Which Leica M?

mathomas · Jul 29, 2010

BetterSense said:
I'm not familiar with Leicas; can someone explain to me how you reload them, and why it's different than Japanese SLRs? I'm trying to imagine any other loading scheme and having a hard time understanding how it could be that different.

These videos demonstrate pretty well:

M2/3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyJf1xbFTrk

M4 and on...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jNhaOFiXBQ

jacksond · Sep 1, 2010

I have an M3 and an M6. The M3 is ideal for 90mm and usable for 135mm. The 35 goggles are a nuisance on the M3 so the 35 Summicron will probably go.. I use the M6 with a Voigtlander Skopar 2.5/35. I think that the M6 is more suitable for 28-50mm. The M6 framelines a a bit too small for the longer lenses, in my opinion. It all depends upon which lenses are more important to the photographer.

mhcfires · Sep 4, 2010

jacksond said:
I have an M3 and an M6. The M3 is ideal for 90mm and usable for 135mm. The 35 goggles are a nuisance on the M3 so the 35 Summicron will probably go.. I use the M6 with a Voigtlander Skopar 2.5/35. I think that the M6 is more suitable for 28-50mm. The M6 framelines a a bit too small for the longer lenses, in my opinion. It all depends upon which lenses are more important to the photographer.

I love my M2, the 35mm frameline is wonderful. Now to get a better 35mm lens, at present I'm using a Summaron. Not bacd, but not a Summicron.

Vilk · Sep 4, 2010

jnanian said:
M3 and you have to go to paris and nyc too.

okee, i almost bailed out of this thread, but this one made me hit the button

got M3, been to paris, been to the apple. leaving for paris again in a couple of weeks. with my F2. and another F2. and no M3. "flimsy" stays home

Xmas · Sep 12, 2010

mhcfires said:
I love my M2, the 35mm frameline is wonderful. Now to get a better 35mm lens, at present I'm using a Summaron. Not bacd, but not a Summicron.

Hi

A pristine f/2.8 is better than any of the crons except the Asph, and I'd not bother with the Asph unless you need the f/2 frequently...

Of course if you like boketh and flare... YMMV

Noel

Venchka · Sep 16, 2010

Only 1? While I used to have a pair, sent bubba off to a new home, one is enough to keep me grinning and my over abundance of lenses vying for attention.
One Leica you ask? Easy.
Number 5
Number 5
Number 5

tomasis · Oct 6, 2010

CLA'd M3 .. best Leica body ever! (if you prefer 50mm)

when you prefer 35mm lens, M4 is a classic.. cheaper would fit as M4P

thegman · Oct 6, 2010

I don't have any Leica, but if I were to get one it would the M6, good combo of modernity and price. If money were no object, then it would be an MP. I shoot slide film a bit, so a good meter is critical.

mhcfires · Oct 6, 2010

tomasis said:
CLA'd M3 .. best Leica body ever! (if you prefer 50mm)

when you prefer 35mm lens, M4 is a classic.. cheaper would fit as M4P

I have an M2. The 35mm frame lines made me choose this camera over the M3. I finally decided on a CV Nokton 35/1.4. It may not be a Summicron, or a Summilux, but I'm sure liking this lens.

tomasis · Oct 6, 2010

mhcfires said:
I have an M2. The 35mm frame lines made me choose this camera over the M3. I finally decided on a CV Nokton 35/1.4. It may not be a Summicron, or a Summilux, but I'm sure liking this lens.

like I said, m3 for them who prefer 50mm, m4 and m2 for them who prefer 35mm

enjoy of your camera

myself, I use Summicron a lot. Fantastic lens!

spencewine · Oct 29, 2010

M2 because I like the 35mm framelines and the smoothness. It's a real joy to use. I can vouch that the m4-2 is indeed the worst built leica. Mine has needed 4 different repairs in that last 12 months. Repairs alone cost me more than the camera.

segedi · Oct 29, 2010

MP - Black Paint

I'd opt for the MP, because well... that's what I ended up getting. I got it because I wanted a camera that I knew I would keep/use forever. Great camera, love the shutter - it doesn't create any movement of the solidly built body. It's dead simple to use, even re-loading film. I can actually load it faster than my Voigtlander R4A!

clayne · Oct 29, 2010

MP cost you twice as much as any m4 or m2. And that's including a CLA from DAG or Sherry.

jcarnes · Oct 30, 2010

If I had to question myself I wouldn't buy one.

Xmas · Nov 1, 2010

clayne said:
MP cost you twice as much as any m4 or m2. And that's including a CLA from DAG or Sherry.

Hi

In UK there is a 20% differential between a M2 and M4 (typically) and a used MP > 3x differential between serviced M2 and MP.

Many people will need a quick load kit with M2, but the kit is not that expensive or difficult to get.

Some people prefer two take up spools.

But the more deliberate loading of M2 verses a M4 or MP is only a problem with Gatlling gun style shooting...

Noel
P.S. Many people into cine film or other bulk 35mm wont find the MP chassis acceptable, no IXMOO

pluto · Oct 27, 2011

~Dom

P.S. If you wear glasses, you should probably go for a 0.58 viewfinder.[/QUOTE]

Hi,
sorry for my total ignorance about issue, but why if one wear glasses it's better 0,58 viewfinder?

Joseph

darkosaric · Oct 27, 2011

pluto said:
~Dom

P.S. If you wear glasses, you should probably go for a 0.58 viewfinder.

Hi,
sorry for my total ignorance about issue, but why if one wear glasses it's better 0,58 viewfinder?

Joseph

I think with glasses better is to have 0.85, not 0.58

pluto · Oct 27, 2011

Thanks, Darko. But I still do not understand why.
Is it because there is less distance between the viewfinder and the image-plane?

Joseph

budrichard · Oct 27, 2011

Has the OP purchased an M camera yet?
Why the one year delay between Posts?-Dick

segedi · Oct 27, 2011

He probably bought 2 or 3 and is deciding which one to keep : )

pluto · Oct 27, 2011

budrichard said:
Has the OP purchased an M camera yet?
Why the one year delay between Posts?-Dick

This is life.
And about my question?

J

segedi · Oct 27, 2011

pluto - when you wear glasses your eyeball isn't as close to the viewfinder. The .58x viewfinder has a lot of space around the framelines, more space around the 28 and the 35mm framelines (the frameline box is essentially smaller) so those with glasses can actually see the frameline. When you have glasses and say the .85x viewfinder, the 28 isn't there and the 35mm is much closer to the edge, with glasses, you wouldn't be able to see the 35mm frameline at all.

pluto · Oct 27, 2011

Thanks, segedi.
Finally I think to get over this first step.
There are so many questions......but I'm satisfy for today.

Joseph

sangetsu · Nov 10, 2011

I have the M2, M3 DS and SS, M4, M4P, M6, and M6TTL. Overall, the best all around is the M4. The quality of materials and parts in the M4 is better than the later cameras. Compared to the earlier cameras, it is has 35mm frame lines, and it doesn't require a film take up spool. I have played with an MP, but it isn't as well made as the M4 and earlier cameras, while costing several times as much.

michaelbsc · Nov 11, 2011

sangetsu said:
I have the M2, M3 DS and SS, M4, M4P, M6, and M6TTL. Overall, the best all around is the M4. The quality of materials and parts in the M4 is better than the later cameras. Compared to the earlier cameras, it is has 35mm frame lines, and it doesn't require a film take up spool. I have played with an MP, but it isn't as well made as the M4 and earlier cameras, while costing several times as much.

So the M4 has frame lines for 35, 50, & 90?

Which Leica M?

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