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I'm thinking of buying a second M (film), my first one is a M9 (upgraded).

 

I love metering manual with a handheld meter and 50mm is my favorite focal length.

 

What would be a good choice? M4, M6, M7? MP is too expensive if M9 stays me most used camera.

 

Regards, Paul

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I would say the best one you can find in terms of price (for your budget) and condition. There's no wrong choice.

 

That said, if you intend to use a 50mm lens most of the time, the M3 would give you the 'best' viewfinder for your purposes.

 

My preference is for the M2.

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Georg is right. I work with both meterless and metered cams. 111f, M6, M7, M8, M9-P, amongst others.

 

The experience of working with a hand meter is nice, but in some situations just either not possible or too damn slow. Depends on what you are doing.

 

The M6 whilst metered, can be used totally manual and employ your LM as an alternative to the situation. Best of both. Of course the M7 can be used manually also. Just ignore the in-cam meter and use your hand held. Not sure why you would though, the incam meter is so good and fast that it seems ridiculous to use a hand held.

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Be aware, the older rangefinders don't have as crisp a rangefinder patch as the modern breed.

 

If you want something fast I would suggest an M7, M6 or M5.

 

But if you want something that's just a different user experience from a digital M, then I would consider an M3, M2 or M4.

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I agree the MP is too expensive, but I just bought one anyway (over a dead-mint M6 TTL) for a number of reasons, two of which are the much bright rangefinder patch on the MP over the M6 TTL, and the feel & build quality, which was noticeably more solid and precise than the M6. But this is just picky stuff, they're both great cameras.

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M7. the shutter is more accurate than other Film M Series. You can use it as you would a meterless camera, viz., set shutter speed and then set f stop via an incident meter. Or, you can use it in its Auto capabilities.

 

Two cameras in one.

 

I still have an M4, but take my M7 when I know shooting occasions might be challenging.

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I was always very happy with my M4 over my M6 or 7, because the M7 was a bit heavier and compared to the M6 and later the M4 is much more sturdy, especially the top plate. I used it with a Gossen Digisix, measured mostly incident light, always flawless.

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Without a doubt the M4-2 offers the best 'bang per buck'. Having had most of the M range this remains my favorite. Avoid the early models if you must, this is the last of the line before the finder became doubled and reduced the fields seen especially for the 50 and above framelines. I am on my second one and often wonder why I sold my first. Later models changed the finder that led to the flairing issue that some people lamented in the M4P et al.

 

Best,

 

normclarke.

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Maybe a bit sacrilegious, but if you're looking to recreate the 'rangefinder experience' in film, and you're considering an M7, don't forget about the Zeiss Ikon. I believe they have now been discontinued, but plenty of new ones still litter the shelves, and that camera probably has the best viewfinder of any rangefinder. Your wallet will appreciate it too.

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