Rangefinder choices

ped

ped

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Hi everyone

I am really enjoying my grandfather's Paxette II camera and want to get another rangefinder camera. I don't want to take the Paxette out too often as I hear they aren't so well built and it has such sentimental value.

So I have been checking out the Voigtlander Bessa cameras.

I have a quick question: Would I be best off to pay £500odd for an NHS version with the Nikon mount lenses (comes with the Heliar 50/3.5) or am i best off getting a Leica mount body? From what I can see there are more lenses available in Leica mount, but I can probably take my time in finding some nice Nikon mount lenses too, and the camera seems cheaper in this format...

Any help would be great

ped
 
Just buy a Leica,:)


Dave.
 
I will buy the Leica M mount camera ( Bessa or Leica), everytime. Even consider a LTM mount Bessa.Lots of used lenses, at lots of price ranges. From a 60£ Summar 50mm to a few thousand £ new Summicron. And easily available, easily serviceable.

The trouble with Nikon Mount is the lens. And the fact that though Zeiss and Nikon mounts are the same, there is a small difference in the pitch, so anything more than 35mm does not focus properly for a Zeiss lens. So you have to rely on Nikon lens; rare and unfortunately for users like us, collectible. Which mean big,big money for a rather average lens.

If you want zeiss glass; and they are worth dying for, think of a Contax IIa + 50/1.5 Sonnar. About 200£ for a reasonable piece; but budget 75£ for a CLA. Tough as a nail, very bright Rf patch, wider finder base than a Leica; and the 135 MM glass is cheap as chips.

If money is no problem, I would get a Leica M6 ot at least a CL, or the Minolta CLE ( actually more features than CL, but fully electronic, so motherboard dead = an expensive paper weight). In a limited budget, I will get a Bessa M mount, since it offers the lightmeter and multiple frame choice. Be aware though, the RF gets misaligned; and the Rf patch is not very bright

But if you want to play with RFs, then there are many lovely Rfs at prices between 30£ - 150£. Most with fixed lens; but small, pocketable, cheap and sturdy; so it can stay in your pocket 24/7
 
What he said... but I have found the Paxettes to be bombproof, made to be used not cuddled. There are some rather nice Voigtlander fixed lens RF's out there as well, not to mention the Kodak stuff if £500 tags scare you (they certainly scare the bajabbers outta me!)

Arthur
 
Thanks guys. I have seen a Bessa R2 and a few lenses which look interesting. Is there anything else in the ballpark? Money isn't unlimited unfortunately, I would probably be OK to drop around £600 with a decent starter lens with a view to accessorising later.

ped
 
ped said:
Thanks guys. I have seen a Bessa R2 and a few lenses which look interesting. Is there anything else in the ballpark? Money isn't unlimited unfortunately, I would probably be OK to drop around £600 with a decent starter lens with a view to accessorising later.

ped
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At 600, I will not go for a bessa. Get a Leica M ( M3 or M2) for 350 £ and a 35 and 50mm Summitar or summicron. You can then, when you have some more money, sell the M3 and buy a M6 ( which is around 600£). The thing is ; the body is just a black box; and a RF is best with a wider lens. Also M3 holds its value well so you will get back most of your money

Also Look at Contax G1 + 28, 45, 90 mm lens. You should get one for around 600-700£. Full self-focus rangefinder, with those lovely Zeiss glass. Unless you are particular about focusing it yourself, this is a great little camera. Dont believe the rubbish written in the net on the mis focussing of G1. It written by some idiots who dont know the difference between RF and AF mechanism, and dont read manuals before using high end electronics

Best is to handle the cameras before buying....

P.S : I loved your expression 'accessorizing'. I just accessorized my Leica with a 28mm Summitar....:lol::lol::lol: ( I know what you mean though, just pulling your leg)
 
Thanks. What's the difference between the M2 and the M3 please?

If I go for one of these cameras, and having just bought a new car, I'll have to consider FOOD an accessory for a month or so!!!
 
