I got the M2, M3 and the M6 but want to keep only one of them.

[raffaello]

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I'm in the nice situation of having 3 Leicas (M2,M3 & M6) with various lenses to choose from, to get back into analog photography. But I have decided to keep only one with 2-3 lenses and give away the rest. I really don't want to collect Leica but keep only the most practical, reliable and best one to go back to analog photography.
Which model would you recommend me?

I would let that Leica revise officially to then have THE ONE for the future....

What do you suggest?

 

Best regards and Thanks for your thoughts and suggestions.

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[jaapv]

My personal favorite for practical use is the M6. I would let it be CLA d by a reputable third party. 

[cesc]

3 months ago I was in the same exact situation. I had an M2 and M3 and MP. I end up selling M2 and M3. If you ask me now, I regret a bit selling them, BUT they were spending most of the time in the shelf. And at the end, it's a box that holds lenses, so what's the one you use most and the more practical one, I would keep and enjoy the lenses and film with the chosen one.

I would keep the M6, or the M2 if you don't need the light meter and the M2 VF doesn't suffer from any issue...

The M3 is amazing but... depends of your lens tastes probably

 

At the end it's your choice! Have fun shooting film, Leica bodies are just tools

[a.noctilux]

@raffaello

You would have as many answers as people here,

so I give my answer : M2 for it's zen-like minimalist.

And those only one frame lines are unique for trio 35/50/90 😉.

 

[Doc Henry]

... keep all and sell digital because the film is faithful specially the color and has no equivalence in photography

https://www.cameraandlightmag.com/noticias/la-seleccion-de-cannes-2022-presenta-25-peliculas-filmadas-en-pelicula-kodak/# 

(link from Frame-it)

 

Edited May 17, 2022 by Doc Henry

[a.noctilux]

I must add that two M2 that I use for long never been to be repaired.

other are less reliable, one M3 viewfinder became "blind", and M6 needed some repairs over time.

[pippy]

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M6 if you prefer TTL metering. M2 if you don't need TTL metering and use 28mm/35mm lenses. M3 if you don't need TTL metering and don't use 28mm/35mm lenses.

Good luck.

Philip.

[Fotoklaus]

M2 and M6 are the most used 35mm cameras in my collection. The M6 is in use mostly for slides, the M2 for B&W.

The M6 is more versatile due to framelines and the lightmeter, the M2 is the best looking M in my opinion and has the best VF for 35mm lenses.

If the lightmeter of the M6 is out of order, here is your M-A 😉

The most reliable ist the one with well known background and a CLA not so long ago.

I would sell the M3 (only useful for 50mm) and keep both the M6 and the M2. NEVER SELL THEM! You WILL regret it!

this tiny, beautiful M- body has it´s place somewhere, I´m sure!

[RayD28]

Depending on how much you want give something away, you could sell the three and get an MP or M-A.  

[Anbaric]

2 hours ago, raffaello said:

I'm in the nice situation of having 3 Leicas (M2,M3 & M6) with various lenses to choose from, to get back into analog photography. But I have decided to keep only one with 2-3 lenses and give away the rest.

You should give the M2 and the M3 to me, to go with my M6. 🙂

[kivis]

M2 all the way, then get an M-A.

[spydrxx]

Go with what works FOR YOU. For many years the M3 was considered the holy grail. The M6 came with the built in meter...but it was slightly larger than its predecessors, and if one had occasion to use a Visoflex one already owned, it required a different finder to accommodate the increased camera height. The lowly M2 eventually rose to become highly sought after. Having owned an M2, M4, and M6 and passed on an M3, in your case, if you can do without in camera metering, I'd jump at the M2. Although I worked with my M4 for over 40 years, it would be a tough choice for me today between the M4 and M2, the M2 is that good. Best wishes in your choice though....great position to be in.

[TomB_tx]

I have all 3 models (plus M4&5) - and I find I use the M6 most of the time. The 2&3 are more cult objects, but the 6 more practical, and having owned and used it since 1985 i find it as reliable as the others and nicer to use. I did have the finder of my M6 upgraded a few years ago, but happily used it for decades in its stock configuration.

[tom0511]

If you want to use it (and not just collect) I would go for the M6 because of exp metering.

If you want to collect the M3 is nice and shiny.

[raffaello]

thank you all for your kind statements.

You made me feel like better keeping the M2 and the M6.

The M2 with the 35mm Summilux 1.4 for the street and the M6 for my other lenses and more komplex situations...with like the 50,90 and 135mm.

 

Anybody who would prefer keeping the 35mm Summicron 2.0 instead of the 1.4 Summilux ???

I would then probably sell the M3 with the 35mm 2.0.....

Nice reading all this..... I am new here

thanks again

Raffaello

[plaidshirts]

17 minutes ago, raffaello said:

thank you all for your kind statements.

You made me feel like better keeping the M2 and the M6.

The M2 with the 35mm Summilux 1.4 for the street and the M6 for my other lenses and more komplex situations...with like the 50,90 and 135mm.

 

Anybody who would prefer keeping the 35mm Summicron 2.0 instead of the 1.4 Summilux ???

I would then probably sell the M3 with the 35mm 2.0.....

Nice reading all this..... I am new here

thanks again

Raffaello

A sound choice - and I'm not just saying that because I made the same one.

Even though the M3 was my very first Leica and deserves its cult status, it just did not suit me very well.

At the end of the day, pick the ones that work for you.

[TomB_tx]

42 minutes ago, raffaello said:

Anybody who would prefer keeping the 35mm Summicron 2.0 instead of the 1.4 Summilux ???

I actually prefer the Summicron series over the Summilux, largely because I like smaller lenses. I've used 35 & 50 Summicrons since 1969, including a lot of dim "available light" work with film, and for my use didn't find f2.0 a limitation. For me the DOF at 1.4 generally doesn't cover enough subject detail, and f2 provides enough subject separation. But I'm not a big fan of "sharp eyes and blur the heck out of everything else." Of course, other personal preferences are valid too.

The original (non-asph) 35 Summilux has unique properties, and isn't a large lens. So if you value those properties it's worth keeping. 

In recent years I've tried a few less expensive 35 f1.4 lenses for my M9, but for film use I still stick with the Summicron. For M10 my favorite 35 is a 2.5 Summarit, so maybe I'm just a "reverse snob" about fast lenses.

[Ko.Fe.]

M6 as any thing with electronics will become dysfunctional and defunct (if not already have no particular replacement parts).

I never bothered to waste my money on something which meters something from the paint on the cloth. 

The only devices I have trust on are as simple as possible mechanics. Any film M is more complicated and flimsy comparing to Barnack, but they might last long even without CLA for light use. I had DS ELC M3 once. Take in spool was rusted due to lack of use and it has original ELC seal. But camera was working fine without CLA few years ago after I purchased it from the store were it was on display.

With M3 you could benefit with googled 35 Summaron. With M2 it just plug and play. And honestly, M6 feel of the build is nowhere near to M3 unique feel. IMO.

I had three M ones, but realized it was nothing but selfish hording. Sold two M, purchased one LTM  .

Edited May 17, 2022 by Ko.Fe.

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Hallo,

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[250swb]

M2, or M6, probably the M6 for its flexibility.

[Ornello]

Sell them all and get 2 M5s, one chrome and one black. Keep B&W in one, and color in the other.