Upon acceptance, I'll treat myself to a Leica! (a long self-intro)

[Niandra]

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Photography is something I've been interested since a very early age.

 

I'm now 20 years old and my love for photography only grows stronger each and every passing day. I devote most of my time to searching around for the perfect shot and thinking up new, thought-provoking, images in my head which I'd like to compose and subsequently photograph.

 

A Leica camera is something I've now desired for years. It was always something that was out of reach, due to lack of finances. I'd be lying if I told you that it's currently within financial reach for me- it isn't. When I did have money I'd always spend it on either musical equipment (music is just as much, if not more, a passion as photography) or trips to exotic places.

 

Well, I've got all the musical equipment anyone could ever need and I've a passport full of all sorts of foreign stickers and stamps. At 20 I've been to over 25 countries. Sure, there's still a bunch more to go, but I think I've done alright!

 

I've been studying a subject towards which I have not a single ounce of passion for. Business. I've studied it since age 17 and have never done well in any of my classes. Until recently I used to blame my 'failure' on my being incompetent, stupid and just childish. That may hold some truth, but it was only a few months ago that I realized why I'd been flunking classes left and right and couldn't pay attention to my studies. It's simply because my head (and heart) are with another subject all together. Photography. You can expect a highly artistic person such as myself to study a dull and boring subject such as business. The reason for my previous "failures" is/was simply disinterest.

 

As a result I've decided to "drop out" of my program all together and do something I really feel for. Go to school for photography.

 

I'll be applying in about two weeks time to a very highly regarded private photography school/institue in Paris, called "Speos". I'm excited beyond words about this new venture of mine and am confident that I will be accepted into the school. I'm to submit 10-15 of my best works, along with a letter stating why I feel I'm a good candidate for acceptance, and a resume. I didn't at all get hung up on the whole "highly regarded" school bit, but rather the fact that it seems like a place driven by real passionate people, not to mention the fact that it's located in Paris- a city which I love.

 

Finally... the bit you've all opened the thread for!

 

As the title suggests- upon acceptance into Speos, I'll treat myself to a Leica. A film Leica. I think it's a significant enough event to warrant the purchase of a dream camera. A camera which will no doubt stay with me for life and help capture the world around me, as I see it.

 

I've posted about this briefly in the "I Love My MP" thread, but might as well do so here, too. I'm rather confused as to which Leica I wish to get myself. All I know is I want something 100% mechanical (read: no electronics). There's the classic M3, the newer M6 and the newer still MP. The MP would be my first choice, though it is quite a bit pricier than the other two choices and difference appears to be minimal, based on my research. Thing I prefer about it is the classic aesthetic. I'm a big fan of that sort of film winder vs. that of the M6. I won't disregard the M6 just 'cause of the winder, though. Please do keep in mind I'm still just a student, and while I've saved up some, I still want to keep the price not astronomically high... also consider the fact that I still need to get a lens! Speaking of which, what would be the best lens to start with? It'll probably be a year before I'm able to afford another as they're so expensive. I'll be shooting mostly portraits and street photography/social documentary/photojournalism.

 

All that said, it's worth repeating again... I'm beyond excited to be starting this new chapter in my life. I see nothing but happiness coming from it. Please wish me luck with the acceptance as there's a pending purchase of a Leica depending on it

 

Appologies for the overly long introduction, I just thought I'd be thorough.

 

I look forward to corresponding with you all further in the future about these terrific pieces of engineering. Dream machines.

 

Best Regards,

 

Marko

[Jager]

Welcome to the forum, Marko. Best wishes and good luck with your admission to Speos. There's much to be said for pursuing your dreams.

 

Of the three cameras you mention, I'd argue for the MP if you can swing it. Otherwise, a very clean M6 (of which there are many around) would be my second choice - simply because it is less likely to raise issues that you then would have to pay to address. But a clean and recently-CLA'd M3 would be good, too.

 

Focal lens choice is such a matter of personal style and preference. But if you're looking for something for portrature as well as general photography, I'd suggest a 50.

[giordano]

Welcome to the forum and to the prospect of owning a Leica.

 

But before you stretch yourself to buy a Leica and a single lens, make sure you already have, or can also afford to buy, the other equipment and the materials that you will actually need for the course. There's no use having a shiny new MP and 50mm Summilux if the assignment requires precision framing, macro, movements, different angles of view or whatever. And if you can barely afford the camera in the first place you'll naturally tend to mollycoddle it, which will inhibit you.

 

Much better to limit your Leica lust to the cheapest M2 or M4 you can find that's in decent working order, and one or two old lenses, and have something left over for other things. There's more street cred in it too.

 

Also - if you buy an MP now, you won't be able to buy one to celebrate passing the course.

