What is a good starter Leica system?

[Leongfm]

Hi to all the rangefinder users here...

Lately I have been thinking of getting a basic Leica M system (body + 1 lens). I did some research on the Internet and was very overwhelmed by great variety of bodies and lens that Leica produced. I never imagined that it is so complex!

I owned a full manual SLR (Pentax K1000) before and is now on DSLR 100%. The reason why I am thinking of owning a Leica is because I want to appreciate the fine manual camera and to shoot film occasionally.

What is a good starter system (body + 1 lens)? (body, viewfinder magnification, lens, etc.) Where do I go to buy these? What kind of budget am I looking at? (I don't mind second hand equipment).

Thanks.

FM

 

[SzennyBoy]

How are you at using a handheld meter? If you are fairly proficient then something like the M4-P will serve you nicely. If you want to have internal metering, than you'll need the M6 classic (non-TTL) minimum and that is more expensive. For proper TTL flash photography usage, You'll want the M6-TTL. The new M7 gives you the extra capability of having aperture-priority (Leica call it "AUTO") but that cost almost twice the price of the M4-P.

For a simple 1 body, 1 lens outfit, a M4-P or a M6/M6-TTL (0.72x) with a 35/2 Summicron will serve you nicely. If you rather have a tele, then the 90/2 Summicron would be the alternative choice.

Cost wise you'll need to ask the S'pore fellas as I'm no longer based there. Expect to pay around 1500 SGD for a M4-P body alone and the lens will set you back another 1000 SGD (depending on model and version).

 

[Leongfm]

How are you at using a handheld meter? If you are fairly proficient then something like the M4-P will serve you nicely. If you want to have internal metering, than you'll need the M6 classic (non-TTL) minimum and that is more expensive. For proper TTL flash photography usage, You'll want the M6-TTL. The new M7 gives you the extra capability of having aperture-priority (Leica call it "AUTO") but that cost almost twice the price of the M4-P.

For a simple 1 body, 1 lens outfit, a M4-P or a M6/M6-TTL (0.72x) with a 35/2 Summicron will serve you nicely. If you rather have a tele, then the 90/2 Summicron would be the alternative choice.

Cost wise you'll need to ask the S'pore fellas as I'm no longer based there. Expect to pay around 1500 SGD for a M4-P body alone and the lens will set you back another 1000 SGD (depending on model and version).

Hi Szenny Boy

Thank you very much for the reply which is very helpful...it really clarifies a lot of the questions I have. As I am not keen to use a handheld meter I will go for a M6 Classic or M6 TTL (0.72x) and a 35/2 Summicron lens.

Now the chellenge is where to look for a reasonably priced set... Is buying from overseas a good idea?...where to start? Thanks

FM

 

[kingpin]

Now the chellenge is where to look for a reasonably priced set... Is buying from overseas a good idea?...where to start? Thanks

FM

FM,

Buying overseas for new Leica set is usually cheaper as the Singapore stores has a higher mark up.

But buying USED is tricky. If u are not familiar with how to check the condition and age of the camera then its better to go to reputable shops or buy from someone who has the receipts. Leicas are very well build and u should be able to get good condition ones. A useful guide is look at our local shops selling used Leica M6s and summicron 35/2 (since u indicate u are interested in this set up). Mark down about 10-20 % for overseas buys. Check on ebay and u have feel of the going prices. Note the prices vary a lot.

Ron Camera in Adelphi; TCW and Prime Cameras in the Peninisula area should be good start points. Just ask and get them to tell u what to look for. Ron is an enthusiast and he shoots Leica Ms still. He's very knowledgeable. But bear in mind he is selling so discern what he's telling u. TCW and Prime are not so helpful.

Oh, if u have not used RFs before, do some reading on what to look out for. They are different from SLRs. Go to www.imx.nl and www.cameraquest.com for some useful reading about leicas. I'm sure there are others who can recommend u other sites.

 

[vikasmg]

Hi Szenny Boy

Thank you very much for the reply which is very helpful...it really clarifies a lot of the questions I have. As I am not keen to use a handheld meter I will go for a M6 Classic or M6 TTL (0.72x) and a 35/2 Summicron lens.

