Of all the film M cameras you own...

[hilm3]

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Nice to see appreciation for the M7. I've had a 2002 vintage M7 bought in 2008. I sent it in to Leica for the MP finder upgrade and the optical dx reader three years later. Leica did a complete CLA as they do and charged accordingly. The optical dx reader was no charge. Three years ago, I sent it back to replace the viewfinder glass, as I noticed some micro bubbling in the coating. Again a CLA from Solms. So I've spent a bit of money on this camera, a little less than $1100 on repairs. But it is absolutely beautiful in use. The shutter might as well be silent and has a great tactile feel. Film advance is butter and the meter is very accurate with slide film. Of all of my film cameras, this is the one I would choose if I had to pick just one, paired with my 50 Summicron IV. The older I get, the more I appreciate auto exposure. I always shoot the M7 in AUTO. But the M6 with the MP finder is also very nice. So is the recently CLA'd M3. And the IIf and IIIf. Nice to have options for back up. I use them all, but the M7 is number 1 for film.

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[south64]

I know I most certainly will now be banned and spit on or worse, but if I only could have one camera out of ones I currently own Nikon F3HP,  F6, EM (yes I own an EM dunno but just love it) and my MP, I would pick the F3HP -  sorry to all Leica fan boys and gals. If I could choose only a Leica it would be my MP, ... hehe

[analog-digital]

Am 5.5.2021 um 09:01 schrieb andym91:

My M2,M3,M4 BP, M6 or M7.

If Leica, then M2

Edited August 28, 2021 by analog-digital

[madNbad]

I have had so many different cameras over the years, mostly Nikons but a few Linhofs, a couple of Hasselblads, three or four XAs', a handfull of Retinas and of course, Leicas. Early on I had a CL when they were still fairly new but never liked it, a couple of IIIfs and as the years went by, a M6. Used the M6 for several years then traded it to move into medium format. That lasted for a while, sold it all and used a XA for a year. Wandered into a shop one day and came out with a M6 TTL. About the same time I came into possession of a IIIc, which I fitted with a Voigtlander 21 Color-Skopar, used it as a point and shoot. The M6 developed zinc oxidation so I traded it for a M6 TTL Mellennium that had been langushing on KEHs' web site for several months. It was a great camera, had a full factory upgrade and that black paint... When I retired in 2013, I traded the IIIc in for a M2. My millon dollar M2. It went to a couple of different repair shops in an attempt to fix a wonky Bulb shutter speed. Finally, it went to DAG, came back and was buttery smooth. A week later it and all the other Leica gear went to a very happy KEH buyer at a local event to fund some home improvements. Shortly after buying the M2, I found the first of several Kodadk Retinas, a IIIc. It was followed by a IIc. Used them for a while then sold them off, tried a IIa but gave it to a budding student. Then in 2019 I bought he camera I always wanted, an M4. It was severiced at a local shop but went to DAG for a M3 style lens release collar. Sold off all the Nikons found a really nice Retina IIa and that brings us to now. The M4, the IIa and a Sony A7II that has spent most of it's life scanning film. I couldn't be happier.

Edited August 28, 2021 by madNbad

[kivis]

I have owned many an M3, M4-P, M6's, M7 and MP. Loved them all but the M-A goes to the grave with me.

[Capuccino-Muffin]

M5

[Ronazle]

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I think I would have to go with a single stroke M3 and external viewfinder for the wide angles.   We sort of grew up together so use is almost second nature..  I might note that I briefly considered responding with a Leica IIIg as my choice ....full frame compactness is a virtue especially with small or collapsible lenses.  regards, Ron

[grahamc]

I have taken delivery of an M6-J and totally smitten by it.  My other film M is an M6 TTL. 

The shorter form-factor of the M6-J feels quite different, more compact and somehow better balanced (unsure if the M3 style top-plate assists this or whether all M6 classics would feel this way compared to M6 TTL - but it’s certainly the case for my J, which I believe has M6 internals). 

I love the M3 style advance lever on it and for some reason the shutter button seems to feel more pleasing, ‘snappier’ would be a good description ... not sure if it’s psychological based on the fact that the whole feel of the camera feels more compact and tuned, to me. 

There is some debate whether the M6-J made some use of some M3 parts (would have no idea which), but if that’s not true I’d be really keen to try an M6 classic and see if I feel a similar experience in comparison to my TTL. 

I really like the TTL by the way but have been blown away with J.  Don’t plan on buying anything else for quite some time so can confidently say it’s my fave !

[Guest BlackBarn]

33 minutes ago, grahamc said:

I have taken delivery of an M6-J and totally smitten by it.

So glad you wrote that as it’s the model I’m on the hunt for…..been looking at the millenium and LSHA M6 TTL to pair with my millenium 50mm  but been  inexplicably drawn towards the M6j. I’m  just  tipping my toe into the Leica film camera world and it was a case of choosing just one Leica film camera to own.

Having read  all the contributions and opinions posted here I began to see myself going down a rather large rabbit hole. 

[grahamc]

1 hour ago, BlackBarn said:

So glad you wrote that as it’s the model I’m on the hunt for…..been looking at the millenium and LSHA M6 TTL to pair with my millenium 50mm  but been  inexplicably drawn towards the M6j. I’m  just  tipping my toe into the Leica film camera world and it was a case of choosing just one Leica film camera to own.

