Upgrading to Leica

[Patricia Thomas]

I'm upgrading from a Yashica rangefinder to a Leica. I live in a small town so I don't have access to camera shops where I could actually look at cameras and have been relying on Internet sites for research and would be buying from KEH or other reputable dealer. I'm looking at an M3 or M6 (TTL optional). I would use the rangefinder for street shots, documentary, travel. I'm okay shooting with available light and don't care that much about having a built in meter. I'm considering the M6 because it's newer, but have a fondness for classics. Any thoughts? I know I'm opening a Pandora's box, but user opinions would help. Thanks~

 

[ferider]

Welcome !

What is best for you really depends on your favorite focal length(s) first,
and on your budget of course.

If you like 50mm, by all means, get a newer M3 (SS, best if # > 1Mio). You can rely on KEH ratings to check if the viewfinder is in order (no separation, etc).
If you like 35mm, I recommend an M2 - most Leica M for the buck !
If you like 28 or 28 + 50, an M4-P or an M6 if you want a meter.

In either case, plan to get a CLA. On the non-metered cameras, Youxin Ye
does an excellent job for US 80.

Good luck,

Roland.

 

[shadowfox]

As far as I know, the M4-P is the latest model (therefore it doesn' t have the production problems that some M4-2 have) made in Canada before Leica pull the production back to Germany.

Aside from sporting "Made In Canada" on the back, it's a real Leica and the body is the same design as the M6.

Why am I suggesting this to you? because as far as I'm concerned, it's the best bang for the buck when it comes to Leica M especially if you don't care about having a meter built-in.

... and that's my opinion 🙂

 

[FrankS]

If you have an appreciation for classic models, I'd recommend the M2 too. Keep your eyes open, and let the camera find you!

 

[splitimageview]

If you are ok without a meter, then you have loads of options. I would recommend visiting Cameraquest.com for a rundown of the various models. Disregarding the meter, things will basically come down to the rangefinder magnification and frameline options, depending on what lens you prefer.

http://cameraquest.com/mguide.htm

 

[drewbarb]

Since you don't care about an internal meter, you have a ton of choices. I would suggest that you find a decent M2 or M3, which are selling quite cheap these days. Make sure you get one with a clean finder, then send it straight off to Youxin Ye for a CLA (great work and positively cheap- around $100!), and you'll have a great camera to use for the next 50 years. The newer Leicas are fine cameras, to be sure, but the classic bodies from the late 50's to early 70's were so well made, and really beautiful to boot; and since the prices are so favorable these days, I'd go that way. Good luck, and enjoy!

 

[Charles Bogel]

Why do you consider a switch from Yashica to Leica an "upgrade"?

I don't think anyone could tell the difference in a blind comparison between the photos taken with, say, a Yashica Electro 35 and a Leica with a 35mm Summicron. If anything, the Yashica lens is better.

Now if you just wanted to use a Leica out of curiousity or because of all the endless web chatter about them, that's fine, but why call it an upgrade? Call it simply a "switch".

 

[splitimageview]

Yeah, and a Ford will get you to the grocery store just like a Porsche will. 🙂

Upgrade away!

 

[Charles Bogel]

I have had Fords as well as Porsches. They are built for completely different purposes.

A Ford is far better for going to the grocery store and bringing home your packages.

A Porsche is good for attracting the attention of the police who like to ticket them, and it's laughable to drive them at a 55mph speed limit such as in the USA.

It might make a good bumper-sticker slogan to talk about Porsches and Fords, or to make emotional flippant comments based on posts in enthusiast forums, but in reality Yashica made some excellent cameras and excellent lenses, including Leica clones.

 

[splitimageview]

Well, personally, I enjoy driving my 911 to the grocery store. Emotional? Flippant? If you say so.

Yashica did make some good stuff, but methinks most would think moving to Leica from Yashica is an upgrade in the modern sense of the word.

 

[Pablito]

if your main interest is taking photographs, then I think the M6 is the way to go. If you don't want the meter, take the batteries out, but buying an M3 sight unseen is a mistake. Sure the M3 is a great classic with fabulous build, some even think it's the "best Leica ever." But the finder is complex and the focusing patch can range from bright and contrasty to barely visible. Some of the finder/RF repairs on the M3 are not practical or prohibitively expensive. Also film loading is faster on the M6. The M4-P, as noted above, is another alternative. But even though you say you don't need the meter, it does come in handy.

 

[Ken Ford]

I would suggest an M4-P for a meterless body or an M6 Classic for one with a meter. I've had both, and prefer the M6 - but I don't "chase the meter" when shooting, I just take occasional readings off my hand.

 

[splitimageview]

Don't forget the M4-2; it doesn't have a 28mm frameline but if you are like me and prefer a 35mm lens this isn't an issue. Plus it doesn't have a red dot. 😉

 

[maddoc]

Get yourself a M4-P (or M6 if you really need an on-board meter) and don't look back 🙂 The M4-2 doesn't have the 28mm framelines as I remember and early models had some problems. The M6 is newer and has the integrated meter but is more expensive than a M4-P plus hand-held meter.

 

[pvdhaar]

There's already some good advice about making the choice based on the focal lengths that you'll use. Note that more isn't necessarily better. A viewfinder cluttered with framelines for each and every focal length isn't to everyones taste. But there are some other subtleties that may factor into the equation for you..

One is a self timer. That's not on all models, and even then, on some models it was only an option. I'm sure there are people who'd never use it, but I find it great. Another thing is the quickload system. I'm not sure when it was introduced, but it's already present on the M4. Makes bottom loading less of a burden. A fold out back too makes aligning the film sprocket holes with the sprocket wheels easier..