Sakana Posted August 27, 2013 Share #1 Posted August 27, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) Friend of mine wants to get a Leica film Camera and he is totally in love with the looks of the M2,3 or 4. Just recently he asked me for which one he should go for and as I never used a film M I thought I could get some hints here. He also is a beginner when it comes to Leica film cameras and currently he owns two Leica lenses, a 35 cron and a 50 Elmar (last version). Budget wise he can spend up to around 600 Euro. Any feed back is highly appreciated Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 27, 2013 Posted August 27, 2013 Hi Sakana, Take a look here Which one to go for ... M2, 3 or 4 ?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
friedeye Posted August 28, 2013 Share #2 Posted August 28, 2013 Your friend has a 35 Cron? It's a no brainer. The finders on both the M2 and the M4 are wide enough to accommodate 35mm frame lines. The M3, while having a gorgeous, magnified finder, does not. But, heck, I shoot a 35 on my IIIF most of the time, and it has a 50mm finder with no frame lines at all. Doesn't bother me one bit. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sblitz Posted August 28, 2013 Share #3 Posted August 28, 2013 m4 -- more modern loading and rewind and built to last. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
animalhairs Posted August 28, 2013 Share #4 Posted August 28, 2013 M2 or M4. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted August 28, 2013 Share #5 Posted August 28, 2013 Tell your friend to join the forum, then he can ask for himself! I'd suggest the M2 for its uncluttered frame lines and availability/price. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted August 28, 2013 Share #6 Posted August 28, 2013 Definitely not an M3. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
}{B Posted August 28, 2013 Share #7 Posted August 28, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) Tell your friend not to buy without having looked at both an M2 and M3. For practical purposes the M2 is perhaps the better choice given that the viewfinder has both the 35mm and 50mm frame lines. The M3 has the best viewfinder of any of the Ms but doesn't have the 35mm frame lines because of the extra viewfinder magnification. However 35mm viewfinders can be bought that fit in the flash shoe and are perfectly useable except perhaps at close range. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
philipus Posted August 28, 2013 Share #8 Posted August 28, 2013 M4 or one of its -P or -2 siblings. Andy Piper has a good description of them in this post. User grade copies of each can be found within the budget (easier with the -P and -2 but possible also with the M4). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
animalhairs Posted August 28, 2013 Share #9 Posted August 28, 2013 Tell your friend not to buy without having looked at both an M2 and M3. For practical purposes the M2 is perhaps the better choice given that the viewfinder has both the 35mm and 50mm frame lines. The M3 has the best viewfinder of any of the Ms but doesn't have the 35mm frame lines because of the extra viewfinder magnification. However 35mm viewfinders can be bought that fit in the flash shoe and are perfectly useable except perhaps at close range. Arguably the worst viewfinder if you shoot 35mm and 28mm lenses, or if you don't like super thick frame lines with rounded corners while shooting a 50mm. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted August 28, 2013 Share #10 Posted August 28, 2013 The new user is going to be a novice at the rangefinder thing. There could be nothing worse than having to take in 'you focus through here, then remember to frame the image through there, oh, and don't forget the light reading and just go back and check the focus because you moved when taking the light reading and no don't press the shutter now because you need to re-frame the image through this bit'. I think you'd need to be a sadist to suggest an M3, but who knows, on the upside you may get to meet somebody who likes a bit of strict discipline? Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalArts 99 Posted August 28, 2013 Share #11 Posted August 28, 2013 In addition to what others have said, don't forget that the M4 will be a newer camera and also doesn't suffer from potential finder separation from the ancient balsam glue that Leica used with the M3 and the M2. For someone entering into the Leica film M world, I would suggest the easiest path in respect to a novice's everyday real world use. It's one thing for experienced long timers to suggest older versions; they've already been through the whole song and dance. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AB007 Posted August 29, 2013 Share #12 Posted August 29, 2013 The new user is going to be a novice at the rangefinder thing. There could be nothing worse than having to take in 'you focus through here, then remember to frame the image through there, oh, and don't forget the light reading and just go back and check the focus because you moved when taking the light reading and no don't press the shutter now because you need to re-frame the image through this bit'. I think you'd need to be a sadist to suggest an M3, but who knows, on the upside you may get to meet somebody who likes a bit of strict discipline? Steve I know they are not considering the M5. However, considering the above comment M5 sounds ideal. Needless to say, the quality of M5 is remarkable. If I am not mistaken, it is the most user friendly M body Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted August 29, 2013 Share #13 Posted August 29, 2013 I'm guessing it will be hard to find a decent condition M5 for the budget though.... Another option could be a Voigtlander body - choice of viewfinders and built in/auto metering. But the OP said it's a choice between M2/3/4. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
becker Posted August 29, 2013 Share #14 Posted August 29, 2013 M2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gvaliquette Posted August 29, 2013 Share #15 Posted August 29, 2013 The M4-2 was my first ever Leica; I still use it, despite having an M9 (... and an M3 and a CL). Guy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
plewislambert Posted August 30, 2013 Share #16 Posted August 30, 2013 I have used an M4-P for a couple of years with a handheld meter and 3 lenses and found it quite easy to learn how to use it. The viewfinder/rangefinder is clear in use provided the glass is kept smear-free. I still have it and will keep it as it is so solidly made and so easy to use. No menus to learn. However I mostly use an M9 now, which is not for beginners..... Philip Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dikaiosune01 Posted August 31, 2013 Share #17 Posted August 31, 2013 Leica M4-P ... Although it might be a little out of your friend's budget (I can't do currency conversions in my head very well) I'll explain in more detail below. You said that your friend already has the 35mm Summicron. The 35mm framelines will not show in the M3. Because of this, you'll need two separate finders. The one in the camera for focusing and an extra external finder for the framing. Having both (framing and focusing) in the same finder just makes your life a whole lot easier. Why the M4-P over M4 or M2? Flash. It adds a great deal more versatility. The M4-P has a traditional hot shoe. Your friend may or may not want to experiment with flash someday (especially when you're a beginner and don't know where your photography will develop). I personally have a M3; and I can tell you that flash is one of the things I regret most. There are weird adapters; but they are hard to find unless you shop through online auction sites or online forums, and I can tell you from first hand experience that they are not reliable. What would I buy today for me? Hindsight! Probably a Leica M6 (non-TTL) or a Leica MP (if financial situation allows). For the following reasons. (1) framelines are the same in the current Digital leica M (2) flash (3) in camera meter - although i've gotten use to using an external meter (4) quick rewind knob - although I've gotten use to the M3 rewind knob. And If I had the option of a Leica MP (MP(5)) classic rewind knob (MP(6)) made of brass not aluninum Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
E.M Posted August 31, 2013 Share #18 Posted August 31, 2013 M4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kivis Posted September 1, 2013 Share #19 Posted September 1, 2013 Why not get the smoothest bestest Leica ever made? M3:p Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted September 1, 2013 Share #20 Posted September 1, 2013 Why not get the smoothest bestest Leica ever made? M3:p As we've already pointed out, it doesn't have 35mm framelines & the person this question has been asked on behalf of, wants to use a 35mm lens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.