richie chishty

Allen:

 

That is one large slide! :-)

Camila:

 

I don't know what your budget is, but here are two budget priced Leica 50mm lenses for $126 and $179 respectively.

 

http://www.keh.com/OnLineStore/ProductDetail.aspx?groupsku=LM069990501900&brandcategoryname=35MM&Mode=searchproducts&item=0&ActivateTOC2=false&ID=&BC=LM&BCC=1&CC=6&CCC=2&BCL=&GBC=&GCC=&KW=

 

http://www.keh.com/OnLineStore/ProductDetail.aspx?groupsku=LM069990573600&brandcategoryname=35MM&Mode=searchproducts&item=0&ActivateTOC2=false&ID=&BC=LM&BCC=1&CC=6&CCC=2&BCL=&GBC=&GCC=&KW=

 

The good thing about KEH is that if you don't like the lens, you can return it and get a full refund. I have bought many Leica lenses from them, most in BGN or UGLY condition, but with good glass.

Mark:

 

You can get a Leica M4 and a Leica lens for under $1k, if that's what you mean.

 

Here's one Leica M4-2 for $645:

 

http://www.keh.com/OnLineStore/ProductDetail.aspx?groupsku=LM029990391490&brandcategoryname=35MM&Mode=searchproducts&item=0&ActivateTOC2=false&ID=&BC=LM&BCC=1&CC=2&CCC=1&BCL=&GBC=&GCC=&KW=

 

Here's a nicer M4 for $789:

 

http://www.keh.com/OnLineStore/ProductDetail.aspx?groupsku=LM020100000320&brandcategoryname=35MM&Mode=searchproducts&item=0&ActivateTOC2=false&ID=&BC=LM&BCC=1&CC=2&CCC=1&BCL=&GBC=&GCC=&KW=

 

If you are willing to settle for a Leica M3, here's one for $465:

 

http://www.keh.com/OnLineStore/ProductDetail.aspx?groupsku=LM029990044380&brandcategoryname=35MM&Mode=searchproducts&item=0&ActivateTOC2=false&ID=&BC=LM&BCC=1&CC=2&CCC=1&BCL=&GBC=&GCC=&KW=

 

I actually bought an M3 for $365 a couple of weeks ago from KEH. Yes, it is in USER/BGN/UGLY condition, but it serves me fine as a backup body. And the serial number is 1 million plus!

 

You can get a nice Leica 35mm or 50mm lens from them and still stay under $1k.

Rusting farm tractor.<div></div>

Georg:

 

I have both the goggled f2.8 and f4 Tele-Elmar lenses. Yes, the f2.8 lens is large and heavy, and awkward to use unless I have the M grip on my M6 TTL. But when light levels are low, and you need f2.8 and a reasonable shutter speed, the lens serves its purpose.

 

The Tele-Elmar is lighter and smaller, and optically so good that you will think you are shooting with a 135mm APO lens. I always carry it in my camera bag. I don't use it often, when needed, it is a relatively light and small telephoto lens.

 

Here's one Tele-Elmar you can buy:

 

http://www.keh.com/OnLineStore/ProductDetail.aspx?groupsku=LM06000076500J&brandcategoryname=35MM&Mode=searchproducts&item=0&ActivateTOC2=false&ID=&BC=LM&BCC=1&CC=6&CCC=2&BCL=&GBC=&GCC=&KW=

 

And an Elmarit:

 

http://www.keh.com/OnLineStore/ProductDetail.aspx?groupsku=LM060100001290&brandcategoryname=35MM&Mode=searchproducts&item=0&ActivateTOC2=false&ID=&BC=LM&BCC=1&CC=6&CCC=2&BCL=&GBC=&GCC=&KW=

 

I have bought many Leica lenses from them. If you are not satisfied, you can return the lens for a full refund.

I had my Elmar CLA'd a couple of years (for about $100), but it did not improve image quality significantly. I also have a 90/f2 APO/ASPH, and there is nothing that can compete with that lens! However, the Elmar is small and pocketable, and for portraits of older people at f5.6 or f8, it is an adequate performer. I keep the lens primarily because it is a superbly made piece of Leica history!

Leica 35mm Summicron ASPH lens.

Leica M6 TTL.

Jorge:

 

Very nice!

I am surprised they let you take photos inside the station! Where's Homeland Security when you need them? :-)

April 1?

Leica users - it's time to duck and run for cover! :-)

Very nice!

That Summarex might be worth a lot! Posting photos of the equipment here would help.

I have the same problem with my 1954 M3 DS body. A CLA by DAG did not help with the dimness of the rangefinder patch. The camera is OK in daylight but hard to focus in dimly lit rooms at night. It is useable, but my M6 TTL is much better in those situations.

Another vote for a CLA.

Andrew:

 

Nice photos! I especially like the nighttime photos. I am guessing they were taken with Neopan 1600, although the grain is nearly invisible in the scanned images.

Congratulations Jati! Enjoy the limelight! And take lots of photos! :-)

I have the VC 35mm f1.2 lens and I can recommend it strongly. The size and weight of the lens does not bother me, and it is sharper than the Noctilux I used to have (and foolishly sold!).

 

Here's what Tom A had to say about this lens.

 

"35/1,2 Voigtlander Aspheric: As sharp as the 35/1,4 Aspheric is at 1,4 at 1,2. You gain 1/2 stop with this lens, something that can be critical in low-light. Contrast is lower wide open than the 35/1,4 but goes up by f2/2,8 and stays even all the way to f22. It is a heavy lens (450 grams) but with the classic style knurling and large diameter barrel it is surprisingly comfortable to hold (if not to carry). Extremely resistant to flare, which is critical for low light lenses as you more often than not shoot in dim interiors with bright spotlights in the picture area. It is a special purpose lens, just like the Noctilux or Summilux 75, but when you need it, there is no substitute. Dramatic drop-off on the sharpness plane at 1,2. It makes the subject "pop" and the back-ground goes "fuzzy" very quickly. Bokeh is quite smooth, but typical for Japanese lenses."

 

You can see some pictures here:

 

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=008eKB&tag=

 

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00JPyJ

Bill:

 

Here's some info:

 

http://photography.about.com/library/weekly/aa071000a.htm

Very nice!

Vivek:

 

Nice shots with the Canon f0.95 lens. I had no idea the lens was this good at f0.95.

What Francisco wrote...I have the M6 TTL and would recommend it over early M6 bodies.

Excellent work Brian! Bravo!

Very nice portraits Sheldon!