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Adding a film M to my digital M


satureyes

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I've been thinking about getting back in the darkroom for a while. Also shooting some film and taking the negs and having a go at getting back to my routes.

 

I have a few M lenses and think I'd like to get an analogy M body but no idea where to start when it comes to leica film bodies.

 

The later M bodies seem costly still. Is there a model I should be looking at to get me started - well re-started!

 

Thanks!

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Great idea. An M6 comes to mind if you want an integrated meter or an M7 with auto-exposure. Both can be found comparably young. An M4 is similar to an M6 but without meter.

 

I like the classic route (M2/M3) without meter and reduced frame set in the finder.

 

Consider a possibly needed CLA (clean-lubricate-adjust) in your budget, especially for older cameras.

 

Lars

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35mm lens and occasional 50mm then M2

50mm and occasional 90mm then M3

28mm and longer then M4-2 or M4-P

Need a meter, then M6

Meter and more money, then MP

 

I have MP, M2 and M4. The nicest build and most solid is M2. Others feel hollow in comparison, but still very nice.

 

Just get an M2 :)

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Most logical choice would be M6 or M7.

Why not M5 for it's cheapest but biggest (to take in your hand to see if "bigger is better" or not :p ).

But if you can live with external meter, the choice is much larger:

- best value for money M4-2 or M4-P because they are not "Made in Germany"

- classic M2/M3/M4

 

last models "for life"

- if money is not problem MP or M-A

 

Have fun :) .

Edited by a.noctilux
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You (we) will get tons of replies on the matter.

 

Lower budget: look for a used Zeiss Ikon. They have a beautiful finder. I do not like the less expensive Bessas, but others may disagree.

 

Leica: If you have used never any film, certainly go for a model with built-in meter. There are enough differences already to master between film and digital. M6, M7, MP - doesn't really matter too much - mechanical vs electronically vs mechanical-emotional. The viewfinder magnification may be something to look for, as the film ones occasionally come in 0.58 or 0.85 configuration. I have the latter on my M7 - it is just lovely, if you do not use a 28mm a lot.

 

Just a side question - what is your projected process likely to be:

  • get film developed, scanned and potentially printed at a lab
  • develop yourself and scan
  • get it developed and scan yourself
  • use film scanner or photograph negs with a camera
  • black and white, color neg, slides

I develop BW myself and send color to the lab - then scan with a film scanner.

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Well, there are differences. If you want 28 & 75 frame lines you want a M4-P, M6, M7. If you want a TTL light meter you want a M5, M6(TTL) or M7.

 

M5 is unique in the leica line. You either love it or hate it. I like it.

 

M4-2 is a cheap version of the M4, made in Canada. For a starter it's pretty good, but no meter and no 28/75 frame lines. It actually is attributed to Leica's survival, as the M5 was a bit of a financial disaster.

 

The order of development was M3, M2, M1, M4, M5, M4-2, M4-P, M6, M6(TTL), M7. Not to mention the MD, MD-2....

 

Each model is special, you need to really take you time and feel which one is right one for you.

Edited by Soden
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I have two digital M and two film M. From my perspective the only two things are matter. Get working one you could afford and one you could afford to service. Not every technician will service M5, M6 is more expensive to CLA and M7 is serviced mostly by Leica.

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Thanks all. I used to shoot film but on an SLR.

My idea was to shoot some film, get them processed and take the negs into a darkroom and I'd probably use a service that sends the scans back with the negatives too.

 

I've been looking at the Canon QL17iii but prices seem around 100 to 200 for a good version.

 

I thought I'd have a go with that and see how it panned out.

 

With the M bodies I'm guessing I'd need a meter but the metered Ms are expensive for a 'bit of fun' every now and then.

 

I'm happy to stick to 35/50 but 28 would be nice I guess. But to spend over £1000 for a whim is a bit much - especially after I've just got a M10 and other kit over the last few months.

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Prieces ar fuc**ed up by collectors - thats the bad news

on the other side you can sell them for the same priece too....

 

I know there's 'bad vibes' about the M5 but it looks like it's yet to get shafted by inflated prices and I like the idea of a light meter.. prices around 600 to 700. 

 

Would you always advise buying from a dealer so the cameras are checked and serviced?

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I know there's 'bad vibes' about the M5 but it looks like it's yet to get shafted by inflated prices and I like the idea of a light meter.. prices around 600 to 700.

 

Would you always advise buying from a dealer so the cameras are checked and serviced?

I like the anti-M of the M5. It's meter is unique in the M world. Get a three lug if you have a choice.

 

If you get one, one piece of advice. Use it a lot. The more you use it the better the meter works. The worst thing you can do is let it sit. The meter arm tends to sticks.

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