NZDavid Posted September 7, 2011 Share #21 Posted September 7, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) ..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... I hope the girl smooth and well built, too! The shutter release of all Ms I have used feel different. A lot indeed has to do with the condition of the shutter mechanism. Earlier Ms had brass gears and shafts; later ones steel. But I agree a CLA will make a big difference. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted September 7, 2011 Posted September 7, 2011 Hi NZDavid, Take a look here Which M to start with?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Guest Randle P. McMurphy Posted September 7, 2011 Share #22 Posted September 7, 2011 MP or M7. MP is more elegant. Go for a used M3 then. Much cheaper - better finder and better build than every camera Leica M made after........... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutch Posted September 7, 2011 Share #23 Posted September 7, 2011 Go for a used M3 then. Much cheaper - better finder and better buildthan every camera Leica M made after........... But no 35mm framelines. That might be a point of concern. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cccp1971 Posted September 7, 2011 Author Share #24 Posted September 7, 2011 It's been very interesting to read the different points of view and valuable advice. Many thanks to all of you for these prompt and wise replies! Now my mind is set on an M7, many of you mentioned it is the closest to the M9 when it comes to film, so I'd rather start with a camera I can relate to. I may very well consider M2 or M3 in the future when I'm hopefully more comfortable with film. I've realized that Leica is a virus you can't get rid of, there is always another piece you that grows on you Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
}{B Posted September 7, 2011 Share #25 Posted September 7, 2011 If cost is an issue then an M6 TTL will cost slightly less and will have the enlarged shutter speed dial and built in light meter but without AE. An advantage over the M7 is that if the batteries fail you still have access to all the shutter speeds but without the meter whereas with the M7 in the same situation you would only have two speeds, 1/60th and 1/125th. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbbonthemoon Posted September 7, 2011 Share #26 Posted September 7, 2011 Dont buy M7, get MP! If you do go for M7 now, you will end up buying MP also anyway(mind Leica fever!). If you get MP straight away, you will live w/o M7 easy. My experience There is no point in Auto mode in film, because you really need it when you shoot fast and a lot. And having in possession a M9, you are not really going to use film camera that much. The real point to get film camera while owning digital like M9, is ability to experience old school photography when you wish so. And believe me, all mechanical and all manual MP will give you much better experience! Also it looks and feels in hands way better. Just my personal opinion, no pressure Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB_tx Posted September 7, 2011 Share #27 Posted September 7, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) As usual, no one suggests an M5. I've used M2,3,4,6 and 9 - and finally got an M5 for my collection. I now prefer it for actual use. A lot of thought went into the design of the M5. It's just the styling that people object to. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
roboflick Posted September 7, 2011 Share #28 Posted September 7, 2011 m6ttl for 35mm with 1.4x magnifier for 1:1 viewfinder(shooting with both eyes open with 50mm, great feeling) m3 for 50mm(I use pocket light meter for metering, accurate and convenient in my experience) That's my setup and i wouldn't trade it for the world. DAG also switched my advance lever for the m3 style and installed the flare free viewfinder. They should both be good for another 20 years before a service is needed. Nik Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted September 7, 2011 Share #29 Posted September 7, 2011 I agree that the M7 is closest in operation to your M9 so the best choice in this case. This question is cropping up more and more often, I think we need a 'sticky' response! Personally I think the choice of M has to come down to these factors; Budget? Do you need a built in meter/do you want auto metering? What's the widest lens which you want to use regularly (28/35 or 50mm)? If in doubt, buy an M2 or an M6, depending on your budget, can't go wrong either way. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Randle P. McMurphy Posted September 7, 2011 Share #30 Posted September 7, 2011 But no 35mm framelines. That might be a point of concern. HCB don´t miss them.........Bob Capa don´t miss them.......I don´t miss..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted September 7, 2011 Share #31 Posted September 7, 2011 Didn't HCB mostly use a 50mm? That might be why Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
