Second camera body

[Guest Mr. B]

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I want to buy a second leica camera body. I currently have a M6 TTL 0.85. I want to stick with a film camera. I know about the various models M2,3,4 their strengths and limitations. Which model do experienced leica shooters recommend? A digital leica M would be nice, but too $$$$$$.

Mr. B

[Dikaiosune01]

There are a lot of options, and I believe there are no bad choices. The question is how you plan to shoot or use them.

 

(same film: ideally for quick shooting)

one camera with a 90mm for your 0.85 viewfinder; then get another M6 with a 0.58 viewfinder with a wider lens. it would remove the need of an external viewfinder

 

(different film: ideal for utility)

Then get another camera with the same viewfinder; like another M6 with a 0.85 viewfinder. One for colour film; one for black and white film. And have at it.

 

(For collecting)

M3 or M2. The older the better. Or get a Leica III

 

I think the key here is to consider how it will be used; and to have one variable change. If you change too many things, it will be difficult to find that balance between dead weight and utility.

 

Good luck.

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[Nick_S]

I want to buy a second leica camera body. I currently have a M6 TTL 0.85. I want to stick with a film camera. I know about the various models M2,3,4 their strengths and limitations. Which model do experienced leica shooters recommend? A digital leica M would be nice, but too $$$$$$.

Mr. B

Older leica bodies have the shutter speed dial rotating in the opposite direction to your M6 TTL which might be a consideration. You might then add an M7 if you like the idea of automation, or simply get an another M6 TTL (perhaps with 0.72x or 0.58x viewfinder for use with wider lenses).

 

Nick

[250swb]

An M2 would be a very nice 'second' camera, but the handling is different to your M6 TTL, and things like slower film rewinding and loading may make you just use your M6 all the time, so you'd be back to square one. And the framelines of an M2 don't really bring anything new as they are limited to 35mm similar to the restricted wide view of the .85 TTL viewfinder. So I think a much older M body is closer to what an MP user might get along with, not a TTL user.

 

So for me I'd choose either another TTL with a .72 viewfinder (or .58), or an M7. But if I ignored my own advice I'd get an M4-P, fast loading and rewinding, it feels like an M6 (the last ones even have a rubber eyepiece), and you get a fully usable 28mm frame. But the shutter dial goes in the 'wrong' direction.

 

Steve

[bill]

...

(For collecting)

M3 or M2. The older the better. Or get a Leica III...

 

Point of order. Don't collect, USE, as I do my M2 and II.

 

Furthermore the OP is asking for a second body. Barnacks take LTM lenses so are not usable with M lenses.

[earleygallery]

I'll short-cut this thread to save others from responding.

 

Buy one of the following;

 

M2, M3, M4, M4-2, M4-P, M5, M6, M6ttl, M7, MP. Or a CL, or a Voigtlander, or the Zeiss

ZM.

 

Any of the above will work

[sblitz]

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+1 But I would like add my two cents, buy an M4 ........ it is the M6 w/o the meter and, I believe, much better built. Typically I put color in the M6 and B/W in the M4. Build aside, it would give you a second camera and something a little bit different in terms going without an in camera meter. Warning: Once you begin to enjoy the feel and sound of the M4, a viewfinder with only the framelines, a modern loading system, and no meter, it is hard to go back.

[payasam]

As you will have become accustomed to a camera with a built-in meter, a meter-less body (M4-P or earlier) will slow you down. An M7 is one option, but you might also consider Nick's advice of a second M6TTL, possibly one with a different finder magnification -- and a different body colour so you know immediately which is which.

[dickgrafixstop]

Whatever you can afford. (Convenient to have two of the same however)

[620max]

I choose a M8.2 for the second camera body, because I usually carry out my MP w/ 50mm to shoot Black and white film, and the M8.2 w/ 35mm for colour photos, so they are almost the same ”Focal Length Ratio“ in the time (45mm on M8), but if I need a wide angle shot, I will switch the 35mm to the MP, when I want a "Bokeh" I will switch the 50mm to the M8.2 (66mm on M8) ,

 

because I don't like to carry out many equipments, always just bring out 2 camera and 2 lens, So at a trip I can get B&W analog images, Digital Colour or B&W photos, and 2 difference focal length to use, I enjoy everytime when I go out to shoot.

By the way, M8.2 price isn't too high now

 

hope my advise is helpful...

[Guest Mr. B]

As you will have become accustomed to a camera with a built-in meter, a meter-less body (M4-P or earlier) will slow you down. An M7 is one option, but you might also consider Nick's advice of a second M6TTL, possibly one with a different finder magnification -- and a different body colour so you know immediately which is which.

 

Most of the time I do not use the meter as I normally do not put a battery in my camera. I like the challenge of reading the light to determine my exposures. I have been using Tri X for over forty years so I have learned from experience to gage exposures. A second TTL has occurred to me along with the M7, M3, and M4. A different camera body color is a good idea.

Thanks

Mr. B

[opton]

As a second M Body, I've just bought a Minolta CLE. It has some interesting features that my M5 doesn't have like 28 & 40 mm frame lines and auto exposure. Plus, it is really compact (the M5 isn't) and it can be had relatively cheap these days. I'm really excited if it works for me!

 

The downside ist that it is fully electronic and there aren't many serviceman around who will work on it. But as long as it works, I think it's a fine (second) camera.

[friedeye]

If a digital Leica is too expensive, you're looking in the 800-1500 U.S. dollar range.

 

I, personally, love the feel and handling of the older mechanical Leicas - M2, M3, M4. They're gems, and I really enjoy using my eye and, with a little math, figuring out the exposure without a meter. It's a skill I want to be second nature; it's part of the fun for me. Camera cost for an M2 or M3 with a CLA should be in the 800 range. The M4 will run a bit more.

 

But, in your case, for just a tiny bit more, you can buy a fine M6.

 

So the question becomes: Do you want a second body with a distinctly different feel for the fun of it? Or would you simply be better off buying a duplicate M6 body, which you already know, inside and out?

 

If you're going to be carrying two cameras with different film or lenses, probably the latter, as you want to be able to shoot either quickly without a lot of thought. If you're only going to be carrying one camera at a time, I say go for the alternate experience.