Which Leica M?

[vpwphoto]

M5... cheap and wierd.
I loved my CL cept the shutter dragged at lower temps... sickening results.

 

[MDR]

Leica M5 the Bad Boy or least loved Leica great viewfinder and just the right size for my hands.

Dominik

 

[cbphoto]

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.

I have personal fetish for the knob rewind of the M2, and have had the good fortune to get 2 of them that have the QuickLoad spool kit. That is my absolute favorite setup. If all of the M2s in the world went away, M4 would be the next logical choice. I agree that all later cameras lost something. The RFs aren't as snappy and the tulip spool is trickier than the Quickload.

 

[BrianL]

I too like the M5 but one needs to realize that it is as far from the original Leica concept as any model it can get as it is huge by Leica standards. They must be finding a following as the prices on them are rising somewhat faster than others from what I've noticed.

 

[OddE]

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

-Better late than never, so here goes - yes, it has (35/135), 50 and 90mm framelines. If they'd used the same layout as on the M2 (And done away with the 135mm framelines), there wouldn't be anything left to improve on the M4, IMHO.

 

[buzzardkid]

For full disclosure, the following list

M3: 50 - 90 - 135 (finder magnification: 0.91)
M2: 35 - 50 - 90 (finder magnification: 0.72)
M4: 35+135 - 50 - 90 (finder magnification: 0.72)
CL: 40 - 50 - 90, exposure meter (finder magnification: 0.72)
M5: 35+135 - 50 - 90, exposure meter (finder magnification: 0.72)
M4-2: 35+135 - 50 - 90 (finder magnification: 0.72)
M4P: 28+90 - 35+135 - 50+75 (finder magnification: 0.72)
M6: 28+90 - 35+135 - 50+75, exposure meter (finder magnification: 0.58, 0.72, 0.85)
M7: 28+90 - 35+135 - 50+75, exposure meter, AE (finder magnification: 0.58, 0.72, 0.85)

Once RFF is back up, there's lots more to know about them, and RFF's got a REALLY nice 'Show your Leica M' thread!!


Mine are an M2 for 21mm (with aux finder) and 35mm, and an M3 for 50mm and 85mm (close enough to 90mm to use the viewfinder frame).
Anything longer is on the Nikkormat FTn.

 

[StillKicking]

Personal preferences abound here.. for me it is toss up.. but if a built in light meter is optional then:

M2 - I like the 35, 50 and 90 mm frame lines.. it has an elegant simplicity and all the Leica build quality you could want
M3 - I own the double stroke.. it's view finder is simply the best of the bunch.

I know this might get me banned here.. but I'm saving my pennies for a M9

 

[iver aldas]

If I have the money I would go with Leica MP 0.72 BP. For me that is the best Leica camera if you would need to get/choose only one out of the different models.

 

[Colin Corneau]

Love my M6 but if I came into a windfall I'd be getting an MP...one camera for the rest of my days.

 

[Morituri]

They are all the same, Leica MP is an Leica M3 more or less exactly, except it's less ruggedly built because we live in 2011 and not 1955.

 

[cliveh]

Which M leica

No question, M2 every time.

 

[adsantos13]

I would advise:

M3 - If you use a 50mm the majority of the time.
M2 - If you use 35mm the majority of the time.
M4 - If you use 35mm and 50mm about equally.
M5 - If a meter is something you cannot live without and are on a budget.
M6 - If a meter is something you cannot live without and are NOT on a budget.

 

[BrianL]

You forgot the CL, am on a budget, like a meter, like something about the size as the screwmount body and like something as good as any other Leica in practical terms. I tend to drool over a CL more than any other M.

 

[EthanFrank]

You forgot the CL, am on a budget, like a meter, like something about the size as the screwmount body and like something as good as any other Leica in practical terms. I tend to drool over a CL more than any other M.

We'll it's not an M, but it's a fantastic camera. I'm partial to the CLE.

 

[thomasw_]

I think a M2 with 35/50 lenses is a practical way to establish a leica M kit. But which M is the best for you -- and truly only you can decide this -- will depend on your answer to some basic questions:

--what is your budget
--which focal lengths will you use
--will you shoot in low light (to what extent?)
--do you wear glasses
--do you want the red led meter lights in your VF or is using a hand held meter fine
--how important is faster film rewinding to you
--do you have a strong preference for black or silver chrome or black paint finishes

 

[lensworker]

Why so few recommendations for the M4-P?

Andrew -

I have an M4-P and I would highly recommend that you tale a hard look at this camera, even though it does not have a built in meter.

I use a handheld meter with my M4-P and it really is not that much trouble, even though those who have always had in-camera meters seem to think it is.

I find that in most shooting situations, the light does not vary that much. I do alot of street photography and if it is very sunny, then sunny 16 is a good place to start exposure-wise. I know that if a subject moves from direct sunlight to an area that is 100% in the shadow of a building, awning, etc. the exposure difference will be 3 to 3 1/2 stops of light. If you are shooting B&W film, minor variations in exposure aren't that big of a problem, as B&W film has a large exposure latitude, particularly films like Tri-X and HP5+ (both are ISO 400).

