LraStn Posted March 19 Share #1 Posted March 19 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'm genuinely torn as to what to buy next. I have an M6 and I've had a lot of trouble with it, but damn when it's been working it's great. It's headed to the shop because it won't advance (again), and I need a back up film M in the meantime but can't spend M6 or M7 money on it. I'm intrigued by the M5 because of its reputation for an accurate meter, and you can see the shutter speed through the viewfinder. A bonus since I shoot with flash often and sometimes forget to check my shutter speed. I also read that the viewfinder is easier to use. I love the look of the M3, and don't have to have a meter. The price is best. M4-2 works with a motor winder, which I wouldn't mind having the option of using for my event work. To complicate matters, I like to shoot 28, 35 and 50mm. What's a girl to do?? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 19 Posted March 19 Hi LraStn, Take a look here What should my next M be??. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
erl Posted March 19 Share #2 Posted March 19 If by event work, you mean stuff that is moving, changing, etc. I would recommend biting the bullet and get an M7. It will speed up your shooting rate and reflexes because of the Auto feature that selects shutter speed to match your aperture/ISO settings. If you are making money out of shooting events, you should be charging enough to finance an M7. The M6 is a stellar camera and when it returns fixed, it is a great camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lexffm Posted March 19 Share #3 Posted March 19 I recently bought a well-maintained M5. I'm truly surprised by how well the camera handles. I even managed to shoot at 1/15, which I can't manage with other Ms. Unfortunately, it's by far the ugliest M ever. But it takes damn good pictures. You just have to be careful with some of the retractable lenses. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hansvons Posted March 19 Share #4 Posted March 19 4 hours ago, LraStn said: I need a back up film M in the meantime but can't spend M6 or M7 money on it. The M4P is a meter-less M6, providing you with the same muscle memory. Instantly switching won’t interfere with your flow, which I find essential. Also, I’d consider your second camera as a backup (crucial if you must deliver) and an option to use colour and B&W alternatively or different ISO stocks. The M4P is relatively cheap (if that is a word in the Leicaverse). It is the best companion to an M6 if you can’t or don't want to afford a second M6. Try to find a copy with a recent CLA. Lastly, the M4P has a more instant trigger because it does not use the two-stage scheme of the M6 trigger, which activates the meter before it releases the shutter. With a soft-release button, the M4P allows for roughly one stop longer exposure times without risking camera shake. I find this so important that I did not swap my M4P for an M6. But it’s worth noting that my main camera is an M6. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
spydrxx Posted March 19 Share #5 Posted March 19 I'd recommend a well serviced M2 or M4. But if you are adventurous, I'd suggest trying a Barnack or two. Yes, you will have to delve into screwmount lenses, but IMHO what a lifesaver when the big boys need some TLC and have to go to the shop for a while. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LraStn Posted March 19 Author Share #6 Posted March 19 4 hours ago, hansvons said: The M4P is a meter-less M6, providing you with the same muscle memory. Instantly switching won’t interfere with your flow, which I find essential. Also, I’d consider your second camera as a backup (crucial if you must deliver) and an option to use colour and B&W alternatively or different ISO stocks. The M4P is relatively cheap (if that is a word in the Leicaverse). It is the best companion to an M6 if you can’t or don't want to afford a second M6. Try to find a copy with a recent CLA. Lastly, the M4P has a more instant trigger because it does not use the two-stage scheme of the M6 trigger, which activates the meter before it releases the shutter. With a soft-release button, the M4P allows for roughly one stop longer exposure times without risking camera shake. I find this so important that I did not swap my M4P for an M6. But it’s worth noting that my main camera is an M6. Thanks so much for this insight, Hans! That all makes sense and I like getting the extra stop of light without shake. Muscle memory is important, too... perhaps less of an issue for me because I'm already shooting SL2-S, Q3, and M10 or M6 all at one shoot so I'm very accustomed to changing bodies. But my assistant shooter will also be using the cameras and it may matter more for her. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LraStn Posted March 19 Author Share #7 Posted March 19 Advertisement (gone after registration) 6 hours ago, Al Brown said: Put all the options on small folded papers in a big cookie jar and draw. Apart from M3 not going wide you really can't go wrong with any of the options. Haha, thanks!! That's kind of the feeling I'm getting. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB_tx Posted March 19 Share #8 Posted March 19 I have M2 through 7. Having used my M4 since 1968 and M6 since 1985 I found them very compatible for a two camera setup. I prefer their "feel" to more classic M2&3 controls. I added an M5 several years ago, and it is a very nice camera to use, but the "feel" and meter operation are different enough that switching back and forth to an M6 takes some adjustment. If you find a good deal on an M4 you can always top it with a tiny Voigtlander VC Meter II. (The old Leica Meter MR4 is nice, but hard to find a reliable one now. I have one on my M4 as it couples to the shutter speed dial so simple reads f-stop setting.) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LraStn Posted March 19 Author Share #9 Posted March 19 (edited) Thanks for you insight @TomB_tx! Edited March 19 by LraStn Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LraStn Posted March 19 Author Share #10 Posted March 19 6 hours ago, lexffm said: I recently bought a well-maintained M5. I'm truly surprised by how well the camera handles. I even managed to shoot at 1/15, which I can't manage with other Ms. Unfortunately, it's by far the ugliest M ever. But it takes damn good pictures. You just have to be careful with some of the retractable lenses. I kind of like the look of it- better than the R series anyway!! LOL. I don't think I would venture into retractable lenses anytime soon. I have a 35 FLE and a 50 nocti, just looking to add a 28mm to the mix. