What Leica Camera to start with?

[Helmut Johannes]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I need some advice on what Leica camera to buy my son. He is a sophomore in college and wants to take up photography. He will be taking a photography class next semester. Thanking all in advance for your time and consideration. - Helmut

[Tenor1]

Welcome to the Forum Helmut,

 

What a lucky son having parents interested in him having the best. My recommendation is to wait and see if the class has equipment to loan for the semester. Another option is to rent equipment from a local shop. He can then try different brands.

 

Regards,

Carlos Marques

[Guest PhotoWebb.co.uk]

I you have decided to buy him a camera I presume you are talking about film rather than digital? I would imagine that most people are teaching using digital now which will limit your choices as far as Leica is concerned unless you are planning on spending a lot of money.

 

Personally, I think you should be looking for a camera that offers full manual control of both shutter speed and aperture as well as a proper viewfinder so this probably also rules out Leica's digital compacts.

 

Probably the best thing you could get him is either an M or R series camera or either a digital of film SLR from another manufacturer. Digital SLRs from the likes of Canon and Nikon can be picked up at reasonable prices both new and second hand and would be far more versatile for a beginner.

 

If I was learning again how to shoot though and was going to be shooting film and developing myself I would say any old M film camera and a 50 or 35 lens would be a fantastic way to get started.

 

Daniel

[raizans]

will a rangefinder satisfy the teacher's requirements? introductory photography classes usually specify the use of a 35mm slr to demonstrate the effect of aperture, facilitate precise framing and composition, and provide greater versatility in lens selection.

[JWW]

If Leica film RF, then the M6 seems plentiful on the used market and much less money than the newer Ms. I own a M3 which is a great camera and a joy to use with its bright VF, but no built in meter. For the older Ms, I would look for a used one that had been CLA'd otherwise price in the money for one. Lots of used lens choices in 35 or 50mm.

 

Jan

[NZDavid]

This is a tricky question. I imagine a lot of photography courses these days spend as much time on computer programs as they do on taking the picture -- but composition and lighting remain the most critical parts of photography, no matter what the technology is. Why not get him some books on composition (including art), and perhaps one on classic photographs?

 

As for cameras, wouldn't an affordable Leica DSLR come in handy here? Digilux 3, or Panasonic alternative, would be a possibility.

 

Ultimate rangefinder: M8. Very pricey, would be ideal only if he decides photojournalism is his thing, not sports, nature or macro photography.

 

Leica D-Lux 4: tiny but supposedly very capable digital model. Pros: take it anywhere. Remember, its the final image that counts.

 

Leica M series film camera. Will last forever. Top quality optics. Teaches the basics. But he'd need to have film developed and scanned. And same restrictions apply for rangefinders.

 

Leica SL or R series SLR. Robust, great build quality, but heavy and same restrictions apply for film.

[abrewer]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I you have decided to buy him a camera I presume you are talking about film rather than digital? I would imagine that most people are teaching using digital now ...

 

Daniel

 

Not so fast, my friend

 

Indiana University just built a huge photography wet-lab (~75000 square feet) for its photography curriculum and starts its course offerings with manual exposure, film photography at the first-year level (a sensible approach IMO)

 

It's critical for the OP to find out which approach (digital v analog) his student will require, with a phone call or email to the instructors perhaps, before he buys or rents anything

[JBA]

Why a Leica for a beginning student of photography? Seems like overkill. For a fraction of the cost, you could get an old Nikkormat FT and a few lenses. It would be a perfectly adequate learner's camera.

[andit]

Hi Helmut,

 

Just a few quick questions before making a recommendation. How serious is your son about pursuing a career in photography or becoming a serious amateur? Does he take photo's at the moment that are extremely good/does he have the talent for photography?

 

Sorry, I'm not trying to break anyone down here, however, it is the person behind the camera that creates the images and not the camera. Someone with real talent and an eye for photography will create amazing images even with something like a disposable camera.

 

A Leica camera is an amazing piece of equipment, that is able to give images a very distinctive look (the often referred to Leica Look). It is also a costly piece of equipment, that would be a terrible waste if it landed in a corner or the back of a cupboard.

 

The perfect camera for learning photography is the traditional Pentax K-1000. Very affordable, decent lenses and a low cost entry level. If you really wanted to get him started with Leica, I would tend to suggest the Digilux 3 - that is the autofocus, exchangeable lens, digital SLR camera. If you wanted something slightly cheaper but still using Leica lenses, look for a refurbished Panasonic L1 (virtually the same camera).

 

The Digilux 3 has been drastically underrated, but is a fine piece of equipment with amazing lenses available from Leica and Olympus.

 

If you really want to get him started with a range finder, why not look at getting an Epson RD-1, which also uses Leica M lenses.

 

Hope this helps you a bit.

 

Andreas

[earleygallery]

I think most courses require that students to use a DSLR so one of the entry level cameras like a Nikon D60 Canon 1000 should be fine. They will certainly have a wet darkroom as well so I'd also buy a Film body. If you buy the Nikon DSLR you can also buy a Nikon body such as an FM and the lenses will work on both bodies (apart from Digital only lenses made for the sensor size of the digital which is smaller than a 35mm 'full frame' camera).

 

As suggested, check with the college first - but a D60/FM package should be more than adequate for any student.

[JBA]

The perfect camera for learning photography is the traditional Pentax K-1000.

 

I've always heard this but have never understood why. This was the only one of the K series that did not have depth-of-field preview. I've always thought DOF preview was an essential feature for beginning students of photography.

[Guest noah_addis]

I'd recommend a manual nikon slr like an fm2 or similar, and a 50mm lens.

 

If it's a digital class, then any of the nikon or canon dslr bodies would work, and if the camera has a smaller-than-full frame sensor then I'd say get a 35mm lens.

 

Either way I would strongly recommend a fast prime lens instead of a zoom.

[roguewave]

Not so fast, my friend

 

Indiana University just built a huge photography wet-lab (~75000 square feet) for its photography curriculum and starts its course offerings with manual exposure, film photography at the first-year level (a sensible approach IMO)

 

It's critical for the OP to find out which approach (digital v analog) his student will require, with a phone call or email to the instructors perhaps, before he buys or rents anything

 

Allan, that's because the college has one of the finest Photojournalism programs in the country!

[Isabelle Lenatio]

the curriculum looks very good... first year film and wet to learn the basics and then on to digital, not a bad concept for todays students.

 

I would reckon an M2,3 or 4 would fit perfectly, manual light meter, trying to grab the frame with a 35mm cron.... thats how I got into photography, lucky kid.