YesDo you expect the prices to go up, down, or stay?
If you want one, get one. There are plenty of choices at all price points if you stick with LTM. Choices are more limited and expensive if you want M-bayonet, which seems to be what you’re focused on. I’d avoid other proprietary mount$.Should I hold on getting one, or get one soon?
Seems like a Leica M2 in good user condition can be had for not a whole lot more than those other alternatives. I'd save a little bit longer and get the real thing.
I have been tempted to get more rangefinders. But I have heard people say that typically the rangefinder focus mechanism will fall out of adjustment over time and need to be realigned. If that is true, I wonder how many of the people jumping onto the fad of rangefinders realize it?
I realigned the focusing screen on my Konica C35 the other day, it was a 2 minute job.
Good to know. If someone gets a given rangefinder, how would they find out how to adjust the focus? Get a service manual?
I have been tempted to get more rangefinders. But I have heard people say that typically the rangefinder focus mechanism will fall out of adjustment over time and need to be realigned. If that is true, I wonder how many of the people jumping onto the fad of rangefinders realize it?
I have no personal experience adjusting a Leica M focus but the LTM Leicas are very easy. I did a couple of them myself before the benign essential tremor in my hands got too bad.I’d say google is your friend. I think the Leicas are significantly more difficult than the konica.
I wonder how many of the people jumping onto the fad of rangefinders realize it?
What does this timeworn cliche mean? The OP specifically said he wants an interchangeable lens rangefinder.
Thanks!My advice would be to ask yourself why you want an interchangeable lens rangefinder. I’m not saying you shouldn’t want one, but camera lust often begins with an idea of what you could do if only you had something different… What does it offer that you don’t have now? Compactness? Quiet operation? Ease of use? Uninterrupted viewing? More or less so than what you already have?
If your question wasn’t specifically about interchangeable lens rangefinders I’d suggest picking up the first decent Spotmatic or Nikon SLR to come your way and call it good. If money is a concern you’ll be money ahead no matter which way you look at it.
After considering what it is you really want, and finding that it is indeed a rangefinder, I would then save up and get a Leica. Rangefinder lust… it begins and ends with Leica, unfortunately. Either LTM or M depending on your preference. The M bodies are very slick to use, the LTM bodies less so but still very capable.
I disagree that the camera body is irrelevant. Ever used an interchangeable lens Voigtlander Prominent? Talk about great lenses made almost useless by a clumsy-borderline-infuriating body and viewfinder. Sure you can take great pictures with it. You can also miss a lot of great pictures with it. Perhaps an extreme example, but it proves the point that ergonomics absolutely do matter.
The M cameras just get out of the way and do their job, plus you can use a huge range of lenses, from $15 Industar-61’s to vintage Leica, Canon, Nikkor, etc. to the best modern designs.
Nothing in particular against other options. I wouldn’t turn down a decent Canon if it was working well. Nikons are great too, though lens choices are limited. But Leicas offer something quite valuable in return for the price: a very high probability they will remain serviceable for many decades to come. The same may be true for some other brands, perhaps to a lesser extent due to quantity and demand. Leica made a whole lot of cameras and there is still a strong demand to keep them working.
Sorry, I don’t mean to evangelize, that’s not the point.
I was in your shoes 2 years ago and ultimately saved up and bought a nice M3. It was worth it. I like using it. I don’t care if there is a bandwagon full of Leica-owning dentists, lawyers, engineers, film hipsters and YouTubers. There is still room on the bandwagon for normal people who just want a nice camera.
Looking at eBay right now, I see that map camera (a highly respected Leica dealer in Japan) is offering a user Leica M2 for $1360. It's not a beauty queen but it's not ugly either. They say it is fully functional and they know what they're talking about. At that price, I don't see any point in spending $1000 on a Bessa...If you buy a Bessa, you'll still want the Leica eventually so, just go there directly.
Why would some people want interchangeable lenses for range finder cameras?
Because there are no zoom lenses for those cameras.
Looking at eBay right now, I see that Map camera (a highly respected Leica dealer in Japan) is offering a user Leica M2 for $1360. It's not a beauty queen but it's not ugly either. They say it is fully functional and they know what they're talking about. At that price, I don't see any point in spending $1000 on a Bessa...If you buy a Bessa, you'll still want the Leica eventually so, just go there directly.
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