What kind of LEICA is best for.....?

[DesertInTheShape]

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Hi,

This is my first post...

I have been taking pictures for almost 10 years. I use a Pentacon six tl and a Nikon FA.

Now I am becoming much more serious with my photos so I am thinking about purchasing a LEICA.

Now, I know that taking pictures "isn't just about the camera", and I know that I could spend 20,000 dollars on equipment and still take bad photos...so please let's not go there!

But I would like to purchase a LEICA that will bring me closer to the pictures I want.

My style is greatly influence by Antoine D'Agata and Michael Ackerman.

Here is a link to their stuff.

Antoine D'AGATA

webesteem art & design magazine : Michael Ackerman : Interview

 

Like I said, I understand that film, developing, etc etc play a huge role as well as being an artist in general. But I know that cameras DO matter. Both of these guys use Leicas.

I hope someone can understand what I am asking here!

Should I go with an early used M model or an MP? etc

Thanks.

[Joop van Heijgen]

Seeing the 'works' of Antoine D'Agata and Michael Ackerman you absolutely don't need a Leica!

[frc]

Hi Jared,

 

 

Welcome to this forem.

Just had a look at the two photographers websites and indeed, very handhelt, intuitive and casual pictures.

No, I won't start preaching about rangefinder cameras beeing the ultimate for this kind of style, there are to many examples that prove otherwise.

Given the digitalisation required for pro applications I'm cost wise moving towards using the dslr more and more.

Never the less, for documentary and personal stuff, yes I do still prefer the rangefinder, lesser size, less impact on the people I make the pictures of and very comfortable to handle, the latter of course beeing a personal preference,

And there is the moment of collecting the developed slides at the lab;-)

Investing in an MP is killing for your savings, it is.

If money is no issue, do this. ( don't kill your self but buy the cam )

Otherwise try to find a used M6 ( sharing the light meter with the MP or the M7 adding AP if you like this, but the M7 is battery dependent )

It's difficult to advice someone on such an investment, buy?, try?, find out?.

Perhaps post some pics in this thread, giving some insight in what you do.

 

One pic ( scan straight out of cam ) in a rock band shoot, accidental hit.

 

 

BTW. both photographers you mentioned do nice stuff, thanks for the link.

 

 

Regards,

 

 

Francis

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[frc]

Joop posted earlier, I was still typing.

Nice contrast in the opinions.

[pemayeux]

I would say the earlier Ms - like an M3 as the MP would bring nothing but a higher price tag. But honestly for this style photography I would save the money and look at a Holga or Diana. Both would give the low key advantage of the Leica, without the cost, plus they would have an added advantage of using 120 film which could be a benefit.

[frc]

Paul, copy.

But the MP handles so nicely.

For quality most of the time I don't need it but having it, it is my first choice.

Cost is a factor

Money, money, money.

[DesertInTheShape]

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yes, I do want something compact so I guess the m series would be more suitable.

i have read that they use neopan 1600 and possibley delta 3200 pushed in D-76 or Dektol...of course maybe some tri-x thrown in....

i know the grainy blur isn't everyone's cup of tea....but i like the documentary style with a little mystery..not too sharp.

from what i understand most of the magnum guys use leica?

i guess i just always dreamed of owning a Leica, and now that I am close to having the money, it's more about which one will be the one I need the most...

I have thought about a Holga but i think for some reason I want to blow my money away on a leica! lol

so i guess my main question is, i can get a used m3 or m6 for far less than an mp...has the mp added anything worth the extra $$$ i would be spending if im really just going to be taking pictures like this?

thanks again.

i will post some of my stuff when i get home (at work now!)..

j

[giordano]

so i guess my main question is, i can get a used m3 or m6 for far less than an mp...has the mp added anything worth the extra $$$ i would be spending if im really just going to be taking pictures like this?

 

If you can't afford an MP, get an M2, M4 or M6 (main advantage of M6 is the built-in exposure meter and viewfinder framelines for 28mm lens). M3 only has framelines for 50-90-135mm and I feel therefore won't suit you.

