What next ???

[jaapv]

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On 8/3/2023 at 2:09 PM, Ko.Fe. said:

I went trough many compact film ones. Anything with electronics crapped out within regular use. First Olympus XA, bunch of Minox 35 were much worse. Rolley 35 were crude advance cameras and heavy for no reason with thin top plate. 

The only camera which was joy and confidence in use with durability provided as elegance was Barnack. I started with IIf and finished with IIIc post war as well. Both were priced reasonably and right after CLA (which is not as expensive as M CLA).

With collapsible lens and in the neoprene case matching camera shape it was very compact to carry on.

I also went through bunch of Japanese copies and while they were less expensive and made  good, they were just copies.  

 

Agree.  A iiif will set you back something like 500-600$ and will serve you for the  rest of your life.

[Cameraville]

Basically all of these are good suggestions. There are so many options. Do you have any more criteria to narrow it down? Price, focal length, aperture, key features?

[250swb]

2 hours ago, leica dream said:

Well, I can close this thread now having followed several leads for R camares or body/lens combinations but without success. A couple of days ago I took a step back to rethink what I am doing and why.  I realised that I had become more obsessed about gaining a suitable Leica than I was about my simple real objective of rejuvanating my interest in film. So, knowing that I was winding the clock back 50/60 years for a suitable camera I remembered what camera I had at that time to trade-in for my first Leica, it was a Pentax ME Super, so I began researching their availability.  Quite freely available, but the challenge was to find one of good quality at a sensible price. I am delighted that I now have another ME Super with 50mm f1.4 lens to get back into film.

Sorry, everyone, that I could not settle on a Leica, and indeed I have valued and followed up every suggestion from the forum, but never fear, I shall doubtless have my ME over my shoulder along with my Leica C (type 112) in my pocket to compliment one another.

Very garteful for all your support.

Richard

Well done and an excellent choice. If I’d have thought from the original question this would go into SLR territory I’d have said ‘Nikon’ simply because the F mount covers generations of cameras, but Pentax is 👌

Edited August 11, 2023 by 250swb

[hansvons]

3 hours ago, leica dream said:

So, knowing that I was winding the clock back 50/60 years for a suitable camera I remembered what camera I had at that time to trade-in for my first Leica, it was a Pentax ME Super, so I began researching their availability. 

The Pentax ME Super was my first camera as well. I took it to school, learned to shoot sharp images and printed them in the darkroom. But only for a few months. I lost interest and, subsequently, the camera  (the useless brat I was). But, as so often in life, things flash back. As it turned out, five years later, the Pentax kicked-started my career subconsciously. Fine little cameras!

[LocalHero1953]

The MX was the first camera I bought for myself, rather than a hand-me-down from my father. I took some of my best film photos with it (pre-digital), even though I had and enjoyed the M2 as well. 

[TomB_tx]

10 hours ago, Al Brown said:

Although this thread is "closed" by OP I just wanted to say that Rollei 35 is - along with Minolta TC-1 - the smallest 35mm film camera ever made.

But the most awesome ones? The Barnacks for sure.

You forgot about the Minox 35 series - I believe the smallest full-frame 35. Hard to find one that still works though...

[leica dream]

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 A couple of weeks ago LOCALHERO1953 wrote some profoundly accurate words..... "Time to open a sweepstake on how many weeks before you're back asking about Leicas again.😉  Resistance is futile."

OK, OK I can take my punishment like a man - You all win!

The fact is that each of three attempts to procure  a Pentax ME Super the units were riddled with faults. Then while browsing for fresh fodder I noticed that Ffordes had a Leica R3 in stock.  That camera is now sitting on the desk in front of me together with a Summicron 50mm f2 lens (the 3 cam version). Even though the combination exceeded my intended budget I am delighted and backed by their 6 month warranty I have great confidence I can only move forward from this point.

Doubtless there will be more questions for you experienced guys as I go along, but for now..................  I Submit to the lure of Leica once again. You can all have a good laugh at my expense.

Edited August 22, 2023 by leica dream

[Anbaric]

On 8/12/2023 at 1:53 AM, Al Brown said:

Although this thread is "closed" by OP I just wanted to say that Rollei 35 is - along with Minolta TC-1 - the smallest 35mm film camera ever made.

But the most awesome ones? The Barnacks for sure.

I wonder if there's a smaller full-frame 35mm camera with interchangeable lenses than the Barnack cameras? I can't think of one offhand. SLRs will I suppose always be bigger, but perhaps there's some even smaller rangefinder system?

[horosu]

I wonder how long it takes for Leica or some other manufacturer to notice the popularity of the Contax T2  and decide to build one for the hipster generation.