which M?

[stump4545]

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which M is the most sought after for users? M6?

 

I shoot mostly with a 35mm and 50mm.

 

which would be best and which viewfinder magnification?

 

thanks for the help.

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[TomB_tx]

Every M model has loyal folk who like it best. I have M3, 4, 5, &6 and each has unique properties. The M6 meter is nice and easy to use, and the .72 finder of the 4,5,&6 (&7) is ideal for 35 & 50 lenses. The RF of the 6 is a bit harder to see in some lighting than the 4&5, but I've been happy with mine for 25+ years.

I like the M5 - but most find the slightly larger size an issue.

[stump4545]

thanks Tom.

 

I do like smaller so seems like the M6 with .72 would be best for me w/ 35mm and 50mm lenses.

 

is there any other variation of the M6 to consider besides the .72 finder?

[CalArts 99]

I'm sure you'll get lots of different answers as it gets kind of subjective, as TomB_tx points out. I'm not sure what's "most sought after" but for real world convenience and practicality, the M6 is fine. I would stick with the .72 finder unless you really think you'll only be using wide angle lenses or longer lenses only (.58 vs .85.)

 

Personally I like the M4 due to the way the frame lines are positioned in the finder for the 50mm and the 35mm (there are no 28mm frame lines in the M4 although you can have the finder changed over to the M6 style.) The M6 squeezes them down a bit to accommodate the 28mm frame lines. That said, I use a 28mm on the M4 and just figure the entire frame itself is the frame line. It works out fine (but I don't wear glasses and can see edge to edge pretty well.) I also had all the frame lines except for 35 and 50 masked out for less clutter (on my M6 it's only the 28, 35, and 50 that appear; all the rest are masked.)

 

Both the M4 and the M6 are more 'modern' especially when it comes to film loading and rewinding. One can get very fast with them in the field. The M6 of course has a built in meter. I use both the M4 and M6 and in operation they are pretty much identical. I have the M6 'classic' and so the shutter speed dial is the same on both. You may prefer the later TTL version which has a larger shutter speed dial that some people prefer and feel is easier to turn (I personally like the small one.) And I believe the TTL's meter LED's are more intuitive in the direction that they move.

 

My personal advice would be the M6 as an all around good choice. There are lots of them out there and they are going to be newer than the M4 or earlier. That said, I personally like the feel of the M4 and the smoothness of the film advance (the M6 is just a bit more 'ratchety' feeling.)

 

Then there's the M7 which is still being produced. That has an even more convenient metering system. And there's the MP which will be more like the M6 'classic' in its operation.

 

All of them are "sought after" for various personal reasons including M3, M2, and M5. Plus there's a less expensive version of the M4, too (with the 28mm frame lines.) There's no real answer, imho.

[stump4545]

is the M6 "TTL version" only used when using a flash?

[CalArts 99]

is the M6 "TTL version" only used when using a flash?

 

Yes, the TTL is for TTL flash compatibility. Otherwise it's the same. If you don't use a TTL flash, then you won't be taking advantage of the TTL. But again, the shutter speed dial and also the meter LEDs (the direction they move) are different. Also I think the TTL is slightly taller in size but you'll never notice.

[CalArts 99]

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And just to add, there are two M6 classics. One is the earlier "Wetzlar/Leitz" version and the later one is the "Solms/Leica" version.

 

Here are the differences: Leica M6 Early Production

[Peter H]

..........

 

Here are the differences: Leica M6 Early Production

 

Thanks for this interesting link.

 

It brings back some of the huge excitement I experienced when I bought my first M6 brand new from one of the many excellent camera shops that used to but no longer exist in the City (of London).

[earleygallery]

All (film) M's are pretty much of a muchness insofar as they hold your film at the back and your lens at the front, but there are many small differences which make certain models more or less suitable for each person.

 

Your budget will be a key factor - how much do you have to spend?

 

Older models don't have a built in light meter. The M5/6/7/P do. The M7 has AE metering and an electronic shutter, all others are fully manual/mechanical. The M3 only has frame lines for 50/90/135mm lenses. Other models go to 35mm or 28mm.

 

Some people prefer chrome, or black chrome, or black paint finishes, which can be another driver in model choice.

 

Confused much?!

[philipus]

Thanks for that link CalArts - very interesting overview.

 

In recent contacts with Customer Service I learnt that there are two types of light seals around the shutter on the M6. With (presumably a lot of) use the seals can get, in the word of the CS rep I spoke with, "wavy", such that light can reach the film. This happens due to the horizontal travel of the shutter curtains, if I understood it correctly. The seals were improved at some point during the M6 production and the new seals don't wear in the same way or as much. It is possible to retro-fit the newer seals.

 

Stump, I would just add that if you're not used to not having a meter then go for a metered M. If you want an un-metered M I also think the M4 is the best of the best but there really is very little difference, if you are going to shoot 35 and 50, between the M4 and the M4-2 and M4-P. Don't forget that the M6 (and the TTL) are fully manual without batteries, giving you the choice how you want to shoot with them. 0.72x is a great all-round magnification imho.

