Leica Rangefinder

[Bangles]

Hello everyone,
I am looking to acquire my first resale Leica rangefinder. I am looking to spend around $2k or less on a body. Given this budget, which camera body will give me the best value?
Many thanks for your time. :thumbsup:
B

 

[robertcapa]

Hello everyone,
I am looking to acquire my first resale Leica rangefinder. I am looking to spend around $2k or less on a body. Given this budget, which camera body will give me the best value?
Many thanks for your time. :thumbsup:
B

Get a M6 with metering to start off with.. but 2K will not be enough if you factor in lens. E.g. an M6 with 35mm summicron will be around 3.5K to 4K+. Another alternative is to get a CV lens which is cheaper.

 

[chiif]

There is one M6 for sale at http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=259776

As for lens to start off... the Voigtlander is definitly value for money. The 35mm/f2.5 PII is a very good companion for M6.

For complete price list of Voigtlander products, you can visit my web site: www.chiifcameras.com

Hope that helps!

 

[szekiat]

don't limit yourself to singapore. Look on the leica forum at photo.net and the classifieds at www.rangefinderforum.com as the US prices of things tend to be a lot less than the sg price. If u're not picky u can probably get an m6 for about 1.8kSGD. another consideration is that of a bessa r2a or r3a or a konica hexar rf. All superb rangefinders in my opinion.

 

[Bangles]

thanks guys for your thoughts and tips. I will do my research before plonking in the dough. ;p
cant wait to get my hands on one though! i suspect that 35mm photography will never feel the same again once i lay my hands on the m6.

 

[clubgrit]

Definitely different from your Hassy

But the Leicas have their own charm, particularly in B&W, and of course in discrete street shooting ... very quiet shutter, I read somewhere that some court rooms in the USA only allow Leicas inside to avoid disturbing court proceedings

And I second chiif's recommendation of the 35mm/f2.5 PII, I like this a lot ... chose it because of the contrast, rather than the wider f-stop models.


.

 

[Bangles]

thanks clubgrit. the hassy has a different sort of charm. i will be polygamous and love both!

i am happily to moving back to film - having 'burnt out' on my DSLR. my canon 20d feels heavier and heavier every single day... Anyway, who can dispute the romantic quality of film and that sweet camera sound at the end of each shoot?!! ;p

 

[clubgrit]

Same here ... polygamous and still loving the film medium ...

For digital, I wouldn't mind the new Hassy or Rollei . However, film still has something else that charms and touches us, I am not tempted at all for even a digital back ...

As for dispute, I just spoke with one DSLR user and he can't see what we see in film. I can't argue about that, in the end, it's just a matter of choosing which medium one is more comfortable with.



.

 

[jdredd]

thanks clubgrit. the hassy has a different sort of charm. i will be polygamous and love both!

i am happily to moving back to film - having 'burnt out' on my DSLR. my canon 20d feels heavier and heavier every single day... Anyway, who can dispute the romantic quality of film and that sweet camera sound at the end of each shoot?!! ;p

yea.. thats why i carry my bessa with me now on holidays... in fact been shooting more with it recently than the 30D.

 

[clubgrit]

This one looks good :

Leica M4 chrome

I posted some remarks on the thread as well ... CLA's I've had done at DAG USA cost me around USD 400++ each including shipping back and forth ... and that doesn't include changin the top and bottom plates, if one wanted to.

Just my preference ... on the other hand, I only like my M6 TTL for its bigger shutter dial - not for its TTL, not for its metering ...

Hello everyone,
I am looking to acquire my first resale Leica rangefinder. I am looking to spend around $2k or less on a body. Given this budget, which camera body will give me the best value?
Many thanks for your time. :thumbsup:
B

 

[Bangles]

seems that keh.com has better deals on the Leica M6...

 

[clubgrit]

I heard good things about KEH too, just that never needed anything from them so far ...

Then you could probably get them to send it to DAG Camera Parts or Sherry Krauter for full CLA, if you want to ... saves on shipping costs ...

But if you want M6, I would rather just buy the M6 TTL 0.72 from Sherry Krauter, USD 1550, like new in box (stock no. MC00031). At least you are sure assured everything is proper. Her normal M4s are more expensive (ebay would be cheaper), and I would say she knows, after all only a few M4s were made and built like tanks ...



.

 

[Bangles]

thanks v much for that link.
also on that note abt the m4. i didnt know that fact abt the tank-like build of the m4 and its relative scarcity. worth another look.
cheers!

 

[clubgrit]

Here are 2 good references :

Leica M Guide

How to choose a Leica M version



.

 

[Bangles]

Club,
I have indeed underestimated what the amount of research/groundwork that I would need to do before I decide on a model. I think I will give myself the time and space to explore... afterall, the latest version may not be the best as these articles so eloquently point out.
What I want is a classic camera - one I will be happy and grow with until I am 60. Hope I will find something good and right (price and emotional quotient). Sherry's will definitely be an option.
Cheers, B

 

[robertcapa]

I heard good things about KEH too, just that never needed anything from them so far ...

Then you could probably get them to send it to DAG Camera Parts or Sherry Krauter for full CLA, if you want to ... saves on shipping costs ...

But if you want M6, I would rather just buy the M6 TTL 0.72 from Sherry Krauter, USD 1550, like new in box (stock no. MC00031). At least you are sure assured everything is proper. Her normal M4s are more expensive (ebay would be cheaper), and I would say she knows, after all only a few M4s were made and built like tanks ...



.

Thought you might be interested -> http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost-classifieds/showproduct.php?product=3777&cat=10

 

[CooperS]

There's a nice chrome M6 over at P&G down at Adelphi. I think only going for S$2050.

I asked Andrew on the low selling price and the answer was, 'Owner wanted to sell low....so we sell just enough for a profit'.

Might be worth checking it out.

Good luck.

 

[intosite]

There's a nice chrome M6 over at P&G down at Adelphi. I think only going for S$2050.

I asked Andrew on the low selling price and the answer was, 'Owner wanted to sell low....so we sell just enough for a profit'.

Might be worth checking it out.

Good luck.

That's quite a good price..

There's a shop at Peninsula 2nd floor... Quoted me $2600 on a M6 black...

Btw is it possible to get Black lacquer painted top n bass plates for the m6ttl?

 

[szekiat]

sure it is, just costs a bomb. I believe the original one was the M6J. If not, CRR over here in the uk does painting at £200 a go

 

[windraider]

Last time I was at the Camera Hospital (Sunshine Plaza @ Selegie Rd) there was a M6 body that was available at $1800.
There is also a M3 available, loved its classic handling and viewfinder, but can't remember how much.

But getting a decent priced Leica lens might be a problem though.
Couldn't find a clean Summicron 50/2 below $1k or a 35/2 below $1.4k