Now the chellenge is where to look for a reasonably priced set... Is buying from overseas a good idea?...where to start? Thanks

FM

If you're happy with a using the following lenses: 40mm, 50mm and 90mm you might want to consider a used Leica CL ore a Leitz-Minolta CL which is more compact and much lighter. You could also use a 35mm lens with is because with the 40mm view in the viewfinder it's not hard to extimate the 35mm view. Any wider lens would require a viewfinder attachment. Also, focal lengths longer than 90mm are not really a good idea with this camera. If you can live with that a CL is a great camera. Still cheaper, smaller and lighter.

- Vikas

 

[glchua]

Lots of good advice here. I would just like to add that if you wear glasses, you might not be able to see the entire framelines easily for 35mm lenses with a 0.72X viewfinder. Of course it varies from person-to-person, but I couldn't so I have to look for a 0.58X then.

Buying new in Singapore has one very big advantage even though you are paying maybe 10% more. For bodies, there is Leica Passport Warranty which if I remember correctly is 2+3 years. Lenses are 3 years. Most work except calibrations can be done locally. If your warranty is not local, then you might need to send to Germany yourself with a turnaround time of more than a month. My 35/2 cron suffered a noisy aperture after 1 month which although fine, but it irritates, so I just sent it in locally and it was ready in a week. Leicas are although nice, but nothing is ever perfect.

Enjoy if you ever get your hands on one, I couldn't resist after I handled the MP just for fun.

 

[bcoolboy]

Try to look at the Voigtlander Bessa R2 or R2A or R3A systems. They may suit your needs. They also come in entry level prices (Bessa R2).

Cheers,
bcoolboy

 

[nickmak]

Hi to all the rangefinder users here...

Lately I have been thinking of getting a basic Leica M system (body + 1 lens). I did some research on the Internet and was very overwhelmed by great variety of bodies and lens that Leica produced. I never imagined that it is so complex!

I owned a full manual SLR (Pentax K1000) before and is now on DSLR 100%. The reason why I am thinking of owning a Leica is because I want to appreciate the fine manual camera and to shoot film occasionally.

What is a good starter system (body + 1 lens)? (body, viewfinder magnification, lens, etc.) Where do I go to buy these? What kind of budget am I looking at? (I don't mind second hand equipment).

Thanks.

FM

Since its been all-SLR for you, why not get a mechanical SLR? A used Nikon FM with a 50mm lens should be rather cheap.... ish...

 

[ratboy]

Since its been all-SLR for you, why not get a mechanical SLR? A used Nikon FM with a 50mm lens should be rather cheap.... ish...

hmmm .. he has a manual mechanical slr ( K1000 )
if you only intend to get a RF + one lens
maybe can decide what lens you like and get a fixed lens RF
that should help lower the cost.

Alternatively, the K1000 is still an excellent manual camera,
just not a RF....

 

[chgoh]

hmmm .. he has a manual mechanical slr ( K1000 )
if you only intend to get a RF + one lens
maybe can decide what lens you like and get a fixed lens RF
that should help lower the cost.

Alternatively, the K1000 is still an excellent manual camera,
just not a RF....

Maybe he doesn't want a fixed lens RF, since he titled his post "... good starter Leica system".

Any way here's my take:

M6 Classic (meter) or M4-P (no meter)
35'cron (not the ASPH) or a 50'cron (the one with the removeable hood).

chgoh

 

[Leongfm]

Bcoolboy, Nickmak, Ratboy and CHGoh

Thanks for the advice. I have more or less decided on an M6 + a 35mm Summicron lens as a starter system. However, I am still thinking as this is a sizable spending even for second hand stuff.

FM

 

[chgoh]

Bcoolboy, Nickmak, Ratboy and CHGoh

Thanks for the advice. I have more or less decided on an M6 + a 35mm Summicron lens as a starter system. However, I am still thinking as this is a sizable spending even for second hand stuff.

FM

Actually now M6s are quite reasonablely priced, I think about 2K-2.2K if I'm still up to date. Some diligence might reward with slightly <2K. As for the 35'crons, I'm not sure how much they go for now. I guess in the end, you would be parting with 3K to 3.3K.

chgoh

 

[chgoh]

Bcoolboy, Nickmak, Ratboy and CHGoh

Thanks for the advice. I have more or less decided on an M6 + a 35mm Summicron lens as a starter system. However, I am still thinking as this is a sizable spending even for second hand stuff.

FM

Have you looked at this WTS thread?

chgoh