Hello people of 1x!

Im currently looking into purchasing a film-camera to improve my "photoeye". My current photoset consists of a EOS 50D and a bunch of lenses. (70-200 L 4f, 50 mm 1.4 and so on)

 

Anywho, Im really having a hard time deciding between the Pentax MX and a Leica M3.(this leica beeing somewhat in the same pricerange)

The thing im most concerned about is imagequality and optic quality. Id rather but a bit more money in a Leica set, if it preforms a lot better. Ive had a hard time find any good info besides the facts I get from the cameras. I know one of them is a rangefinder and the other is a SLR and so on..

 

Do you guys have any options and advice?

also, im unsure which optics are the best for the MX, I know mostly all of the leica M optics are timeless and high quality

 

thanks guys

Regards Siv

Go on ebay and buy a Minolta SRT-101 for about $50 and get a couple of really nice MC/MD lenses for not much more each. Then buy some Tri-X or Velvia and go have fun. Or if they will work like in NIkon land, buy a Canon film body and use the lenses you already have. One of the great things about Nikon F mount is that all my Nikon lenses will work on both my older film bodies and my D7000.

 

When shooting film, the body doesn't make much difference at all. And film doesn't shot the same unnatural micro-contrast sharpness as digital, so hyper expensive glass is not that important. Especially if your goal is as stated: "to improve my 'photoeye'."

 

Then after a while if you want to continue with film you can get fancier with your kit and buy a Coolscan!!

I'm not sure where you you are looking for the MX to be the same price as M3. I own MX and it's my favourite 35mm camera. It shouldn't cost you more than $100. For pentax you can get the limited primes which will cost you just a bit less than Leica glass. I own all 3 lenses and they are great. Or you can go for the cheaper glass. All excellent. Check pentax forums, they have a database and ratings for all the lenses.

 

The great thing about MX is that it has the biggest viewfinder of any 35mm SLR made, even bigger than OMs. It's great for composing and seeing a shot snap in and out of focus.

i would, to start of with film, also buy a canon film body. i only shoot with them, they do cost about 20 - 100 dollar when already used. you can then use your glass on them.

 

i have some leicas but actually dont use them. no question they are great quality and so are the lenses. i just dont see the point why to spend so much money. it's the film that is important.