Slide film (E-6) has a very narrow exposure latitude so metering is much more critical, as is light. If at all possible, you want your subject to be in even illumination, whether it's direct sun, indoor light, outdoor shadow or overcast light. With E-6 film, you often want the precision metering that a handheld spot meter affords - in some cases, a handheld meter is an advantage. Also, if you go with an M3 or M4-P, most hand meters take AA batteries which are universally available at about any store or shop.

The M4-P is considered by many to be possibly the most durable M camera ever made by Leica. Some collectors look with disdain at the M4-P because of its Canadian heritage. This is a non-issue in terms of quality of build, reliability and durability, though - it's a case of collector's elitism which is not a consideration for Leica owners who actually use their cameras to make photographs.

The M3 cameras are very durable too and are excellent cameras but have one shortcoming: 50mm is the widest lens you can use without a shoe mounted viewfinder.

With the M4-P, you get brightlines in the viewfinder for 28mm to 135mm lenses. The M3 can have a viewfinder upgrade, though. It's called the MP viewfinder upgrade and will set you back somewhere between $300 and $400, if memory serves me.

Pricewise, the M4-P is an affordable camera. A like new in box example will go for around $1400 from a Leica dealer; a user M4-P rated at around 7+ to 8- will go for around $750, give or take for the black model. The commemorative chrome M4-P bodies are more costly, as they were built in limited numbers. Either way, you are getting a ton of camera for not alot of an investment.

The M6 classic (non-TTL) is a good choice too. It has a built in meter and 28-135mm brightlines.

Of course, if price isn't an issue there's always the "new" (2003-present) MP - if you can find one, that is.

I like the durability and reliability of the M3 and M4-P but I prefer the M4-P due to the brightline issue. The M6 and MP are good choices too. All four of these cameras have one critical advantage over the M7: If you unexpectedly find yourself with dead batteries on an overseas trip or in the outback you can continue to shoot. Not so with the M7. This is a deal-breaker - for me, at least.

Shop carefully - if you go with a used camera, do your research and learn what to look for when buying used. There are telltale signs of use/wear/damage that are red flags. Learn to recognize them.

If you go with an M3, an M4-P, a M6 classic or an MP, you really can't go wrong. Good luck in your quest for your Leica - I hope the above information will be helpful.

 

[greylensman]

M3. But only for the M mount. Then I would mount Canon LTM 50mm f1.4 with adapter.

 

[peter_n]

I understand that 35 and 50mm are the most popular lenses on Leicas so I think a good cost-effective body would be an M2 or an M4-P. I personally like the solitary framelines on the M2 but an M4-P will handle a wider range of lenses. Also the M4-P has a 28mm frameline; that lens pairs well with a 50mm. It's really down to the focal length(s) you want to use.

 

[agw]

M4. Much nicer to use with its film loading than M3 and M2, IMO. Silky smooth mechanism.

Honestly, I don't understand the hype the M2 receives, here and elsewhere. Both the film loading (which I know from my M3) and the frame counter dial (which I know from my IIIc) look like a major hassle. As for the "uncluttered" viewfinder often cited, I hardly ever notice the 135mm frame lines inside my M4's 35mm frame...

 

[Double Negative]

Tough call. I'm going to have to go with the M7, if only because I'm a big aperture priority shooter. It's customized with M3 controls and framelines - does that count?

 

[cbphoto]

M4. Much nicer to use with its film loading than M3 and M2, IMO. Silky smooth mechanism.

Honestly, I don't understand the hype the M2 receives, here and elsewhere. Both the film loading (which I know from my M3) and the frame counter dial (which I know from my IIIc) look like a major hassle. As for the "uncluttered" viewfinder often cited, I hardly ever notice the 135mm frame lines inside my M4's 35mm frame...

The M4 is certainly great, but I personally dislike the rewind crank. With a Rapid Load kit, the M2 is just as easy to load. Also, I love the older button rewind versions, as the front of the camera is cleaner and I don't have to rest my fingers on top of a self-timer lever.

 

[OM77]

Tough call. I'm going to have to go with the M7, if only because I'm a big aperture priority shooter. It's customized with M3 controls and framelines - does that count?

Good call.

 

[michaelbsc]

The M4 is certainly great, but I personally dislike the rewind crank. With a Rapid Load kit, the M2 is just as easy to load. Also, I love the older button rewind versions, as the front of the camera is cleaner and I don't have to rest my fingers on top of a self-timer lever.

What is the Rapid Load kit?

I finally bought an M2 after using a FED for years, and frankly I don't find it hard to load at all. But this is the only Leica experience I have. Maybe I'm missing something. Is it supposed to be hard?

 

[2F/2F]

What is the Rapid Load kit?

I finally bought an M2 after using a FED for years, and frankly I don't find it hard to load at all. But this is the only Leica experience I have. Maybe I'm missing something. Is it supposed to be hard?

Not hard at all compared to a thread mount.

 

[cbphoto]

What is the Rapid Load kit?

I finally bought an M2 after using a FED for years, and frankly I don't find it hard to load at all. But this is the only Leica experience I have. Maybe I'm missing something. Is it supposed to be hard?

It's a fixed-spool insert for the M2/3 that lets you load film without removing the spool. It's a bit faster, but not earth-shatteringly so.