ironringer Posted March 22, 2015 Share #1 Posted March 22, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) Our son is a filmmaker and photo-journalist in Berlin, often using digital M8 and M9 cameras. We recently gave him a serviced (by Youxin Ye, excellent) single-stroke M3 with 50 mm Summicron. He has enjoyed using the M3 in assignments, finding a welcome market for its excellent film (B&W) pictures. What M (film) body would experienced users suggest for a backup camera? A 35mm viewfinder frame would be useful, but what other advantages and disadvantages are considerations for an M2 or later camera? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 22, 2015 Posted March 22, 2015 Hi ironringer, Take a look here Suggestions: backup body for an M3?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
A miller Posted March 22, 2015 Share #2 Posted March 22, 2015 M4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gberger Posted March 22, 2015 Share #3 Posted March 22, 2015 A second vote for the M4; however, if he'd like the flexibility of auto exposure, then an M7. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcraf Posted March 22, 2015 Share #4 Posted March 22, 2015 M4 +1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
smb Posted March 22, 2015 Share #5 Posted March 22, 2015 I am a big fan of the M6 because it has the most framelines and a meter. However, since your son is competent without a meter an M2 or M4 would be fine. Condition on these older cameras is everything, as you must know. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
philipus Posted March 22, 2015 Share #6 Posted March 22, 2015 Why wouldn't the backup body also be an M3? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
A miller Posted March 23, 2015 Share #7 Posted March 23, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) Why wouldn't the backup body also be an M3? no 35mm framelines?? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
iphoenix Posted March 23, 2015 Share #8 Posted March 23, 2015 M4 +2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
philipus Posted March 23, 2015 Share #9 Posted March 23, 2015 My Tapatalk crashed before I could complete the post. Sure no 35mm frame lines. But he may find switching magnifications annoying. I guess it also depends on what is meant by a "backup body". Of course if 35mm frame lines are required then pretty much any film M will do. From a sheer usage perspective all are similar. I'd say only the M5 differs substantially in use from the other Ms. Here I'm evidently not considering the finer points of usage like the direction of shutter speed dials, rewind operation etc. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
normclarke Posted March 23, 2015 Share #10 Posted March 23, 2015 From a purely cost point of view the much maligned M4-2 would suit. I am currently useing my second version that I obtained for a very good price. The v/f will not detieriate like all M2's and early M4's that were assembled with canada balsam( don't drop it). I have never found any cause to question this model as many do. Haveing serviced 2's 4's and 4-2's the interiors are so alike as to query what is wrong with them, if people realised how good they were they would hold a much higher retail price. As for later model's with six framelines I think they are a joke after useing a Nikon F. Best, normclarke. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
a911s Posted March 27, 2015 Share #11 Posted March 27, 2015 I also like the M4-2 best. Has a hot shoe, is fully compatible with a new leicavit or motor, and there's no distracting 75mm frame line. They are amazingly cheap. Buy one that just had a CLA and you are fine. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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