Don'tknowmuch Posted August 27, 2008 Share #1 Posted August 27, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hello all. My name's Jim, but so was someone else's. New member today. Have inherited what I think is a Leica I, with a new paint job. I think I may have surprised myself by having just uploaded a jpg of the camera to go with this post! Perhaps someone could tell me a little bit about it? Apart from looking forward to airing future issues I'm hoping to get some idea of what I have with this camera. I have put some TX400 @ 200 asa dev Perceptol through it and the image quality seems very good. I particularly like the way the mid-tones appear to match those in my mind's eye when taking the picture. At the risk of asking someone to repeat themselves can someone offer me a critique of the lens on this camera relative to either a screw-fit or M-mount equivalent? The shutter appears to vary in its accuracy of passing and in the one film so far that has gone throught he camera I should think about 40% are either completely blank or have a side knocked off. Is this something that can be adjusted and sorted out by a Leica service or is the age of the camera going to mean that one might stir up all sorts of problems by mucking it about? I do aspire to a rangefinder Leica, but do not have BIG funds, so would also welcome a bit of basic advice on where I might pitch in. I don't need a meter (though don't mind one, it's just that I know that this puts me up into a higher price area) and so was thinking it would probably be an M2 or M3 that fitted my purpose. I would want a slightly wider than 50mm lens, a 40mm or 35mm. Does this mean one is limited to f3.5 or it's very expensive? Again, basic advice very much appreciated. Hope not to have bored you all on first post... Jim. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 27, 2008 Posted August 27, 2008 Hi Don'tknowmuch, Take a look here Greetings and where I'm at. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
andybarton Posted August 27, 2008 Share #2 Posted August 27, 2008 Welcome to the Forum! I can't help with your camera above, but this thread may be of interest. http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/film-forum/35918-i-love-my-m2.html I started out with an M2 and 50 f2 Summicron. If you want to go for a 35mm lens, and have limited funds, you could do an awful lot worse than buy a 35mm f2.8 Summaron. M2s are beautiful cameras, beautifully made. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don'tknowmuch Posted August 27, 2008 Author Share #3 Posted August 27, 2008 Thanks Andy. Do you think I posted my ... post in the correct place? This forum seems to be full of strange byways and ius almost as confusing as all the lux-cron-mar M2/4 P lens and body variants. Jim. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted August 27, 2008 Share #4 Posted August 27, 2008 Hi Jim, and welcome. Your camera is indeed a Leica I, with a 5cm collapsible Elmar. Later cameras had the screwmount (LTM) and the same lens was then available "standalone". This is a good lens, with more than adequate performance for it's age. I have a Leica IID, factory converted from a I in 1934 and it is my day-to-day, carry everywhere camera. Now, from the sound of it, your camera is in need of a CLA ("Clean, Lubricate, Adjust"). I can highly recommend CRR Luton LEICA - CAMERA REPAIRS & RESTORATION - LUTON , ENGLAND who did a great job on my IID. One of the beauties of the "Barnacks" is that they are robust, and if properly maintained just go on forever. The problems you describe sound like the shutter mechanism is badly in need of cleaning and relubricating - that alone will make a huge difference. As to a rangefinder Leica, you could look at later screwmounts, but I would agree with Andy and suggest an M2. They can still be found at reasonable prices (although again, allow for a CLA on a 40-50 year old camera) and are to my mind the very essence of Leica M photography - robust, elegant and with only 35, 50 and 90mm framelines. You are in the right place - have fun, and feel free to ask any questions! Regards, Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hiles Posted August 27, 2008 Share #5 Posted August 27, 2008 I'll third the motion for an M2. Simple, tough, elegant. It will be the last piece of photographic equipment to go as they take me to debtors prision. M3s are also nice, but if easy use of a 35mm lens is important, look to the M2. If 50mm is your main interest, it is hard to fault the M3 viewfinder - it is glorious. Cheers, Michael Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alifie Posted August 27, 2008 Share #6 Posted August 27, 2008 Lovely camera, will go for another 75 years after a bit of TLC (read CLA). And get a lens hood it will improve contrast with that lens no end, one of the most underated items in the camera bag. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomasw_ Posted August 27, 2008 Share #7 Posted August 27, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) Welcome! That is a nice looking Leica I! Get it CLA'd though, as others have suggested. As for a starter M kit based on your remarks: the M2 + a 35mm lens. There are less expensive M-mount 35s than the suggested Summaron 35/2,8 made by Cosina, Nikkor, Canon or Zeiss, but if you want that undefinable leica-glow look, then get the f2,8 Summaron. It is a fantastic performer in a small package. If you want a bit more speed in a 35/40 and are willing to buy a 35 or 40 mm lens not made by Leica, then take a look at the cosina voigtlander 35/1,4 or 40/1,4. The Leica 40/2 is a sweet little lens, too. Good luck picking the kit! Thomas Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don'tknowmuch Posted August 31, 2008 Author Share #8 Posted August 31, 2008 Thanks all, for your help. I have lots of further questions now, but am tacking some of them onto another thread that is current. Thanks again, Jim. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.