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mike_h · 05/14/08, 07:58 AM

Hi Tony,

If you have an F2 without much invested in it then hang onto that for your reflex camera.

That means that if you're interested in Leica it will be the Leica M.

If you want a meter then at a modest price you could go for a M6 - either classic or TTL. If you have more to spend and absolutely must have aperture priority auto exposure then it has to be the M7, otherwise for the best Leica of modern times try the MP - but it will cost.

If you don't need TTL metering then I would go for an M4, M4-2 or M4-P, each a good camera and with the benefit of the rapid load system and because they are not so old then without some of the viewfinder issues of older cameras.

If you want a real tactile pleasure then try the M3 - limited viewfinder frames and some viewfinder issues in some examples. Also note that an M3 can be up to 54 years old. They are great cameras but even the best show their age in some small way - as do all of us.

More important is the glass that you put on the camera. All Leica glass is good - some is just better than others. It is too long a discussion to go through all the lenses, but in my humble any of the Summicrons (f2 lenses) from the last 30 or so years is a good start - probably in 50mm but perhaps in 35mm. Then you can add other focal lengths as you see fit and if you want to get a little carried away then you can look at the Summilux lenses from the same period (f1.4) or the Noctilux (50mm f1.0 in the latest variant). The modern Apo and Asph. lenses are superb but they cost money.

Many others will have much more detailed views than I do and much more in-depth knowledge. With a little care checking for obvious problems it's hard to go wrong as long as you shop wisely and don't splash your cash too liberally.

I started with an M4-2 and a 1970s 35mm Summicron and a 70s Tele-Elmarit, the thin version. Neither the camera nor the lenses are necessarily the best that Leica has to offer but they are each wonderful tools.

Happy exploration,

Mike

05/14/08, 07:58 AM	#8 (permalink)
mike_h Neuer Benutzer Join Date: 02/21/06 Posts: 15	Re: Hello and Question Hi Tony, If you have an F2 without much invested in it then hang onto that for your reflex camera. That means that if you're interested in Leica it will be the Leica M. If you want a meter then at a modest price you could go for a M6 - either classic or TTL. If you have more to spend and absolutely must have aperture priority auto exposure then it has to be the M7, otherwise for the best Leica of modern times try the MP - but it will cost. If you don't need TTL metering then I would go for an M4, M4-2 or M4-P, each a good camera and with the benefit of the rapid load system and because they are not so old then without some of the viewfinder issues of older cameras. If you want a real tactile pleasure then try the M3 - limited viewfinder frames and some viewfinder issues in some examples. Also note that an M3 can be up to 54 years old. They are great cameras but even the best show their age in some small way - as do all of us. More important is the glass that you put on the camera. All Leica glass is good - some is just better than others. It is too long a discussion to go through all the lenses, but in my humble any of the Summicrons (f2 lenses) from the last 30 or so years is a good start - probably in 50mm but perhaps in 35mm. Then you can add other focal lengths as you see fit and if you want to get a little carried away then you can look at the Summilux lenses from the same period (f1.4) or the Noctilux (50mm f1.0 in the latest variant). The modern Apo and Asph. lenses are superb but they cost money. Many others will have much more detailed views than I do and much more in-depth knowledge. With a little care checking for obvious problems it's hard to go wrong as long as you shop wisely and don't splash your cash too liberally. I started with an M4-2 and a 1970s 35mm Summicron and a 70s Tele-Elmarit, the thin version. Neither the camera nor the lenses are necessarily the best that Leica has to offer but they are each wonderful tools. Happy exploration, Mike