Double Negative Posted December 4, 2011 Share #1 Â Posted December 4, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Something I've been meaning to do for a while, as I'm always referencing this information myself - I finally got around to writing (and illustrating) this... A history of the Leica M system, from the M3 to the latest M9-P with a picture of each and some notes. Â I'll continue to add to this of course, but it's off to a great start (IMO). I plan to add information on viewfinders, finishes, etc. Basically compiling information from all over the web and several books as well as adding my own. Â Hopefully it helps others - enjoy! Â Overview of the M System Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted December 4, 2011 Posted December 4, 2011 Hi Double Negative, Take a look here An M System Overview (Article). I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
jaapv Posted December 4, 2011 Share #2 Â Posted December 4, 2011 That is an ambitious idea. There has been so much written on the system, a number of compendium style books amongst it. I notice a few models still missing, notably the M1, the MD models, the M6J the old MP, etc. It is certainly a long term project. Chapeau! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
myshkine Posted December 4, 2011 Share #3 Â Posted December 4, 2011 Thank you. I've bookmarked the page in order to read it with much interest asap. All the overviews available on the net lack something. Yours seems to be very good starting point. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted December 4, 2011 Share #4 Â Posted December 4, 2011 I do not quite agree with the reasons you give to leave out the models you mention on the front page. The MD models were meant to be used with the Visoflex, so not just for documentary purposes, and the M1 was meant as an entry level camera with a price to match. The main reason to produce the MP was to offer a model that would be robust enough to be useful for hard use, and of course, as you mention, the matching Leicavit to make it a jounalists' tool. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Negative Posted December 4, 2011 Author Share #5 Â Posted December 4, 2011 Thanks, everyone! I've already added a bunch of stuff. Â I do not quite agree with the reasons you give to leave out the models you mention on the front page. The MD models were meant to be used with the Visoflex, so not just for documentary purposes, and the M1 was meant as an entry level camera with a price to match. The main reason to produce the MP was to offer a model that would be robust enough to be useful for hard use, and of course, as you mention, the matching Leicavit to make it a jounalists' tool. Â Thanks for that feedback! I've adjusted the article to mention those points. Perhaps I'll add them in, in a future update. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Negative Posted December 5, 2011 Author Share #6 Â Posted December 5, 2011 I was thinking last night that maybe I'll add sub-pages for each model - with more comprehensive information... And do a separate article on some of the special editions. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
billib Posted December 7, 2011 Share #7 Â Posted December 7, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Throughly enjoyed the walk down memory lane. Very well done! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Negative Posted December 7, 2011 Author Share #8 Â Posted December 7, 2011 Throughly enjoyed the walk down memory lane.Very well done! Â Thanks a lot, billib! Really glad you enjoyed it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuny Posted December 7, 2011 Share #9 Â Posted December 7, 2011 Very nice work, and I look forward to seeing it evolve further. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Negative Posted December 7, 2011 Author Share #10 Â Posted December 7, 2011 Very nice work, and I look forward to seeing it evolve further. Â Thanks, Stuart! Â I definitely plan to keep adding to the article (as with the other articles and reviews), and possibly extend it further to individual models or special editions. Whatever people would find useful, I'll try to include. Â Another idea I was thinking about was an "M selector." Ask a bunch of questions, get recommended a model or two. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecaton Posted December 7, 2011 Share #11 Â Posted December 7, 2011 Thank you, great job, enjoyed reading it and studying the chart:) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Negative Posted December 8, 2011 Author Share #12 Â Posted December 8, 2011 I do not quite agree with the reasons you give to leave out the models you mention on the front page. The MD models were meant to be used with the Visoflex, so not just for documentary purposes, and the M1 was meant as an entry level camera with a price to match. The main reason to produce the MP was to offer a model that would be robust enough to be useful for hard use, and of course, as you mention, the matching Leicavit to make it a jounalists' tool. Â You'll be happy to know that I added the M1 as a listed camera now, complete with picture. Â I also added more info on early M3 and M2 bodies. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Negative Posted December 16, 2011 Author Share #13 Â Posted December 16, 2011 More updates coming soon... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank_dernie Posted December 17, 2011 Share #14 Â Posted December 17, 2011 I enjoyed your summary. One thing which has always particularly interested me, as an engineer, is the rangefinder design. The M2 was made as a low cost M, and the rangefinder is simplified and has lower precision. I have not looked on the 'net but I have books showing the design of the two, and the extent to which they are different. Whether it is genuinely because people preferred having the 35mm view (don't forget the M3 outsold the M2 several times over) or the reduced cost of the M2 viewfinder made the camera more competitive in the market, but all subsequent viewfinders have been based on the M2 rangefinder, not the M3. FWIW Frank Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Negative Posted December 21, 2011 Author Share #15  Posted December 21, 2011 I enjoyed your summary.One thing which has always particularly interested me, as an engineer, is the rangefinder design. The M2 was made as a low cost M, and the rangefinder is simplified and has lower precision. I have not looked on the 'net but I have books showing the design of the two, and the extent to which they are different. Whether it is genuinely because people preferred having the 35mm view (don't forget the M3 outsold the M2 several times over) or the reduced cost of the M2 viewfinder made the camera more competitive in the market, but all subsequent viewfinders have been based on the M2 rangefinder, not the M3. FWIW Frank  Hmm, that's some interesting information Frank. The chief difference that I'm aware of is the viewfinder magnification which yes - went from .90 to .72, which is what later became the standard for all bodies to follow. Later on there was the "condenser issue" which plagued a few bodies and was a cost-cuting measure (chiefly the M4--2 through M6). Is there anything else besides that?  One thing that was also changed later on was the "right or replace" policy of the internal mechanisms, which previously had been adjustable to the Nth degree. Another cost-cuting measure. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Negative Posted February 4, 2012 Author Share #16 Â Posted February 4, 2012 Updated today to include a section on replacement batteries. Currently covers the M6, M6 TTL, M7 and MP. Digital bodies will be covered shortly. Â Enjoy! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpalme Posted February 4, 2012 Share #17 Â Posted February 4, 2012 The website it getting better and better.. nice job. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted February 4, 2012 Share #18 Â Posted February 4, 2012 I just got around to reading this. One minor point: the black dot on the M8.2 is only for the black camera; the chrome version retains the red dot. Â Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted February 4, 2012 Share #19 Â Posted February 4, 2012 Oh, and one more thing. The M9 still has 'snapshot' capability through a profile setting in the menu; it was merely taken off the dial. So, if you're going to critique this aspect as turning the M8.2 into a 'point and shoot,' then the M9 is only different in its discretion and access. Â Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbretteville Posted February 4, 2012 Share #20  Posted February 4, 2012 Updated today to include a section on replacement batteries. Currently covers the M6, M6 TTL, M7 and MP. Digital bodies will be covered shortly. Enjoy!  Nice article.  Some input: - Only the very early M7 were made without the MP finder upgrade. - All M7 made after the introduction of the optical DX reader were manufactured with it. - The M7 needs two CR1/3Ns or four LR44s. Carl Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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