Which Leica and which leica 35mm

MindofMel

MindofMel

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Hi all,

I have much enjoyed shooting with my contax G setup - which does everything i need and more but in the true spirit of GAS i am considering a leica and one lens.

Essentially,

What is the cheapest leica that has metering and the best value 35mm lens that M users would recommend? There are so many different subtle versions of everything - I seem to be just getting more confused if I'm honest.
 
i think the new zeiss m mount lenses are good, but as your buying a leica lens the rendering style is what your after so guess you would need to look at sample pics

kenrockwell :/ might have a good amount of knowledge / info on leica stuff
 
Cheapest Leica with metering would be the M5 or M6.

Voigtlander's 35mm 2.5 color Skopar is nice. Best value IMO would be their 1.2, but they're quite large. Most of the Leica Summicrons are pretty much the same, there isn't a bad version. The Zeiss Biogons are an option too.
 
Best bang for buck in my opinion of a metered Leica would be the M6. The M7 has aperture priority if that appeals however usually results in a lot more £££ to buy.

I used an M6 for a while and to be honest preferred the early M2 / M3. Granted these aren't metered however. They are lovely to use and I'm sure you wouldn't be disappointed.

As above, the Voigtlander 35 2.5 is a great option for the money if you prefer 35 over 50.
I had one for a little while, however sold it as I work more at the 50mm side of things.

MWClassic have some good lenses come up so it's always worth looking on there and also Ffordes photographic before going to those auction sites.
 
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M5 is the cheapest metered, M2 is the cheapest in general. If you don't mind a meter on the top the MR-4 meters work well - and an M2/MR-4 combo will be cheaper than an M5.

Bessa's are always an option, R3a/R3m's are cheaper than pretty much any Leica & have metering, 1/2000 speed & the R3a has AE too.

Voigtlander 35mm 2.5 as mentioned is by far the cheapest 35mm available and is very compact - pretty much a pancake lens with no hood/filter.
 
ffordes have a few m8's for 1k ish
digital i know :x but its a option :p
 
M6 + 35mm Voigtlander is definitely the combo you are looking for, but bear in mind the metering is a little primitive.

If you consider the meter on top of a meterless Leica, I'd also look into a Voigtlander VC meter - more expensive, but probably more reliable.
 
You could try a Leica CL or Minolta CLE.

The CL has frame lines for 40mm/50mm/90mm. The CLE adds 28mm into the mix.

You could get the 40mm Leica Summicron-C f/2 or the 40mm Voigtlander Classic f/1.4. Or use the 40mm frame lines with a 35mm lens.

The 40mm Leica and Voigtlander lenses are wonderful.

I have the Leica CL with working meter along with a Voigtlander 40mm Classic SC f/1.4 and love it.

Ta,
Shane :)
 
I had an M6 and a 35mm f2 summicron mk 3. It was a great combo and the mk 3 is cheaper than the mk 4 by quite some way!
 
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