Looking intobuying an M series Leica, but which one?

[wishbone_17]

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I am looking into getting a M series Leica and wanted to get some feedback about which one. I have read to not get one before the M3, and I am not wanting to spend the money on an M7 yet. I like the style of the camera, and the images I have seen from these cameras are great.

 

What quality camera can I get for $2000? Keep in mind that I am wanting to get a few lenses as well. I am thinking of a 28mm, 50mm and 150mm to start. Maybe an 80mm too.

 

What are your thoughts?

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[carstenw]

If you want to try something before really committing, I would recommend an M6 or M6 TTL, depending on if you use flash or not. It will come in below your budget, but you can resell it without much loss if you decide to move to the MP or M7 later. The M6 is the first small M with a built-in meter, so unless you are keen on using handheld meters, using the meters which fit into the hotshoe, or having a much larger camera (M5), this is where it all starts. I have an M6 (and an M8) and love the feel and use of it. The MP is the modern classic for nostalgic photographers (I plan on getting one instead of the M6 one day when I have lots of money left over, haha), and the M7 adds an aperture priority mode.

 

If you can find an M6 (pre-TTL) for $1000, and still need a lens or three for the total sum of $2000, you have almost no choice but to opt for Voigtländer. The 28mm Ultron has a great reputation, and the 50s and 75 are good too. I would opt for two lenses to start with, to avoid being overwhelmed with too much all at once, probably 28mm Ultron and 50mm Nokton, or perhaps a 35/75 combo. What kind of photography do you do?

[Photoskeptic]

Many of us use the older M's without a meter and do just fine, thank you. But Carsten is correct, an M6 of either persuasion will amply fit your requirements and you can pick up a good one for around $1200 which leaves enough for a good 50 Summicron. If you have trouble locating these items for the prices I've mentioned, private message me and I have a few names I can give you.

Good luck.

[earleygallery]

Shane,

 

I think perhaps you should do some research. The M3 was the first M so there aren't any before the M3 (there are older Leicas of course but not M's).

 

The longest lens you can use on an M, I think I'm correct in saying, is a 135mm. Longer lenses can be used but only with a special Visoflex housing, effectively turning the M into an SLR. If you want to use such lenses however, then maybe an M isn't for you? Nor is there an 80mm (75 & 90mm lenses instead).

 

If I were you I'd go along to a dealer and look at some different models, see how you like them and take it from there. I'd agree that overall an M6 is the best balance between functionality and affordability.

[luigi bertolotti]

I am looking into getting a M series Leica and wanted to get some feedback about which one. I have read to not get one before the M3, and I am not wanting to spend the money on an M7 yet. I like the style of the camera, and the images I have seen from these cameras are great.

 

What quality camera can I get for $2000? Keep in mind that I am wanting to get a few lenses as well. I am thinking of a 28mm, 50mm and 150mm to start. Maybe an 80mm too.

 

What are your thoughts?

 

You have the intention to join the film Leica user community : splendid idea, Shane; if you like photography, like nice cameras, you are on the way to become member of a worldwide crowd of people that share a special taste...

2000 $ is a good amount... here are my thoughts about :

 

For the above $ I think a nice buy can be M6 or M4P with 50 + 135 (Summicron f2 o cheaper Elmar f2,8 and a Tele Elmar f4) : if new to Leica market, do not go on ebay but look for serious dealers: I'm european but know by sure (and see in this forum) that good dealers are not a rarity in US.

M6 has a definitive advantage over M4P : TTL metering : M4P (or M4, more costly) has not at all meter: it depends on your attitude towards external meters or no meter at all (one people in this forum invented the nice term "nosemeter"...). For a M6 , in general , one pays some more than for a M4P : but if you have to buy a good external meter, the difference is approx zero.

The two 50 i mentioned are both excellent lenses and easy to find : Summicron is of course more luminous and a legendary lens by itself: my idea is that a "Leica newcomer" HAS to buy at least ONE "famous" lens... but this is my mood: with the Elmar you pay I think 2-300 $ less and have an excellent lens indeed. Tele Elmar 135 is a superb lens, even the oldest ones of about 40 years ago : many on the market: find a good one and buy it.

Problem is slightly more difficult thinking of the 28 : I think that 2000 $ for M body + 50/135/28 is difficult to reach.... unless one affords the risk of heavily used items... and Leica 28 lenses are not so abundant in the market, nor cheap. As other say the Cosina/Voigtlander Ultron 28 can be a valid alternative.

 

Join us, Shane ! Using Leica is a pleasure simply from the moment you have it in your hands !

[dkCambridgeshire]

Please consider getting the Leica Pocket Book 7th Edition which shows specifications of all M series Leica cameras up to the M7 plus descriptions and performance data for all lenses up to date of publication ... Then Google a few s/h dealers to compare prices .

 

Dunk

[dkCambridgeshire]

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Please consider getting the Leica Pocket Book 7th Edition which shows specifications of all M series Leica cameras up to the M7 plus descriptions and performance data for all lenses up to date of publication ... Then Google a few s/h dealers to compare prices .

 

Dunk

[Johannes Knightworth]

You would want to focus upon the lenses...

 

Get an unmetered M2 or M3 body which doesn't need to look perfect as long as its in perfect technical condition. It doesn't have the TTL metering, but who needs that, Leica enables one to make descisions themselves and not have the TTL do it for you, only this way can you achieve the nice "leica image"

 

Depending on what you want to shoot, film-wise, there are a range of really nice lenses to be had. The modern day lenses are good, but do not have the genuine Leica signature, me as a dedicated B&w photogrpaher will only go for the classic leica lens range.

 

Try to figure out what medium you will use. And I would always stick to a one lens setup for the first period of time anyway, you will be able to have the camera and lens combination become an extention of yourself ... learn about it#s possibilities... to many lenses make it all complicated.