wstotler Posted February 15, 2007 Share #1 Posted February 15, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'm headed on vacation in about a week and would like to pick up a backup camera for the M8--just to be on the safe side. I can't justify another M8. And I don't really want to buy a new M film body when for about 1/3 more I could have another M8. Used, I've seen film Ms of various varieties in "good condition" on the Web (dealers who grade the cameras they sell--not on eBay or the like) for between $800 and $2.5K. The $1K to $1.5K pricepoint seems reasonable (to me) for a used M camera that works but is not one of the inherently "collectable" Leica variety--correct me if you think I'm way off. Any suggestions for reputable dealers or people? E.g., if I see them advertising a used M online I know the dealer has done his or her homework and that the rangefinder works, the meter works, the shutter has clean actuation, camera has all its bits and bobs, etc., etc. In other words, you pay the money and apart from some cosmetic issues, the camera is in great shape. Places like Tamarkin, for example? Thanks! Will Edit: Another idea? What about a R2A Bessa, new, from Cameraquest? It has the 35mm and 50mm framelines I need. The price is certainly right. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 15, 2007 Posted February 15, 2007 Hi wstotler, Take a look here Backup for M8 - Appropriate used film M?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
chap Posted February 15, 2007 Share #2 Posted February 15, 2007 Might I suggest the Leica D-Lux 2 or 3. Very small camera, up to 16.9 aspect ratio, very small batteries and charger compared to the M8 (please take note Leica), and uses the same SD cards as the M8. A great "pocket" and back-up camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuny Posted February 15, 2007 Share #3 Posted February 15, 2007 If you decide to go for a film M, Tamarkin in NY and Bergen County Camera in northern NJ are MOST reliable. If you want to take Chap's suggestion, another, smaller, cheaper approach is the C-Lux-1. I've gotten very good results from it. On our site, in the New York Photo Galleries, the second half of the 3rd page photos are all with the Panasonic version of that camera, as are all but one photo on the 4th page. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted February 15, 2007 Share #4 Posted February 15, 2007 Or a good used Digilux2. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wstotler Posted February 15, 2007 Author Share #5 Posted February 15, 2007 Thanks chap, stuny, and jaapv for your quick responses. I contacted Bergen County Camera, they demonstrated good knowledge of the M line, and I picked up a used M6 TTL 0.72 chrome at what seems to be a fair price--should be here tomorrow. BTW, jaapv--I moved up and in to the M8 from the Digilux 2. It's been sold. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ddp Posted February 15, 2007 Share #6 Posted February 15, 2007 Thanks chap, stuny, and jaapv for your quick responses. I contacted Bergen County Camera, they demonstrated good knowledge of the M line, and I picked up a used M6 TTL 0.72 chrome at what seems to be a fair price--should be here tomorrow. BTW, jaapv--I moved up and in to the M8 from the Digilux 2. It's been sold. Bergen County Camera is my main Leica dealer....and I can concur that they know their M stuff. Congrats on the new M.....always nice to see anohter film body going to a nice home. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted February 15, 2007 Share #7 Posted February 15, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) BTW, jaapv--I moved up and in to the M8 from the Digilux 2. It's been sold. So did I - so I felt I had to buy a second M8 as backup...... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Sprow Posted February 15, 2007 Share #8 Posted February 15, 2007 I will be leaving for a month in Zimbabwe and Zambia soon and part of the time will not be able to count on reliable battery charging -- nor for that matter do I have total confidence in any digital camera. I'll be travelling with my M8, several batteries and the car charger cord, and an M7, for which a number of batteries can be easily carried as well as operable in (limited) mechanical mode. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted February 15, 2007 Share #9 Posted February 15, 2007 Interesting- which parts will you be visiting? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
grober Posted February 15, 2007 Share #10 Posted February 15, 2007 Will, For my M8 backup I'd like to have another M8. That's not possible yet, so I elected to buy the C/V R2M from CameraQuest. It has a very well thought out meter display in the viewfinder and is easy to use. (I bought the 50mm Heliar with it and often use this lens on the M8.) The R2M is also the only camera with a single viewfinder frame for the 75mm. Another choice would be a clean M6, classic or TTL. -g Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Sprow Posted February 15, 2007 Share #11 Posted February 15, 2007 To jappv's comment, I will be in the border area of both countries on or near the river all the way into Mozambique, observing and photographing various peoples and animals. The last trip into Zimbabwe I had a disposable camera stolen in customs -- left untouched was my D2X. Go figure! Frank Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wstotler Posted February 15, 2007 Author Share #12 Posted February 15, 2007 Congrats on the new M.....always nice to see anohter film body going to a nice home. Thanks for the congrats. Film isn't my first choice. But this is a "good home" I think. I like the convenience of the digital workflow and immediate previews of what I've just shot. The good news is that on this camera my 35mm Cron will be a 35. My 50mm Cron will be a 50. And the C/V 15 mm will be a 15. And I can feel good that my holiday isn't spoiled by a "broken" M8, if it freezes or locks up. I just quietly curse Leica, switch to the M6, and keep going. Later! Thanks, Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
