kiwicafe Posted February 26, 2009 Share #1 Posted February 26, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) I own an M8 with new lenses, now I wish to buy a Film version to use with my lenses. Of all the previous M's, I am looking for the 'best' model to buy. I am open to all suggestions and experiences. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 26, 2009 Posted February 26, 2009 Hi kiwicafe, Take a look here Film M. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
MPerson Posted February 26, 2009 Share #2 Posted February 26, 2009 (edited) Welcome Richard - you could do worse but it carries a wealth warning - can seriously damage your wallet. A nice M2 or M3 is another option. Edited February 26, 2009 by MPerson Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBA Posted February 26, 2009 Share #3 Posted February 26, 2009 M6 has the best price-quality ratio IMO. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted February 26, 2009 Share #4 Posted February 26, 2009 Greetings from Christchurch. M6 is terrific. M3 is still going strong. Plenty of good secondhand examples of both. Handheld meter (Sekonic 308) isn't that hard. I still like film! All the best, David David Killick, Freelance Journalist and Photographer, New Zealand Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpattinson Posted February 26, 2009 Share #5 Posted February 26, 2009 Probably the easiest Leica film body to switch to from an M8 is the M7, because it has AE (assuming you use AE on the M8). My biggest issue has been forgetting to wind on the M7 after using the M8 for a while. If you don't care whether the film body is actually made by Leica, then I suggest looking around for a Konica Hexar RF. It also has AE, but has motorized film advance and also a higher top shutter-speed (I think 1/4000). So it's actually more similar to the M8 in use than the M7 is, and will cost you less than an M6. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterv Posted February 26, 2009 Share #6 Posted February 26, 2009 Hi Richard, Do not - I repeat - do not look at this thread: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/film-forum/8842-i-love-my-mp.html Peter Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmk60 Posted February 26, 2009 Share #7 Posted February 26, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi Richard, Do not - I repeat - do not look at this thread: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/film-forum/8842-i-love-my-mp.html Peter I second. It would kill your bank account. I bought another M6 recently. BP this time. Very good deal. m Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted February 26, 2009 Share #8 Posted February 26, 2009 Richard, can you tell us a bit more about your intended use? I, for instance, use an M2 and an M7 .85 - although superficially similar they are very different cameras - one is metered, the other isn't, one has AE, the other doesn't, one has three framelines, the other five, and so on... It would help us to help you if you specified a bit more what floats your photographic boat. Regards, Bill Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_n Posted February 26, 2009 Share #9 Posted February 26, 2009 Probably the easiest Leica film body to switch to from an M8 is the M7, because it has AE (assuming you use AE on the M8).I would think the normal recommendation would be an MP but the M7 is also an excellent camera. An issue for you with the MP might be that the shutter speed dials rotate in opposite directions on the M8 and MP. However the M7's dial rotates in the same direction as the M8, as does the excellent (mechanical) M6TTL's dial. All earlier Leicas' dials rotate in the same direction as the MP. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mystic Posted February 26, 2009 Share #10 Posted February 26, 2009 I am looking for the 'best' model to buy. then you have to buy the MP. it is a masterpiece - [M]echanical [P]erfection. this camera offers you everything you need, its simple and very robust. best regards daniel Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubledan Posted February 26, 2009 Share #11 Posted February 26, 2009 Before you decide, please go to a shop, if you can, and compare various M models and see which you'd actually be comfortable using. The M6, in my experience, can be very annoying because of viewfinder issues: the frame lines are cluttered, and what's worse, in sideways glancing light there can be glare that makes it virtually impossible to focus. I've owned both the .072 M6 and the .085 versions of the M6, but didn't keep them long. The M7 I had was an improvement viewfinder-wise, though still not ideal, and of course had the advantage of auto exposure. Unfortunately, it got stolen and I didn't want to spend what it would have cost to replace it. The old M3 viewfinder is superb, and the M2 as well, though the viewfinder magnification is less than the 3's. So if you're good at guessing the light or don't mind using an off-camera meter, both are wonderful "true" Leica cameras. These days I'm using an M5, which is, yes, big and heavy, but a completely satisfying, ahead-of-its-time machine -- it even has a highly accurate if idiosyncratic ttl meter, and very clean framelines. And when I want to travel lighter, the rangefinder I pack is the Zeiss Ikon. No, it isn't a Leica, but the film doesn't know that and neither do the M lenses; and its relatively low weight and slimness, and the auto-exposure (w/ compensation) mode make it easy to take along. Its very best feature, however, is the high-eyepoint viewfinder -- the brightest, clearest of any rangefinder ever built. Please don't dismiss it without taking a look. Dan Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted February 26, 2009 Share #12 Posted February 26, 2009 This question has been raised several times recently. Basically you will get a range of answers, covering that each variant of the M is the 'best' choice. They will all do the job so the decision comes down to how much you want to pay and whether you can live without a meter or AE. You will also be told to consider the CL, Minolta CL or CLE, the Voigtlanders and the Zeiss. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenneth Posted February 26, 2009 Share #13 Posted February 26, 2009 I own an M8 with new lenses, now I wish to buy a Film version to use with my lenses.Of all the previous M's, I am looking for the 'best' model to buy. I am open to all suggestions and experiences. I have never visited the digital maze but I do highly rate both of my M6's. They are also very good value at present thanks to you people paying mega- bucks for you M8's. I do not think you will be disappointed with them. I chose M6 Classic's with 0.72 which lends itself to wide angle and standard focal length lenses where the 0.85 would suit the photographer using standard focal lengths up to tele photo. The M6 is totally manual and not reliant on batteries which is also good new as well Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest darkstar2004 Posted February 26, 2009 Share #14 Posted February 26, 2009 If you can afford it, spring for an MP 0.72 - it is the best M ever made IMHO. Failing that, I'd prolly opt for a nice minty used M6. Failing that, an M3 single stroke. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tgray Posted February 27, 2009 Share #15 Posted February 27, 2009 You will get a lot of answers to this. Basically every M model. My advice - decide how much you want to spend and pick the appropriate model. Many recommend the M6 because it's new enough that it won't need a CLA most likely, while at the same time, isn't that much more than an M3/M2 which might need $200 worth of work. If you look around you can get one for $900. If you want to spend $2k, then by all means get an M7/MP. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnastovall Posted February 27, 2009 Share #16 Posted February 27, 2009 What are your Lenses? That can affect what framelines you may want in the earlier film models? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBA Posted February 27, 2009 Share #17 Posted February 27, 2009 Hi Richard, Do not - I repeat - do not look at this thread: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/film-forum/8842-i-love-my-mp.html Peter That thread ruined my life! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted February 27, 2009 Share #18 Posted February 27, 2009 No, don't look at that thread -- or any others entitled "I love my M * ." They should all come with a health warning: "Leica Ms are addictive, and likely to seriously affect your bank balance and mental stability." They are just metal and glass, after all, but seem to induce extreme passion and bizarre emotional attachment. Few other items of technology -- except automotive -- do that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Ash Posted February 27, 2009 Share #19 Posted February 27, 2009 I do not know wether you like flashes or not. But the new Leica flash SF 58 is -as far as I know- full compatible to the M7. Thus it would be possible to flash at 1/1000 of sec, which could be interesting. Regards Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted February 27, 2009 Share #20 Posted February 27, 2009 I do not know wether you like flashes or not. But the new Leica flash SF 58 is -as far as I know- full compatible to the M7. Thus it would be possible to flash at 1/1000 of sec, which could be interesting. Regards Steve ??? Don't think they mean that, the camera's flash sync speed would still apply. You can only use leaf type shutters with flash at any speed. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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