Leica

Fajitas!

Before I'm given the "Go Google" card, I am, just want to see if anyone has any experience with Leica cameras and buying them.

It's my dads 50th this year, and he used to be big into photography, won plenty of amateur comps through the years, and showed me how to use a camera when I was pretty young. He's always commented that he'd love a Leica.

So, if anyone has any info, which model, lens, etc, please help!

In the mean time, I'll keep googling!

dalk

I presume he's interested in the Leica rangefinders rather than their slr's. This Site has lots of info about rangefinders.

Money is the main issue when it comes to Leica gear... You need lots of it! Having a body and few lens' would require a small mortgage...Because you are buying into the mystique as much as the camera. But if money is no issue you wont get a better quality rangefinder.

Anyway, why not consider a more affordable (and subjectively almost as good) rangefinder system like Bessa R. They are basically a Leica rangefinder copy. The glass is supposed to be excellent, there a number of lens to choose and the cameras look cool.

BTW I use a Contax G1 rangefinder. Sort of new age rangefinder. Great camera (crap viewfinder though). They are going for good value secondhand (like nearly all film cameras) on ebay and the lens are very very good.

Fajitas!

Cheers Dalk, interesting alright.

Money isn't too much of an issue, it's for my Da, so I don't mind, and I'm back working in 3 weeks until the end of Sept, and his birthday is in Oct, so plenty of intake I hope.

I'm going to see what happens anyways...

FinoBlad

Now thats a cool idea for a present. There are probably very few Leica users on the forum, so I'd recomend the Leica forum on Photo.net

I'd post your budget and the type of photography your dad enjoyed.

BTW Conns Cameras are Irelands Leica dealers if you want to see some in the flesh, but do buy online or from one of the UK second hand dealers.

Fajitas!

Thanks Fino!

I brought my Dad into Conns on Tuesday for some recon... Should have seen his eyes light up when he saw the Leicas!

FinoBlad

Maybe it was Conns prices

Seriously I've only used a M6 TTL and loved it, but unfort I'm no expert on the different models.

BTW There was some Leica in Buy and Sell a few weeks ago, from Kildare I think.
Trawl http://www.buyandsell.net you might be lucky.

Fajitas!

Thanks again Fino!

EDIT: It's there for 700, might give the chap a shout to see if he still has it, it's pretty good value compared to a lot on the internet. Guess there's a more specialist market there than there would be in Ireland.

Leinster Kildare €700.00
Mint cond, box caps etc, 50mm 1.4 anniversary lens

Very good considering it's usually about E1200 on the net without a lens!

dalk

Fajitas! wrote:

Leinster Kildare €700.00
Mint cond, box caps etc, 50mm 1.4 anniversary lens

Very good considering it's usually about E1200 on the net without a lens!

If thats real that would be very good indeed. To be honest for that price i would only be expecting to get the lens.

A "Anniversary Edition" M7 with 50mm f1.4 retails for lots & lots new... Wonder if its the same?

Seems too good to be true.

Fajitas!

Yeah, the problem with Leicas is that, you can buy the camera no problem, but noone sells the lenses with them!

It can't be too far off the mark, I found a few in English magazines for around the 500 sterling range, but not with the anniversary edition lens!

My mum is going to go halves with me on it, so that gives me a bit more budget anyways!