which black M body would you recommend?

[DNN]

Here's my first post. If I posted at wrong forum please move this thread somewhere appropriate.

I don't have a huge collection of RF cameras at all. For interchangeable RF, I have a Leitz-Minolta CL and a Cannon 7sz both I love. I have been wondering if I may buy another RF camera and it will be Leica. I am far from professional and ignorant of the detail specification of each Leica. What I have been dreaming of is M4 black body. Simply because it looks simple; no signature like "M4-P" and no red Leica mark.

My current candidates are
1) M4 black
2) M6 TTL black LHSA edition
3) MP black (in the present version, not old one)

A M6 so-called classic and M6-TTL seem to be "relatively" affordable price to me in the used market. But because I have a preference in the exterior mentioned above, I may not love these. That's too bad for those cameras if I buy them. So despite of the price, these three are so far in my mind.

2) and 3) are recent products and might be convenient.

I appreciate if you give me any comments. By the way my hands are surprisingly much smaller than yours...for some reason...no...due to DNA😛

Thank you very much.

 

[venchka]

M5

Stepless shutter
Viewfinder equal or similar to M4
Best meter in an M body
No red dot
Build quality the old Wetzlar way

 

[Bill Blackwell]

Look here:

http://www.popflash.com/index.php?p=product&id=1764&parent=1

 

[cmogi10]

Black Paint MP,

unless you use lots of flash, then the TTL might make more sense.
But the MP is, mmmmm, it just feels so good.

 

[Graham Line]

1. Do you need a built-in meter?
2. Do you have unlimited funds?
3. What lenses do you intend to use? There are .58, .72 and .85 finders available.

www.cameraquest.com has good pages on the differences body to body and some advice on making a selection.

http://www.cameraquest.com/mguide.htm
http://www.cameraquest.com/leicamchecklist.htm

My fully functional M4-P cost 1/3 to 1/4 what a decent black M4 would run, and I can't see the labels while it's in use anyway.

... I have been wondering if I may buy another RF camera and it will be Leica. I am far from professional and ignorant of the detail specification of each Leica. What I have been dreaming of is M4 black body. Simply because it looks simple; no signature like "M4-P" and no red Leica mark.

My current candidates are
1) M4 black
2) M6 TTL black LHSA edition
3) MP black (in the present version, not old one)

A M6 so-called classic and M6-TTL seem to be "relatively" affordable price to me in the used market. But because I have a preference in the exterior mentioned above, I may not love these. That's too bad for those cameras if I buy them. So despite of the price, these three are so far in my mind.

2) and 3) are recent products and might be convenient.

...

Thank you very much.

 

[Roger Hicks]

MP

No contest

But it seems odd to me to choose a camera on finish, not features

Cheers

R

 

[alexz]

ROger, just out of couriosity: why MP over a well CLAed, clean M4 ? The latter may cost probably less then half of teh typical price of a used mint MP...
Unless of course internal meter gets the precedence...

 

[splitimageview]

How about this one?

http://tinyurl.com/2ccxsf

 

[JNewell]

How about this one?

http://tinyurl.com/2ccxsf

Definitely worth considering by the original poster. Budget issues do not seem to play, based on the cameras he's looking at! 😀

 

[peter_n]

Since one of your possibilities is an M6TTL (a terrific camera) I would suggest an M7. You get all the great features of the M6TTL plus AP automation when you want it. My first rangefinder was an M6TTL and after two years with it I upgraded to an M7 which is just an incredibly practical camera. It is quiet, has stepless shutter speeds (great for slides but also B&W), and (so far) extremely reliable.

 

[Finder]

I would suggest the M5. One of the best of M series.

 

[Roger Hicks]

ROger, just out of couriosity: why MP over a well CLAed, clean M4 ? The latter may cost probably less then half of teh typical price of a used mint MP...
Unless of course internal meter gets the precedence...

Dear Alex,

Endustry (above) has it. I value the meter quite highly, because (a) I can check my exposure estimates and (b) it tells me if the lens-cap is on. And I love black paint. And the MP is 20 years newer (cain't hoit, as my NY agent from Joisey used to say). And I love the 75 Summicron: the frame in the M4-P is nothing like as useful. Dream outfit: 2x MP, 35 + 75. I'm three-quarters of the way there.: all I need is another MP.

I've never owned/used an M4 or M4-2 but my M4-P is the least impressive new Leica I have ever used.

Finally, who needs mint? You should SEE my MP.

Cheers,

R.

 

[venchka]

Ok, Bigfoot & Bubba cost less than one equal quality used MP. You tell me which purchase would mean more to your photography? It's about the photographs. Two bodies will always be more versatile than one. Period.

If you can't take pictures without a black paint body, send a beater M5 to the man in Japan for any painted finish you desire. Then skin it with any covering you desire. A totally custom body just for you. Then get out and go take pictures.

 

[cmogi10]

Your going to have to accept most people aren't as into the M5 as you, 😉
I'd rather have one MP then 2 M5's

 

[Steve Bellayr]

I think you need to differentiate between collector & user. As a collector you should only buy the most pristine item available and not use it. Price should not be the issue as the most pristine & best example usually increases in value. As a person who would use the item and incur wear to it then the price is the issue. Your question does not differentiate to which group you belong to or wish to belong to. Recently, I was looking at a sale of a black Minolta SRT. People were bidding in excessive amounts for a camera that in silver is readily available. Obviously, the same lenses fit on both cameras and the pictures depend more on the skill of the photographer than the color of the camera.

 

[DNN]

Roger: I understand your point in your earlier post. Finish is not really important when I am using the camera.

The reason why I do care black paint is somewhat similar reason why I don't own Toyota. I prefer Alfa Romeo to Camry... I would like to love my belongings if they have some inferior features to others.


But as all posts kindly suggest, the camera is a tool. I do understand this.

The lens I use would be mainly 35. 50 mm. 75mm may be occasionally used, but not 90, 135mm...


Thank you for all the posts and if you have some comments all are still welcomed!

 

[Roger Hicks]

Two bodies will always be more versatile than one. Period.

Yeah. And one good camera that you do like will always beat two you don't like. Period. (Or 'full stop', as we say in English).

I'm afraid I'm of the old school that says "An M5 is a very nice camera but its relationship to the M-series is tangential." I have to admit I've never taken a single picture with one because I find them huge and horrible (I've handled many). I'd rather have a Nikon F.

I fully take your point about the unwisdom of choosing a camera on finish, rather than features, but regardless of finish, I'd rather have an MP.

And DNN [EDIT]: I fully understand about black paint. The ONLY black paint I'd consider is MP. Any other, you're paying too high a premium for rarity, for an inferior camera to an MP (unless you don't like 35mm and don't want a meter). Black chrome does NOT appeal to me (my M4-P is black chrome).

Cheers,

R.

 

[venchka]

Fair enough. I'll use my Leicas and Y'all can use yours. They are all good.

 

[Mackinaw]

I'm biased, since I have one, but go for a black paint MP.

Jim B.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Fair enough. I'll use my Leicas and Y'all can use yours. They are all good.

Seconded!

Cheers,

R.