Need advice: $2500 to spend on rangefinder & lens

analog architect · May 16, 2018

I just recently started shooting film, and I have fallen in love with it. Ive been using a Canon QL17 and has been a fine camera. But now I want to step it up and get something a little more serious or feel the need to upgrade.

I have about $2500 to spend, and Im looking to purchase an M-mount camera and a lens for it. Im pretty much set on a 35mm focal length. Right now my 1st option is a Leica 35mm Summicron (used) and a Voigtlander Bessa R or R2m (used). 2nd option is Voigtlander 35mm 1.4 and a Leica M6. My question is should I go with a premium lens or a premium body, to begin with? Ive also looked at Zeiss 35mm f2, but because of its size Im kind of weary how much viewfinder blockage does it give, and I would have to pair that lens up with Voigtlander R2m since Im on a budget.

Theo Sulphate · May 16, 2018

Welcome to the Photrio forums!

The lens is the most important, body second. Of course, your skills are really what counts.

I recently got this 35/2 for one of my M6's. There's no viewfinder blockage at all; it's very compact:

analog architect · May 16, 2018

Theo Sulphate said:
Welcome to the Photrio forums!

The lens is the most important, body second. Of course, your skills are really what counts.

I recently got this 35/2 for one of my M6's. There's no viewfinder blockage at all; it's very compact:

View attachment 200645

Thank you, but I was referring to the Zeiss 35mm f2, its a lot longer than the Summicron, and thats without a lens hood.

That is a great looking camera and lens combo by the way.

Theo Sulphate · May 16, 2018

analog architect said:
Thank you, but I was referring to the Zeiss 35mm f2, its a lot longer than the Summicron, and thats without a lens hood.
...

Ah - I have tried the Zeiss 35/2 and admired its precision and obvious high quality of workmanship. However, I thought it intruded too far into the viewfinder image and that would be a constant annoyance to me. Therefore I made the decision get this Summicron (this is a type 4 - the most compact). I posted an actual viewfinder image in a different thread about a week ago; I reproduce it below.

Arbitrarium · May 16, 2018

$2,500? Travel the world with your Canonet.

Jim Jones · May 16, 2018

An external viewfinder on a rangefinder solves the problem of a lens hood blocking the view. However, some external viewfinders don't have the image quality of the camera's finder.

BradS · May 16, 2018

Arbitrarium said:
$2,500? Travel the world with your Canonet.

^^ what he said !

Saganich · May 16, 2018

Did you fall in love with B&W film? If color if the main go with the second option. If B&W is the main go with 1st option but get a Leica M2 instead and learn to see the exposure outside the camera.

Ko.Fe. · May 16, 2018

I'm not sure if you will be able to find LTM 35 Cron in this price range. If they made any 35 ltm Cron.
I had R and now R2M as backup. Those are made on cheap Cosina SLR base. Classic budgetary MF SLRs were made on this base and sold under Nikon name earlier in this century. If you know these cameras you could actually see how they slapped RF part on SLR body. It is more obvious with R2M.

You could find NIB R for under 500$ and get mint Ultron 30 1.7 LTM.
This combo will give same pictures as Cron, if not better.

If you want Leica expirience, look for any M with 35 mm sold after CLA or with store warranty. M2 under 1K$ will do.
For lens, I have Summarit-M 35 2.5. It is not overpriced as Crons, but it is Leica lens.
For 2500 you could get M6 and this lens.

With 1.4 aperture you must watch it not to be open on sunny day. If not you'll get hole in the curtain.
It is in the manual, btw.

film_man · May 16, 2018

Bodywise don't forget the Zeiss ZM Ikon, they are tricky to find though. All these options (Zeiss, Voigtlander R2/4 or Leica M4/6/7) are great and "premium", I would be more concerned with how easily you can service one (which you *will* have to at some point).

I know they say put your money in the glass but really any M-mount lens is very good to begin with so it doesn't make much difference.

Paul Howell · May 16, 2018

Out of the box Konica Hexar RF with Konica 35 F2. Motorized film advance, top shutter speed of 1/2000 and an excellent 35mm, will taka any M mount lens.

4season · May 16, 2018

If you're itching to try a Leica, buy a Leica and in particular, the M6 "classic" with standard 0.72x finder as they are plentiful and prices are OK as far as Leicas go. Newer ones have finder LEDs which flash if you forget to remove the lens cap, a handy feature. 0.72x finder is very comfortable when used with 35 or 50mm lenses.

Lots of great and compact lenses available in the 35 and 40mm range! Besides the aforementioned current model Leica Summarit or Voigtlander offerings there's also the 40/2 Summicron-C aka Minolta Rokkor something-or-other. Same lens, different name. In stock form, it brings up the 50mm frame lines, but with a little bit of alteration, it can be made to bring up the 35mm frame lines instead, and I think this is a better fit. Lens has a wonderful look to it: Sharp and "punchy" in the center, less so in the corners. Tiny too.

No real downside to the 40/2 save that the filter threading is kind of odd, like Series 5.5. Rather than fuss with that, I'd advise buying a Series 5.5 -> 39mm adapter ring and just use 39mm accessories like everyone else.

Yes, I would also consider Voigtlander camera bodies, but I am probably older and have mostly gotten over "Leica fever" whereas you may not be there yet!

warden · May 16, 2018

You might consider the ZM35mm Biogon f2.8, which is smaller/lighter/less expensive than the Biogon f2.0. If you need the f2.0 speed the ZM35 f2 is hard to beat for your budget. I'd prioritize the lens, and then get the camera with the funds remaining.

EDIT - I now see "architect" is in your screen name. If you plan on using your 35 for buildings definitely get the 2.0 as it's almost distortion free. Welcome to the forum!

mshchem · May 16, 2018

I have had M2, M6ttl. 72. Both great cameras. I finally settled on a M6ttl. 85. It has the same viewfinder magnification as M2/MP. I bought the camera new old stock perfect for 2200 recently. I had to have a 50mm Summicron. For 35mm I bought a Cosina Zeiss ZM Biogon 2.8. Terrific lens, don't buy the damn 85 dollar lens hood, I found a knock off on Ebay for 5 bucks, ventilated gee whiz lens hood.
Seriously unless you just want to spend money and aquire pretty things (my situation ) a nice CLA'ed Japanese rangefinder, will look and work great. In spite of the advertising, money is more attractive to the opposite sex than Leicas.

pentaxuser · May 16, 2018

Saganich said:
Did you fall in love with B&W film? If color if the main go with the second option. If B&W is the main go with 1st option but get a Leica M2 instead and learn to see the exposure outside the camera.

Can you expand on the above in terms of reasons? Thanks

pentaxuser

TheRook · May 17, 2018

Arbitrarium said:
$2,500? Travel the world with your Canonet.

Excellent advice.

Poisson Du Jour · May 17, 2018

TheRook said:
Excellent advice.

Very excellent advice.

Need advice: $2500 to spend on rangefinder & lens

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