Leica M film camera for use with the M9

[rcoles]

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What model or models would work best and be available at a reasonable price in good working condition? In my research I liked the M3 (after 1958) but concerned about the age and condition or the M6 Classic. The MP is likely the best, but the price is a bit much for me to spend on a second camera. I have the current 35 f/2, current 50 f/2 and a 90 f2.8. I shoot a broad range of subject matter in all types of light. Would use a film camera as a backup, as a second camera with either the 50 or 90 and for B&W work.

Thanks

Bob

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[aesop]

What model or models would work best and be available at a reasonable price in good working condition? In my research I liked the M3 (after 1958) but concerned about the age and condition or the M6 Classic. The MP is likely the best, but the price is a bit much for me to spend on a second camera. I have the current 35 f/2, current 50 f/2 and a 90 f2.8. I shoot a broad range of subject matter in all types of light. Would use a film camera as a backup, as a second camera with either the 50 or 90 and for B&W work.

Thanks

Bob

 

...try test-driving an M7 or an M6TTL. My suggestion is based solely on the cameras' controls, and without specific knowledge of your shooting style.

[bill]

The nearest film M in handling to the digital Ms is the M7, the only film M with autoexposure. If you want the most pure and practical film M experience the best choice is an M2, with no meter (use 400CN or XP2 and shoot Sunny-16) and the perfect uncluttered frameline setup of 35-50-90.

 

Regards,

 

Bill

[earleygallery]

I agree with Bill

[chrism]

Agreement with Bill isn't mandatory, but he has been known to be right.... I agree with the M7 part as you are used to in-camera metering, and if you use the M9 on auto you will find the switch pretty seamless. If you generally use manual metering then an MP or M6 (cheaper!) will match up nicely.

 

Chris

[mgreernz]

Bill + 1

[budrichard]

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Seems to me a waste of resources.

You have already made the decision to go digital and spend a lot of money on your M9, why purchase a analog M to go along with it?

The M9 is more than capable for both color and B&W.

I still only use analog M cameras but with the demise of Kodachrome shortly, that will likely come to an end and I will switch finally to a digital system, I just don't know which system as of yet. I may continue with analog M's but that's just because I haven't identified a digital system that will do what i want at the cost I want to spend.-Dick

[bill]

Seems to me a waste of resources.

You have already made the decision to go digital and spend a lot of money on your M9, why purchase a analog M to go along with it?

 

I could write a long thesis on why, but I shall restrict myself to a one word answer:

 

"soul".

 

Regards,

 

Bill

[Steve Ash]

I second Bill comments.

 

I really recommend to get an analog M to complement your M system.

 

Regards

Steve

[stephen.w]

You probably already know this, but, since no one else has mentioned it, the M3 (your first choice) won't be compatible with your 35 'cron (it only 50, 90 and 135 framelines). I would go with the other choice you mention, the M6. It has a number of 'creature comforts' which the M2 lacks, such as easier film loading, a frame counter which resets automatically, and a built-in meter. (And then there are also 135 mm framelines, which I wouldn't use, but you might). That said, I'm a rookie and those were just things made it easier for me to make the leap to film.

[Falstaff]

I could write a long thesis on why, but I shall restrict myself to a one word answer:

 

"soul".

 

Regards,

 

Bill

 

I'll add a second word to that - backup.

Falstaff

[NZDavid]

I would say any Leica M film camera would serve your needs well. After all, you can use your existing lenses. The M6 classic has the advantage of the built-in meter of course, but using a handheld meter is not a big hassle. Accessory VFs aren't tricky either. Main thing is to ensure you buy an M in the best condition possible, or have it CLAed.

[250swb]

You would be better off buying a good digital P&S as a backup to the M9. It would give you a telephoto zoom and even things like image stabilisation, so filling in the specification gaps. The M9 and a P&S can do all you want including B&W.

 

If on the other hand you want another camera to play with an M2 would do the job perfectly.

 

Steve

[fotofoto]

hi bob

since a view weeks I have an M2 ( 1965 ) as a companion to my M9.

It is a wonderful piece of camera, same age then me and I started

shooting with film after a very long time again.

At the moment I test different types of film and scan-services.

It is lovely and exciting to shoot with film, but developing and getting

really good scans is expensive and time consuming. The quality is not

really comparably with the M9 files. The resolution and quality of the M9

files are so much better, or say it neutral so much different then the film.

It really depends of the project, wheather you can mix or substitute these

different kind of style and quality.

 

Maybe you should chose a digital backup solution and go for a used M8?

( instead of M7 in the same price range )

 

best

 

alex

[Julian Thompson]

I finally settled on M7 to work with my M9. I did have an MP and I enjoyed it, but I find the M7 does everything it did and a bit more too, as well as having the speed wheel arranged like the M9 so my brain doesn't hurt

 

I'm also stopping making comments about film and digital as a preference because the more you take pictures the more you realise that your viewpoint is dynamic. One month I'm committed to film and selling the M9 and X1 and the next month the M7 doesn't leave the house. I think I'm just going to chill out and enjoy shooting whatever my head or heart tells me to shoot at that particular time without giving it a second thought.

 

On this matter, oddly enough, I find myself taking the 'wrong' camera almost all the time just to 'see if I can get away with it' - so I'll take the M7 to a dimly lit wedding just to see if I can create something interesting with ISO400 film only, or I'll take the M9 to a vintage car event when I actually know the M7 will stop me coming home with 600 exposures and give me some character grain in the pictures right off the bat. Madness really!

 

But, one thing is for sure, if you are fortunate enough to have sorted out what focal lengths work for you the combination of M9 and M7 and those hand-selected-just-right-for-you lenses is a potent and compelling combination and you'll have a lot of fun.

[SJP]

I am always very happy with my M2 + 35 mm summaron f/2.8 as my M8 backup (no M9 I'm afraid).

 

The M2 is from the same year that I am ('59) but is ageing somewhat less:D

 

Examples here: Kiteboard Scheveningen 2009 - a set on Flickr