IkarusJohn Posted September 4, 2021 Share #81 Posted September 4, 2021 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) 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 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted September 4, 2021 Posted September 4, 2021 Hi IkarusJohn, Take a look here Of all the film M cameras you own.... I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
LocalHero1953 Posted September 4, 2021 Share #82 Posted September 4, 2021 (edited) 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 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CosmoM3 Posted September 7, 2021 Share #83 Posted September 7, 2021 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. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
edstock Posted September 12, 2021 Share #84 Posted September 12, 2021 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. 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BradS Posted September 13, 2021 Share #85 Posted September 13, 2021 (edited) 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 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ppkarppi Posted September 14, 2021 Share #86 Posted September 14, 2021 I would choose M5. I really love this camera. - uncluttered 50mm frame line with metering circle - fast and easy film loading - large and fast rewind crank - good ergonomics due to bigger size - shutter speeds visible in the finder - true spot metering - last Leica produced at Wetzlar, to a very high standards Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ppkarppi Posted September 14, 2021 Share #87 Posted September 14, 2021 Advertisement (gone after registration) At first I picked M5, but after giving it some more thought I came to a conclusion it's impossible to say. Each are so great. I've been lucky to been able to try M2, M3, M4-2, M5 and M6 classic. I have early serial number M4-2 and it's a great camera also, it feels really great to operate - very solid and it has a great viewfinder. As it's one of those early M4-2s that was ever manufactured it has the exact same viewfinder as the M4 has. I would have no problems using just this one camera, it really is so good. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ouroboros Posted September 14, 2021 Share #88 Posted September 14, 2021 I bought my MP new in 2006. It always seems to tag along with me when I go away or out for a walk and it's reached the status of an Old Friend to me now. Never had any serious thoughts of buying an older film M, I'd rather put the money into expanding my M lens options, which happens very infrequently. I wouldn't rule out buying a new MA at some point, I just don't 'need' one. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wizard Posted September 14, 2021 Share #89 Posted September 14, 2021 vor einer Stunde schrieb ppkarppi: last Leica produced at Wetzlar, to a very high standards What about the current MP and MA models? They are said to be made in Wetzlar, too. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianman Posted September 14, 2021 Share #90 Posted September 14, 2021 (edited) 45 minutes ago, wizard said: What about the current MP and MA models? They are said to be made in Wetzlar, too. I thought they were made in Portugal. edit: Here's the source: http://www.fdtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/80FDTimes-LEICA-PortugalFactoryTour.pdf and on page 17... Quote Leica Portugal continues the tradition of crafting analog Leica cameras: M7, M-P and M-A. Edited September 14, 2021 by ianman 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wizard Posted September 14, 2021 Share #91 Posted September 14, 2021 vor 58 Minuten schrieb ianman: I thought they were made in Portugal. From what I know Leica produces (and has produced for quite some time) components for the analogue M models in their factory in Portugal, but the final assembly takes place in Wetzlar (previously in Solms), justifying the "Wetzlar" script on the top of the body. I have not checked, but believe the bodies say "Made in Germany", too. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianman Posted September 14, 2021 Share #92 Posted September 14, 2021 Well yes, that's written in the text of the article. What "final assembly" means is anyones guess but the photo at the bottom right of that same page shows an M-A which seems to be at a quite advanced stage of assembly. But these cameras are not "made in Wetzlar/Germany" by any stretch of the imagination. 2 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ouroboros Posted September 14, 2021 Share #93 Posted September 14, 2021 3 hours ago, wizard said: What about the current MP and MA models? They are said to be made in Wetzlar, too. The battery blanking plug is inserted in M-A's and taken out again for MP's in Wetzlar. Then they stamp Made in Germany on the body and blame the Portuguese for everything else. It's got something to do with reducing the carbon footprint. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ppkarppi Posted September 15, 2021 Share #94 Posted September 15, 2021 On 9/14/2021 at 11:13 AM, ppkarppi said: At first I picked M5, but after giving it some more thought I came to a conclusion it's impossible to say. Each are so great. I've been lucky to been able to try M2, M3, M4-2, M5 and M6 classic. I have early serial number M4-2 and it's a great camera also, it feels really great to operate - very solid and it has a great viewfinder. As it's one of those early M4-2s that was ever manufactured it has the exact same viewfinder as the M4 has. I would have no problems using just this one camera, it really is so good. I am aware that the M4-2 is an underdog, but let me tell you, based on my personal experience with this camera - it is a great camera, feels very well built - very solid, has been a very reliable workhorse, and I would pick it over M6 classic that I also have. My M4-2 was probably the number 200 ever manufactured based on the serial number, and as said it has M4 viewfinder that has a condenser and it does not suffer the rangefinder patch flare problem of later M's. My M6 (M6HM with .85 magnification) has a big rangefinder patch flare problem, the framelines are also sometimes very hard to see and I don't want to use it much because of that. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/320623-of-all-the-film-m-cameras-you-own/?do=findComment&comment=4275811'>More sharing options...
