Which Classic M for the Leica feel...

[R.Morrison]

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I am in agreement with James that all Ms have that classic feel. I am also not in total agreement that an M4 is better-built than an M4-P. The M4-P has two more frame lines than the M4 but lacks the latter's self-timer.

The M4-P is a transitional model with the early examples being essentially M4-2s with extra framelines and brass top-plate and later versions being fundamentaly meter-less M6s with zinc top-plates.

 

Yours,

Robert Morrison, M4-P, etc.

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[Photoskeptic]

Get an M4 with - drum roll please - Leica's 1.25 add-on viewfinder- that way, when using a 50 you get the M3 finder, and when using your 35, remove it and you have the .72 finder!!! The best of both worlds!!!

 

I had a 1.25 magnifier on my M4. It still wasn't as good as the M3 due to the difference of the M3 framelines. It worked out well though - now it's on my M8:D

[Rolo]

For 50mm & 90mm lenses,the M3 with a ready loaded spare film spool is a great tool and as fast to load as most need, I suggest.

 

I use my MP more as I like having the meter on hand for changing light conditions. It will be as smooth as my M3 in a couple of decades.

 

Rolo

[rpsawin]

If you access to different bodies try handling each one. It may sound a bit "woo-woo" but one will feel noticably better in your hands. That is the one I would buy.

 

Best luck,

 

Bob

 

ps...my new MP fits my hands like no other camera. My M2 and M6 bodies are wonderful but the MP "fit".

[robsteve]

The M3 has to have the best finder and the smoothest feel of all the Leica M. The M4 has the feel, but not the finder. The M2 that I had did not seem to have the feel of the M3 or M4 I had.

 

For Dan, here is my Canadian M3 combo. A canadian made M3, Canadian Noctilux, Canadian RapidWinder and soft release.

 

Earlier today I listed the chrome M3 for sale on the site we can't mention here for $575. You will not find a M2 or M4 that cheap.

 

[k_g_wolf ✝]

Try out a LEICA M6,after a proper CLA of an older model you have the LEICA-feel !

 

 

Nothing beats this version for ease of getting a correct exposion - except the M7 - IMO.

 

TTL versions are available with different v/f-magnifications, close to the M3 (= 0.85) or a w/a-v/f (= 0.58).

 

 

Best

 

___________________________

 

 

>> Rob

 

great combo, that´s a real beauty. With this outfit a handheld meter doesn´t even look weird.

[NZDavid]

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I think the M3 and M4 are probably on a par in terms of build quality. I have the M3 and love it - but the M6 is also a fine camera and well worth considering. The built-in meter comes in very handy. One thing is for certain, all are excellent cameras and you are unlikely to go wrong whichever choice you make.

[Cindy Flood]

RobSteve said:

Earlier today I listed the chrome M3 for sale on the site we can't mention here for $575.

 

I have a double stroke M3 to go along with my M8. The single stroke (like Robs) is even more desirable. Don't be put off by the film loading that seems to be the biggest M3 objection. I find it easier to load my M3 than the M5 (which has the quick load system). When you get the film inserted into the spool, you know it is in there correctly. Just buy a spare and keep it loaded with your next film (if you are worried about speed.)

 

It is really a pleasure to shoot a film M. You are in complete control-- the camera is an extension of you and makes none of the decisions.

[joopvork]

> my Canadian M3 combo. A canadian made M3, Canadian Noctilux, Canadian RapidWinder and soft release.

 

Looks very pretty, How comes the top plate of the M3 says 'germany' .......?

Joop

[ddp]

Rob - what a great looking combo! Not sure how I missed this....

[luigi bertolotti]

The M3 has to have the best finder and the smoothest feel of all the Leica M. The M4 has the feel, but not the finder. The M2 that I had did not seem to have the feel of the M3 or M4 I had.

 

For Dan, here is my Canadian M3 combo. A canadian made M3, Canadian Noctilux, Canadian RapidWinder and soft release.

 

Earlier today I listed the chrome M3 for sale on the site we can't mention here for $575. You will not find a M2 or M4 that cheap.

 

 

What a splendid outfit... and a one that intrigues a collector as me... can you tell me please...

