Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2011/03/10
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Frank Dernie is right. You can get into the Leica system for the price of a digital Canon Rebel. But you have to forget about appearances. A stroll through the NYC camera stores revealed that you can buy a functional M body, either a M2, M3, or M4 for less than $500. Sure the vulcanite may be chipped and there may be small dents and scratches on the body but, what the hell, its a user, isn't it? A first or second generation 50 mm Summicron, a 35 mm Summaron, and a 90 mm Elmar will collectively set you back another $500. Or you can go even cheaper, and some say better, by picking up Canon lens equivalents. A few years back, I bought a Leica IIIc in good working condition from a NYC pawn shop for $150. It even came with a nice f3.5 50 mm Elmar. I got viewfinders and brass Leica cartridges out of camera store junk boxes for the price of a couple of Big Macs. Treasure hunting through old well established camera stores and photo district pawn shops is fun. You never know what you will discover. It's easier to find good, functional Leica gear than it is to locate the Holy Grail or the Ark of the Covenant. But, remember, if you buy into the old Leica system, you have to use film. Larry Z - - - - I just wish all the collectibles would flood the market one day instead of sitting in vaults. Maybe it could bring the price of Leica products down far enough that people who have wanted to get into the system could actually afford to do so. Phil Forrest