M2 has the frame line of 35, 50, 90 and M3 of 50, 90, 135. Offcourse you can buy a separate Vidom for additional frame lines

As they say, if you have a penny, get some flowers, if you have two, get some music then.

Food is an aptional extra..:lol::lol:
 
ped said:
The prices of the M2 bodies seem to vary wildly - just seen a lovely condition one on ebay for £380, and there are others for £600 odd?
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I would not buy them from ebay...you never know what you get. Buy it from a dealer. MWclassic is a good one, quality stuff at good prices; I am a very happy customer of theirs

M2 and M3 does not have a light meter, but you can get one ( non leica one) for 15-20 quids. Nothing in the big scheme of things.
Will force you to slow down and think
 
Yes, prices are all over the place, because unfortunately Leica is also a collectible. Especially the unsual or the pristine ones.

What you are looking for is a M2/M2, well used, average cosmetic condition, some brassing, one small ding or two; but ( and this is the important bit) shutter in good condition, timing all ok, veiw finder clear, Rf patch bright, Rf aligned and mechanically in good working order.

What you are avoiding is any particular marking - especially german military marking, coming with box or paper or other parapharnelia that is not relevant to taking pictures etc.

You are looking at 350 - 400 £.

MW updates their website every friday and the good ones are gone by saturday. Dont hurry, you will get a good leica set within your budget.

I will avoid buying from outside of UK, simply because I cant knock on the sellers door at midnight if the deal goes sour...:D
 
I have an M2 and prefer using the Bessa range. For myself I've just bought a Bessa R2a from here, and will use all my Leica lenses on that, I have a Bessa at the moment and really get on with it, but would like to be able to use both my Leica Screw mount lenses and my M mount lenses, hence why I'm upgrading to the R2a

I will probably use the M2 more once I get a light meter for it, am still on the look out for a little Kodak accessory shoe mount one, if anyone knows of one available. I inna paying silly prices for the Leica version (well mebbes one day I will)

Mmm takes Ujjwaldeys advice and wanders off to MWclassic to take a gander. ;)
 
Damn, I should charge a fee for giving out my secrets...ha ha ha

I am almost certain I saw a hot shoe mount light meter somewhere last week. Will try to locate it Richard.

Curios as to why you prefer Bessa over M2. M2 has a brighter finder, better magnification and brighter patch. Is it because of the framelines and lightmeter, richard?
 
I also agree about ebays prices, somethings go for silly silly money and others go for almost nothing, its a crazy crazy place.

Get to MW, get an M2 better rangefinder markings, simpler rangefinder viewer and simple frame counter...

Then start collecting lenses, that's when the money starts to get burnt quickly.

Although I see Ruskie 50mm's are going for good prices on the Bay.
 
Sure ped. But I think this is as good as you will get on a M2 or M3. Since this is a commission sale, he might be open to some negotiatios as well. ...
 
Rockin'

I should be getting a deposit on a previous residence back this month so will be looking an a short while, thanks for the heads up. BTW I will have to ask for some help choosing a lens next!
 
ped said:
Rockin'

I should be getting a deposit on a previous residence back this month so will be looking an a short while, thanks for the heads up. BTW I will have to ask for some help choosing a lens next!
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No problem. There is a wide variety of types and prices to choose from. Have a read of the Stephen Ghandy's website on Leica lens buying guide. Pretty food advice there.

My rule of buying lens is to buy one which has some scratches etc. Makes almost no difference to the picture quality if the lens coating is in good shape; and they usually go very cheap.

Ujjwal
 
Holy ****! That's one pricey bit of kit there! Pics required for dribblin' on!
 
I sold a bass guitar the other day so using some of that cash (the rest is going into my 'Car Fund'!)

Can't wait to get the camera, it will be a constant companion and compliment my film Paxette really well, I think!

Cheers
ped
 
Mmm sounds like a lovely bit of kit, but I suppose these days we could do most of what that could do by buying something like an EP1 and using an adaptor on the body.
 
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