a.noctilux Posted September 15, 2021 Share #95 Posted September 15, 2021 2 hours ago, ppkarppi said: I am aware that the M4-2 is an underdog, but let me tell you, based on my personal experience with this camera - it is a great camera, feels very well built - very solid, has been a very reliable workhorse, and I would pick it over M6 classic that I also have. My M4-2 was probably the number 200 ever manufactured based on the serial number, and as said it has M4 viewfinder that has a condenser and it does not suffer the rangefinder patch flare problem of later M's. My M6 (M6HM with .85 magnification) has a big rangefinder patch flare problem, the framelines are also sometimes very hard to see and I don't want to use it much because of that. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! same in French @ppkarppi Do you have one of those M4-2 with red dot ? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ppkarppi Posted September 15, 2021 Share #96 Posted September 15, 2021 (edited) 21 minutes ago, a.noctilux said: same in French @ppkarppi Do you have one of those M4-2 with red dot ? No, it does not have the red dot, but it has "Leitz Wetzlar" and "Made in Canada" written on top _and_ it also has black lugs, so it seems to be very unique M4-2. Exactly the same as the M4-2 with the red dot except this one is missing the red dot. Here's a picture of my M4-2 that I just took with my iPhone: Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Edited September 15, 2021 by ppkarppi 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/320623-of-all-the-film-m-cameras-you-own/?do=findComment&comment=4275873'>More sharing options...
a.noctilux Posted September 15, 2021 Share #97 Posted September 15, 2021 (edited) Interesting. Serial number not in the listing of Wiki 's M4-2 where I can see this article of Made in Portugal Edited September 15, 2021 by a.noctilux Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ppkarppi Posted September 15, 2021 Share #98 Posted September 15, 2021 5 minutes ago, a.noctilux said: Interesting. Serial number not in the listing of Wiki 's M4-2 Serial number of my M4-2 is 1468200. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
a.noctilux Posted September 15, 2021 Share #99 Posted September 15, 2021 Anyway, I used (still have one) some M4-2 for long time mainly for the winder that I needed (or thinking as such). They are very well made with touch of traditional smoothness yet robust feeling in use. The one I keep, a backup M almost new, never needing returning to be adjusted/repaired, just checked now with a magnifier, the wax sealing 'C' is always there. Incredible M4-2 a bit younger than yours with #1 502 221 😉. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ppkarppi Posted September 15, 2021 Share #100 Posted September 15, 2021 (edited) Yeah! And btw, have you seen the M4-2 instruction manual? The official Leica M4-2 instruction manual states that “Illustrations of the M4-2 in this booklet are taken from a prototype model. The Leitz circular logo on the front of the M4-2 body housing does not appear on production models”. Edit: here's a capture of that (page 2 of the manual): Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Edited September 15, 2021 by ppkarppi Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/320623-of-all-the-film-m-cameras-you-own/?do=findComment&comment=4275898'>More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.