Leica - Leica - and more Leica

[brett_daniels]

I wish to purchase a Leica for an avid photographer friend of mine as a gift. Price is not a consideration but quality and usability is.

 

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I want opinions about both present models and past models. I will hunt for it if I decide it is right, so don't worry about scarcity.

 

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What are three of the best Leicas ever made for photographic use? They must be usuable even today, be able to stand up to a little abuse, go traveling, etc. Modern day usage with either a present or past day camera. The guy I am buying for is really a rabid Leica fan so I would rather get this right than wrong. He seems to prefer the older stuff but...I leave it in your hands. Also, with your opinion, would you please put the expected cost of the item if you know it. Thanks for any and all help.

 

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--Brett

[andrew_schank]

What Leica equipment does this person already own? Without this info

it would be difficult to recommend anything. Are you thinking to

purchase another, different camera body, or a perhaps a lens he

doesn't yet own? By the way, anyone reading this that knows me, a

nice clean M4 would be more than acceptable as a gift, as well as a

like new, chrome M6 classic.

[silverfish1]

Forgive me but this like buying clothes for someone without knowing

their size. Gift Certificate? Does your friend ever intend to shoot

with a lens shorter than 50mm? If not a refurbished M3 could work

well. In case you don't know they come with single and double stroke

film advance. I personally prefer the single given the choice. The M2

had different magnification and has framelines for the 35mm lens. The

better the cosmetics of these older pieces, the more they will cost

because of desirability to collectors. I personally like the M4 and

opt for an auxillary optical finder for a 28mm lens. The M4-P and the

latest model M6 incorporate 28mm brightlines in the viewfinder. If

your friend wears glasses like me, he or she may find the optical

finder better than the bright lines in the camera. The models from M4

forward have easier film loading and canted rewind cranks. Rapid load

conversion kits offer a small improvement to the removable spool film

load system of the M3 or M2. You can get a slip on crank for the pull

up knurled film rewind knob on the M2 and M3. The M4-2 is possibly

the best value for the money. Pesonally I like the construction of

the older M4. It's purely subjective but the M4 seems sturdier in

use. If using a flash seems probable then know that not all M2 or M3

bodies have modern PC type plugs though for a fee they can be

upgraded. Most of the models after the M4 have a hot shoe as well.

Some workers prefer black bodies. Here you will pay dearly if you opt

for a M4 or earlier because of rarity. For a fee repainting a chrome

body is possible though some would call this heresy. The M4-2 and

later is black at no additional cost. M6 models incorporate state of

the art metering, TTL in latest versions. In practice you can use a

separate hand meter or possibly clip on the MR meter that is designed

to go into the shoe of the M and couple to the shutter speed dial

giving a constant 90 degree (angle of view) measurement of light

(=35mm focal length)as a less elegant but less expensive meter. there

was also an M5, very different in design, being longer than other M

bodies and using a built-in match needle metering system. The CL and

CLE joint effort with Minolta can use some of the Leitz and Leica

lenses. They are shorter than the classic M and load differently.

Both have built in meters. They sometimes sell for less than most M

bodies and might offer an alternative. This is way more than you

wanted to hear I'm sure. Sorry I couldn't be more succinct.

[matt_veld]

Wow, I wish I had a friend like you. Personally I like the M2 and

there's some near mint ones available. Try Nancy at this address

DRAGWEST1@aol.com for a near mint one, they may still have it and if

they have you would get it for $1400.

 

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Roy Moss in an article in the Viewfinder (magazine of the Leica

Historical Society of America) puts forth his claim for the M2 as

being the best Leica M ever. I tend to agree with him, the article

can be found at http://www.lhsa.org/leicam2.htm.

 

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There's also some really nice M2's, M3's and M4's available on

www.ebay.com from reputable dealers and individuals. There's a

particularly nice M2 and M3 up for auction at the moment.

 

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Happy hunting. I'll post you some jpeg files of the camera Nancy has

for sale.

[wilhelm]

Any of the 50 year special editions, especially M4.

[jay_.]

I know what I would want if the gift were for me, but I doubt if

anyone, even a fellow Leicaphile, could accurately second-guess my

wish list. I would suggest you make sure to get it in writing that

your friend can return the item for a refund if it isn't what he

wants. Some camera stores charge a "restocking fee" of 10-15% on

returns, so be sure to read the fine print!

[Spearhead]

I have a hard time imagining giving someone a camera unless they're

broke. It's like giving a carpenter a hammer, who would do that?

 

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Why not get an original print, something nice that can't be bought at

the local camera shop. I'm willing to bet it would last a lot longer

than something that you had to get return or exchange privileges on.

[andrew_schank]

"M6 models incorporate state of the art metering, TTL in latest

versions" This was mentioned above, and I wanted to clarify the the

meter in ALL versions of the M6 is indeed TTL, and that the TTL model

designation was given to describe the current cameras that also have

ttl flash metering.(with special dedicated flash units)

[silverfish1]

OOPs! I forgot to include the word Flash in my TTL description of the

latest M6 versions. Thanks Andrew! The M5, CL, meters are actually

ttl metering as well though not dedicated with flash.

[msitaraman]

"Price is not a consideration".

 

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1. 2 M6Js. One to keep and one to use.

2. 2 M6TTLs. One .58 and One .85

3. 2 Mint M3s. One to Keep and One to use.

[joshroot]

I would think that you would want to see if he has any specific

cameras already, although two of anything can be cool also.

 

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If you do decide to go for an older Leica (M2,3,4) you should be sure

to get Voigtlander's wonderful shoe mount meter. It's great for older

non-metered rangefinders.

[Rob F.]

Brett, to simplify, let's find out if he favors wide-angle or

telephoto lenses. If possible, tell us which focal lengths. Write

back, and this will greatly simplify the choices.

 

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Regards,

[hoyin_lee1]

This might help: <a

href="http://www.cameraquest.com/mguide.htm">Stephen Gandy's M User's

Buyer's Guide</a>, cheers.

[djphoto]

Do I smell a troll?

[ron_gregorio]

I'm with Dave here. The subject title says it all. If not, give us

more info to work on Brett. Brett?

[joseph_barbano]

Give your friend a new Leica M-6 with a 50mm f/2 Summicron lens. I'd

recommend black chrome for it's durability. It's a camera that your

friend will keep and enjoy his/her entire life. This camera/lens

combination is timeless, and it will also retains its value. It

truly epitomizes quality and usability.

 

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Stay away from used equpiment unless your friend is extremely

familiar with Leicas. The new equipment warranty, called PASSPORT,

comes in handy since it covers any damage to the equipment for 3

years.

 

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Current prices are about $1995 for the M-6 (minus $150 rebate,

currently underway) and about $995 for the lens (rebate applies here

as well). Buy from a retailer that specializes in Leica. They're

more knowledgeable and compeitive on prices. I recommend Tamarkin in

New York, Don Chatterton in Seattle, Jim Kuehl is Iowa, or Sam Shohan

at Classic Connections in New York. You can find more specifics in

Shutterbug magazine.

 

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Good luck.

[ron_gregorio]

Hi Brett,

 

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Thanks for your personal email to me. Sorry for mistaking your query

as a "troll" question.

 

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My recommendation is to look up Stephen Gandy's cameraquest.com

website, where you'll find useful, but objective information about

Leica cameras. Check out ebay for some idea on used Leica prices,

and B&H for new ones. Generally, I find that second hand Leicas are

cheaper here in Asia. Also, why not ask your friend indirectly what

is his favorite Leica.

 

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Good luck to you and Seasons' Greetings.

 

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Regards,

[wilhelm]

Wonder why no one has mentioned a Leica "O"? Only 4000 made, they're

brand new and eminenty usable. Would I love to have one -- Yes!

Would I pay $2500 for one -- When hell freezes over.

[ray_moth]

"I wish to purchase a Leica for an avid photographer friend of mine

as a gift. Price is not a consideration but quality and usability is."

 

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You say your friend seems to prefer the old stuff but you don't say

what he already owns. The oldest Leica stuff, of course, is

rangefinder. Has your friend any objection to SLR? Does your friend

need the ability to use longer lenses than 135mm or macro lenses? The

fact that R lenses are at least as good, if not better, than any

others means that Leica R series (or its Leicaflex predecessor)

represents a very viable alternative. They are well built and solid

aith excellent features (unless you need auto-focus!)

 

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The main downside is the bulk and high cost of the R lenses. On the

other hand, the older R bodies are not too big or expensive but

provide a good balance with the lenses. The R8 is significanlty

bigger, heavier and costlier but, supposedly, is also ergonomically

superior.

 

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Just my 2 cents: I felt the R series was being neglected in this

thread!

 

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Regards,

[kl_prager1]

Hi Brett:

 

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If you haven't already made your purchase, you may consider a Black

Paint Special Edition M6TTL that was designed by the Leica Historical

Society (LHSA). These are identical to the standard M6TTL, except for

the beautiful Black Paint finish. Many Leica afficiados consider the

black paint models the most beautiful, but naturally "beauty is in

the eye of the beholder"...I will say that while I didn't buy one for

myself (due to the higher cost), I'd love to have one and it would

make a really nice gift!

 

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You may still be able to get one at Tamarkin in NYC. If not, they

maybe avle to dfind one for you. These were selling for $2,595 for

the standard .72 viewfinder model.

 

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Good luck.