Nick De Marco Posted April 12, 2007 Share #1 Posted April 12, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have already discussed this on anthoer thread, but I am ging through some angst so i would really apreciate some advice from other leica users and collectors. I have recently bought two ms for the first time - the M3 and M4-P. I collect classic cameras but not in an obbsessive way, I prefer to buy cameras to use. I have only recently discovered and fell in ove with rangefinders. I swore I would not start buying Leicas as I know how expensive it can end up being. But I loved my Voigtlander Bessa R2 so much, more than any of my classic cameras, I got the urge to finally buy the M cameras. Now really want an M6 - primarily (as wit the other Leicas) to use - not to collect. aving spent so much money on leicas and lense for them, i find it hard to justify the purchase of a used M6 without selling the M4-P. On the other hand the M4-P is to me a beautiful camera and although my cop is used and not in great condition it works perfectly. Is there any good reason why i should not part with the M4-P (I guess i am hoping there is!). I doubt there would be any reason to use it in preference to the M6. So far as collecting is concerned I realise the M3 is a much more important camera than the M4-P and the M3 can also serve as my spare M body (along with a Bessa of course). So I don't personally know of a reason to justify NOT selling it. And I am sorry to be so angst ridden about it but i'd like to know what others think - I am very new to leica Ms so I don't want to end up making a big mistake. thanks Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted April 12, 2007 Posted April 12, 2007 Hi Nick De Marco, Take a look here Should I sell my M4-P. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
dkCambridgeshire Posted April 12, 2007 Share #2 Posted April 12, 2007 If you are considering an M6 consider saving a bit more for a scarcer titanium model ... and continue using the M4-P. I used to have an M4-P and regret parting with it ... it was well used ... but the WABI had character ... and it spoke. Dunk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted April 13, 2007 Share #3 Posted April 13, 2007 - IF you are really in collector's mood, of course keep the M4-P - IF you like to shoot with two bodies with you, keep M4-P an M6 : M3 a little too precious as collectible and of course less versatile, unless you use a lot 135 mm - IF you are primary a user one-body, sell M4-P and buy some lens instead of. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick De Marco Posted April 13, 2007 Author Share #4 Posted April 13, 2007 Thank you for the advice.... I think I should keep it. It's so beautiful and well made. Maybe sell it for my pension in 30 years! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted April 13, 2007 Share #5 Posted April 13, 2007 Keep both and don't bother with the M6. Use the M4 for wideangles, the M3 for 50mm +. You will need a meter for the M3 anyway so once you're used to it using the handheld meter on the M4 will be as easy as metering with the M6. Buy a decent meter and more glass instead. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick De Marco Posted April 13, 2007 Author Share #6 Posted April 13, 2007 Really? Now I don't know what to do. I'm happy with the glass I have already bought (50mm f2 Summicron, 35mm f2 Summicron v4; and I wnat to buy the Voigtlander 15mm f4.5). I do prefer to use two bodies (which can get cumbersome with a DSLR) but was thinking of using the Bessa R3A as the second, especially when I travel. Are you saying the M6 is not worth the extra money, or the meter is not worth it or what? Thanks Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted April 13, 2007 Share #7 Posted April 13, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) My opinion is that the M6 will only offer you a built in meter over the M4P. Whilst its convenient, if you have to use a handheld meter with the M3 you will become used to metering and the M6 will not offer much benefit. The Bessa also has a built in meter doesn't it? Once you become used to metering you will find that you are able to judge exposure without metering everytime. If you are shooting slides you need to be more accurate of course. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
photophile Posted April 13, 2007 Share #8 Posted April 13, 2007 I use an m4-2 with top mr meter and an m6, usually one color one b&w. would find it hard to part with either, although now considering an m8..so...just to make it more confusing! good luck but always save for more glass! btw.. meter on my m6 is right on and much more accurate as cw than even my d200..strange as that was to me to believe! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
