[Leica] "Best Buy" Leica SLR recommendations, please

[CAMRALUGGR@aol.com]

My 18 year-old son is in his second year of a professional photography 
course, and has asked that we consider obtaining a Leica SLR with a 50mm for 
his use.  He has access to a considerable amount of  N***n equipment, so he 
isn't lacking for bodies or lenses to use.   However, he has an aritist's 
appreciation for subtle, qualitative differences in tonal rendition, and has 
often pointed it out in photographs which (unknown to him) happened to have 
been taken by Leica-using photographers.  

I have read the archives, as well as some of the (very few) sites on Leica 
SLRs, and it would appear that our choice of affordable, used bodies include 
Leicaflex SL,  R3, R4 (above ser #1.6M) and R4sP.  There are a considerable 
number of two-cam lenses on the market at attractive prices that would make 
the Leicaflex a great value, but it lacks any AE (not necessarily a bad 
thing).  Are conversions to three-cam expensive?  How about the R3 from a 
users perspective?  I'd like to keep the initial purchase under $600, if 
possible, for body and normal lens.  

Not to waste bandwidth, I must say it is a thrill to have my teenage son 
share an interest in photography.  So, if buying a Leica SLR for his use 
promotes "quality time" interaction with him, it is money well spent!  Your 
thoughts and suggestions are welcome.  Feel free to email me privately if you 
wish, and if anyone has something along these lines to sell on Friday, please 
let me hear from you!

Best regards -- Mike Crist
                      camraluggr@aol.com