Thoughts after comparing new film Ms

[Big John]

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Compared all 3 new film Ms yesterday and wanted to share my thoughts. The versions I looked at were a silver MP, a black M-A and an M6; with a 35mm summicron.  The only model I had ruled out was the BP MP (finger prints etc). 

I came away thinking:

- single piece film advance lever looks better and feels better (to me) than the hinged one on the M6. 
- the older film rewind knob is very easy to use, incredibly smooth (granted no film in camera) and felt bombproof. Granted it will be slower. 
- shutter release on the M-A is gorgeous! Not having a light meter means that the button only does one thing, so it feels smooth and responsive (whereas my experience of depressing the shutter release on the M6 and MP is that you feel the initial pressure that activates the light meter and then have to move through that to operate the shutter). 
- the VF on the M-A also looked very nice, with solid lower edge (28mm) frame line and no red leds. Just a frame and the subject. 
- regarding the finishes on the versions I handled: all very nice, the black chrome looked darker than what I had expected. 
- the M6, with its red dot and Leica labelling, looked quite overt. 
 

It is looking like an M-A for me!  I learned film in the 80s, not done much in the past 15 years, but keen to get back into it. 
 

Hope these comments help others. In all the ‘reviews’ I have read, the film advance and the shutter differences are not necessarily included.  
 

 

Edited February 22 by Big John

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[105012]

If I compared these three, I would come to the same conclusion as you. An M-A with 0.85x viewfinder and single frame lines would be a temptation for me, but fortunately Leica won’t do that 😀

[sumolux]

For me almost nothing beats an M4...Also it's 2 part film advance lever (I know what you mean) feels different from the M6 variety for some reason.

[250swb]

There was a time when people just went into their Leica store and bought what they had in stock without all the micro management. Ah, the golden olden days of not ever having to worry about perfection because perfection is what you got, like it or lump it.

[BradS]

indeed, I find the current fad(?) of obsessing over the relatively insignificant differences between the various modes quite puzzling and mildly amusing....but, whatever. Get whatever one floats your boat, get one that works for you and go make photos. From a photographer's point of view, they're all pretty much the same. 

[Big John]

Reason for my post was to show how there is no substitute for handling - once you understand the technical/feature/aesthetic differences, it all comes down to how they feel in your hand. 

[Mikep996]

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M6, M6, M6!!!!!  

I owned 5 different Leica Ms but the M6 was the only film camera I kept after switching to digital many years ago.  It remains my favorite 35mm film camera.  Though a Nikon FM would be my recommendation to a new person wanting to get into 35mm film with a vintage camera

 

Edited February 27 by Mikep996

[Vlad Soare]

I agree with most of this (which is why I have chosen the M-A myself, actually), but with one remark:
 

On 2/22/2025 at 7:27 PM, Big John said:

- the VF on the M-A also looked very nice

It is indeed very nice, but only if you don't plan to use a 75mm lens.
What passes for 75mm "framelines" in the M-A is hideous and just barely usable. It looks like a cheap afterthought. But if you don't use 75mm lenses you'll be fine.

[davidmknoble]

I had the MA twice, and I thought it was far too loud compared to every other film body I’ve used.  I found I don’t mind the ‘pressure’ point in the MP as I frequently use it without the meter and use an external meter (Iike the Sekonic Studio Deluxe II).  I just press the shutter when I want the image.  Frame lines are important and I also have an MP 0.85 and MP 0.58 a la carte, so the MA is ok, just not my preference.

[costa43]

I have recently purchased a black MP from the current range. Quite predictably, I chose it over other bodies purely based on my own preference for how it looks and the whole brassing over time thing. Even though I do not rely on the internal meter that often in daylight, I like to have one for the times when there is some tricky/often changing lighting. Funnily enough, it is not my favourite M film camera to use though. I prefer my M5. 

[erl]

The original M6 has a smaller body than all the others. Yes, I know , it is just a few mmm but I do feel the difference. Carrying it is somehow easier than my M7, which is still a stellar camera if you need faster responses.

Choices must be personal, tailored to how you work.

[jakontil]

On 3/6/2025 at 8:57 AM, erl said:

The original M6 has a smaller body than all the others. Yes, I know , it is just a few mmm but I do feel the difference. Carrying it is somehow easier than my M7, which is still a stellar camera if you need faster responses.

Choices must be personal, tailored to how you work.

I thought the only body that differs is M6TTL ? May b M7? Whilst the other like M6 classic, MP and MA is a 2mm shorter but definitely could feel the difference 

[erl]

I have on my desk, M6 classic, M6TTL, M7.

M6 Classic: measures H.76mm. W.32mm. L. 137mm.

M6TTL: H. H.79mm. W. 32mm. L.137mm

M7: H.79mm. W. 34mm. L.137mm.

[BradS]

6 hours ago, erl said:

I have on my desk, M6 classic, M6TTL, M7.

M6 Classic: measures H.76mm. W.32mm. L. 137mm.

M6TTL: H. H.79mm. W. 32mm. L.137mm

M7: H.79mm. W. 34mm. L.137mm.

... sure but the OP mentions only the M6, MP, and M-A which are all the same size,  aren't they? 

[erl]

6 hours ago, BradS said:

... sure but the OP mentions only the M6, MP, and M-A which are all the same size,  aren't they? 

I don't know about the MP and MA, but my observation is that after the M6 Classic, the dimensions did change, albeit very slightly. I have had mine for many years and I only just noticed the difference recently, when I returned to using my M6 constantly. I am not the most observant, apparently. 

[ktmrider2]

The M6TTL added 2mm in height to allow for more electronics which were needed for the flash metering circuit.  I believe the MA, M6, MP are the same size as the classic M2/M3 and other M4 variants.  The M5 and Leica CL were the exceptions to the classic M film body.

I bought new as they came out the M4-2, M4-P, M6 and M6TTL.  I remember the M6TTL had to be sent back to Leica as the early batch ate batteries.  Instead of lasting a year or so, the M6TTL batteries had to be replaced monthly if memory serves.  The camera was repaired by Leica and problem solved.

Edited March 9 by ktmrider2

[lexffm]

Am 22.2.2025 um 18:27 schrieb Big John:

Compared all 3 new film Ms yesterday and wanted to share my thoughts. The versions I looked at were a silver MP, a black M-A and an M6; with a 35mm summicron.  The only model I had ruled out was the BP MP (finger prints etc). 

I came away thinking:

- single piece film advance lever looks better and feels better (to me) than the hinged one on the M6. 
- the older film rewind knob is very easy to use, incredibly smooth (granted no film in camera) and felt bombproof. Granted it will be slower. 
- shutter release on the M-A is gorgeous! Not having a light meter means that the button only does one thing, so it feels smooth and responsive (whereas my experience of depressing the shutter release on the M6 and MP is that you feel the initial pressure that activates the light meter and then have to move through that to operate the shutter). 
- the VF on the M-A also looked very nice, with solid lower edge (28mm) frame line and no red leds. Just a frame and the subject. 
- regarding the finishes on the versions I handled: all very nice, the black chrome looked darker than what I had expected. 
- the M6, with its red dot and Leica labelling, looked quite overt. 
 

It is looking like an M-A for me!  I learned film in the 80s, not done much in the past 15 years, but keen to get back into it. 
 

Hope these comments help others. In all the ‘reviews’ I have read, the film advance and the shutter differences are not necessarily included.  
 

 

Very good choice. The M-A is also my favorite when it comes to current analog camera