[Leica] re: just joined

[54moggie at embarqmail.com (Robert Lilley)]

Welcome,

I am a relatively new comer to the group myself but I've used Leica's over a
35 year period.  I owned a Leica IIIf during my army days and used it in
Vietnam. The small compact shape and collapsible lenses allowed me to carry
it in the shirt pocket of my jungle fatigues.  I used it all over the world
and sold it to a colonel in the Turkish army while stationed in Izmir.  I
have since regretted the sale.

I've also owned various M cameras, which didn't grab me as much as the
earlier screw mounts - but that is just me.  I think there are pros and cons
to both M and screw mount Leica cameras but I would recommend starting off
with a screw mount.  Not only are they cheaper but the lenses are easier to
afford as well.  I think it's all about the glass anyway and would place
acquisition of lenses over a more costly M with the modern viewfinder.  

Weather you go with a screw mount or M, you will have a good experience,
Leica's are lovely cameras but, if you buy used and most likely you will,
make sure you budget money to have the camera overhauled.  There is nothing
worse than tripping over flaws in a camera while in the field.  I'd rather
have an old Leica II that functions seamlessly over an M6 with issues.

But then, I drive a 1954 Morris Minor Series II Tourer ever Sunday afternoon
and love it.

Rob            

-----Original Message-----
From: lug-bounces+54moggie=embarqmail.com@leica-users.org
[mailto:lug-bounces+54moggie=embarqmail.com@leica-users.org] On Behalf Of
Leonard Taupier
Sent: Sunday, October 14, 2007 11:16 AM
To: Leica Users Group
Subject: Re: [Leica] re: just joined

Welcome to the group.

I definitely agree with Kyle about not getting a leica screw mount  
anything to start. They are definitely an acquired taste, especially  
if you only use SLRs. I bought my first leica in 1970, a IIIc. what a  
mistake. you could hardly see through the thing. I sold it two weeks  
later. It took another 30 years before I tried Leica again. This time  
it was an M6. What a joy versus the old IIIc. I now use a IIIc and  
IIIf from time to time. But it's still an acquired taste. Kinda like  
driving a Model T Ford on a Sunday afternoon.

Good luck with your bw photography.
Len


On Oct 14, 2007, at 10:51 AM, Kyle Cassidy wrote:

>
> welcome aboard!
>
> there are, i'm sure, plenty of people here with spare leicas. as  
> you may see on the friday for-sale day and also posting about what  
> you'd be interested in will probably elicit some useful off-list  
> replies as people empty out their closets for that M8....
>
> i saw marc recommended a iii, which i'd actually recommend against,  
> they are definitely built dodge tough but i personally find the two  
> viewfinders difficult to focus and acquire with. they are dang  
> small though. price-wise there probably hasn't been a better time  
> to buy a leica. i don't know what's currently the least expensive  
> of the M models, maybe a double stroke M3 or maybe even an M6, but  
> any of them will serve you well. or you could get a leica SLR, i've  
> seen some for as little as $350.
>
> in any event, enjoy photography, and enjoy finding your leica.
>
> kyle
>
> _______________________________________________
> Leica Users Group.
> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information


_______________________________________________
Leica Users Group.
See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information