AB007 Posted April 21, 2013 Share #21 Posted April 21, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) My fav film M for 50mm and 90mm/105mm is the M3. It has the best viewfinder in the M line. Some people complain about the film rewind knob but I love it. I didn't change the rewind knob on my MPs. It's part of the experience. When I feel lazy, I bring out my F5:D Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted April 21, 2013 Posted April 21, 2013 Hi AB007, Take a look here Which M. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
kivis Posted April 21, 2013 Share #22 Posted April 21, 2013 Completely agree on the M3. Nothing compares. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
iedei Posted April 22, 2013 Share #23 Posted April 22, 2013 It has the best viewfinder in the M line. *cough* M5 *cough* Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AB007 Posted April 22, 2013 Share #24 Posted April 22, 2013 *cough* M5 *cough* Most user friendly is the M5. I love it. I have it in black & chrome Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Geschlecht Posted April 22, 2013 Share #25 Posted April 22, 2013 Hello iedei & AB007, The M5 may have the best shutter speed display & meter display of any "M" made but in terms of framing 90mm & 135mm lenses no other M's compare to an M3. It is clear an M3 was designed as a camera for a 90mm lens first. With A 135mm lens it is just fine. For the 50mm lens it depends on whether you prefer space around the frame with an M5 or greater magnification with an M3. A subjective determination. With a 35mm lens the M3 has a magnification of 0.6 Altho you could have the M3's .91 magnification to focus a 35mm lens with a 0,7 magnification separate viewfinder. This is the the trade off for having the M3's 0.91 magnification with 50mm, 90mm & 135mm lenses. With the 135mm lens with goggles the M3's magnification is 1.36 That is twice the image magnification of the 135mm, F3.4 in the range/viewfinder of the M240. Best Regards, Michael Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted April 22, 2013 Share #26 Posted April 22, 2013 My answer is always the same. Old Leicas need service. Only CLA if you are lucky. Many are suffering age related problems. Budget $1000 or get a warrantee. They are like old cars without an odometer. Many have seen heavy pro use. New ones are not as nice to use, but more practical. Find a nice M8 for a back up. You will be better off. Better still another M9. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sblitz Posted April 22, 2013 Share #27 Posted April 22, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) which is why the M4 (not the later M4-2 or M4P) is worth it. Incredibly well built, no electronics, just a camera that works. M3 and M2 are fine as well, but the M4 has more modern film loading and rewind. Long after my M9 is a door stop the M4 will still be working just fine. The quality is obvious in your hands, pick up a Nikon from 1968 or a Canon SLR and you can feel and see the difference. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted April 22, 2013 Share #28 Posted April 22, 2013 So, we all agree, the best M is an M2 or M3 or M4/4p/42 or M5 or M6 or M7. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted April 22, 2013 Share #29 Posted April 22, 2013 For me, M6 for alternative lenses. For you, the M3 for your favourite 50mm lens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
}{B Posted April 22, 2013 Share #30 Posted April 22, 2013 M3 - unbeatable if you only want to use a 50 mil lens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sblitz Posted April 22, 2013 Share #31 Posted April 22, 2013 if . . . . . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
semi-ambivalent Posted April 22, 2013 Share #32 Posted April 22, 2013 I agree the MP is too expensive, but I just bought one anyway...the feel & build quality, which was noticeably more solid and precise than the M6. This is very good to know; I fully intend to pull the trigger on an a la cart MP in January, for my 60th. s-a Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gyoung Posted April 22, 2013 Share #33 Posted April 22, 2013 So, we all agree, the best M is an M2 or M3 or M4/4p/42 or M5 or M6 or M7. Trouble is none is perfect, I have M3, best and clearest finder, at least for 50 and 90, although the 35 is ok with goggles or SBLOO finder and the 135 is useable. And M6ttl, quickest and easiest to use withe the ttl meter, but Oh, the compromises in that finder , 35 only visible to me with glasses because its innacurate (more like 40mm), almost useless 135, and cluttered with two frames at a time. But its a very nice camera to use, small and quick. I have never found the 'perfect' camera in 60 years of photography. Gerry Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
