first leica

[darkosaric]

Can you adjust the range finder yourself in an m4/m4-2? And are they completely different cameras, Or just made in Canada.

Not different cameras - made in Canada or Germany - lenses and cameras are equally good.
I would not touch or adjust anything on my Leicas - absolutely nothing.

Edit:

Instead of ebay - look here:

https://www.meister-camera.com/

I got 2 Leicas it this shop (they have one in Berlin, one in Hamburg). They come with warranty - and often they are cheaper than ebay. I paid there for my Leica III with elmar only 250€ - work like a charm.

 

[blockend]

Can you adjust the range finder yourself in an m4/m4-2? And are they completely different cameras, Or just made in Canada.
Heres what I've been looking at...

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Leica-M2-Gehause-1108788-/182001802020?hash=item2a60271b24:g:GM8AAOSwMmBVydDD
http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Leica-M4-Gehause-1191002-/172078083552?hash=item2810a72de0:g:FPAAAOSwhkRWcYqe
http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Leica-M4-2-3...841767?hash=item1eaa756f27:g:gUwAAOSwa-dWo4MX

Looking at eBay sold prices for the Leica M4-2 (using the Advanced feature) shows clean examples selling from £360 upwards, with £500 being the cut off point beyond which only exceptional examples sell. Obviously you know your own budget and expectations, but if I were paying north of half a grand I'd want a lovely example and possibly a warranty of some kind.

Garry Winogrand's Leica M4. I wonder how many hundred thousand rolls of film it takes to impress film into the pressure plate?: https://www.cameraquest.com/LeicaM4G.htm

 

[seanE]

thanks guys, I've checked the sold listings on then bay, and they seem cheeper than what I'm looking at, but I've been looking for a while now and there not cheap, are leeches going up in price?
i will also keep an eye on that meister-camera site,

 

[seanE]

this looks cool! no need for the winder but I'm sure it would fetch me back some yo-yos.

http://www.leica-store-berlin.de/en...meras/produkt/leica-m4-2-schwarz-mit-ovp.html

 

[Xmas]

It is way difficult to adjust the rangefinder of an M or eg CanonP cause they are good for fast 0.95 - 1.2 5cm lenses.

If you drop the camera you may need it recalibrated.

It is calibrated to be exact at 1m, 10m and infinity with minium outage between these points if the repair person knows what he is doing.
The registration plate needs to be correct, as does the lens.

It is less critical with a 28mm /2.8...

But you need to be happy using it, eg a Canon P is faster handling, for loading. Some people can't reliably load a M4 or later M!

It is a very subjective choice.

PS the viewfinders age but can be rebuilt better than new, just costs another kidney. A beaten up one will take the same photos. And won't reduce in resale value if you drop it.

 

[Luis-F-S]

So are you getting your first Leica or your first Large Format lens? Seems like quite a wide range in your photo interests.

 

[seanE]

I know I have a problem I need to satisfy my Leica want, So I can finally stop being disappointed with modern digital build quality

 

[blockend]

So I can finally stop being disappointed with modern digital build quality

While I agree some film cameras are beautifully built, modern professional DSLRs can endure frame counts that would reduce most film cameras to junk. There is a difference between feel and durability.

 

[seanE]

yes, but if you're paying a few grand for a camera why skimp on ''a plastic pop up falash for instance'' most nikons ''look'' like junk after a year, work grate but dam are they ugly

 

[blockend]

yes, but if you're paying a few grand for a camera why skimp on ''a plastic pop up falash for instance'' most nikons ''look'' like junk after a year, work grate but dam are they ugly

Yes, I agree most digital cameras are ugly, and the ones that aren't try to look like old film cameras. Of course you're not compelled to keep updating, and if you don't print larger than 16 x 12" it's arguable whether there's any point. The vast majority of images, digital or film, never make it past a screen.

 

[ambaker]

While I agree some film cameras are beautifully built, modern professional DSLRs can endure frame counts that would reduce most film cameras to junk. There is a difference between feel and durability.

Looking at the Nikon F6, a more modern film camera, which I believe is a more fair comparison, its shutter has been tested at 150,000 actuations. Pretty comparable.

Then when you take into account the difference in shooting styles between the two mediums, the Nikon should last longer when measured in years. Note: I am not making a judgement on either medium. I shoot digital and film.

 

[nolanr66]

If your into film for the long haul then a Leica would not be to much money. The reason is it will last and it's forever repairable. Re-sale value is pretty good as long as you do not pay high when you buy it. You never know about 35mm values because it's all about the film. The future of film is not set in stone.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

DSLRs has nothing to do with APUG and SLR has nothing to do with RF.

Adjusting RF on Leica M is DIY. I have done it. Better have 90 degree screw driver for it (which is also DIY).
It is also possible to reskin it with purchased kit.
The rest... I'm not going to get inside. And beauty of any used film M - if you buy it without issues, you might need to service it after five or so years. And this is all it will need for another five+ years. If you aren't trashing it by careless use, of course.