cccp1971 Posted September 6, 2011 Share #1 Posted September 6, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi, I have been shooting M9 for a while, I love it a lot, no way back to any other system from there! I also invested in several 2nd hand lenses and now I would like to acquire a Leica film body and I'm looking for advice on what to choose between M4, M6 or M7. A few words of advice or pointing me towards valuable existing discussions on the topic would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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Ronan Posted September 6, 2011 Share #2 Posted September 6, 2011 M6 TTL or M7 is a good choice. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted September 6, 2011 Share #3 Posted September 6, 2011 An M6 or M6 TTL, keep it simple, reliable, and easy to use. Lots of people will suggest things like an M3 or M2, but they are more awkward to use and only tick the box for 'collector' rather than user. True you can have lots of happy fun with them, but they are not as productive as an M6 for serious use. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted September 6, 2011 Share #4 Posted September 6, 2011 A fine M6 is the best choice in user terms : go to classics (2/3/4) only if you like a certain taste too...... which, for many, is an immaterial addon in itself (the material one is the selftimer...... seriously speaking I DID sometimes use it with my old Ms) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbbonthemoon Posted September 6, 2011 Share #5 Posted September 6, 2011 Go for MP, you can find mint used with nice discount from new. The best film M-body if you can live w/o Auto mode(no point with film anyway). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbelyaev Posted September 6, 2011 Share #6 Posted September 6, 2011 MP or M7. MP is more elegant. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted September 6, 2011 Share #7 Posted September 6, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) If you like your M9, buy an M7. It's the same camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted September 6, 2011 Share #8 Posted September 6, 2011 The best film M-body if you can live w/o Auto mode(no point with film anyway). There is a lot of "point" with film, actually. Especially given that the M7 meter is possibly one of the best film meters ever made. My perfect camera would be an MP with the M7 meter. As with perfection in many things, life ain't like that, and we will always be that one small step from "perfection". My money is here on the table, should Leica decide that an automatic MP is the ultimate "M". Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
spydrxx Posted September 6, 2011 Share #9 Posted September 6, 2011 I owned my M4 since 1968 and then also an M6 for about 5 years around 2000. I prefer the M4 personally, but would recommend you get an M6, just because it is newer, has the built in metering, and may not need a CLA right away. Since you haven't used Leica film cameras before, you might as well go with something closer to what you're used to in terms of functionality. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted September 6, 2011 Share #10 Posted September 6, 2011 The classic M6 has a small shutter speed dial which rotates in the opposite way from an M9. However, the M6 TTL has a dial which rotates in the same direction, as does an M7. But that is still wholely manual. The M7 is the obvious choice here. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted September 6, 2011 Share #11 Posted September 6, 2011 given that the M7 meter is possibly one of the best film meters ever made. My perfect camera would be an MP with the M7 meter. Andy, I'm not sure what the difference is in terms of metering. Both use the same spot and, I assume, the same metering cell. My money is here on the table, should Leica decide that an automatic MP is the ultimate "M". Isn't an automatic MP an M7? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Pop Posted September 7, 2011 Share #12 Posted September 7, 2011 I'd recommend an MP, M7 or M6TTL (or classic M6) depending on your cash situation. I've had an M6TTL and was completely satisfied with it; I liked the bigger shutter dial and its direction of turn. That being said, when a mint MP came along, I traded. The MP just has a certain feel to it, beautiful, elegant. The feel/sound of the shutter advance is pretty nice. Mostly aesthetics though...they're all good cameras. If you want something pretty similar to the way your M9 works, the M7 is the choice (aperture priority AE, same direction of dial). If you don't care about that, then you have more options. A bigger question is whether you want in-camera metering. If you don't, then M4 or M2 or M3 are all beautiful too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve33 Posted September 7, 2011 Share #13 Posted September 7, 2011 ....and don't forget that an M4 does not have the 28mm lines. M7 or MP is a sure bet. The MP is a little bit more difficult to find used. The M7 will be a bit cheaper than the MP (you can find a mint M7 for $2700 while an mint MP goes for $3,300 these days). Personally, I would buy the M7. It is a joy to use the aperture priority mode. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted September 7, 2011 Share #14 Posted September 7, 2011 Later model M7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronan Posted September 7, 2011 Share #15 Posted September 7, 2011 I went with M6 classic and i wish i got a M6 TTL, the dial is too small for my hands My only gimp with the m6 classic. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
iphoenix Posted September 7, 2011 Share #16 Posted September 7, 2011 ....and don't forget that an M4 does not have the 28mm lines. What about the M4P? It has the 28, 35, 50, 75, 90 and 135 frame lines; same as the M6. Just no meter, but cheaper. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted September 7, 2011 Share #17 Posted September 7, 2011 I'd second M6, it's an excellent camera. But variations between all Ms are minor. Just make sure to get one in the best condition or factor in a CLA. M2 or M3 are also worth considering if you don't mind using a separate meter. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecaton Posted September 7, 2011 Share #18 Posted September 7, 2011 You will find your answer here I want to buy a rangefinder | Xtranormal Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FiZZ Posted September 7, 2011 Share #19 Posted September 7, 2011 Let me just say that there is no such thing as a "more difficult" to use Leica "M". They're all simple, and incredibly intuitive. The only thing you need to get used to is range finder focusing since it's a bit different that SLR focusing, and since you're using an M9, you have no reason to worry (I hope!! ). I got into the M series with an M2. I realize now that I was ridiculously over-charged for it, but there was a lovely girl that I was in love with and she bought it for me as a birthday present and I will forever be in her debt for it. It's just perfection. I have never used something that is so smooth and so well built. It feels different compared to my other cameras. The only issue was it didn't have a light meter, and I wasn't confident enough with my self-metering skills, so I had to get an external one, and that slows me down a bit. This summer I bought an M6 classic as a birthday present for myself (I wanted to spoil myself for a bit). The reason why I wanted an M6 is because of the light meter, and it was cheaper than an MP/M7. The light meter helps a lot when I shoot indoors and in low light. Last time I did that with an M2, I lost have my pictures because of under exposure. The M2 is hands down the better camera in terms of operation. It feels more solid, has a smoother feel, and sounds better. The view finder is brighter and cleaner. Most of these things can be attributed to the M6 not being CLA'd, but it still made a difference. If money is an issue, then I would recommend you go with an M2/M6. Choose based on what you want, I.E. is a light meter important to you? What about a self timer? I heard from a number of users that the M2 is a better build quality compared to an M6, and only with the M7/MP did Leica go back to the that build quality. If money isn't an issue, then go for an M7. The auto exposure is a god send, and Leica have very accurate meters generally speaking. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutch Posted September 7, 2011 Share #20 Posted September 7, 2011 I'm not the most knowledgeable person to speak, don't even yet own an M, but since I have been looking at getting one I have experienced a growing appreciation for film and mechanical M cameras. It depends on what you want out of shooting film. For me it has developed into a desire for hands-on shooting and printing with minimal electronics to compliment my DSLR use. For that reason I have started looking at meterless M's such as the M2, which I think is the nicest looking. The M4 is meterless as well, so if you want an internal lightmeter the M6 and M7 are the only options. If you want the camera to work without a battery (if for some reason it happens), the M7 doesn't, so that would leave the M6. If you would like to shoot aperture priority (film with the convenience of digital), then the M7 is the only one that gives that option. If money is no object, I would like to point out the MP. The MP (in my opinion) is the perfect compliment to an M9, although it does not offer the automated features of the M7 (which makes the case for the M7 being the perfect compliment to an M9). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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