1) which is the s/n of the black M3 ? 974923 if I read correctly, but not sure

2) Engraved Leitz Wetzlar... OK, some early Made in Ontario M3s had anyway the Wetzlar engraving but... where do you read it's a Canadian ? engraving on the back ?

[Xavier Ray]

I would agree the M3 and M2 are as classic as they get but these are old cameras now and will frequnetly need a CLA and frequently the RF prisms in M3 are fading like the early one I have. I too have shot M's as a pro for nearly 40 years and probably had 20 M bodies over that period and currently have 6. I love my M2 and fading M3 but the 2 has always been my favorite with the M3 OK but due to the lack of 35 frame it's not been at the top of my list. I've had M4's and M4-2's and M4-P's and currently have a 2,3, classic 6 and 3 MP's. The MP's are my all time favorite due to the fantastic meter but for a non metered body I would select the M4 due to less age and then possibly the M4-P or even a M4-2 although many had issues in the earlier runs. My vote is the M4 for an older camera.

[rpsawin]

I'm wanting to start back shooting film (process and scan my own) and have been thinking about getting an M3 but a friend who shot Leica for many years professionally suggested the M4. I want a completely mechanical camera. I've got Canon 5D's and an Epson R-D1 for digital. I've looked at the M8 and found it lacking. But I want to get back to shooting a Leica body, Lenses and Tri-X.

 

The M3 or the M4?

 

Try handling various bodies (carefull here..Leica bodies) and pay attention to which one feels best in your hand. That is the one that will most likely get the most use. All the features are just add on's. The camera must feel right to you.

 

Best regards,

 

Bob

 

 

BTW...M2 & Mp for me.

[peter55]

Ha I have an M5! It was and is not accepted by some Leica M lovers because it was the first Leica M that needed a battery, as it's the first Leica M that has TTL. It was also the first M with a working hot shoe for the flash.

Some say they don't like the size, the additional parts that made it TTL also made it a little bigger. Well mine fits my hands just fine. I'm 6 foot and 190 pounds. I'm not too big am I? Average size I would say.

The TTL system is an 8% frame size spot meter. The way it works is with matching needles and not LED's. One needle is the amount of light entering through the lens aperture and the other needle is the shutter speed. I love the intuitiveness of matching one needle over another needle. Because that's how you use it.

The M5 has atomatic frame lines for 35, 50, 90 and 135mm lenses and the entire viewfinder does a good job of approximating a 28mm lens as well. The viewfinder is 0.68 which is good for eye glass wearers and non eyeglass wearers alike.

It has an oversize shutter speed dial that overhangs the top plate just enough to feel with your finger. So you don't have to take your eye from the viewfinder. No other M has this feature. In addition the shutter speeds are displayed via a mechanical link in the viewfinder so as you change the speeds to match your needles you can see what is the shutter speed in the viewfinder. With all other metered M's you only get an LED indicationg over or under exposure. But no actual shutter speed visable in the viewfinder. This means if you want to see your shutter speed you must take your eye away from the viewfinder to check it. Can't take pictures while doing this can you? Another thing is it has a bottom mounted rewind Crank with a Handle and small rotating knob. This makes it easy to rewind your film. It also has a back film door to help you to load your film. Just one great feature after another.

The M5 is the best designed Leica M of all time. It just was to new and inovative for the staunch older Leica M users. After that the Leitz family sold the company so you figure who was making these cameras after this. Looking back we can see this great camera for what it is and appreciate all these design features that only the M5 has. It was to expensive after this for the new owners to ever make the same quality and incredible features as the M5 so none of the later M have the same build quality or all thes features.

I'm hitting hard here, but that's because the M5 was mentioned 3 times in this thread by my fellow M owners and each and every time it was put down.

The M5's were made between 1971 and 1975 so the rubberized cloth shutters are still young enough to last a long time. The light meter has given me perfect exposures time after time with out any problems. Even the new Zinc Air Hearing Aide batteries "Size 675" and 1.4v work perfectly and you don't need to recalibrate the meeter as it was designed for 1.35 v which is close enough to 1.4v. The batteries last for over 3-8 months each and cost about $5.00 for a half dozen pack and are available at every drugstore.

The M5 was the Last made in Wetzler Germany Leica and with real engraving of the Leica logo on the top plate instead of just painted on.