carstenw Posted February 15, 2007 Share #13 Posted February 15, 2007 Will, I was going to recommend a M6 TTL myself, but then I saw that you bought this one. The nice thing about this camera (and the M7) vs. the M6 is that the shutter speed dial is the same size, and rotates in the same direction as the M8. Additionally, the meter lights in the finder are the same, I think. I have an M6, which is really nice, but I might upgrade to an M6 TTL one day if I can't think of another lens to buy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
enboe Posted February 15, 2007 Share #14 Posted February 15, 2007 If you wish to share where you are vacationing, a forum member may live near by, and could potentially help in the event of a failure. I would have no problem loaning out my backup M6TTL if I was holding your broken M8 for collateral (wink, wink). Also, you could look into what dealers are in the vacation area, and see if they have rentals. Lastly, you could mail-order rent from Calumet, Samys, or such a business. Eric Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
scho Posted February 15, 2007 Share #15 Posted February 15, 2007 Will, For my M8 backup I'd like to have another M8. That's not possible yet, so I elected to buy the C/V R2M from CameraQuest. It has a very well thought out meter display in the viewfinder and is easy to use. (I bought the 50mm Heliar with it and often use this lens on the M8.) The R2M is also the only camera with a single viewfinder frame for the 75mm. Another choice would be a clean M6, classic or TTL. -g Grober, How do you like the 50 Heliar on the M8? I use this lens on my R-D1 and like the images it produces, but I wasn't sure how it would perform on the M8 (still waiting for mine). If you have any sample images from the 50 Heliar/M8 posted I would love to see them. Carl Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wstotler Posted February 16, 2007 Author Share #16 Posted February 16, 2007 Will, I was going to recommend a M6 TTL myself, but then I saw that you bought this one. The nice thing about this camera (and the M7) vs. the M6 is that the shutter speed dial is the same size, and rotates in the same direction as the M8. Additionally, the meter lights in the finder are the same, I think. I have an M6, which is really nice, but I might upgrade to an M6 TTL one day if I can't think of another lens to buy Carsten--thanks for the comments. I'd like to say there was that much forethought put into it (regarding similarities to an M8) but I'd be lying. The price was good, it was chrome, it had metering, and it was in great condition. I'm hoping it's not a dud when it gets here--testing this weekend! First time shooting film in a decade. (Ask me about my QuickTake 200.) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wstotler Posted February 16, 2007 Author Share #17 Posted February 16, 2007 If you wish to share where you are vacationing, a forum member may live near by, and could potentially help in the event of a failure. I would have no problem loaning out my backup M6TTL if I was holding your broken M8 for collateral (wink, wink). Also, you could look into what dealers are in the vacation area, and see if they have rentals. Lastly, you could mail-order rent from Calumet, Samys, or such a business. Eric Eric--thanks for the great suggestions. I'm OK with owning another M to back the M8 up. Another M8 would be ideal but it's OK. Maybe later. Plus I can do that "Yeah, I'm a photographer" thing because I can now wear two Ms at once when I go shoot. (Hear the incoming artillery shells from other forum members regarding that last comment? I do.) Seriously, though, thanks for your suggestion and I'll keep it in mind for the future. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wstotler Posted February 16, 2007 Author Share #18 Posted February 16, 2007 BTW, QuickTake 200 information here: QuickTake 200/Fuji DS-7 Users' Page That's only 10 years ago, folks. Later! Will Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wstotler Posted February 16, 2007 Author Share #19 Posted February 16, 2007 Update: The M6 TTL arrived today. Packed in its original box and case with all literature and the strap (in its little box). The Bergen County Camera people noted that there was slight "pitting" in a few places on the M6's chrome from being kept in a case for years, but you *really* have to look to see that. If they hadn't told me I probably wouldn't have noticed. In this case "used" sure feels like "new." I have to run some film through it to make sure everything is OK mechanically, but it looks good at the moment. So, BCC is on my "OK to deal with" list now. The product they shipped exceeded expectations--I'd buy used from them again, for sure. Just wanted to get that logged into this thread. Again--thanks to everyone who provided advice and help with getting me set up before I head out on vacation. Thanks, Will Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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