Which M camera should I get next?

[grug norgy]

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Hey my Leica friends,

I currently have a Leica M6 TTL 0.85x which I have had for 6 years, after getting a few rolls back recently I have finally come to understand the beauty of the camera. 

I own a 35mm summicron f/1.4 and a 50mm summilux f/2.0 and am planning to down the track pick up a 24mm or the 28mm as well as another body and perhaps a longer lens. 

I like the idea of having the two bodies with me with different lenses... I have tried to research which would be the perfect body for me to get as my second body and keep going in circles.  

I generally use an external meter, but do appreciate having the in camera meter.  Does any have a suggestion of a clear winner in terms of what the second body should be? I know each body has it's only inherrent qualities, I am going for good build quality, lovely view finder, easily able to fix. as well as what ever model you think would compliment the kit i already have / will have.

 

 

Thank you so much! 

 

 

Edited November 7, 2024 by grug norgy

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[vinicio]

Absolutely.... MP

[Helge]

The MP is a good choice!

The only difference to the M6 TTL you may have to be concerned about is the way the exposure time wheel turns, the opposite of the M6 TTL.

[ktmrider2]

I currently use an MP which I purchased in March in Hong Kong.  However, I have owned Leica M camera since 1975.  My favorite is the M2 as Leica just got something right.  However, it depends on the lenses you use.  The M2 has single frame lines for 35, 50 and 90.  The whole frame works well for the 28 field of view and a 135f.28 with goggles can be had very reasonably.  Presently I own 6 M mount lenses with focal lengths of 21, 35, 50, 90 and 135.  The M2 works great with all of them.  And I admit to never owning a 75.  The classic photojournalism trio was 35/50/90 and is still hard to beat.

It should be noted that both the M3, M2 and M4 have non flaring rangefinders while the M4/2, M4/P and M6 have an issue with flare.  Also, Leica made the frame lines just a bit smaller with the introduction of the twin sets of frame lines in the viewfinder with the M4/P.  The M5 has the most features and is probably the most “shootable” of any film body except for the M7 which has AE exposure.  I think classic is the way to go as you can save thousands of $$$$.

You really can’t go wrong.  They are all more alike than different.  If you love the 50, try the M3.  If you love the 35, the M2 would be my choice.  Have fun.

Edited November 7, 2024 by ktmrider2

[pippy]

8 hours ago, grug norgy said:

...I currently have a Leica M6 TTL 0.85x...(and)...I have finally come to understand the beauty of the camera......Does any have a suggestion of a clear winner in terms of what the second body should be?...

A Leica M6?

P.

[a.noctilux]

@grug norgy

In your shoes, I'd try M7 (I never have one but for sake of "difference&like") which exist in  VF x 0.58, 0.72 and 0.85.

Depending on the lens you will mount on this the choice of mag. VF will dictatate that.

x 0.58 with wide angle lens (28/35) and x0.72 with so many nice lenses (in my case including 28mm/90mm)and x0.85 for same as your M6 TTL.

 

Nota.

I had MP x0.85 once  and now M6 SH (0.85 VF, more flare than MP) but I appreciate 0.72 (on M-As) as universal mag, for lenses I use the most.

 

Edited November 7, 2024 by a.noctilux

[jankap]

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Not another film camera, they live very long. If your safe is well filled, go digital!

[spydrxx]

I'd humbly suggest either an M2 or an M4. Can't go wrong with either.

[hansvons]

16 hours ago, grug norgy said:

I like the idea of having the two bodies with me with different lenses...

Film cameras always come in pairs. I own an M6 Classic and an M4P. The M4P shoots landscapes, mostly in colour (Kodak 5207), and other subjects like cityscapes, woodlands, nature vistas, and anything requiring more thought into exposure settings. Thus, the missing internal meter is a non-issue. The M6, on the other hand, is mainly loaded with Tri-X and shoots documentary footage—people, events, and everything that needs a quick hand. The M4P and the M6 share the same design, but only the M6 has a meter. The M4P is almost 1K cheaper. Muscle memory for both cameras is the same.

If I were starting my Leica journey again, I would buy two M6s for more flexibility and call it a day. My 35mm Summarit and the 35mm Summicron ASPH are nonnegotiable and glued to their respective bodies. The M4P carries the Summarit (no flares and sharp, ideal for landscapes), and the Summicron belongs to the M6 (it's sharp at full aperture with character and flares but also high sharpness).

Unfortunately, I'm sufficiently equipped and have no desires left, so no GAS for me.

 

 

[TheGodParticle/Hari]

M6 TTL 0.58x

[mhasman]

M11 Monochrom

[Ko.Fe.]

Does TTL comes with weird shutter speed dial? If so, get the same. 

But honestly, meters are overrated, film has better than digital latitude on the moment of exposure. 

No need for corrections in editing.

Same density only makes sense if you print under enlarger. Same film, same developer as well. 

[Photon42]

It is not weird - it is actually logical 😁 The dial rotation is however a good point. So my suggestion would be either an M7 (if film) or an M10.

[jgeenen]

I'd take a M6 TTL or M7 with 0.58x view finder.

Why? The M6 classic and re-issue as well as the MP/M-A speed dial is turning in the other direction. Very confusing if you regularly change cameras or want to use both in conjunction. The 0.58 finder gives you a better viewfinder coverage for wide angle lenses, which supports your idea of having two bodies with different lenses attached.

 

[a.noctilux]

Any M can do, at the end.

I'd take one silver and the other black chrome or BP.

...

Even this color thing is not important.

We are adaptable enough to use once the hard choice has been done.

[Borna]

Let me high-jack this question a bit. How does one feel on buying a used Black Painted MP? I have thoughts on buying a a new untouched one, to put my own spirit and marks on it. A used one is already beated up and have its brassing visible by previous owners. This annoys me, although I would save 40% of my money on buying a used one. Anyone else thought about this stupid idea? 

Buying a used chrome one, does not really matter as it looks 99,9% new even if its couple of years old. 

Hello First World Problems!

[grug norgy]

Thank you so much to everyone for the very thoughtful answers, I really appreciate you all! I think im edging towards another m6.  
 

So with another m6,

And eventually  28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 90mm 

I guess I should get 0.72x to compliment my 0.85x ?  Or something wider? Thank you ! 

@hansvons    thank you, a really illuminating answer, can you please explain to me why you feel two m6s would give you more flexibility? 

 

Edited November 9, 2024 by grug norgy

[costa43]

I’d go with a 0.58 finder option looking at your plans to go wider. Any camera with that viewfinder will serve you well and be a good companion to the 0.85 you have. 

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[stvn66]

Go for your birth year if possible so you will have that special connection, they are all great cameras 🎂

I own a 1966 M3 and would never sell it.

 

[hansvons]

@grug norgy, both M6 and M4P share the same ergonomics. However, the M6 adds a light meter to the same design and that can be beneficial for shooting speed and adds flexibility regarding interchangeability of cameras.

Maybe you planned on shooting B/W fast-paced street subjects but later figure that colour would fit nicely. But your colour camera is a double-stroke M3 (nice camera but relatively slow). Now, you have to use your light meter or use your M6 for metering. Regardless of how to slice it you’ll be losing flexibility. Anticipating all this, you might stick with B/W for practicality and won’t realise your vision. In my opinion, precisely what I don't want. 

However, there is no benefit in not having a light meter besides photographic austerity (which some Leicasisti enjoy). I only have the M4P because it was then the cheapest option to enter the Leica kingdom. 

Edited November 9, 2024 by hansvons