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Rangefinder-Photography

Public Group active 3 weeks, 2 days ago

Well, there is a huge range of rangefinder-cameras so far. They are an alcove today, but still new ones are produced. Most famous: the CV-Bessas, the Zeiss-Ikon ZM and of course, the Leicas.
This may be a group for all kinds of rangefinder-photography. So, not only for 24x36mm, but also for 6×6, 6×7, or whatever you like!

Favourite Leica M cameras (9 posts)

  • Profile picture of kenneth kenneth said 1 year, 4 months ago:

    I have to say M6 Classics- 0.72 as I have 2 bodies which I use with various Summicrom lenses my favourite being a Summicron 35mm asph.

    I would suggest that favourite Leica optics might prove more productive as the camera body is just a black lined box with a hole in the front.

    The 50mm Summicron pre 6 bit comes a close second and as the results are similar to the 35mm lens I nearly always just take one of the bodies out which either lans attached

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  • Profile picture of kenneth kenneth said 1 year, 4 months ago:

    Regarding rangefinder systems. I use a Billingham 225 which I find is perfect storage for a couple of bodies, three or four lenses. A spot meter and flash gun. This all fits very well in the main compartment. The front zipped section swallows filters and various accessories. The front two pockets hold plenty of film stock. The accessory loops would accommodate a tripod but mine is a little heavy so I tend to carry it separately. The press top on this bag makes it very useful to work of of and the zipped pocket on the back accommodates note books and the like.

    I also use a Billingham Packington bag which is an excellent travel/ day bag which also has a photo insert affording protection to any valuable camera you that I might take on a trip

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  • Profile picture of filmfun filmfun said 1 year, 4 months ago:

    Kenneth, it is interesting what you say regarding Leica optics. I’m a little short of cash so I would be interested to know if you consider there are any worthy non-Leica lenses that are completely compatible with the M system…ie coupled correctly with the viewfinder frame lines and parallax correction? Thanks.

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  • Profile picture of Ken Davis Ken Davis said 1 year, 4 months ago:

    I do like the 50mm Summicron as Kenneth says. I have used various of the Voigtlander (Cosina) lenses and while they don’t have the ’3-D’ quality of the Leica lenses they do well. Ken Rockwell does a ‘user review’ of some of the lenses here:

    http://kenrockwell.com/voigtlander/index.htm

    If you get the L39 versions and use the relevant Voigtlander or Leica L39 to M adapters you can use them happily on the M series and if you then fancy getting a screw series body you can use them on that.
    Hope that helps.

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  • Profile picture of filmfun filmfun said 1 year, 4 months ago:

    Thank you Ken for your thoughts on cameras and Leica lens alternatives, that is most useful. BTW, I love your snow scenes…great lighting.

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  • Profile picture of kenneth kenneth said 9 months ago:

    Sorry, I had not see your post regarding comparative optics to Leica. I have a CV 25mm f4 Colour Skopar and a CV 75mm f2.5 Collour Hellier which I purchased as I do not use that focal length very often. I also have a Nikkor 35mm f2.8 PC Shift Lens and a Nokkor 85mm f2.5 lens. Quite frankly nothing comes close to Leica Summicron and Summilux optics but you pays your money and you know the rest. I strongly recommend saving up for at least 1 Summicron lens and I would suggest that one being a 35mm Summicron M asph

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  • Profile picture of Clearlight Clearlight said 4 months ago:

    Favourite M? Has to be an MP, though the M3 is a joy to use with a 50mm Summicron.

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  • Profile picture of lumenosity said 2 months, 2 weeks ago:

    My favourite M camera isn’t made by Leica, rather it is a Zeiss Ikon ZI with a set of Zeiss ZM lenses to go with it. Nice!

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  • Profile picture of Fotohuis Fotohuis said 1 month, 3 weeks ago:

    M7 + Elmarit 2,8/28mm, Summicron 2,0/50mm, Summarit 2,5/75mm and a C.V. SWH 4,5/15mm-M. My medium format RF is the C.V. Bessa III 667.

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