Wich cheap Leica?

[nikarlo]

Hi!
A friend of mine wish buy a cheap leica for collect or use. I think a leica with a 50mm above 400$. I can also do a free CLA....
Any advice? 😕
Suggestion?
Leica screw mount or M?
Best regards,
Carlo.

 

[RML]

For collecting you'll want a specimen that is immaculate, or as close to that as you can afford. For using you'll want one that can really be used. The difference might be several 1000s of dollars/euro.

A user M2 will be about 500-750 euro, excluding a lens. A user Leica III will set you back anything from about 200 euro, sometimes that can include a lens. Check eBay for prices. Be sure, though, to know what your friend wants BEFORE shelling out a wad of money!

 

[dll927]

There is no such thing as a "cheap Leica". You can go back 70 years ago, and the cost of a Leica was a good portion of a person's monthly pay. The only difference now is that it's probably MORE than a lot of peoples' monthly pay.

I have an M4-2 that I bought in 1983. I paid $800 for the body. Lately I've seen ads for used ones at that same price or higher. Yes, I know the value of the dollar has changed, but that still looks a little odd, although I'm not complaining!

 

[mad_boy]

Carlo your thread is confusing.

- Your friend may want to collect but does not know what he wants?
- You can do a CLA and your list does not show a Leica???

Let him first decide whether he wants to collect or use, this requires different camera's.
If he wants to use start with a FED to see if he likes it.
If he wants to collect, then start with saving and studying the options.

Mad_boy

(Leica's are never cheap. Cheap leica's are called FED or Zorki etc. 😀.)

 

[dll927]

However, I'd vote for Zorki instead of FED. I have Zorkis from 1 to 6, except for the 2, which I keep looking for. I decided I'd like some "colored" bodies, so got three FED 2's. To me, they don't measure up to Zorkis. Even have trouble getting the backs off & on to load. And some sites praise the FED 2 as better than some other models. Some claim the FED was a sort of "every man's" camera.

Having said all this, CAVEAT EMPTOR: A FED or Zorki is NOT a Leica.

 

[flashover]

If you intend to use the Lecia there are cameras to be had. I just recived this IIIc from a fellow RFF menber for a very reasonable price. It's not a collector, it's going to be used and has been used. It shows wear but is better then a lot I see on fleabay. It's better then what I was expecting for the price I paid. Anyway they are out there but if he wants to have a collector grade camera......tell him to sell his car.

 

[doubs43]

Flashover is pointing you in the right direction; the Leica IIIc is probably the most common model available and can be had for a reasonable amount of money.

Those who say that a collector's piece and a "user" are different are correct. A collector-quality Leica is generally worth too much money to be subjected to every day use. If your friend wants to take pictures, a user camera is what he wants.

While the FED and Zorki are capable enough, they are NOT a Leica by any stretch of the imagination. Get the Leica. Your friend will never regret it.

Walker

 

[nikarlo]

- Your friend may want to collect but does not know what he wants?

If he wants to use start with a FED to see if he likes it.
If he wants to collect, then start with saving and studying the options.

He wants a Leica without preferences for models, he would possess (=collect & use) a LEICA camera, not copy of Leica. He have also a hasselblad 500 cm kit....for use and collect. He wouldn't a mint body, and so I can buy a bargain body and CLA it.
I don't know quotation of leica and lens and I can't search for a cheapy leica screw mount or M type.
Sorry, but my english is very "cloudy" :bang:
Carlo.