madNbad Posted April 23, 2013 Share #34 Posted April 23, 2013 Whenever anyone ask this question. Maybe the reply should be "the first Leica you find that you really like". I traded in a perfectly fine M6 TTL on a Millenium edition which is basically the same camera. Any M is special in it's own way and every one has it's advantages and drawbacks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted April 23, 2013 Share #35 Posted April 23, 2013 M4-P! Still a bargain and a good way to experiment with film. Second the suggestion for M4-P. Besides having all the viewfinder frames, it also takes the Abrahamsson Rapid Winder, or motor. It is rugged, the best M4. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted April 23, 2013 Share #36 Posted April 23, 2013 Second the suggestion for M4-P. Besides having all the viewfinder frames, it also takes the Abrahamsson Rapid Winder, or motor. It is rugged, the best M4. I'm constantly tempted by these but my head says an M6 is probably going to be more reliable, then I think an MP would be really nice..then I think that having an M7 with aperture priority would be faster..... Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Needless to say I haven't bought one yet... ..but then I do have an X-Pan on permanent loan, and the same friend has just dumped an extensive Hasselblad film system (2000FC, 503CW, 205FCC) on my doorstep (40, 50, 80, 150, 180 and 350mm lenses), various fiewfinders & powerwinders, and 8 filmbacks. First foray into MF will keep me busy for a while - just bought some 120 T-Max and Ektar :D:D Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Needless to say I haven't bought one yet... ..but then I do have an X-Pan on permanent loan, and the same friend has just dumped an extensive Hasselblad film system (2000FC, 503CW, 205FCC) on my doorstep (40, 50, 80, 150, 180 and 350mm lenses), various fiewfinders & powerwinders, and 8 filmbacks. First foray into MF will keep me busy for a while - just bought some 120 T-Max and Ektar :D:D ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/202999-which-m/?do=findComment&comment=2305405'>More sharing options...
bill Posted April 23, 2013 Share #37 Posted April 23, 2013 Ah, framelines. I am a purist. That is why I love my M2, with 35, 50 and 90mm framelines. I also have a .85 MP4, with just the framelines for 35, 50, 90 and 135mm - very clean and elegant and the nearest I could get to a modern M2. So, M2 rules. MP is close behind. Everything else sucks and you are all barking :D:D Regards, Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted April 23, 2013 Share #38 Posted April 23, 2013 Ah, framelines. I am a purist. That is why I love my M2, with 35, 50 and 90mm framelines. I also have a .85 MP4, with just the framelines for 35, 50, 90 and 135mm - very clean and elegant and the nearest I could get to a modern M2. So, M2 rules. MP is close behind. Everything else sucks and you are all barking :D:D Regards, Bill Back to Leicas, my most used lenses are 28 and 50mm so that rules out the M2 & M3 for me . Regards, Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erl Posted April 23, 2013 Share #39 Posted April 23, 2013 I'm constantly tempted by these but my head says an M6 is probably going to be more reliable, then I think an MP would be really nice..then I think that having an M7 with aperture priority would be faster.....[ATTACH]372956[/ATTACH]Needless to say I haven't bought one yet... ..but then I do have an X-Pan on permanent loan, and the same friend has just dumped an extensive Hasselblad film system (2000FC, 503CW, 205FCC) on my doorstep (40, 50, 80, 150, 180 and 350mm lenses), various fiewfinders & powerwinders, and 8 filmbacks. First foray into MF will keep me busy for a while - just bought some 120 T-Max and Ektar :D:D Bloody hell! I spent a lifetime and a large fortune building up a kit like that. Still got it. Magnificent stuff. No need to go to the gym. Just cart it around. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted April 23, 2013 Share #40 Posted April 23, 2013 Bloody hell!I spent a lifetime and a large fortune building up a kit like that. Still got it. Magnificent stuff. No need to go to the gym. Just cart it around. Thanks Erl, I'm very lucky to get to play with this. I was 'told' that I should stretch my rubber bands and delve into medium format. My skills certainly won't match this gear. And you're right, the Pelikan case its all packed in weighs a ton! I think I'll only take out one body and lens at a time. Having said that, the 503CW with viewfinder, motor drive, and 80mm lens feels very balanced in the hand. Very different looking through that large viewfinder window onto a square focusing screen. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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