Switching systems!


jrhellboy

New Member
Hello all, i've been a street photographer for more then a year now and i've been wanting to move to a leica system. Any suggestions on where to get a leica m9? and a 35mm f1.4 to go along! thanks alot:)
 

Leica Boutique Store, Raffles Hotel Shopping Arcade
 

ben photo, cathay photo/any dealers like gope photo/leica store in sg.

personally i bought from benphoto. lens wise wont be easy to get 35mm 1.4 (esp. the FLE version), so gl to getting ur lenses for leica system.. lol
 

M9 relatively easy to find... It's any lenses that you want that will take some time.
 

BNS is a great way to get M9s. Cheaper than shops too!
 

Honestly better go and try whether you like first or not. Some people don't really know what they're getting themselves into when they go for RF.. then regret having shelled out money because they're more comfortable with DSLRs...
 

Honestly better go and try whether you like first or not. Some people don't really know what they're getting themselves into when they go for RF.. then regret having shelled out money because they're more comfortable with DSLRs...

I think the bigger danger will be falling completely in love with rangefinders and spending an obscene amount of money buying lenses.

I recently bought a Sigma SD-1, quirky camera, I also bought all the prime lenses, 30/1.4, 50/1.4, 85/1.4 and 20/1.8, 24/1.8 and 28/1.8, the price for the 6 lenses costs less than a 35mm Summilux:p
 

I think the bigger danger will be falling completely in love with rangefinders and spending an obscene amount of money buying lenses.

I recently bought a Sigma SD-1, quirky camera, I also bought all the prime lenses, 30/1.4, 50/1.4, 85/1.4 and 20/1.8, 24/1.8 and 28/1.8, the price for the 6 lenses costs less than a 35mm Summilux:p

You're hitting a lot of people's embarrassing spot...... mine included... :P
 

I think the bigger danger will be falling completely in love with rangefinders and spending an obscene amount of money buying lenses.

I recently bought a Sigma SD-1, quirky camera, I also bought all the prime lenses, 30/1.4, 50/1.4, 85/1.4 and 20/1.8, 24/1.8 and 28/1.8, the price for the 6 lenses costs less than a 35mm Summilux:p

Wow cool! But why both 24mm and 28mm?
 

Wow cool! But why both 24mm and 28mm?

Hard to believe for such an expensive camera but the SD-1 is not full frame, it has 1.5 crop factor so the 24mm effectively becomes a 36mm and the 28mm becomes a 42mm.

And the other more honest answer is I like lenses, I have a 24mm Summilux and a 28mm Summicron as well and while the difference is very slight, it is just fun for the extra variety.

Back to the original topic, are you buying new or used? If you are buying used, the Buy and Sell section in these forums has some pretty good deals, you can also try places like Ben Photo, Prime Photo, Alex Photo, P&G etc. Ben Photo occasionally has parallel import sets that are new and quite a bit cheaper than the local sets. Warranty maybe an issue though.

For new, the 5 major M dealers are Alan Photo, Cathay Photo, Gope's, Max Photo and the Leica Shop at Raffles. Where you buy from really depends on who offers the best price. Depending on how well you know them, the discount can be significant.

Getting the M9 is the easy part. It is the lenses that are going to be a problem. Fast lenses f/2 and faster, meaning the Summicron, Summilux and Noctilux are normally not readily available. Place an order, leave a deposit if possible and wait will be the best option.

The Leica Shop tends to get more stock than the others but their waiting list is also alot longer.

Buying used is a good option, again the B&S section here is a gold mine, do your homework and find out the list price of the lenses because there are some sellers that will sell you a lens above list, nothing wrong with that for those who don't want to wait and are willing to pay a premium.

Lastly, Voightlander lenses are always a decent alternative and you can get that from Chiif.
 

Sure anot? buy&sell section is gold mine? hehe really so good meh.

My advice is:

1. If you are user, not collector, buy those lens that got minor imperfections like cleaning marks or paint brassing. No need mint. Liddat alot cheaper.

2. Some non 6 bit coded lenses alot cheaper than coded. You dun really need 6 bit coding. Manual set the lens yourself. Non coded lens is cheaper

3. M9 nowadays easy to find.

4. Zeiss and CV lenses are great alternatives. Alot cheaper
 

There is some 50 !!! Leica Summilux 35 1.4 ASPH on the order list at the Leica Store...... Ive seen the list..... good luck ;)
 

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