aesop Posted September 7, 2011 Share #32 Posted September 7, 2011 I agree that the M7 is closest in operation to your M9 so the best choice in this case. This question is cropping up more and more often, I think we need a 'sticky' response! Personally I think the choice of M has to come down to these factors; Budget? Do you need a built in meter/do you want auto metering? What's the widest lens which you want to use regularly (28/35 or 50mm)? If in doubt, buy an M2 or an M6, depending on your budget, can't go wrong either way. ...I'm 100% with James on this one, cccp1971. Despite my affinity for the M6 and the MP, the M7/M9 operational similarities cited cannot be beaten, IMO. Good luck. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IkarusJohn Posted September 7, 2011 Share #33 Posted September 7, 2011 +1 I was in exactly the same position as you 6 months ago. I narrowed the choice (with help from this forum) to the M7 or the MP. The M7 is closest to the M9 (the shutter dial turns in the same direction and they both have the auto option and a vertical electronic shutter). But, I went for the MP as it seemed to me that I wanted a different camera to the M9. I only shoot black and white on the MP, and having a traditional manual camera like that reminded me of my FM2 (which I loved). Having a horizontal cloth shutter, brass gears etc was just too appealing, and fitted with the contemplative approach I wanted to film. So, I have the all singing all dancing M9, and the stripped to elemental basics MP. You won't go wrong with the M7, though ... Cheers John 250SWB makes an interesting comment on the M7 here Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted September 7, 2011 Share #34 Posted September 7, 2011 As usual, no one suggests an M5. I've used M2,3,4,6 and 9 - and finally got an M5 for my collection. I now prefer it for actual use. A lot of thought went into the design of the M5. It's just the styling that people object to. I don't think the M5 is ignored, it's just that as the OP is using an M9 anyway, choosing a model which is as similar in function to that is the better way to go. I've not handled an M5 myself but I know there are many who echo your view that it's a better design in use. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sblitz Posted September 7, 2011 Share #35 Posted September 7, 2011 if its down to money and the issue is meter or no meter, may i suggest the M4-P. it is the M6 without the meter and some say it is much better built. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gberger Posted September 7, 2011 Share #36 Posted September 7, 2011 Over the years, I've been through a IIIc, M4, M6 and now an M7. I really like the M7, as it can be used like an M4 (You set the shutter speed and meter for the aperture - - the shutter speed will be "right on"). or you can go aperture-selected and let the camera determine the shutter speed via the internal meter. In essence, an M7 gives you two cameras - - but both with a significantly more accurate shutter speed. All the bewailing, moaning, hair-pulling and sobbing about the M7 using batteries is theater. You can carry sufficient spares in your trousers pocket to last several hundred rolls. Get the later model with an improved rangefinder (less flare). As for a meter, the Sekonic 308S fits in your shirt pocket and uses one AA alkaline battery. The 308S flips from incident to reflective with the twitch of your thumb. One camera - - two methods of shooting - - with more accurate exposure opportunities. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted September 7, 2011 Share #37 Posted September 7, 2011 The M7 is closest to the M9 (the shutter dial turns in the same direction and they both have the auto option and a vertical electronic shutter Sorry, but the M7 has a horizontal cloth shutter, just like all other film Ms. It's electronically timed, but that's the only difference. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveO Posted September 7, 2011 Share #38 Posted September 7, 2011 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 Have never owned a Leica camera, but I have heard that the M3 was the best Leica ever made. That was from a couple of sources. DaveO Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IkarusJohn Posted September 7, 2011 Share #39 Posted September 7, 2011 Sorry, but the M7 has a horizontal cloth shutter, just like all other film Ms. It's electronically timed, but that's the only difference. Thanks Andy - for some reason, I thought it had the same vertical metal shutter that the M9 has. I stand corrected. Cheers John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted September 8, 2011 Share #40 Posted September 8, 2011 I've read through the thread again and between us we have advised our friend that the 'best' M to start with is an; M2 M3 M4 M4-P M5 M6 M6TTL M7 No one has mentioned the M4-2, or the CL! As I've already suggested, a sticky with the pros/cons of each model would be more useful. Now, we just need the OP to start another tread asking which film is best to start Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.