[Niandra]

Thanks, guys. I appreciate the kind words.

 

giordano, nothing to worry about there as I've already got a Nikon D90 with some nice lenses and accessories that does everything I need it to. I've also got an old film Nikon.

 

My main reasons for wanting a Leica may not make the most sense, but what can I do... I want a Leica because I enjoy owning fine things. A Leica is a piece of mechanical beauty. It's perfect in many ways. I want a Leica because it's not an 'easy' camera... you have to know how to use a Leica. You don't just pick up, point and shoot. I want a Leica because they're smaller than the large DSLR's (and SLR's) that I deal with. They're unobtrussive. That's what I love about them. When doing social documentary photos I'm pretty sure a thing of beauty, such as a Leica, is far less assuming that a big old ugly black DSLR Not to mention how quiet they are! There's so many other things, too.

 

Thank you both, again, for the kind words and great advice!

[tobey bilek]

Before buying anything, see what requirements the school will impose. Many are going to digital only programs.

 

Older Leicas are like cars, they deteriorate with age. The old balsam cement tends to fail and the rubberised parts get brittle. All are repairable if you have a decent repairman, but the cost is high.

 

Almost any older Leica will require clean and relube.

 

I would advise an M6 or newer.

 

I would also advise staying away from heavy used cameras.

 

If the school requires a digital camera, I have been happy with my Nikons. Start with a

D90 which give decent image quality.

 

If you work with film and wish to digitise it, the school may have a quality scanner. There are no more quality film scanners at consumer pricing. Flatbeds make prints to 5x7. Not that they are worthless, I am making a contact print on mine right now, different computer.

[lct]

I would not buy anything before asking Speos. Leicas are expensive cameras and will not make significantly better photos than much cheaper kits like Bessas & Voigtlander lenses. So before spending that much i would ask the school.

[Niandra]

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Yes, but you guys seem confused... I'm not buying this specifically for the school. I'd just be buying it as a gift to myself for getting into the school. Kinda' like when you graduate highschool or something and your folks get you luggage You won't be using it in school necessarilly haha. I want the Leica for my own personal use. I mean, either way it'd be for my person use... For the school I'd use mainly my D90 (with various lenses) and a Canon F1 for film stuff.

[SJP]

get an M2 and a summaron 28/2.8 or similar, this is as classic as it gets. The M2 is the leader of the pack in terms of classic, but not in price. See here as a minor incentive http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-collectors-historica/49228-i-love-my-m2.html#post920504.

 

There is an interesting dilemma with the M2 if you go through customs at an airport and they ask you to switch it on.....

[earleygallery]

M2, but a 35mm or 50mm lens would be better (you would need an external viewfinder for a 28mm).

 

Alternatively you could look at the Barnack Leicas, such as a lllc, or an R if you prefer SLR's

[SJP]

Oops agree 35/2.8 summaron of course, M2 + 35/2.8 summaron lens can be in the 800 euro ballpark if it is in reasonable nick

[abrewer]

MP 35mmf2ASPH

 

Welcome

[johnnyj]

Marko,

I wholeheartedly agree with what you are doing regarding the Leica “reward” to yourself. I did something similar, but with a Hasselblad. The Hasselblad changed what I was shooting and how I was shooting it. The quality of the Hasselblad enhanced my confidence and helped me shoot more thoughtfully. It dramatically changed my photography for the better. I made a major change again about fifteen years ago and switched to Leica. Again, I have seen a change in my photography. After owning a Leica IIIF, CL, R8, R9, DMR, D1, D2, Digilux 3 and Digilux 4 I would suggest starting out with a D2. The D2 can be operated in a totally mechanical manner much like the film (and digital) Ms. But, you can inexpensively review your shots as you further develop a style. The image quality from the D2 is sufficient to create 11 X 14 prints. You will likely develop a style, modify it, cast it aside and move on to another style, while going through school. It’s much easier and less expensive to experiment with a digital camera than a film camera. Once you have begun to refine your style, then you can focus your attention on which Leica camera to exit the school environment with.

[AlanG]

Whatever camera you buy will be irrelevant to your future success as a photographer. So get whatever you like if you can afford it.

 

This school may be great, but keep in mind that there are countless schools worldwide turning out countless aspiring photographers who then have to compete in a very tight market against established photographers and anyone who picks up a camera and calls himself/herself a "professional photographer."

 

You may not like studying business, but if you hope to have a successful career as either a commercial photographer or as a photographic artist, you will probably need to spend more time on the business aspects than on the photographic aspects.

[scc]

I second the motion for MP / 35 Cron ASPH

 

Personally, I prefer the M4/6 style rewind over the M3/MP style. It is faster and easier.