R.Morrison Posted April 13, 2007 Share #9 Posted April 13, 2007 Much of this might boil down to what and how you shoot. I do a good deal of street shooting. I use an M4-P for this because I shoot from the hip and quickly. It is equipped with an Abrahamsson Rapidwinder (similar to a Leicavit) and a Leica MR meter which permits me to meter without raising the camera to my eye. The black chrome finish is the 'correct finish' for a working camera since, unlike the gaudy black lacquer it is less visible and is wear resistant (patina is for the sybaritic). We have in this forum a thread called 'I love my MP'. It's on its 9th page now and has been going for months. Small wonder, the MP is a great camera both in original and present forms. The M4-P is a solid little work-horse and in many respects is the 'other' MP. I love my M4-P and I think I can tell you love yours too. Robert Morrison, M4-P, etc. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick De Marco Posted April 13, 2007 Author Share #10 Posted April 13, 2007 Thanks for all the replies I will keep my M4-P. Street photography is my number one passion, and I agree about the importnace of doing without camera meters and being able to ust shot. Still think I will get a M6 sometime though - I just cannot resist. Thank you all for giving me reasons to keep hold of my M4-P. It is a strong sturdy camera (a black one) and was a tiny bit battered when I bought it - so all the better for dragging around South east Asia for photography I guess. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted April 14, 2007 Share #11 Posted April 14, 2007 I've just bought an M2 for street photography with a 35mm lens (got to get the lens yet). I wanted one in no too good condition for the same reasons, so I could happily use it without worrying about the odd mark etc., but the one I've bought is really nice, a blessing and a curse! I'm just going to imagine its a new MP and use it how I would that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick De Marco Posted April 15, 2007 Author Share #12 Posted April 15, 2007 I am convinced. I don't thik I need an M6. At the moment I am sing an old Leica mc meter on top of my M4-P. I have tested it against a modern polaris hand held meter and it seems OK. Will find out when I develop the film. But it's nice to use and thinking about it having an in camera meter would not save me any tim at all. In fact, as poited out above, it would be a disadvantage as now I can have the camera ready and set before putting it to my eye which is an advantage for street photography. I guess what i should think about, though, is an M7 or later model - as I understand that has autmatic exposure. Tis again culd e useful for street photography. Although, of course I realise its harded to find these at affordable prices. Thanks for all the advice... I am very happy with my M4-P Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
el fotografo Posted April 15, 2007 Share #13 Posted April 15, 2007 Not to sway the boat, but I sold all my non metered M bodies,- M4-2, M4-P, M2- for metered bodies, M5 and M6. The M4s were nice and the M2 was a real beauty in like-new condition, which was a difficult to let go. I decided that I like having an in-camera meter and prefer not to have to think about exposure all the time. The M5 is my favorite of all of them. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
joebt Posted April 16, 2007 Share #14 Posted April 16, 2007 Wow, it appears to all comes down to preference. I have a really nice M3 DS and a M6 TTL. I keep the 50mm Pre-ASAPH Lux on my M3, and the 35mm Summicron-Laude on the M6. I use the M3 way more than I use the M6. I carry a goosen hand held meter, and adjust on the fly. The M6TTL is nice but the M3 is King! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick De Marco Posted April 16, 2007 Author Share #15 Posted April 16, 2007 As per my other thread - I have solved my dilema thanks to all the good feedback. I actually bought a Minolta CLE (partly for the novelty, partyl as it was cheap). Now, if I want a leica type camera with meter that looks more like the leica than my Bassa I can reach for my CLE. having got used to it i'm sure my frst camera of choice will be the M4-P. Luckily, that's far from "mint" as well. So i will be able to take them on holdiay without worrying about knocks and scratches. had i bought an M6 I am sure I would have worshipped it, but unles it was quitce cheap and well used I would have been scared to take it out the flat! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
seaninsurrey Posted April 17, 2007 Share #16 Posted April 17, 2007 In fact, as pointed out above, it would be a disadvantage as now I can have the camera ready and set before putting it to my eye which is an advantage for street photography. I hadn't thought about that! I'm interested in street photography too and this makes great sense. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Confusion Circle Posted April 18, 2007 Share #17 Posted April 18, 2007 I hadn't thought about that! I'm interested in street photography too and this makes great sense. Yep, the M6 titanium is nice. Of course, I'm biased as I own one! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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