Which rangefinder

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mid_gen

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So I'm pretty much decided I am going to invest in a good rangefinder and some glass. I've just sold up my DSLR and lenses, and although the RX100 is good for snaps, I want a 'real' camera, a keeper that will hold it's value, although money isn't prime concern.

I'm looking into Leica at this price range, M3 probably...or Bessa. Any thoughts on relative merits? I'm not in a rush so have time to wait for the 'right' M3 to come round. How does a brand new Bessa R stack up? Usability wise, residuals?

Leica prices are silly in HK so I'd have to buy from abroad which I'm a little nervous about, whereas I could walk into a shop, try out and buy a Bessa today.
 
Can't advise on a Bessa, but if the M3 is a bit expensive, try the M2. I couldn't afford an M3 either, but had a play with one in a shop and an M2 at the same time. I ended up buying the M2 as it was a lot cheaper, and is still a really beautiful and easy to use rangefinder.
 
Some folk on this forum have been drooling about their Bessas, and Andy is very sad he ever parted with his!
 
The Bessas are very good, but won't you always wish you'd gone for a Leica? ;)
 
Surely if a Leica is beyond your reach and you've a Bessa and some of the less over-expensive lenses, you can indulge in a faint smile from time to time at the gullibility of those who merely buy the more expensive option? OK it's a stretch but it's a working position!
 
ChrisR said:
Surely if a Leica is beyond your reach and you've a Bessa and some of the less over-expensive lenses, you can indulge in a faint smile from time to time at the gullibility of those who merely buy the more expensive option? OK it's a stretch but it's a working position!
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hehe.... once you have used the wind on lever on a Leica you will be cast under their spell....best not to even hold one as it can work out very costly :)
 
Having owned both a Leica and a Bessa and having sold both I can honestly say I miss the Bessa much more. It was bloody gorgeous and I will get another one at some point. Just my opinion but I think that pound for pound the Bessa is tops.

Andy
 
Oh dear this thread has set me thinking again about a rangefinder? I have a 35 electro that I enjoy, but it would be nice to have a option to change lenses, I can feel my power of restraint diminishing!
 
Jao said:
Oh dear this thread has set me thinking again about a rangefinder? I have a 35 electro that I enjoy, but it would be nice to have a option to change lenses, I can feel my power of restraint diminishing!
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A proper wide would be quite nice really (not the odd auxiliary wide lens).
 
freecom2 said:
A proper wide would be quite nice really (not the odd auxiliary wide lens).
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That's exactly it!

I have got the Aux wide and although it does offer some flexibility it isn't as wide as I want.

Oh no I am talking myself into a.....................................:eek:
 
Andysnap said:
Having owned both a Leica and a Bessa and having sold both I can honestly say I miss the Bessa much more. It was bloody gorgeous and I will get another one at some point. Just my opinion but I think that pound for pound the Bessa is tops.

Andy
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An M is very different to your II though Andy. Although even as an M shooter myself, if you just want a rangefinder and not particularly fussed if it's a Leica or not then the Bessas are a fine choice and better in many regards than an M (swing back loading, better meter readout if you buy a RxM, aperture priority if you buy a RxA, wider choice of viewfinders). There are also the Zeiss Ikon ZMs, though I haven't really used one, according to people I've talked to the viewfinder is amazing.
 
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Thanks all, was hoping to get to 9days (a specialist camera in hk) yesterday, but didn't make it. They have some tidy-looking M4-Ps in which have piqued my interest. I'm buying a camera, not a collectible, so I don't give a monkeys if it's made in Canada.

My favourite shooting here is on the streets at night so was considering the cheaper M4 and putting the saving towards a 50 summilux, although I will look at the Noktons. After losing so much selling a laptop and DSLR recently I am keen on buying kit that has done all it's depreciation so am happy to splurge a bit more.

Going to check out some more shops today hopefully!
 
Chris, keep us posted about what you get, as you wil see your thread has generated interest in RF purchases in others!
 
Bessa R3A or Leica M4-P. Going to have a look at the M4-P Saturday, and think I am going to splurge on an old 50 Summilux.

Leica isn't that much more than the Voigtlander here....going to let the hands decide when I give them a fondle....but I think I know what that's going to result in!
 
Oops!



Looked at the Bessas but couldn't resist the Leica. Found a mint M6 TTL with 0.85 finder, and a slightly worn but sound 50 lux.

Now just attaching a strap and figuring out how to load it and I'm out to shoot a roll...luckily here in HK I can step out my front door and have a load of great subjects :)
 
Around 1k for the body, 1.5 for the lux, GBP equivalent. Decent price for HK but I'm avoiding looking at what I would have paid in the UK :S

Just shot a roll in my neighbourhood and dropped off at fuji studio, 4 days to develop though! I need to find some quicker cheaper places, which may be a challenge given the tog community is mostly Cantonese speaking here...
 
First roll back, all looks good, focus, metering all looks sharp. Only my boring test roll, but I'll upload some scans later :)
 
mid_gen said:
So I'm pretty much decided I am going to invest in a good rangefinder and some glass...
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Are Leica and Bessa your only options? Because there are a lot of good rangefinder cameras and lenses for notably less money.

For example.... what about the Zeiss Ikon Contax II and III?

I don't want to start the old battle of Leica vs Contax, but I don't understand why people spend a lot of money when there are other options as good as Leicas and more inexpensive.
 
I have been trawling the shops here for a while and there aren't a lot of them around. Tons of Leicas to choose from. The M6 was in the price range I was considering and I know it'll be something to pass down!

That and as soon as I looked at and handled a few, I knew I was going to buy a Leica. 'Worth it' is subjective, but you can't deny they are brilliantly made.
 
Ok, nobody will argue about the quality of the Leicas, but you have the same or even better quality in a Contax II/III for much less money and they don't need batteries.

You can find a lot of Contax on Ebay with a variety of prices and conditions, from mint to need repair or cleaning.

I'm trying to be objetive, without any fanatism for a brand, thinking about quality over price and I can't justify paying the prices of the Leica cameras.

I have a Kiev-4M from 1977, it's supposed to be a cheap russian copy of the Contax III but I was surprised about the solid construction, the clarity of the finder and the general condition after so many years. And you can buy one on Ebay for 50-80 Euros.

But if you already decided to buy a Leica... :)
 
I think decided, bought, loaded, shot, developed and posted...:lol:
 
Ha, true :)

I was kinda set on M-mount as I have a rich friend with a severe case of GAS so I've tried a variety of Leica/Voigtlander glass. I want a camera for life, and none of the others I looked at seemed to fit the bill. Originally was going to go for a cheaper M4-P, but the M6 just felt 'right'. Even the really battered one with brass rubbed through all over that I had a soft spot for :) Went for the minty one so I can spend the next 30 years making it look well used!
 
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