New (old) camera...

Re: New (old) camera...

feeds@yuku.com (Photojoe4) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 11:04:26 GMT

Yes, the Hexar's do have the M-mount, and from what I read they are quite excellent.

Re: New (old) camera...

feeds@yuku.com (ellensdad) — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 13:08:45 GMT

Hi Joe, I can't remember if the Konica Hexar lenses will work in the Leica M's (The M lenses will work in the Konica body). If so, the Konica Hexar 50 is a wonderful lens and can be had reasonably.

Re: New (old) camera...

feeds@yuku.com (Short Tip) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 23:41:50 GMT

Hi Joe,

Cosmetically, the camera is pretty sharp. There are little foam bars which act as stops for the mirror at each end of it's travel, they've deteriorated and shed all over the inside of the body. Shook most of it out but I'm sure it's going to need a more sophisticated cleaning than I can provide, plus the mirror is rattly when you fire the shutter. Also, the focusing screen won't resolve - probably needs adjustment. Probably nothing a good CLA wouldn't...

Re: New (old) camera...

feeds@yuku.com (Photojoe4) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 22:08:02 GMT

I had a couple Kern lenses for an old Bolex 16mm camera I used to shoot with and I remember they were quite good. There are a TON of adapters for the Leica, and just about every well known camera/lens manufacturer (Canon, Pentax, Minolta, Nikon, Zeiss...) has made a lens to fit it at one point or another. One thing that really drew me to the camera in the first place was the huge variety of lenses I can find for it, from the uncoated ones made in the 30's to the modern super sharp super...

Re: New (old) camera...

feeds@yuku.com (Short Tip) — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 21:33:42 GMT

Thanks Joe, I've seen the new Alpa, I think your price estimate is a bit low (!) I think I saw they also had a 33MP digital back available as well!
Based on what I've learned, the Kern 50mm/f1.9 lens mounted on the camera is the real superstar. One site called it "the best standard lens ever available". Kern was later absorbed by Leica. And the 100mm/f2 Kinoptik lens also drew rave reviews, not that the Schneider is any slouch. Sadly, the body has a few minor issues...

Re: New (old) camera...

feeds@yuku.com (Photojoe4) — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 11:20:29 GMT

That's a lovely camera! Nice lenses too- that Schneider in particular. Have you seen the new Alpa's? They've got interchangable backs (I think you can shoot with anything from 35mm up to 6x9 with everything in between) and they essentially take lenses mounted on lens boards like a large format camera. They certainly aren't cheap though- last time I looked I think a base model w/one lens and back was something like $10k

Re: New (old) camera...

feeds@yuku.com (Short Tip) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 20:29:15 GMT

It's not a rangefinder, but still pretty cool....... There's another body, and more lenses/accesories, but we haven't found them yet.

Re: New (old) camera...

feeds@yuku.com (Cane Head) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 00:42:32 GMT

Photojoe,
I've read about the Bessa III at rangefinderforum.com - too pricey for my blood. The older Fuji GS645 's are closer to my affordability. The old Soviet Jupiter lenses can be some nice glass for the price. I miss using my J-12, nice lense for the price, but it's large bulbous rear element doesn't work with the Bessa R - will probably spring for a CV 35/2.8 or a nice used 35/1.7.

Cane

Re: New (old) camera...

feeds@yuku.com (findwolfhard) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 14:19:35 GMT

In my view, carrying it outdoors into the rough, with just one lens, the vintage Leitz Ever-Ready-Cases are a good choice,- doesn`t look very cool, or, maybe, just so meanwhile,- unbeatable for protection and can be snapped up for ridiculously little money on Ebay, compared to the ridiculously high price, when bought new in those golden days! Just be sure that fastening screw fits into bottomplate thread,- there were 2 versions, but, I guess, export versions should match.
best Wolfhard...

