A 35mm F2 Summicron plus M2 might also be within your budget. I find 35mm lenses more natural for day-to-day shooting than 50's.

 

[ferider]

M2, M3, M4P/M6, depending on which focal length you like best (35, 50, 28, respectively). M6 if you want a light-meter.
Add a Cosina Voigtlander lens (one of 35/2.5, 35/1.7, 40/1.4, 50/1.5, 28/3.5, or 28/1.9) and you are good to go.

Roland.

 

[astrosecret]

Cool. My film isn't wrapped yet, still in pre pro. princ. photog. wraps april 8.

i know cameras before the m6 don't have a meter, but is there a different kind of meter i need for a rangefinder? i have two sekonic meters that i use for 16mm, a digital one and one that doesnt need batteries (studio deluxe 2) is there a specific kind of meter i should use for the m3?

 

[ferider]

Hand-held (or no) metering with your existing meters works very well with the M3. The M3 is the best machine for
50mm and up (see my avatar). If you want to use a wide angle though, an M2 will be very similar in handling but better.

Roland.

 

[astrosecret]

would a bessa r3a be a better camera for me? I've only owned consumer rangefinders (GSN, auto s2). It would be somewhat jammed in a bag that i walk around the city in, so i was wondering how rugged these cameras are, and their comparison to the leica m3 in terms of performance.

 

[NL2377]

CV vs Leica... Its like RC paper vs FB... each has its benifits, though one usually prevails well ahead of the other depending on your perspective.

W/ that said, Ive owned both leica and CV, and have chosen leica as my primary RF gear. I do intend to purchase another CV body in the future, though... the thought of being able to have color and B&W film loaded at the same time has got me itching... (though I may end up just picking up another M2 if I score such a deal again)

 

[Magus]

Post deleted by posters request

 

[JCT]

FWIW, a few months ago I was in a similar situation and took the exact path suggested by Victor and David.

I was able to find a nice user M3 SS and Summicron 50/2 DR and about a month later added a goggled Summaron 28/3.5 .

Couldn't be happier with my first Leica kit.

JT

 

[jobo]

would a bessa r3a be a better camera for me?

Its selling points is the AE and 1x viewfinder (so you can look with both eyes and just see framelines around your subject). It should hold up to normal usage; I have a flimsier R and knock it around a fair bit without any issues so far.

2c, /J