badpets Posted July 17, 2008 Share #1 Posted July 17, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) Dear All, M8 is my first Leica camera and I'm totally loving it. I also own 4 M lenses. However, I'm also curious to shoot film with Leica cameras; so I'm considering buying a Leica film camera. What I have in mind now is the Leica IIIF for its compactness and old-fashioned kinda images it captures. The only problem is that M lenses can't be used on it. I think about M series film camera bodies, but they're rather too big. I would appreciate it if anyone can give me some suggestions/advice. Thanks in advance. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 17, 2008 Posted July 17, 2008 Hi badpets, Take a look here Want to Shoot Film. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Roland L. Posted July 17, 2008 Share #2 Posted July 17, 2008 Hello Badpets, don't do that. I have done it. I wanted a film M as backup for my M8. Now I have two MPs and no more M8. Regards Roland Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hiles Posted July 17, 2008 Share #3 Posted July 17, 2008 Were I in your situation, not being able to use my lenses interchanably on all my cameras would be a deal breaker. Find the best M2 you can - it is not all that big. And do not forget that the essence of the pictures are made in your minds eye - not in the camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fotografr Posted July 17, 2008 Share #4 Posted July 17, 2008 It's very difficult to adjust to working without a meter in the camera. My recommendation would be to find a good M6 classic. I've owned and extensively used about 15 different M film bodies and the M6 classic (not the TTL) is by far my favorite. I even prefer it over the MP and M7. The build quality is fantastic and the meter is exceptional. Back in the 90's I used to carry an M6 on assignments along with my Nikon F4s. The F4 was thought to have a very sophisticated and accurate meter, but I nearly always found that when there was a discrepency between the M6 and F4, the M6 would turn out to have shown the best exposure. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
badpets Posted July 17, 2008 Author Share #5 Posted July 17, 2008 thank you all for your kind comments. i believe as some of you suggested - M6 or M2 sounds good, but it's out of my budget at this moment as they cost at least USD2000 above. however, has any of you used a leica iii f before? i found a few second hands in very good condition for price of USD 1000 (only body) each here in tokyo, plus a summitar 50mm about USD 500. i'm just feeling like getting them. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
badpets Posted July 17, 2008 Author Share #6 Posted July 17, 2008 yeah, i know what you mean. i frankly like the feel of film. but i'm impatient about spending time developing it. but i feel film M make clear images that are close to digital, which i dont like. that's one of the reason why i'm considering a Leica III F. Hello Badpets,don't do that. I have done it. I wanted a film M as backup for my M8. Now I have two MPs and no more M8. Regards Roland Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
badpets Posted July 17, 2008 Author Share #7 Posted July 17, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) i browsed some images taken by M2 in flickr; i don't see anything special. or maybe i missed something? Were I in your situation, not being able to use my lenses interchanably on all my cameras would be a deal breaker. Find the best M2 you can - it is not all that big. And do not forget that the essence of the pictures are made in your minds eye - not in the camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
badpets Posted July 17, 2008 Author Share #8 Posted July 17, 2008 u meant Leica IIIf has no meter?? oh no... It's very difficult to adjust to working without a meter in the camera. My recommendation would be to find a good M6 classic. I've owned and extensively used about 15 different M film bodies and the M6 classic (not the TTL) is by far my favorite. I even prefer it over the MP and M7. The build quality is fantastic and the meter is exceptional. Back in the 90's I used to carry an M6 on assignments along with my Nikon F4s. The F4 was thought to have a very sophisticated and accurate meter, but I nearly always found that when there was a discrepency between the M6 and F4, the M6 would turn out to have shown the best exposure. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBA Posted July 17, 2008 Share #9 Posted July 17, 2008 I'd also recommend an M6 classic. If you're in Tokyo, go to Lemon in Ginza. They've got a vast selection and you can get a good clean body for 125,000-150,000 yen. This is competitive with prices on Ebay. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vieri Posted July 17, 2008 Share #10 Posted July 17, 2008 u meant Leica IIIf has no meter?? oh no... Nor has any Leica M before the M5 - the first Leica with a meter is the M5, followed my the M6, M6-TTL, M7, M8, MP. All the previous ones (LTM Leicas, M3, M2, M4, M4-P) are meter-less. Using an external meter is not that difficult and will give you better results (if you know how to use it) than any on-camera metering. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mongrelnomad Posted July 17, 2008 Share #11 Posted July 17, 2008 Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the "M6 Classic" the M6 minus the meter? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hiles Posted July 17, 2008 Share #12 Posted July 17, 2008 i browsed some images taken by M2 in flickr; i don't see anything special. or maybe i missed something? I doubt you missed anything. I recommend an M2 (if you can't live without a built-in meter look for an M6) because it is the simplest M series camera, and can usually be found for a reasonable price. I has frames for 35, 50, and 90, which in my experience are very useful. The M2 has the same essential qualities of any M-series Leica - it accepts all the lenses ever made, lets you focus accurately, and then it gets out of your way, because you take the pictures - not the camera. In that sense, rangefinder Leicas are unique. Yes, the lenses are wonderful, but that range/viewfinder combined with the total package is a gift from the engineering gods. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andym911 Posted July 17, 2008 Share #13 Posted July 17, 2008 yeah, i know what you mean. i frankly like the feel of film. but i'm impatient about spending time developing it. but i feel film M make clear images that are close to digital, which i dont like. that's one of the reason why i'm considering a Leica III F. Don't make the mistake of thinking a IIf camera will give you different images than another M camera. They will be the same. It is the lenses you use that can give you that older look you are after. For your reference here two images from a IIf and 3,5/50 Elmar...same day, same roll of film, but different post processing and light of course. The IIf is a wonderful camera, more manual than say an M6 but charming to use.I like it because of its size and the older lenses. regards andy Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/57997-want-to-shoot-film/?do=findComment&comment=606857'>More sharing options...