 

If you can afford an MP, get an M2, M4 or M6 and spend the rest of the money on lenses, film, paper, chemicals etc!

[Guest darkstar2004]

MP or single stroke M3 would be my recommendation.

 

I saw a nice s/s M3 (chrome) on fleabay for $1300 American last week - they are very affordable, but do not have an internal light meter. For that price, I could get by with an M3 and an external meter.

[rob_x2004]

For what it is worth I like the images on hte link you provide.

On topic, are you familiar with rangefinders? If not an R6, or 6.2 might be more economical while still being relatively small and compact.

I figure on staying as current with any makers gear as you can afford, and unless you really understand how to get the best out of, and know the look and the effect of the older lenses maybe the M6 will be most economical M series with a light meter to get you in the swing of things.

From what they say, neither of those blokes used Leicas exclusively for those images.

Look forward to seeing some of your stuff. Any posted around the traps?

Regards

[DTD]

I think the first thing to decide is if you want a Leica SLR or a rangefinder.

If you want something different to what you've got and want the 'classic' Leica, then I suppose that means you want a Leica rangefinder.

 

Both your cameras are 'modernish' mechanical models, so an M Leica rather than a screwthread Leica is probably going to be more useable. Personally I think a built-in lightmeter makes the camera much more useable.

 

As my first rangefinder I bought an M6 with the 50mm Summicron f2 lens. I chose this model because you could find a choice of not so old, good condition models without having to pay a collectable premium.

 

For a number of reasons I've not been able to do much with it yet, but I found getting used to a rangefinder takes some effort and it might not suit everyone. Personally I wouldn't have a rangefinder as my only camera, but my film SLRs have been retired.

 

And as you will appreciate, my photo's are no closer to being anything like Cartier Bresson's since I bought the same make camera as his ;-)

[abrewer]

Jared,

 

I commend your attention to this thread with the words, "No one was ever sorry they bought the best."

 

I Love my MP

 

Thanks.

 

Allan

[leitz_not_leica]

No brainer, M6. If you want to use it like a M2/3/4 either take the batteries out or ignore the meter. The others can't do that.

[Guest stnami]

. well..................it,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,http://www.thatsit.biz/Imants/art/art003.jpg,........ what you use

[m4-2]

There is no big difference between M2 to MP, only 50 years. Go for The MP(5 year warranty), forget about -what is the best M- and go for pics.

 

... it will take some time to get used to a RF, but it´s the best choice for the work you are going to do.

[rob_x2004]

Cept an M2 is a pain in the arse to load has a crappy viewfinder no meter and unless you know what you are getting you could be up for an expensive service.

If an MP is within your budget, then why would you buy an M6classic?

[Guest stnami]

,,,,,,,,,save your money for some lenses.................buy a voigtlander (a snack to load)

[StS]

I would recommend to try a rangefinder for some time before buying one. One either loves or hates them...

[earleygallery]

Cept an M2 is a pain in the arse to load has a crappy viewfinder no meter and unless you know what you are getting you could be up for an expensive service.

If an MP is within your budget, then why would you buy an M6classic?

 

.....ahem.......M2 has a lovely clear finder with single frames for 35/50/90. No meter, no batteries, buy a decent light meter and you can then take incident or reflective/spot or even flash readings which will give you more flexibility. If you don't like the loading (really not much of a problem) you can buy a kit to change it to the later type of loading system.

 

That said all of the above are equally valid opinions. I'll add another - a lllc/f/g.........even more compact than an M, superb with a 5cm 3.5 Elmar, plus lots of Leica and VC screw fit lenses around - including current version Summicrons, bright frame add on viewfinders, magnified rangefinder which is easier to use than the M's.

 

The R system is great too and especially good value at the moment. R lenses are true bargains at the moment if you shop carefully.

 

Maybe you can get one of each?

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[giordano]

.....ahem.......M2 has a lovely clear finder with single frames for 35/50/90.

 

And they're not hard to load either. Hard is loading a Leica II or III on horseback.