Leica for beginner - Need Advise

[ladydya]

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Hi,

 

I want to buy leica camera, anyone suggest me the kind of leica camera for beginner? I check on amazon for Leica D-Lux 6 12.7 & Leica C Camera 18485 12.1MP the price of both around $700.

 

Need your Advise,

Thanks.

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[NZDavid]

Welcome Ladydya, Perhaps you could tell us something about yourself first? Where are you from and what kind of photography do you like? What made you think of Leica? Have a look at the Leica Camera site and also at the Leica wiki on this forum for more information about different models.

 

The Leica C, D-Lux, and V-Lux are Leica-branded versions of Panasonic models with a few minor differences. They have Leica-designed lenses which are very good. The D-Lux 6 or new D-Lux would be a very versatile all-round performer. If you want to do telephoto, though, for sports or wildlife, you would need another model.

 

Other Leicas are pricier. The T is an interchangeable lens camera with a touchscreen. The X series has either single focal length lens or a short zoom. The emphasis is on high quality images rather than lots of features. The M is the traditional rangefinder camera, and the S is a medium format camera mainly for commercial photography.

[jaapv]

What David said. In general, don't pay attention to the Megapixel hype. The figure is not an indication of the quality of the camera. You can get more than excellent results and huge prints out of a good 10 MP camera for instance.

[Torgian]

Hey there ladydya,

 

what do you want to use your Leica for?

 

In my opinion, if you want a Leica, I suggest looking at film rangefinders or saving for a digital M-240. Personally, I don't think the cheaper digital offerings from Leica are worth it. As David mentioned, a few are Panasonics rebranded as Leicas.

 

That said, my first Leica is the M-240. I've been using it for the past year, and I have also been using it as my first full-frame camera. I no longer consider myself a beginner.

 

Keep in mind that if you do buy one, it should be more of an investment than anything else. If you're not quite sure photography is for you, buys something cheaper. Or, borrow one from a friend (if you're lucky to have a friend who owns one AND lets you borrow it.)

 

Since your budget is 700, I suggest saving some more and doing more research.

[Herr Barnack]

The Leica camera and lens(es) you need will be determined by the type of photography you want to do with it. Tell us about that first, so we have something to go on.

 

Without more specifics, I would say in general - look at used Leica film cameras to begin with: M3, M4, M4-2, M4-P, M5 and M6 models. You can find a used M lens in good condition for not a lot of money ($500-1200) if you shop hard. Look for a used 50mm f/2.8 Elmar ( https://www.keh.com/229839/leica-50mm-f-2-8-elmar-m-black-collaps-m-mount-lens-39 ), or a 28mm f/2.8 Elmarit ( The Leica 28 Elmarit Lens Review - The Small and Sharp wonder for your M | STEVE HUFF PHOTOS ) - it's not exactly a bargain basement priced used lens, but certainly more affordable than a new Summicron 28mm ASPH.

 

Lastly, talk to these guys and scour their used Leica M pages on their website - Camera West - Walnut Creek & Rancho Mirage, CA

Camera West has three stores in CA and has a comprehensive inventory of Leica M gear, both new & used.

 

The gents at Camera West are the best of the best and will not steer you wrong.

[dunkelblau]

welcome to the forum!

If by "Leica for beginner" you mean *digital rangefinder for beginner* then buy a used M9 and a used 35mm or 50mm lens. Or buy a M240 if you must (a used one preferably)!

 

If it's the Leica logo/mystique you're attracted by, try to overcome it and have a thorough look at your options: Any non-rangefinder Leica camera is basically a luxury item you can take pictures with, and if it's not about the rangefinder principle, i.e. if you want a point'n'shoot or a micro-four-thirds, then buy a different brand (fuji,sony,olympus)

 

disclaimer: I started with a used M8 five years ago, moved to a users M9 two years ago, couldn't live without my rangefinder:-)

[stuny]

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Since you want a Leica for beginners it is highly unlikely that the Leica rangefinder cameras (all models called "M". The ones with numbers following "M" 7 or lower are film cameras. The higher numbers - 8, 8.2, 9 and 240 or just M are digital cameras) probably would not be right for you, but until we know a lot more about you, your experience with photography and what you want to photograph, we cannot give you meaningful advice.

[dunkelblau]

Since you want a Leica for beginners it is highly unlikely that the Leica rangefinder cameras […] probably would [not] be right for you, but until we know a lot more about you, your experience with photography and what you want to photograph, we cannot give you meaningful advice.

 

I disagree with the first statement in this quote but second the second one: No problem taking up photography with a rangefinder, particularly a digital one since you get instant feedback. But, yes, we need to know a lot more.