Ok?

[AudiRS6]

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Is it ok if I still post here, even though I don't own a Leica? I use digital, and also a Canon AE-1?

 

I'd love to have a leica, but I just don't have the money, since I'm 16 and other things come first.

[andybarton]

Welcome to the forum, Colin!

 

Sorry, but the rules (see the link a the bottom of the page) state that the shots must have been taken with Leica lenses, bodies, or both. It's really the whole point of the forum - it does what it says on the tin!

 

If you are used to film with your Canon, and have the means to save some money, have a look at the prices of the screw thread Leicas and older manual Ms. As you will be able to see on here, they may be 50 years old, but they can still take a fine photograph. This was my way into the world of leica, btw, and I not only learned a lot by going back to basics, but you can be confident in the knowledge that your old M lenses will work on that M8 that you will eventually get, or, vice-versa, a brand new Leica M lens will work on the 50 year old M3

 

Have fun!

[elansprint72]

Colin,

You can, of course, join in with any discussions or ask questions!

Wish I had an Audi RS6 when I was sixteen, but they were probably only making hand-carts in those days!

[zanydave]

Colin,

You can, of course, join in with any discussions or ask questions!

Wish I had an Audi RS6 when I was sixteen, but they were probably only making hand-carts in those days!

 

I had one when I was 16

[AudiRS6]

I really have no idea about any of the lens insignia on leica lenses, but I'd probably just want a 24 or 28 and a basic body, preferably about 30 years old or less, like my AE-1. How much do you think that would cost? Something like a 24 or 28 f/2.8? And something comperable to the AE-1, just a basic manual SLR with an auto mode (I don't want to waste film getting incorrect exposures, so I use program mode, don't worry, I use manual on digital!)

 

Um, the RS6 is my dad's. I do get to drive it pretty regularly though, amazing car. (Deytona grey with black interior) I just have a GMC Sierra.

[jmr]

Colin,

 

welcome to the forum. You need to convince your dad that he can have his RS6 back if he gets you an old Leica.

[andybarton]

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I bought an R4, with a newer 50 Summicron (a standard lens) for £400 last year.

 

Have a look at ffordes photographic : Main Index for an R4S or R5 body, and an older 28 f2.8

 

I reckon you should be able to get both for around £400 - 500, especially if you haggle.

[AudiRS6]

Colin,

 

welcome to the forum. You need to convince your dad that he can have his RS6 back if he gets you an old Leica.

Hmm...he's not here, but his keys are...interesting thought.

 

Looks like an R4/5 is the way to go. Or should I get a rangefinder? I know the basic differences but will the M or R series lenses give better results than the other? why are the M lenses and cameras so much more expensive? This leads me to believe they are better...? I'd like to spend $200-ish, but realize this is completely unrealistic. So I might have to sell some stuff on eBay or something and just use those profits to buy something, yielding basically no expenditure.

 

 

Thanks for all the help so far guys. Thanks andybarton, but I'm in the USA, KEH and B&H used section look like a similar thing but in the US, so I'll have a look there!

[andybarton]

Hmm...he's not here, but his keys are...interesting thought.

 

Looks like an R4/5 is the way to go. Or should I get a rangefinder? I know the basic differences but will the M or R series lenses give better results than the other? why are the M lenses and cameras so much more expensive? This leads me to believe they are better...? I'd like to spend $200-ish, but realize this is completely unrealistic. So I might have to sell some stuff on eBay or something and just use those profits to buy something, yielding basically no expenditure.

 

 

Thanks for all the help so far guys. Thanks andybarton, but I'm in the USA, KEH and B&H used section look like a similar thing but in the US, so I'll have a look there!

 

There are some that say Ms are better than Rs. There are some that say, use whatever you are happiest with. Have a look at my website if you want to see examples taken with both Ms and Rs. At web resolution, you probably won't be able to tell the difference, and even at large print size, I'd find it hard.

 

Using an M needs a completely different thought process than an R and if you have been brought up on an AE1, then you will have to re-learn half of what you know.

 

M lenses are of more modern designs than R lenses and the M range has always been more popular than the R, hence demand for second hand stuff is greater.

 

I realised that you are in the US after I'd posted the link to ffordes, but the principle of buying older stuff is the same of course. I am afraid that for $200, you're not going to get very far into Leica-land.

 

I started out with an M2 and a 50 Summicron, having used an OM2 for years prior to that. 4 years ago (almost to the day, I'd say), this M2/50 combo cost me £800 retail (that's about $1600 at today's exchange rate.) This was for a 1960 camera and a 1973 lens. Today, the same would be around £650 ($1300)

 

Prices or everything are always cheaper in the US, of course, but you can see what you are up against.

 

I'd still stick with an older R if I were you.

 

(A thought has just occurred to me. It is possible to fit Leica R lenses onto Canon dSLRs. I wonder if the same adaptors fit old AE1s? You could experience Leica R glass on your existing body...)

[AudiRS6]

Hmm...I'll look into the Leica (R, I would guess, since those are the SLR lenses?) to Canon FD adapter, sounds interesting, would also save me a couple hundred bucks!

 

Looks like the 135mm f/2.8 are quite cheap, any particular reason?

[elansprint72]

I would go for an R as well; but you don't have to limit yourself to Leica stuff- you have plenty of time for that yet. If you can get your hands on a Pentax MX I know of no finer camera from an ergonomics point of view, it's very cheap, totally mechanical (apart from the sometimes problematic LED lightmeter) and there is a great range of superb lenses. It's a good "learners" camera and has been used by many Pro's too.

 

However, if you are determined to start off with a Leica, go for an R. When you want a pipe and slippers camera, get a rangefinder (which btw, is what I learned to shoot proper photos with, before the flak comes my way).

 

Of course there is always the Digilux 2......... or the V-Lux 1....... now why would I say that?

[AudiRS6]

Oh I'd love a digilux 2, but theyre $1,500!

 

I have a Pentax ME-Super also, if that's almost the same?

 

So what makes the rangefinders so much different? I though it was just that you dont lookthrough the lens and the focussing is a little different?

[hsw]

Welcome to the forum Colin. I used an AE-1 all the way through highschool and college. Now my 16 year-old daughter has it!

 

Rangefinder focusing is different than SLR but many people feel it's more accurate once you get the hang of it. Certainly the viewfinder is MUCH brighter and there's no mirror blackout during the exposure so what you saw is really what you get. Also since there's no mirror flap there's less vibration meaning you can use slower shutter speeds without as much blur. I think I would get started with the previously owned R models (R4, R6) first and move up as your finances permit.

 

Cheers and welcome,

Henry

[spylaw4]

Colin,I think if you look at eBay (and I issue the usual warnings about that place!) you should find Digilux 2s cheaper than $1500. D2s are excellent! Or, what about a Digilux 1 as a starter? Same place to locate.

[AudiRS6]

Eh, I already have a Nikon D50 and 18-135mm lens, and it (judging by review photos on several sites) is just as sharp as the Digilux 2, and I've already paid for it.

 

Plus the digilux-2 is fixed lens, so there's nowhere to go from there. I guess if I do get a leica it will be an R3/R4 and a 28mm/2.8.

 

But for now, I don't feel like spending at the least $500 to wind up roughly where I am now with my AE-1 28/2.8 set up (which is ridiculously sharp.)

 

So I will, I think, just enjoy the pictures here and maybe have some discussions every now and then, but it doesn't look like a Leica is for me at this moment.