I always wanted a Leica but the cost was just too high. I did have a Hasselblad 500C, I think was the model. I just had the 80mm lens tho.
I used to work at a Summer resort back in the 60s. Our staff photographer had nothing but Leica equipment and he wasn’t wealthy so I guess it is possible to assemble an outfit without breaking the bank.
My Father brought back a mint Leica from WWII. He must have been a pretty good scrounger as he also got a Luger, a P-38 and an Austro-Hungarian .32. A gold pocket watch and a bottle of expensive French perfume for Mother.
The only thing I remember was the gold watch which my Brother has now. Everything else got sold over the years. Mother did use the perfume for a long time. It was in a really beautiful box.
the leica was a grand total of 800 bucks.. body and lens in 0ne..
Panasonic sold the same camera without the leica logo as a LUMIX for far less.
I HAD to have the Leica...but didnt know the electronics were made by panasonic..anyway.