First Leica advice needed

[SD79]

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Hi I need some advice on purchasing my first Leica

 

 

My budget is 2400 Eur

I shoot B&w tri-x

favorite focal lenght 35mm

 

 

I love the look of Medium format....(tonality) never managed to get that in 135 format

the only thing that is close enough for me is the summicron 50 DR and 35/2 IV pre-asph version (with the asph better @F2)

important to me

• fun factor
  
• tonality more than sharpness (do not shoot that much to be able to change film and play with the push/pull depending on the light)
  
• like the looks of the screw mount, or black M2/M4/MP (out of my price range)
  
• need F2.
  
• I have a rolleiflex for picture quality and a Nikon F2+FM2 for evrything else....it may be GAS but it's a special lifetime occasion for me
  
• If it is to expensive it's not too fun to shoot with
  
• Bessas feels cheap and I want t
  

o be able to pass the camera to my son sooner or later

 

 

Dilema:

I'm thorn apart between an M2 + summicron v4 35/2 and

a leica III/IIIa with summaron (love to have the summicron in screw mount but the 8 element LTM is out of my price range I think)+ voigtlander extenal VF

 

My mind says M2 my heart says leica III. What would you say? thanks in advance for you advice

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[Lee Martin]

Have a look at a Makina Plaubel , they made two versions, one with a standard 80mm lens and a 55mm Nikkor lens. Portable, medium format with the tonality you are looking for and super sharp,lens.

[farnz]

Hi, welcome to the forum.

 

The III series cameras are wonderful machines, like jewels to hold, but they are not the easiest to load because they have no rear door to help position the film on the sprockets. There are many threads on the forum offering very good advice but if this is your first Leica I would advise not hampering yourself with loading problems and go for an M2, which is also a wonderful and long-lasting camera with a far better viewfinder/rangefinder. You'll be able to use screw mount lenses with it by acquiring the appropriate M to LTM adaptor.

 

Pete.

[SD79]

thank you for the advices....difficult task

the plaubel makes the photos I like, the M2 seems the smart choice

but the leica III is so beautiful.....

[spydrxx]

Get the M2, use it and then, some time later if you're still enamoured with the screwmount, and you've replensihed your cash, pick one up. I have both and like them for much different reasons.

[Stefan2010]

Yes, the III is beautiful and yes, listen to your heart

I had beside my LTMs a M6 and sold it because it was never in use. Also own a F2 like you do but since using the III and IIIf the Nokon remains at home.

 

Once you get used to the LTM it may be you never ever think about using something different. I shot lots of film and each roll is fun. The old Summaron is ok, the newer Summicron is superior but as you wrote pretty expensiv.

 

Go for a well used III (or may be a IIIf), take it to a service and have endless fun

 

Good luck

Stefan

[Broadside]

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I would have thought that 2400 Euros would be ample for an M4 and a nice 35mm lens.

[SD79]

Thank you for your advices. After reading more on the internet on the screw mount topic I have decided to go with the m mount system. My decision was based mainly on the availability of lenses and compatibility with the early ltm ones. Unfortunately no matter I love the look and feel of the leica iiis the ltm lenses seemed limited and the ones in good condition commended collector prices. I found a nice summicron 35 iv version. Now I need to look for an m2/4 in good condition....or maybe an m6.

 

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