A What Camera thread (but not Canon/Nikon)
Discussion
I've been shooting film for a while now, and I really like it.
I can't see me stopping in the near future, and enjoy the faff of it all, more than digital. For work (video production) we're of course unlikely to not use digital in the near future but for my hobby, I like film and with a birthday coming up, want to treat myself.
My primary film camera has been my father's old Canon A1 but I've also been using a Kiev 4 as well. I like the whole Rangefinder 'ethos' and had a play with a Leica in a camera shop earlier this year.
Obviously, I loved it and it was like using taking pictures on a Swiss watch and all that sort of thing, but here's the question:
Should I get one or should I get a Voigtlander Bessa?
There's no denying the appeal of the Red Dot, purely to scratch the itch, stupid as that may be. But at present I'm only talking about the body. There are various lenses I would like to go with it but let's for the moment assume the lenses will perform equally on other body.
There are two models that budget and requirements dictate I would be looking at - The Leica M2 and the Voigtlander Bessa R2M.
As far as I see it, the Voigtlander seems to give you everything and more than the Leica does, for about the same cost. But it's not a Leica.
They both cover 35mm framelines and they both operate without a battery but the Voigtlander gives you metering, a window to see what film you've loaded and an arguably neater loading system.
So would it be mad to buy the Leica?
What I've not done is used both so perhaps there is an intangible 'something' that separates them? I think I can probably live without a meter, but equally, it would be nice to have one. Both bodies seem to float around the £5-600 mark depending on condition so which would you go for and why?
Hoping some on here have used both and can give me a comparison
I can't see me stopping in the near future, and enjoy the faff of it all, more than digital. For work (video production) we're of course unlikely to not use digital in the near future but for my hobby, I like film and with a birthday coming up, want to treat myself.
My primary film camera has been my father's old Canon A1 but I've also been using a Kiev 4 as well. I like the whole Rangefinder 'ethos' and had a play with a Leica in a camera shop earlier this year.
Obviously, I loved it and it was like using taking pictures on a Swiss watch and all that sort of thing, but here's the question:
Should I get one or should I get a Voigtlander Bessa?
There's no denying the appeal of the Red Dot, purely to scratch the itch, stupid as that may be. But at present I'm only talking about the body. There are various lenses I would like to go with it but let's for the moment assume the lenses will perform equally on other body.
There are two models that budget and requirements dictate I would be looking at - The Leica M2 and the Voigtlander Bessa R2M.
As far as I see it, the Voigtlander seems to give you everything and more than the Leica does, for about the same cost. But it's not a Leica.
They both cover 35mm framelines and they both operate without a battery but the Voigtlander gives you metering, a window to see what film you've loaded and an arguably neater loading system.
So would it be mad to buy the Leica?
What I've not done is used both so perhaps there is an intangible 'something' that separates them? I think I can probably live without a meter, but equally, it would be nice to have one. Both bodies seem to float around the £5-600 mark depending on condition so which would you go for and why?
Hoping some on here have used both and can give me a comparison
Sounds like you've got your heart set on a Leica, and you're asking us to give you a tangible reason NOT to buy one!.
With these sort of cameras, the image quality is irrelevant as you'll be shooting with excellent glass anyway, and the camera features are also irrelevant as it's a fully manual mechanical camera (akin to a Swiss watch as you put it). You will be spending money on a camera that gives you that feeling you don't get with other cameras - which is not something you can put your finger on.
I shoot primarily with an OMD EM5, and was very lucky to be given a Leica M3 & 50mm Summicron for my 40th birthday. I have spent about 18months shooting with it on and off, and the feeling of shooting with something so tactile is an absolute joy. And the feeling you get when you see the developed photo and realise that you set-up and composed the camera correctly is not something you get when shooting digital.
As for whether to go for the Leica or not, I could be shooting with a Bessa but in my head I'm shooting with a Leica and it's an M3, and that feeling is something rather special indeed. Life is too short. Go for it.
With these sort of cameras, the image quality is irrelevant as you'll be shooting with excellent glass anyway, and the camera features are also irrelevant as it's a fully manual mechanical camera (akin to a Swiss watch as you put it). You will be spending money on a camera that gives you that feeling you don't get with other cameras - which is not something you can put your finger on.
I shoot primarily with an OMD EM5, and was very lucky to be given a Leica M3 & 50mm Summicron for my 40th birthday. I have spent about 18months shooting with it on and off, and the feeling of shooting with something so tactile is an absolute joy. And the feeling you get when you see the developed photo and realise that you set-up and composed the camera correctly is not something you get when shooting digital.
As for whether to go for the Leica or not, I could be shooting with a Bessa but in my head I'm shooting with a Leica and it's an M3, and that feeling is something rather special indeed. Life is too short. Go for it.
Yeah, I think you're absolutely right.
I WANT a Leica, but if I'm honest, it's just because rather than for any photographic reason. I think I can live with that
I've got a wedding coming up next year and my OH was talking about getting me one as a wedding gift so may even look at an M6 as well.
It's just difficult when you look at the spec sheet on the Bessa and think "Am I mad??" but as you say, it's intangible and I want one and we're a long time dead!
I WANT a Leica, but if I'm honest, it's just because rather than for any photographic reason. I think I can live with that
I've got a wedding coming up next year and my OH was talking about getting me one as a wedding gift so may even look at an M6 as well.
It's just difficult when you look at the spec sheet on the Bessa and think "Am I mad??" but as you say, it's intangible and I want one and we're a long time dead!
I have a Bessa and have just finished a year of shooting a roll a week with it. It's a great little camera and produces some stunning images. I liked it so much that I've now got a Leica M6 as well, and barely touch the Bessa anymore.
If you want a Leica, buy the Leica. Bessas are just a gateway drug that will lead to you buying one anyway. If you aren't sure if you want the Leica, then buy the Leica. If you shop carefully you'll get your money back if you sell it, so there is very little risk involved. If you just want an interchangeable lens rangefinder then get the Bessa, but beware the urge to buy a Leica that will follow!
If you want a Leica, buy the Leica. Bessas are just a gateway drug that will lead to you buying one anyway. If you aren't sure if you want the Leica, then buy the Leica. If you shop carefully you'll get your money back if you sell it, so there is very little risk involved. If you just want an interchangeable lens rangefinder then get the Bessa, but beware the urge to buy a Leica that will follow!
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