jinbo_zhu Posted November 10, 2007 Share Posted November 10, 2007 Hi guys, I have budget around 1000 Euro, below are 2 choices I have here BKK. 1)M4(700Euro) + 1st version LEICA 50/F2 (300 Euro); 2)New Bessa R2A (450Euro) + 1987 LEICA 50/F2 (550Euro). Problem for this M4 is tooo many scrach; That R2A has AE, E-shuter,built-in meter. But not machnical body. So which one you recommend? what's the reason? Thank you very much!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kentish_townie Posted November 10, 2007 Share Posted November 10, 2007 Jinbo, Where do you live? I don't think you should go for either of these two. There is an awful lot of Leica equipment, out in the world. Can't you look somewhere else, further afield? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_levine Posted November 10, 2007 Share Posted November 10, 2007 You are comparing apples to the proverbial oranges, with the bodies. An M4 will likely need a CLA if it hasn't had one in the last 10 years or so. This will add around $300-500 USd, to the price. Bessa's are fine cameras but their build quality isn't even close to the M4's. However that doesn't mean to discourage you from buying one. I own an R2 Bessa, and I love it. I also own an M4, but I use the two cameras for very different uses. The Bessa with it's accurate metering sees mostly slide films. The Leica sees mostly B&W negative films, as it was made for in my opinion. The older Summicrons tend to disappoint some people. They produce a distinctly vintage sort of look to their color images. And are quite charming for many subjects. The newer lens will be much sharper and have more snap or contrast to it's images. It will also reproduce colors more accurately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leslie_cheung Posted November 10, 2007 Share Posted November 10, 2007 Can't you get a user m6 or zeiss ikon and a decent 50mm with 1000 euro? Are Bangkok prices that much more than the US? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jinbo_zhu Posted November 10, 2007 Author Share Posted November 10, 2007 Hi Kentish, I am in Bangkok now, not so many choice. And M6 here is too expensive. If I buy a good LEICA lens now, I can still use it in my further LEICA body. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jinbo_zhu Posted November 10, 2007 Author Share Posted November 10, 2007 Hi Steve, You comments are very usefule! Seems R2A + New lense is a good choice at this moment. (If I will have that M4 a CLA) Thank you very much!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jinbo_zhu Posted November 10, 2007 Author Share Posted November 10, 2007 Hi Leslie, Yes, the LEICAs in BKK in very expensive, especially now the Thai Baht rate is raising so high (now 1USD=34 Baht; 2006 1USD=43Baht) M6 here is 1200Euro. :( For this year, seems I cannot afford that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_a._shapiro Posted November 10, 2007 Share Posted November 10, 2007 I would buy the M4. Is this a camera you can examine before you commit to buying it? Can you shoot a roll of film through it? Just stand there and shoot. Does everything work? Any light leaks? Focusing accurate? One roll of tri x should tell you. Develop the negtives and see how they look. Scratches on the camera don't mean squat unless they're in the viewfinder. If the camera seems to be working, buy it. Try to get a guarantee. M4 is the best non metered rangefinder you can get, in my opinion. Then buy a CV 50/1.5 lens. Best of Luck, Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leslie_cheung Posted November 10, 2007 Share Posted November 10, 2007 Do you need to buy very soon? I have got a m6 in EX condition that I don't mind getting rid of. I will be back in Bangkok by the first week of December. I'm currently traveling in Vietnam/Laos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troll Posted November 10, 2007 Share Posted November 10, 2007 Neither. Much as I love my Leicas, I'd not recommend ANY rangefinder camera for general use. If you're absolutely insistant on shooting film, then an SLR of recent vintage would be a better choice.<P>Except for the very latest ASPH Leica lenses, high quality Japanese glass can be just as good as older Leica designs. (My best, sharpest 50mm lens is a SMCP f:1.4 Pentax-M, and my second best is a current generation Leica Summicron.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_neuthaler Posted November 10, 2007 Share Posted November 10, 2007 Yiou must get the M4 & Summicron<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allen Herbert Posted November 10, 2007 Share Posted November 10, 2007 Problem for this M4 is tooo many scrach; That R2A has AE, E-shuter,built-in meter. But not machnical body. So which one you recommend? what's the reason? I scratch my arse often, but it still works. The M4 is built like a tank, the R2A is built like a toy.... Put one in your right hand, one in your left....engage brain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james mitchell dc Posted November 10, 2007 Share Posted November 10, 2007 I would recommend to get a solid camera first--M2 or M4--and then get a lens that will make great pictures: Rigid Summicron 50 or even 40 'cron to start. You can do that for $1,000-$1,200. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jinbo_zhu Posted November 11, 2007 Author Share Posted November 11, 2007 Hi Michael, Yes, that M4 is working fine. Thank you!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jinbo_zhu Posted November 11, 2007 Author Share Posted November 11, 2007 Hi Leslie, What's the price of your M6? I have only 1000 Euro for body&lens. You can also email me. Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jinbo_zhu Posted November 11, 2007 Author Share Posted November 11, 2007 Hi Leslie, Could you also tell me the SN? what's the magnification? silver? Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon larbalestier Posted November 11, 2007 Share Posted November 11, 2007 Where did you see the M4 in BKK? if it was at Eddie's Camera Collection then ask him about a CLA. This can be done easily in HK. Most of my Leicia's i've purchased here in BKK have been from Eddie. Sadly all Leicia gear commands a premium price here right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jinbo_zhu Posted November 11, 2007 Author Share Posted November 11, 2007 Hi Simon, M4 in Eddie's shop is too high, like 2500 USD!!! All LEICAs there now is a high price :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon larbalestier Posted November 11, 2007 Share Posted November 11, 2007 You could look in Photo File (ground floor MBK) but i would wager prices are similar. My M4 cost a lot from Eddie ( some years ago) but it was mint and for me worth the price at the time. If you want an un-metered Leica what about an M4-2 or M4-P? Photo Hobby in the Silom Complex (third floor) have a mint M4-P in the cabinet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jinbo_zhu Posted November 11, 2007 Author Share Posted November 11, 2007 Silom Complex?? the shop is still there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon larbalestier Posted November 11, 2007 Share Posted November 11, 2007 well it was yesterday! lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leslie_cheung Posted November 11, 2007 Share Posted November 11, 2007 I send you an email Jinbo but my net access isn't good here. I'll be back in Hanoi in a couple days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jinbo_zhu Posted November 11, 2007 Author Share Posted November 11, 2007 Hi Simon, It was not here today!!!! :D kidding! today it 's closed. I will check there tomorrow. Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jinbo_zhu Posted November 11, 2007 Author Share Posted November 11, 2007 Hi Leslie, Replied your mail :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vivek iyer Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 Paul, That is a nice capture! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now