Which one to start from?

[fbf]

I have been shooting with many RF cameras for the last five years. Recently purchased g2 with four lenses and now I am thinking about getting a leica to play with. My budget is no more than $1200 for a body and a lense. All suggestions are welcomed. 🙂

 

[FrankS]

If you need a built in meter then it's the M5 or M6 for about $1000. If you don't need a meter and shoot with 50mm lenses and longer, then the M3. If you don't need a meter and shoot 35mm lenses and longer, then the M2, M4, M4-2, or M4-P. These meterless cameras are about $700, depending greatly on condition. The M4 is more like $900.

 

[fbf]

Thank you Frank.
So for the meterless cameras, do I need a lightmeter?

 

[FrankS]

It depends. A small hand held meter can be very convenient, but not necessary. You can do a lot with exposure tables that provide aperture and shutter speed camera settings in various circumstances. Some exposures will be off, but you will learn with experience.

Here are some that I have memorized for 400 speed film:

direct sun: 1/500 sec @ f16 (sunny 16 rule)
Open shade or average cloudy day: 1/500 @ f5.6 (shady 5.6 rule)
institutional/office lighting: 1/60 @ f4
window light, subject close to window: 1/60 @ f4
indoor household lighting at night: 1/30 @ f2

 

[Steve Bellayr]

M6 + 50mm f2.0 will be over $1200. A G2 with four lenses seems to be a great set-up.