Having read  all the contributions and opinions posted here I began to see myself going down a rather large rabbit hole. 

Hey @BlackBarn... Cool, no problem !  Feel free to Inbox me I'll be glad to chat about the M6J I'd be happy to help.   I was looking at all the Millennium Black paint TTL variations, but super happy to have bought the J.    I posted a longer (and very gushing lol) post on what I see as the differences in another thread ("M6J") also.  I'm unsure if it's the form factor, or the vulcanite, or the fact that it's slightly lighter - but it just feels very different.   Happy to send side-by-sides or help in any way 

As I'm sure you know, for 50mm on the M6-J, for 50mm it shows only 50mm framelines (rather than 50 + 75).  0.85 of course, so the 50mm frame seems massive if you are used to coming from 0.72, and completely uncluttered.  That, coupled with the all round zippy feel to the camera it's been an absolute joy so far. 

 

Edited September 3, 2021 by grahamc

[ktmrider2]

I sent three Leica's to Tamarkin yesterday and kept a black chrome 50th anniversary M4 in mint condition which I purchased last year.  For digital, I have a Fuji X100f while for medium format a Rollie and for close work a Nikon F with 55f3.5 Micro Nikkor.  Am pretty well covered and don't see myself selling any of the above.  

[Mute-on]

11 hours ago, ktmrider2 said:

I sent three Leica's to Tamarkin yesterday and kept a black chrome 50th anniversary M4 in mint condition which I purchased last year.  For digital, I have a Fuji X100f while for medium format a Rollie and for close work a Nikon F with 55f3.5 Micro Nikkor.  Am pretty well covered and don't see myself selling any of the above.  

You released the M2?! 😦

[ktmrider2]

Yes, sent button wind M2 too Tamarkin.  It was CLA'ed about three years ago and had a couple dozen rolls through it since then.  I have lots of other film cameras besides Leica and all the cameras were not being used enough so I decided to share the wealth.  Even sent the MP240 as I found myself carrying the X100f when I traveled.

[nikau]

I can choose from: SL2, R6.2, M2-R, M-A, Nikon S3. Enjoy using them all but get great enjoyment from the SL2 and a quirky kind of enjoyment from the S3!

[Martin B]

I have a IIIc, the M3, M6, and M7. If I could only keep one, it would be the M6. I use it most often, I like the available frame lines and the internal light meter. The M7 is newer, but it has too many blinking things in the viewfinder I like less. Plus the M7 IR-based film cartridge ISO code reader which makes it impossible to use IR film with the M7 which I sometimes like to use. The M6 is still the best compromise - the perfect M film camera if it didn't have the sometimes annoying patch flare - its only debit.  

[IkarusJohn]

Since I bought my first Leica, an M9 in 2010, I’ve dabbled in Sony, back into Nikon, back into Hasselblad, and diverted into the MP, M3, TL and SL, but I keep coming back to the M camera.  Similarly tried video, telephotos, zooms and other things, and keep coming back to the M camera.

No AF, good for 28-75 (I do have a 21 and a 135, but 28-75 is the best range for the optical viewfinder), simple focusing, centre weighted metering … perfect.  Choosing between a monochromatic digital, a screenless colour digital and a meterless film camera, not so easy, and something I hope I never have to do!

Edited September 4, 2021 by IkarusJohn

[LocalHero1953]

I've had a M3 and M2 before, and I've now just bought a silver chrome M4 from a forum member (his M3 is still in the classifieds). I won't get my hands on it till October (when I pick it up from the safe house it was sent to in the EU, to avoid duties) so I can't yet say which would be my favourite. But l got my M3 in the 80s when I was seduced by an advert for the M4-2, but couldn't afford it - so the omens are good for the M4. I preferred the 35mm focal length and disliked the double wind, so ended up with a M2, which was eventually sold to pay for a M9.

For many years l liked the Pentax MX almost as much as the M2 but it just wasn't as durable, though immensely usable in the hand. Another favourite was a battered Rolleiflex T, but that died of fungus.

Edited September 4, 2021 by LocalHero1953

[CosmoM3]

Had a IIIg, MP (black paint), M3 and M4....and I just love my M4 the most, even with the MR-4 meter top hat.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[edstock]

I started using and owning Leica's in the early 1990's. The M 6TTL was my first M. Down the road I picked up an M 7 and enjoyed using them both. One or the other traveled with me to Germany several times. Okay, Austria and Italy too. I remember the day I took a bus trip to King Ludwig's Disney. castle. It had been raining on and off so I was glad to take the tour bus. Like any tourist I walked around the area and marveled at the castle. I think I shot two rolls of E-6 that day using the M 7. Being overcast I was relying on the 7's meter more than ever. Slide film as we know is terribly unforgiving. On the way back to Munich we stopped at town that is known for its Christmas festival. I walked around in the dusk shooting the town , the only light sources primarily from shop windows. My M 7 with my Leica 35 f2 asph, again did not let me down. Venice at night was a challenge as there is little to none lighting in the side streets. I leaned against a lot of posts and buildings for support. As I type this I can look at  the M 7 and remember back to the early and mid 2000's and those visits.

[BradS]

On 5/5/2021 at 10:59 AM, BradS said:

definitely the M6...for the built in light meter and 28mm frame lines.

 

no...wait, I changed my mind!    I sold the M6 and now only have an M2.

Edited September 13, 2021 by BradS