My New Old Leica:
I always wanted Leica M, that's the legendary film rangefinder, but Leicas can cost a LOT of money. Leica had a "deal" for wannabe leica shooters about a year ago. They now make digital as well as film cameras.
You got a new M7, the latest film camera, plus a standard 50mm lens. At the unheard of low price of
$7600.
I saw a Leica lens on Ebay the other day: $11,000.
This is the M3, think a 1955, it looks new. $1150 I paid. It has one problem, a hair in the finder-lens, but that's about it.
The "hair" could also be a crack in the prism in there. But I will get it CLAd and we will see. It's not really a crack when that happens, but the separation of something in there, the fix is they glue it back together, not expensive. Shipping boo-boo.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/311349810473?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2648&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
(Just scroll down a bit)
These cameras are hard to focus, rangefinders have a rep for that. But you get used to it, and I bought a diopter I'll install. That'll help.
The M3 is considered by many Leica aficionados to be the finest of Leica Cameras. It is one of, if not THE top 35mm film cameras in the world
Here's a shot:
You got a new M7, the latest film camera, plus a standard 50mm lens. At the unheard of low price of
$7600.
I saw a Leica lens on Ebay the other day: $11,000.
This is the M3, think a 1955, it looks new. $1150 I paid. It has one problem, a hair in the finder-lens, but that's about it.
The "hair" could also be a crack in the prism in there. But I will get it CLAd and we will see. It's not really a crack when that happens, but the separation of something in there, the fix is they glue it back together, not expensive. Shipping boo-boo.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/311349810473?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2648&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
(Just scroll down a bit)
These cameras are hard to focus, rangefinders have a rep for that. But you get used to it, and I bought a diopter I'll install. That'll help.
The M3 is considered by many Leica aficionados to be the finest of Leica Cameras. It is one of, if not THE top 35mm film cameras in the world
Here's a shot:
0
Comments
Amen to that.
Congratulations on the new (to you), old Leica.
BTW, if you want a second, similar concept, small, 135 format rangefinder, find an old FED 5 body and an Industar 55mm f/2.8 I-61 L/D (Leica M39 Thread Mount) standard/normal lens.
The FED 5 is a perfectly capable little Leica replica, but with a slightly different focus cam you can't normally mix and match Leica and FED bodies and lenses, even though both have the same LTM, M39 lens mount. This body also has greatly improved film loading over early Leica bodies.
The Industar 55mm f/2.8 I-61 L/D (Leica M39 Thread Mount) has an optical design similar to the LEITZ 50mm f/3.5 ELMAR, except that it uses a Lanthanum glass element which makes the lens slightly radioactive. Optical performance is very good to excellent, and you may have to purchase several to gain an excellent copy (as manufacturing quality control was inconsistent).
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
http://www.ebay.com/itm/USED-Leica-180-280-400mm-3-Lenses-PL-Mount-Conversion-/191221336077?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c85ae080d
Not sure what you are referring to but, yes, I have 2 - FED 5 bodies (with built-in Selenium meters), an Industar 55mm f/2.8 I-61 L/D (LTM/M39) and a Jupiter 8, 5cm (50mm), f2 (LTM/M39).
The Industar (Tessar design variant) is an amazingly sharp lens with great contrast and color, while the Jupiter (Sonnar) has this wonderful creamy look when wide-open. (The Jupiter lens is allegedly a very similar optic to the LEICA SUMMICRON 50mm f/2 Rigid in aluminum.)
I used to carry one of the FED 5 bodies and the Industar 55mm lens, along with a Vivitar 283 flash and extra film for Boy Scouting with my son and his Troop. Very durable bodies and pretty cheap to replace, so hazardous duty was not a problem.
Image links for the Industar 55mm, f2.8:
Others' images:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nunoalexandrerodrigues/galleries/72157630600225308
Jupiter 50mm, f2 image links (none are mine):
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
Well, maybe you'd want a cheap Leica lens, see if it fits. Here's a real bargain:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/USED-Leica-180-280-400mm-3-Lenses-PL-Mount-Conversion-/191221336077?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c85ae080d
Those lenses have been converted for cinematic use and won't currently fit any Leica or FED body (for that matter). They "will" fit a Canon EOS C500 4K Cinema Camera (PL Lens Mount) if you wish.
Score, Canon.
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
Nice! I like the way the lantern is off-balance. And the flickr image of the guy with a beard and wrinkles like a road map is terrific.