Re: New (old) camera...

feeds@yuku.com (findwolfhard) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 10:09:44 GMT

HI Ken!
All in all a terrific camera,- BUT, for flyfishing purposes with regard to field action and carrying around alongside a rod, it`s probably the least suited camera to buy. Heavy and too costly to be dipped. The extra external lightmeter needs some handling, too! The Cosina-Voigtländer lenses compare excellently with the Leitz made ones. I can recommend the 1.4/35 or 1.4/40, very compact and terrific in performance when compared to the non-aspheric Leica types. The 1.2/35...

Re: New (old) camera...

feeds@yuku.com (CtKenC) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 21:38:30 GMT

Joe,
there is another alternative to consider ... you can "Rent" a lens from a good shop and try it out, or, try "them" out and see what you like, also, if for only a rare use renting is sometimes the best bet, a lot of Pros do that.
Ken

Re: New (old) camera...

feeds@yuku.com (Photojoe4) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 21:28:09 GMT

Yes, those Nocti's are quite lovely. But, at $5-6k they'll probably remain out of my reach for quite some time. If I do find I need a super fast lens, I'll probably opt for either the 50/.95 that Canon made, or the 35/1.2 by Voigtlander/Cosina. Alhough so far, I haven't really had a need for such a fast lens.

Re: New (old) camera...

feeds@yuku.com (CtKenC) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 20:45:26 GMT

Photojoe4 wrote:
Thanks Ken. The lenses I'm using right now are a 75mm Color Skopar, a 50mm J-3 (Russian), a 28mm/6 Orion 15, and I've got a lovely 35mm/3.5 Sumarron on its way to me. The next one on my "wish list" is a nice 50mm/2.

Joe,
I think you will find that 35mm a TERRIFIC lens, and, you will really like the 50mm as well.
I never fell in love with the 90mm but the faster, wider...

Re: New (old) camera...

feeds@yuku.com (Photojoe4) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 17:08:13 GMT

Thanks Ken. The lenses I'm using right now are a 75mm Color Skopar, a 50mm J-3 (Russian), a 28mm/6 Orion 15, and I've got a lovely 35mm/3.5 Sumarron on its way to me. The next one on my "wish list" is a nice 50mm/2.

Re: New (old) camera...

feeds@yuku.com (CtKenC) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 13:54:31 GMT

Really nice job of recovering it .... now the really fun part begins, the Lenses.
If you do what most of us do, you will acquire the critical 2 or 3 and then add those "special situation" lenses we just have to have and then find out we use "once in a blue moon".
Leica lenses just have a special quality, like Hasselblads.
Good luck ... you are off to a great start.
Ken

Re: New (old) camera...

feeds@yuku.com (Photojoe4) — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 13:18:23 GMT

Well, I got the camera, as well as the replacement leather kit. Here are the results:

Re: New (old) camera...

feeds@yuku.com (Photojoe4) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 22:39:33 GMT

Cane,

Have you heard about the new Bessa III that Cosina is going to be coming out with? It's a 120 folder..there's mention of it here http://www.cameraquest.com/

How do you like that Jupiter? Some of that Russian glass is really quite good..I owned a couple for my Hasse I used to shoot with and got pretty decent results:

Re: New (old) camera...

feeds@yuku.com (Cane Head) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 22:11:19 GMT

I have a Bessa R myself, along with a Yashica GSN, a Yashica Lynx 1000, and for the bigger film, a Mamiya 645 1000. Thinking about a medium formate Fuji rangefinder or even an older folder. Did have a Canon 7, but I passed it on to someone else. Like the Bessa coupled with a J-8. For tote along, quik pix, I have a Canon G10.

Cane

Re: New (old) camera...

feeds@yuku.com (Photojoe4) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 19:26:07 GMT

I was actually thinking about it, but I settled on the "Levant Black" instead.

Re: New (old) camera...

feeds@yuku.com (Short Tip) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 16:08:35 GMT

Nice. Are you getting the lizard skin?

New (old) camera...

feeds@yuku.com (Photojoe4) — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 22:01:33 GMT

I've been shooting with a Voigtlander Bessa R for a number of years and I've finally decided to make the switch to a Leica. I should be getting this some time next week: