Which Leica?

[1750Shooter]

Sounds silly, I guess, but I'm thinking of taking the Leica plunge. Looked at bunches - prices from just "wow" to "insane". Have been using FSU rangefinders so I'm familiar with the type. Kind of like the M-4 & M-5. Any recommendations for a 1st one. Don't need coupled meter, but would like an uncoupled one. Thanks for any help.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

M2, M3, M4, all IIIs (IIIa, IIIb, IIIc, IIIf) for meterless.

 

[batterytypehah!]

Which lenses are you planning to use?

 

[Vics]

I only have the M3, but I must say I'm yearning for a IIIc with 50/3.5 Elmar. I want small and jewel-like. I think LTM is the way to go if the M prices give you pause. My kids GAVE me my M3, and I can't buy the lenses I'd like to have, but it's a whole different picture in Barnack cameras. IIIc and 50 Elmar for, say, $900? Gives you room to grow.

 

[philipus]

I have an M3 and the viewfinder is amazing. One sometimes reads that the M3 is a no-go because it's "smallest" frameline is 50mm. But there are 35mm lenses with goggles to adjust the viewfinder. At least for my style of photography this is the camera to have. I don't miss wider angle lenses at all.

I also have a Leica II and it is also great though it is a bit more difficult to focus with it because of the older and much much smaller rangefinder. There's something about taking pictures with an almost 100-year-old camera (well soon it will be at least). Small and truly portable with a collapsible Elmar.

Hope it helps and good luck!
Philip

___________________
http://philipus.com

 

[jsrockit]

I'd say stay away from the barnacks (this time anyway) and get yourself a M2 or M3... or M6 if you can swing it. Also, don't let people tell you that you NEED a Leica lens. Voigtlander and Zeiss make some great lenses now and Nikon and Canon did in the past.

 

[kshapero]

I'd say stay away from the barnacks (this time anyway) and get yourself a M2 or M3... or M6 if you can swing it. Also, don't let people tell you that you NEED a Leica lens. Voigtlander and Zeiss make some great lenses now and Nikon and Canon did in the past.

I do agree with this assessment.

 

[Bingley]

My first Leica was an M2. I still have it and use it a lot. If you will be shooting mainly w/ 35 and 50 lenses, this is an excellent way to go, and an M2 in good user condition will cost less than, say, a new Bessa.

 

[Lauffray]

"prices from just "wow" to "insane"" - Welcome to the madhouse !
If you want my opinion, if you want Leica glass, buy the lens first then the body, unless you want both in one purchase. With the M9 and digital M mount cameras, glass will only get more expensive, while film M bodies haven't gained as much. I could be wrong, but that's my impression from following the trends for a year now.

Otherwise, like everyone said, M2, M3, M4s can be found for a "reasonable" price (Leica adjusted of course ) and Zeiss lenses are not to be underestimated. Keep checking KEH and good luck

 

[Messsucherkamera]

Take a look at the M4-P

Take a look at the M4-P

I would recommend an M4-P for your first M body. They run from around $750 for a decent user example rated at "8" (give or take) up to around $1400 for an as new pristine specimen.

The M4-P has bright lines from 28mm to 135mm. There is no onboard meter, but that is not really a big issue - for me, at least as I tend to do alot of hand metering to begin with. If you really want a built in meter, the M6 classic is hard to beat for a pre-owned M camera.

As far as lenses, look for a nice used 50/2 Summicron or the 50/2.8 Elmar and/or a nice used 28mm Elamarit. These lenses can be found for reasonable prices ($500-600 for the 50s and $900-1000 for the 28).

So there you go: It is possible to get a decent used M body and one lens for around $1200 to $1500, if you shop hard and $2000-3000 for a pristine M4-P and a minty 28mm and 50mm lens set.

Two good places to start shopping are www.sherrykrauter.com and www.camerawest.com

 

[huntjump]

I'd recommend M2, M3, M4-P, M4 or M6

If you shoot primarily 35mm, then id say skip the m3 for now. I've had all the cameras above, and i personally like my m6 the most all around, with each one having their +s

 

[rogerzilla]

Threadmounts are fine, with accurate if squinty focusing, but eventually the parallax problems will catch you out.

CV lenses may not be as well built as Leica lenses but optically you'd be pushed to see any difference between the better CV lenses (there are a few dogs in the range, like some of the Noktons) and Leica. A good example of a CV lens can be better than a poor example of a Leica lens.

 

[AndySig]

I've got an M6 ttl and an M4. Both are wonderful but the one I wouldn't be without is the M4. It just oozes quality and I now aspire to owning no other 35 mm camera.

 

[Moriturii]

M4-P, it's a M6 with no meter for half the price, what else could you wish for? AND it has 28mm framelines.

 

[MISH]

I have to agree with what Moiturii and Messsucherkamera said above about the M4-p, I think for the price it is a great starter camera

 

[nanthor]

Have you handled any of the M cameras? There's a big difference between the feel of an M4 and M5. Most folks prefer the smaller and more sensuous traditional M body but I like the M5 not for the feel and size but for it's features, especially the fine metering and easy to change shutter dial. It would have been great if Leica could have made the M5 the same size as the other M's with M5 features. If metering is a requirement, take a look at the M5's. Bob.

 

[redisburning]

I like my M2 with a 50mm lens. I wear glasses so I went with that over the M3 as it's hard to see the edges.

I chose the Zeiss 50mm f2 planar over the DR/rigid 'cron since I like to shoot color film. None of the other M mount native 50mm lenses excited me that much except for some I couldn't afford (asph lux, all version of the noct)

 

[v3cron]

My preference is M2 (without the pesky self timer lever). Then M4, then M4-2. I hate the clutter of the later finders.

If I did not wear glasses, I'd look at the M3 as well for my 50mm shooting.

 

[Turtle]

M2, M4, M4-P etc.

 

[maddoc]

M2, M4, (but calculate the price for a possibly necessary overhaul, not dip-into-oil-CLA), M4-2, and M4-P with the best work-horse being the M4-P. If it has to be a meter then the M6 is your first choice. Add a 40mm M-Rokkor CLE and you will be done for a while ! Depending on how careful you shop, such a set-up (M4-2 + 40mm M-Rokkor) can be bought for US$ 900 in excellent condition.