To old time users: M-A or M4?

[ktmrider2]

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Many consider the original M4 to be the best made of all the classic Leica's before Leitz changed the body with the M5 and CL.  I won't argue that it is better than the MA but I can live with the finder as the 135 is very unobtrusive when paired with the 35 frame line.  The double frame lines in modern Leica's, at least from the M4-P is one of my least favorite features.  

To me, the finder in the M2 is as good as it gets, especially if 35 is your favorite focal length.  I use 50 but it is not my favorite focal length.  If it were my favorite I would think M3.  And if you add a 1.25 magnifier to the .72 you basically have the viewfinder of the M3.

The differences between the M4 and MA to me are not the differences in age but the differences in film rewind and the frame lines in the finder.  I can use either but prefer the M4 while I continue my search for an M4 with 35/50/90 frame lines only or an M2 with modern film loading.  And I know I can have a Leica repair person mask the 135 frame line but I am too cheap.

Edited January 17, 2023 by ktmrider2

[logan2z]

39 minutes ago, ktmrider2 said:

...or an M2 with modern film loading. 

I recently purchased an M2 and find the film loading very easy - no more difficult, in fact, than the quick load system of my M4 or M-A.  It also removes any uncertainty as to whether the film has been properly taken up by the tulip.

CameraWorks in the UK makes a retrofit rapid load kit for the M2 if you want to skip the older loading system.

https://www.cameraworks-uk.com/product-page/leica-rapid-load-kit-rlk

Leica made one as well with product code 14260, but I don't know if it's available any longer.

[Anbaric]

7 minutes ago, logan2z said:

I recently purchased an M2 and find the film loading very easy - no more difficult, in fact, than the quick load system of my M4 or M-A.  It also removes any uncertainty as to whether the film has been properly taken up by the tulip.

CameraWorks in the UK makes a retrofit rapid load kit for the M2 if you want to skip the older loading system.

https://www.cameraworks-uk.com/product-page/leica-rapid-load-kit-rlk

Leica made one as well with product code 14260, but I don't know if it's available any longer.

I didn't know about that - it has a proper tulip which looks like a better design than the old M2 quick load kit.

[lmans]

You know...I have to believe in a product such as the Leica MA....  I do believe it is better than a 'used' whatever.... in terms of many things, longevity included. I have no qualms about older cameras as I have an original M3 and an original M6. When you look them over casually, ...well, not that much of a difference overall. Little things, and nothing to debate about or get into here. But yes, if I purchase a product, I have to believe that it has quality.

What always interests me are the folks on this forum who downplay 'new' Leica quality and build and yet turn around and buy one, whether it is a MP or M7 or MA...  

 

 

 

[Huss]

53 minutes ago, Anbaric said:

I didn't know about that - it has a proper tulip which looks like a better design than the old M2 quick load kit.

I was thinking about getting this kit from cameraworks as I really like the rapid reloading of M4 and more recent cameras.

But.. I don't mind loading my M3 the way it is, and already have a second spare spool that I take with me preloaded, ready to go!

[Anbaric]

I think any of the mechanical Leicas should last more or less indefinitely, provided there's someone around to service them. If you have an older model, you might eventually suffer something like balsam separation, and if you have a newer one maybe some internal plastic widget will break after a few decades, but when parts have become unavailable in the past (like beamsplitters for the LTM cameras or M3 brightline masks) someone has stepped up to fabricate them. Otherwise, I don't think anyone here is likely to wear one out. Plenty of us have perfectly functional Leicas from the 1930s that show no sign of giving up the ghost. I don't think there are many things that are unfixable today (except some light meter problems).

Edited January 17, 2023 by Anbaric

[Anbaric]

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12 minutes ago, Huss said:

I was thinking about getting this kit from cameraworks as I really like the rapid reloading of M4 and more recent cameras.

But.. I don't mind loading my M3 the way it is, and already have a second spare spool that I take with me preloaded, ready to go!

It is, after all, still easier than an LTM camera to load! But it's nice that this new option is available (and even nicer that there are people willing and able to do this sort of thing, and make other spare parts as required).

Edited January 17, 2023 by Anbaric

[Huss]

37 minutes ago, Anbaric said:

It is, after all, still easier than an LTM camera to load! But it's nice that this new option is available (and even nicer that there are people willing and able to do this sort of thing, and make other spare parts as required).

I find loading an M3 very easy.  Just a few more steps than M4 and later.

[archive_all]

2 hours ago, logan2z said:

I recently purchased an M2 and find the film loading very easy - no more difficult, in fact, than the quick load system of my M4 or M-A.  It also removes any uncertainty as to whether the film has been properly taken up by the tulip.

CameraWorks in the UK makes a retrofit rapid load kit for the M2 if you want to skip the older loading system.

https://www.cameraworks-uk.com/product-page/leica-rapid-load-kit-rlk

Leica made one as well with product code 14260, but I don't know if it's available any longer.

I have a similar tulip that replaces the M2 take up spool. Mine was purchased from DAG years ago and not sure if it was a spare part from an M4 or something that he had custom made but it does make the loading similar to M4 and newer cameras. The exception is that the spindle(?) stays in the center and you have to work the film around it. The same situation for Alan's new kit. I think either method, the take up spool or tulip kit is fine and sometimes it is nice to just load film without removing the take up spool. 

[frakaphoto]

Honestly, after owning plenty of these M, two M-a several M4, M7, M2… my advise is.. keep more than one. each has it’s own slight difference , quality and default. what a pleasure to use different ones.

[kivis]

I have my 4 year old bought new M-A and a recently CLA'd M3 as a back up. But now I use the M3 almost all the time. Just something about it.