 

Cheers

Philip

[rpopescu]

The M6 meter is nice and easy to use, and the .72 finder of the 4,5,&6 (&7) is ideal for 35 & 50 lenses.

 

In fact the M3's finder is ideal for 50mm lenses and up, due to its highest magnification of all models. I find it significantly better than the 0.85 on my M6.

 

To stump4545: if you shoot 35mm then M3 isn't quite suitable, unless you use the goggled 35mm f/2.8 Summaron.

[spydrxx]

I used an M4 for 44 years and loved it. In the meantime I had an M6 for about 3 years, which was a nice camera, but really preferred the M4, so sold the M6. These days I'm working into LTM stuff, and maybe an M3 on the side.

[TomB_tx]

I used an M4 for 44 years and loved it. In the meantime I had an M6 for about 3 years, which was a nice camera, but really preferred the M4, so sold the M6. These days I'm working into LTM stuff, and maybe an M3 on the side.

I also bought my M4 in 1968, and it is still my favorite; but I have used the M6 equally since getting it in the mid 80s, and overall don't rate it lower than the M4. The meter makes up for the slight viewfinder flare.

I have M3s also, but still prefer the M4 viewfinder for 50s. I use the M3 when I plan to use a 90 along with a 50. I do have a goggled Summicron 35 for the M3, but again prefer the M4/6 for 35 lenses.

[rpopescu]

I have M3s also, but still prefer the M4 viewfinder for 50s.

 

If you don't mind my asking, why is that? You like seeing around the frame-lines for the 50? Or what is it?

In my experience the M3 finder has the nicest colour and magnification, but perhaps your considerations are different than mine, so I'm curious.

[TomB_tx]

I do like seeing what is in the space outside the frame for selecting composition. I always wear eyeglasses, so the slightly smaller 50 frame on the M4 is easier to see through the eyepiece. Also, the M3 50 frames are quite thick and round-cornered, and are always in view even when using a 90 or 135 lens.

[gsgary]

I use an M4-2 with the new CV50F1.5 and managed to pick up an mint M4-p 70 year anniversary boxed with all paperwork for the same price as i paid for my M4-2 and use a 28F2 ultron on the M4-P works great for me but ive only been into Leica for a year and a bit

[becker]

M2 and M4 have very soft Mechanics, the shutter is very decent, and calm.

MP with meter is nice to have looks great in black paint.

But that is not important at all.

I would take an M2 its my personal fav, also like the 3 for longer glass, but seldom.

The M2 has a fantastic smooth performance and is fine with 50 and 35.

40 and 50 mm are my faves.

Its small and no one feels "shot" if you come along with it.

 

I dont know what the differences between 4 and 2 are, I mean those you dont see.

And that the 4 is younger. May be the 4 is a very little bit over the 2 in smoothness, shutter and mechanic...?

 

Kr

 

M

[philipus]

I didn't have time to link to these articles earlier so here you go just to add some further confusion

 

Leica for users

 

Leica for users revisited

 

How to choose M

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[CalArts 99]

 

In recent contacts with Customer Service I learnt that there are two types of light seals around the shutter on the M6. With (presumably a lot of) use the seals can get, in the word of the CS rep I spoke with, "wavy", such that light can reach the film. This happens due to the horizontal travel of the shutter curtains, if I understood it correctly. The seals were improved at some point during the M6 production and the new seals don't wear in the same way or as much. It is possible to retro-fit the newer seals.

 

That's interesting, I hadn't heard that before. Did they imply when the improvement was made? I had DAG do a service a while ago on my M6 and he didn't mention this nor is there any indication on the service invoice. But he doesn't spell out everything he does on his invoices, usually just 'complete overhaul' or something to that effect.

 

As I had mentioned before, the M4 frame lines seem less 'compacted' to me in respect to the finder (I don't wear glasses), even though it's a .72 like the M6. The frame lines for 35mm in my M6 seem more 'squeezed' than in my M4 (even though both are .72 magnification.) But I do notice that the 'entrance pupil' (is that the right term?) of the M4 and M6 are different. In other words, the eyepiece of the M4 and M6 are different in their construction. I feel I can see around the 35mm frame lines better with the M4 than with the M6. There seems to be more 'space' in the M4 than the M6 despite the same magnification(?) (the M6 also has the 28mm frame lines squeezed in there, too.) Or maybe it's just all in my head.....

[StS]

The M6 should be a very good starting point for most people, in my view.

• Built-in meter
  
• Most universal choice of frames
  
• Comparatively large production number should keep supply, also of spare parts, good and prices reasonable
  

Having said that, my main camera is a 0.58 viewfinder* MP...

 

 

Stefan

 

 

*35mm and 50mm frame lines have good visibility, even when wearing glasses. I also use a 24mm, which is roughly the full field of view, when I take off the glasses. When I need a 135mm, I take the OM4...