Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/02/15
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search][I've looked everywhere I know to (Bengt's list of photo links, Phil Greenspun's site, Excite searches) and I haven't found a FAQ. If one exists that answers the following questions, please point me to it.] I do a lot of available-light people photography, sometimes in _extremely_ low light (last Saturday I was shooting @ f2.8, 1/8s, with 3200 ASA film). My ten minute experience with Leica M's has convinced me that I really need to give this system a chance. It seems like a wonderful tool for the kind of work I do. Now, I just need to figure out how to do it affordably. I'm almost convinced that an M3 or M4-P would make the most sense, but I've never had the opportunity to handle one. Any comments on the reliability of these models? (I've had bad experiences with 20 year-old equipment before.) Anything particular I need to ask about before purchase? Lenses are where I'm most confused. As nice as it would be to own a 75 f1.4, 50 f1, and 35 f1.4 APO...I just can't afford it yet. Right now I'll need one lens a little wider than 50mm, and one a little longer. Any comments on the "bargains" within the Leica line? How do the 20 year-old lenses (35mm and 90mm Summicrons are this old, right?) compare to their modern siblings? How flare-prone are they? How do they perform wide open? TIA for any replies. For such a simple camera, there sure are a ton of options. Oh yeah -- can anyone explain how well the MR meters work? Any idea how they do in low light? Other thoughts? _____________________ Derek Zeanah PGP ID: 0x9EAFC818 PGP fingerprint = 67AE 1FAA 029A 59D3 EC10 4487 EF30 413C 9EAF C818