| You can certainly get a nice usable vintage Leica for | | | | gentle dings are not a problem), the seller guarantees it |
| $500 or less. However, you need to understand a few | | | | all works, as it should. And the Leitz Summitry is a fine |
| things before you choose one. Leitz made two | | | | fast lens, but get the Elmer 5cm f3.5 instead if you can. |
| different systems of 35mm rangefinder cameras. | | | | Forget the original box (collectors will PUSH the price |
| The earlier system has a mount that accepts lenses | | | | for original boxes, but there's no advantage for you |
| that screw into the camera body (what we call 39mm | | | | there), don't worry about a case (they fall apart, and |
| screw mount, or LTM for Leica thread mount). They | | | | they sometimes cause more damage to the camera |
| introduced this system in 1930 with the Leica I(C) | | | | because they hold in moisture), but do try to get a |
| model, and continued it well into the 1950's up to the | | | | proper Leitz lens cap. This is your best bet for a |
| classic Leica IIIg. Concurrently during the 1950's, Leitz | | | | usable vintage Leica in the $400-$500 range. |
| introduced a new system that accepts lenses with a | | | | Now if you want to bend just a bit, and you'd like to |
| special bayonet mount (rather than screw in, the lens is | | | | explore those later M series cameras, you can |
| placed against the mount lined up with a red dot and a | | | | probably get a 1960-ish Leica M2 with a superb |
| quick quarter turn locks it in place). | | | | Submicron 50mm f2 lens somewhere in the |
| This is known as the M bayonet system, which started | | | | $500-$600 range. All the same thoughts apply in |
| with the superb Leica M3 and continues right up to the | | | | regards to condition, etc. The biggest advantage of the |
| latest M8. Okay, for $500 you want to find a classic | | | | M series over the old screw mount series is that if |
| Leica that your fiance', who probably knows and | | | | your fiance' eventually wants to get a modern Leica |
| appreciates the Leica mystique, can enjoy in his free | | | | (for work AND pleasure), any lenses he already has |
| time. | | | | with the M2 would be interchangeable with the later |
| I'm talking hobby camera, not camera for his work, | | | | camera. |
| because a photojournalist today would be doing his job | | | | The classic M3 is too desirable among collectors, the |
| with the latest digital gear. No problem. You're on the | | | | M1 has limited features, and you could consider |
| right track looking at the Leica IIIf. It's a common model, | | | | stepping up for the M4 (actually it would have to |
| with over 180,000 sold between 1950 and 1957, it | | | | specifically be the M4-2 because the original M4 has |
| accepts all the zillions of screw mount lenses Leitz | | | | become quite collectible as well), but that model is the |
| made up to that time (and also early 39mm screw | | | | first of the "modern" designs. So there you have it, the |
| mount Canon, Nikon, and even many Russian made | | | | Leica IIIf or the Leica M2, those are your best choices |
| lenses), and there's always a bunch available on eBay. | | | | in your price range. Regarding your question about |
| I do not recommend the Leica IIIg; although it is a better | | | | Leica values, in general, yes, all of them do increase in |
| camera, collectors keep it's price hovering in the $1000 | | | | value. |
| range. I do not recommend some other common | | | | The vast majority increases slightly ahead of inflation |
| earlier models like the Leica III, IIIa, or IIIc; although they're | | | | (over time, not right away), so not that terribly high, but |
| equally common and readily available for less money, | | | | certainly enough to equal money in the bank (and |
| they are also just old enough to cause a lot of trouble | | | | assuming you deal only in top condition). The historically |
| and frustration. Among the screw mount models, the | | | | significant models, and a few choice rare models, |
| Leica IIIf is a great choice. Find one that work! Don't | | | | increase by much greater degrees, in some cases to |
| take a risk on an example that needs any sort of | | | | the point of being ridiculous. Common models like the IIIf |
| repair. | | | | just seem to float along with the economy. So, in |
| Look for one that has a bit of external personality (as | | | | general, Leica cameras appear to be a good to |
| long as there's no overt damage, a few rub marks or | | | | excellent "investment". |