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LraStn Posted March 19 Author Share #11 Posted March 19 12 minutes ago, spydrxx said: I'd recommend a well serviced M2 or M4. But if you are adventurous, I'd suggest trying a Barnack or two. Yes, you will have to delve into screwmount lenses, but IMHO what a lifesaver when the big boys need some TLC and have to go to the shop for a while. Wasn't on my radar for this purchase, but I do love the look of the Barnack. I have 35 and 50 M lenses, so it would be great not to add more to the bag with screw mount. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LraStn Posted March 19 Author Share #12 Posted March 19 8 hours ago, erl said: If by event work, you mean stuff that is moving, changing, etc. I would recommend biting the bullet and get an M7. It will speed up your shooting rate and reflexes because of the Auto feature that selects shutter speed to match your aperture/ISO settings. If you are making money out of shooting events, you should be charging enough to finance an M7. The M6 is a stellar camera and when it returns fixed, it is a great camera. I'd love to have the M7 eventually and will probably sell my fixed M6 to finance that purchase. However I only ever shoot in manual mode on any of my cameras so I'm more interested in HSS. In the meantime, having spent northwards of $50k on Leica gear I have to draw lines in the sand somewhere, sometimes. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Flynn Posted March 19 Share #13 Posted March 19 I recently bought both the M5 and M6 and I'm having the M5 serviced and converted to a modern battery. That's the biggest headache in owning a M5 in 2025 is finding a service tech willing and able to work on them. I'm in the US and the only 2 techs who will work on them are DAG Camera and Golden Touch. The former has my M5 now, he services them but is not a fan of the design. Golden Touch (Sherry Krauter) is a fan of the M5 but hard to contact. I asked her about a CLA on my M6 since it's a 1995 production plus if she could work on a 2nd M5 down the road if I decided I wanted 1 and have yet to hear back from them. I'm hoping DAG will CLA the M6 after he does the M5. I asked him also about that and have yet to get a response back. I figure the M6 came with a 180 day warranty so I have time to run a test roll (planned this weekend if I can) to check for problems then see what happens. I personally don't think muscle memory is that big a factor, I did news and sports in the 80's with a Nikon F2,F3 and FM and never really had issues switching back and forth. In fact I made it a point of using 1 type for 1 film type, the F2 would be color if I was shooting that, the FM B/W and the F3 was the motor drive body if I needed one of those. I still have all 3 😃 , their jealous of the Leica's now 😄 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roy Bigsby Posted March 20 Share #14 Posted March 20 11 hours ago, TomB_tx said: If you find a good deal on an M4 you can always top it with a tiny Voigtlander VC Meter II. (The old Leica Meter MR4 is nice, but hard to find a reliable one now. I have one on my M4 as it couples to the shutter speed dial so simple reads f-stop setting.) Keks Camera is releasing a new version of the "Leica Meter", which couples to the shutter speed dial: https://www.kekscameras.com/mmeter.html#/ 2 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smudgerer Posted March 20 Share #15 Posted March 20 9 hours ago, Roy Bigsby said: Keks Camera is releasing a new version of the "Leica Meter", which couples to the shutter speed dial: https://www.kekscameras.com/mmeter.html#/ Thank you for this posting! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Flynn Posted March 20 Share #16 Posted March 20 (edited) 12 hours ago, Roy Bigsby said: Keks Camera is releasing a new version of the "Leica Meter", which couples to the shutter speed dial: https://www.kekscameras.com/mmeter.html#/ I have their Kek02 for my M3 and wish they would combine the feature of the shutter dial linking to the meter with the rear view screen on the Kek02. Edited March 20 by Don Flynn Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RF’sDelight Posted March 20 Share #17 Posted March 20 (edited) Am 19.3.2025 um 03:55 schrieb LraStn: I love the look of the M3, and don't have to have a meter. The price is best. … To complicate matters, I like to shoot 28, 35 and 50mm. Be aware of the missing frame lines in the older analogue models, 35mm came with the M2, 28mm came with the M4-P. Apart from that there is a joy in any analogue M I’d say. You can't go wrong as long as the camera works properly. Am 19.3.2025 um 07:01 schrieb lexffm: I recently bought a well-maintained M5. I'm truly surprised by how well the camera handles. Fully agree. Handling is 😙👌 And combined with the right lens the look can get quite interesting… Edited March 20 by RF’sDelight Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Flynn Posted March 20 Share #18 Posted March 20 3 minutes ago, RF’sDelight said: Be aware of the missing frame lines in the older analogue models, 35mm came with the M2, 28mm came with the M4-P. Apart from that there is a joy in any analogue M I’d say. You can't go wrong as long as the camera works properly. Fully agree. Handling is 😙👌 And combined with the right lens the look can get quite interesting… Nice looking M5. I've got a black model getting a battery update at DAG now, I'm hoping the meter works when done so it can complement the "new" M6 I just bought last week 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pippy Posted March 20 Share #19 Posted March 20 As you mention that an internal meter is not essential I'd also nominate either the M4-2 or M4-P. Good luck! Philip. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RF’sDelight Posted March 20 Share #20 Posted March 20 (edited) vor 18 Minuten schrieb Don Flynn: Nice looking M5. I've got a black model getting a battery update at DAG now, I'm hoping the meter works when done so it can complement the "new" M6 I just bought last week Congrats to this wonderful pair of Ms! 👍 — PS: Just saw that you mentiond your M3 here, so it’s already wonderful set of Ms, not just a pair. Edited March 20 by RF’sDelight 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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