andym911 Posted July 17, 2008 Share #14 Posted July 17, 2008 and thee 2nd one.. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/57997-want-to-shoot-film/?do=findComment&comment=606860'>More sharing options...
Guest jimmy pro Posted July 17, 2008 Share #15 Posted July 17, 2008 What I have in mind now is the Leica IIIF for its compactness and old-fashioned kinda images it captures. I must be misunderstanding what you mean, because the way I'm reading it, it's gotta be the dumbest statement I ever read on this forum, so please explain me where I'm reading it wrong. Of course I know you can't mean if you buy an IIIf everything'll be like 1950 when you walk outside. But I always thought that old-fashion look came from the lens or the film or both, so please explain me what it has to do with the camera body? It's very difficult to adjust to working without a meter in the camera. I think maybe you forgot to put a preposition and a pro-noun in there. Like "for me" in between "difficult" and "to adjust" cause there are a lot of people for who it's a piece of cake. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sleepyfoot Posted July 17, 2008 Share #16 Posted July 17, 2008 Dear All, M8 is my first Leica camera and I'm totally loving it. I also own 4 M lenses. However, I'm also curious to shoot film with Leica cameras; so I'm considering buying a Leica film camera. What I have in mind now is the Leica IIIF for its compactness and old-fashioned kinda images it captures. The only problem is that M lenses can't be used on it. I think about M series film camera bodies, but they're rather too big. I would appreciate it if anyone can give me some suggestions/advice. Thanks in advance. To me, since you already have an M body, it's time to experience the older Barnack-style body and the addictive LTM lenses. A IIIc is perfect for me because I don't need meter, I don't need to use flash, and the price is lower than IIIf and *way* lower than IIIg. For old-fashioned images, get a Summar lens, which is also fun to use in addition to giving you a unique look. Yes, you can use a Summar on your M8 using an adapter, but it won't be the same experience Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vieri Posted July 17, 2008 Share #17 Posted July 17, 2008 Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the "M6 Classic" the M6 minus the meter? Sorry, but you are wrong There is actually no such thing as a Leica-named "M6 Classic"; what is intended by M6 "classic" is just the street name given by people to the M6 to differentiate it from the M6-TTL. Both have meter, the TTL adds - as the name says - TTL flash metering. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted July 17, 2008 Share #18 Posted July 17, 2008 i browsed some images taken by M2 in flickr; i don't see anything special. or maybe i missed something? The camera body doesn't take the images!! The lens plays an important role in the final image but remember its the PHOTOGRAPHER that takes the image. Now, I have and use a lllf and its a wonderful camera. But I think I'd look for an M2 if you want to use film as you can use your M lenses and the handling will be similar to the M8. M2 bodies are approx the same value as decent lllf's. Of course you could just go for the lllf and a nice period lens like a 5cm Elmar......... No they don't have meters. Its simple to use the 'sunny 16' rule outside or just invest in a decent handheld meter which will be very useful for your M8 as well. Good luck Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted July 17, 2008 Share #19 Posted July 17, 2008 There are many Leica M bodies on sale for under $US1,000. An M6 goes for a bit more, but certainly under $2,000. If I were you, I would definitely go for a used M2, M3, M4, or M6. The ergonomics will be similar to your M8 and you will be able to use the same lenses on both. Working with a separate meter is not that hard. I really like the Sekonic 308b. The older III series are fun, but idiosyncratic: smaller, knob not lever wind, tiny viewfinder, separate rangefinder, trickier film loading, and of course, you need different lenses. You can, of course, use screwmount lenses on your M8 with adaptor! Also, it's worth bearing in mind that any older camera may well need a CLA, but I'd recommend getting one from a dealer in best possible condition, with a guarantee. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest stnami Posted July 17, 2008 Share #20 Posted July 17, 2008 Grab a Voigtlander Bessa, R3/R4 easier to load, cheaper, one uses the same film and it is happy with Leica lenses . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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