M9reno Posted October 7 Share #41 Posted October 7 Advertisement (gone after registration) On the principle of "practice makes perfect", the best-built Leica M must be the M3 towards the end of its production run, which was the longest by far of any M camera, with more than a quarter of a million cameras made. Once you lose the practice, you get the film-scratchers, the light-leakers, and the unacceptably long repair times. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 7 Posted October 7 Hi M9reno, Take a look here Which analog Leica M body was built best?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Sharpdressed Posted October 7 Share #42 Posted October 7 (edited) From my experience the M2 is the one with the sturdyest feeling. I also love the ones with lever rewind and no timer, they basically look like the M-A. My M6 (1996...late version, non-TTL) is more practical because of the meter. The built quality is as good and It's slightly lighter. Late M6's have improved paint finish (no bubbling) and meter electronics. Edited October 7 by Sharpdressed Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
a.noctilux Posted October 7 Share #43 Posted October 7 1 hour ago, Sharpdressed said: they basically look like the M-A M2 has real vulcanite, M-A real leatherette which mimics vulcanite. I have two M2 (one with press button rewind, no ST ...steel eyelets, M4 frames added ) and I'm with you that M2 may be the best built (feeling so smooth). 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muso Posted October 9 Share #44 Posted October 9 The M4, of course! Everyone knows this 😉 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sblitz Posted October 10 Share #45 Posted October 10 M4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
T25UFO Posted October 10 Share #46 Posted October 10 One that I have held but could never afford to own . . . MA Titanium complete with 50mm APO Titanium . . . simply the best. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Geschlecht Posted October 11 Share #47 Posted October 11 Advertisement (gone after registration) 7 hours ago, sblitz said: M4 Hello Steve, Welcome back. Best Regards, Michael 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Brown Posted October 18 Author Share #48 Posted October 18 On 10/10/2024 at 9:47 PM, T25UFO said: One that I have held but could never afford to own . . . MA Titanium complete with 50mm APO Titanium . . . simply the best. The word on the street says otherwise... https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1841284/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fotoklaus Posted October 18 Share #49 Posted October 18 (edited) vor 7 Minuten schrieb Al Brown: The word on the street says otherwise... https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1841284/ Hey, that's Patina and not badly coated. Edited October 18 by Fotoklaus 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FilmSpiel Posted October 18 Share #50 Posted October 18 M2 and M4 for me. The MP is a joke. from 4 cameras i currently own, are 3 of them with several problems Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicaoptik Posted October 21 Share #51 Posted October 21 Am 18.10.2024 um 16:00 schrieb FilmSpiel: M2 and M4 for me. The MP is a joke. from 4 cameras i currently own, are 3 of them with several problems What problems do they have? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicaoptik Posted October 24 Share #52 Posted October 24 Am 3.10.2024 um 08:01 schrieb Al Brown: Dear experts and Leica lovers, in your opinion, what film M body was built best and why do you think so? Could be ergonomics, could be the build quality, could be the mechanism...? let us know your thoughts. 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! This one was built best… • best glossy and shiny paint • best looking • best mechanic interior • best vulcanite • best view finder • best invest for the future 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anbaric Posted October 24 Share #53 Posted October 24 (edited) The M6 Classic is the best built Leica, because #ZincIsReal ! Yes, I know, but hear me out. The original M6 was made in large numbers at a time when the Leica was still a credible working camera, and it was built for hard use. Brass gears had been replaced by tough steel to allow use of an autowinder. It inherited the fast and practical rewind crank and articulated wind-on lever of the M4, rather than the retro affectations of the MP. It has a quick loading system with no separate spool to lose or mess with. Acidic Vulcanite has been replaced by a sensible modern covering that will not corrode the body shell. Its rangefinder prisms are no longer glued together with tree resin, so they won't separate. It has a complete set of framelines. It has an accurate and reliable meter and, unlike the M5 (a camera from a parallel universe where everything is a bit larger and slightly strange), houses it in a classic sized Leica body. It eschews the unnecessary extra gearing that pointlessly reverses the shutter speed dial in the TTL and raises its top plate. It avoids the near total battery dependence of the M7. Its strap lugs are steel and it even solves the problem of strap wear around them with inset protectors (dropped in the current version). Quality control was excellent, with film scratching a rarity. And, of course, there's the zinc. Looked down on by connoisseurs who wax lyrical about their brass ornaments, and unfairly derided for the small minority of cameras with 'bubbling', it's a very tough material that doesn't dent and is hard plated in a black or silver chrome finish that lasts, with no nonsense about 'patina' or the supposed aesthetics of paint that wears off as soon as you look at it. The M6 Classic - accept no substitutes. Edited October 24 by Anbaric 4 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharpdressed Posted October 24 Share #54 Posted October 24 10 hours ago, Anbaric said: The M6 Classic is the best built Leica, because #ZincIsReal ! Yes, I know, but hear me out. The original M6 was made in large numbers at a time when the Leica was still a credible working camera, and it was built for hard use. Brass gears had been replaced by tough steel to allow use of an autowinder. It inherited the fast and practical rewind crank and articulated wind-on lever of the M4, rather than the retro affectations of the MP. It has a quick loading system with no separate spool to lose or mess with. Acidic Vulcanite has been replaced by a sensible modern covering that will not corrode the body shell. Its rangefinder prisms are no longer glued together with tree resin, so they won't separate. It has a complete set of framelines. It has an accurate and reliable meter and, unlike the M5 (a camera from a parallel universe where everything is a bit larger and slightly strange), houses it in a classic sized Leica body. It eschews the unnecessary extra gearing that pointlessly reverses the shutter speed dial in the TTL and raises its top plate. It avoids the near total battery dependence of the M7. Its strap lugs are steel and it even solves the problem of strap wear around them with inset protectors (dropped in the current version). Quality control was excellent, with film scratching a rarity. And, of course, there's the zinc. Looked down on by connoisseurs who wax lyrical about their brass ornaments, and unfairly derided for the small minority of cameras with 'bubbling', it's a very tough material that doesn't dent and is hard plated in a black or silver chrome finish that lasts, with no nonsense about 'patina' or the supposed aesthetics of paint that wears off as soon as you look at it. The M6 Classic - accept no substitutes. As crazy as it may seem... you're right. That's why there's now a new M6. It's the only camera from the M line that was re-issued. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
skucera Posted October 28 Share #55 Posted October 28 Dare I write this... the M that was built best is the one that you own and use. It doesn't matter which one. "Best" depends on very personal judgments and we all differ on what we prize most. I argue that the 1954 M3 that I own, that was bought by my wife's grandfather new in 1955, with its single-stroke upgrade, is the best one built and rebuilt by craftsmen many decades ago. It's lasted all this time with occasional maintenance, and it still functions perfectly. How can anyone expect more than that? Scott 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bscott Posted October 28 Share #56 Posted October 28 saucer I agree with you M3 for me. I would like a M3 that was a digital body. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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