I must be going nuts... I'm interested in a Leica.

[dmora]

Originally Posted by venchka

Back off. A nice M3 or M2, with a fresh CLA by Youxin Ye can be had for under $1,000. Same size as the MP. Pick the M2 if you crave a 35mm lens. Pick the M3 if you crave longer lenses. A clean M4 is probably the best of the early M bodies. The M5 is the best. Do it.

I traded an M5 body for a 1D Mk III body. The jury is still out.

whats the issue in picking one model vs the other for specific lenses?

I found a reasonably priced M3 on KEH. I'd need to find a 35 or 50mm lens to go with it.

[humminboid]

Originally Posted by dmora

I thought these were just the cameras of the trendy and well heeled or Bresson followers.


Then i went pricing today. HOLY POOP These suckers are NOT cost effective AT ALL. I found a used MP on the rangefinder forums for like $2500.
I should just buy a large format for that much.

Oh well. It was a nice thought at least.

Yes; Leicas are the stuff dreams are made of!

I used an M4 with the 50mm Summicron when I was in the Air Force. Sweeeeeet! The camera repairman never could get the self timer working again, after he had "adjusted" it for some reason or another. The rest worked o.k., tho.

But, us hackers here on the forum seem to do do pretty good with our plebian equipment.

[t3hx]

that M4 at the richmond camera repair is near MINT and its an even $1000 sounded great

They actually got it from a trade they said... and said they would actually do a trade for it...

Nothing of mine is worth $1000
it would take 3-4 of my cameras :)

[d2creative]

Originally Posted by dmora

Then i went pricing today. HOLY POOP These suckers are NOT cost effective AT ALL.

You're doing it wrong.

The ARE cost effective, ESPECIALLY when buying used.
You'll be able to sell it for almost what you paid for it.
Unlike my D700 that I'll be lucky to get 50% for when I sell it.

[groovyone]

Originally Posted by t3hx

that M4 at the richmond camera repair is near MINT and its an even $1000 sounded great

They actually got it from a trade they said... and said they would actually do a trade for it...

Nothing of mine is worth $1000
it would take 3-4 of my cameras :)

That is very tempting!

[PhotoByLeal]

HOLY POOP BATMAN!
I want one too, but the PRICE + WIFE =
It's nice to dream....... I'll get it, but not now.

[crackhead]

Originally Posted by dmora

whats the issue in picking one model vs the other for specific lenses?

I found a reasonably priced M3 on KEH. I'd need to find a 35 or 50mm lens to go with it.

The M3 has only 3 framelines: 50, 90,and 135. So you would need a 35mm lens with goggles, or a 35mm shoe viewfinder.

The M4/M4-2 will have the 35mm framelines. The M4-P and all later models (M6/M7/MP) have both the 28mm and 35mm.

The M5 (came out before the M4P) is known as the black sheep of the lineup, because it's larger and has a different form factor than the others. Ask Wayne. It won't accept the 21mm 3.4 Angulon because the lens protrudes too far into the body and would damage the needlestick meter.

[venchka]

OK, ask me. I dare you.

Scroll down to the Leica information. More than you need to know.

http://www.cameraquest.com/classics.htm

[msk2193]

The M6 TTL ought to fit the bill if you want to stick with 35mm.
I do believe that digital has surpassed this format and am extremely happy with my M9.
Of course it is "in" the lens of the Leica M series. As far as 120 and LF is concerned, film plus a good scanner are still "it" in my opinion!

[jtriron]

Yes you are.

[dmora]

I look at it this way... Buying a nice Leica and 1 lens... or taking a vacation to some place exotic.

Why cant i have both.

I think the M2 or M4 is what i'm looking for, per y'alls recomendation. I wish there was one around me that i could play with. I really liked TFP member madshutter's MP model Leica when i was hanging out with him in Istanbul. It felt rugged like my Nikon F2, but much lighter and smaller.

[venchka]

Stovall has an M3 & M4. If he will allow you to fondle them. The M3 has similar form factor to the M2. All M bodies through the M5 (best Leica ever) were assembled by hand in the traditional "fit and adjust" manner in Wetzler by experienced crafstmen. Made with brass instead of zinc.

[dmora]

Originally Posted by venchka

Stovall has an M3 & M4. If he will allow you to fondle them. The M3 has similar form factor to the M2. All M bodies through the M5 (best Leica ever) were assembled by hand in the traditional "fit and adjust" manner in Wetzler by experienced crafstmen. Made with brass instead of zinc.

What makes the M5 the bee's knees?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc....html/mode/edu

[venchka]

Shoot a dozen rolls of film, slide & B&W, with the M5. Then report back.

For me. For the way I use it. With the lenses I use. Bigfoot is the best camera I've ever used. Hving a pair of M5s was heaven. However, I traded Bubba for a digital camera. Expanding my capabilites, don't you know. I still have 2 rangefinder bodies and enough lenses for a lifetime.

The M5 at B&H could be Bubba. When I mailed him off, the inserts for the self-time and preview levers had come out. I had them and included them in the package. I bought the camera for $1,000, used it for 3+ years & sold it for $1,000.