Re: Leica Intro SLR Choice

[yeung@reed.edu (Woodrow Yeung)]

Hi,

I'd suggest you check out http://www.aa.net/dci/

>So, I'd like advice on a "cheap" used SLR camera and lens from Leica
>-that will show off the Leica look at its best-.  I've been using
>Nikon for years so it will have to be better than that.  I tend to
>like 50mm lenses a lot, so that would be preferred, but alternatives
>considered.

You can get into a Leica SLR for ~$700.  The 50mm f2 lens is the cheapest
Leica has to offer.  While not the best Leica lens, it will give you the
Leica look.  It's easy (cheap) to make a good 50mm lens.  You can pick up a
body from the R4 line for pretty cheap too.  The early R4's had problems
with the electronics so you need to watch out when getting one.  Shutter
speed only goes up to 1/1000th sec.  I tend to use the R4 in manual mode
because the exposure compensation dial is so hard to use.

>The point about "cheap" isn't that I can't afford Leica, I can (it's
>still a stretch).  Rather, this is an experiment, and I would like
>to be able to get in cheaply and get out with most of my money if I
>decide Leica is not for me.  On the other hand, if I did decide to
>stay with Leica, I would want this camera to be a reasonable backup
>body.

I use the R4 as a backup body, but I use it a lot because I tend to shoot
different types of film at the same time.  I usually keep B&W film in it
while I use color film in my R7.  With the R7, I prefer to use aperture
priority mode, and setting the exposure compensation.

Woody Yeung
yeung@reed.edu