M2 or M6

[errorlogin]

M2 has better built quality than the M6. Not THAT good as the M3, but nearly.
I cannot see any advantage of the M6 against the M2.
I sold my M6 quickly and love my M2. 🙂
Also liked the feel of the chromed brass better than the feel of the M6 material. (dont remember what it is)

The M2 is easy, classic and simple. My vote goes clearly to the M2!

 

[iuseruby]

I'm asking myself similar question but I already have one M2 and right now thinking about second rf body. Probably, it'll be another M2. 🙂

and try to find camera that has CLA'd recently if you'll decide for M2.

 

[jammcat]

I sold my M2 to buy an M6.
I don't regret it.
I hated the takeup spool on the M2, and the frame counter is garbage.
I enjoy having the meter of the M6.
The only thing that I've noticed is that since my M6 is in far better condition than my beater M2, I baby it more. This may or may not be a good thing.

 

[Erik van Straten]

M2 has better built quality than the M6. Not THAT good as the M3,

The M2 and M3 have exactly the same build quality. The only differences between them are the viewfinder and the frame counter, but there is absolutely no difference in build quality.

Erik.

 

[sjgslack]

I sold my M2 to buy an M6.
I don't regret it.
I hated the takeup spool on the M2, and the frame counter is garbage.
I enjoy having the meter of the M6.
The only thing that I've noticed is that since my M6 is in far better condition than my beater M2, I baby it more. This may or may not be a good thing.

Interesting about the frame counter -- I have a Leica iii and the frame-counder is garbage on that too!

The 'babying it' issue had occurred to me.... On the other hand the M6 would be black and I love the brassing on other black cameras I have...

Unlike other some cameras I'll be looking to keep it forever, so I shouldn't need to worry too much about resale value 🙂

 

[sjgslack]

VF flare, in both my opinion and experience, is seriously exaggerated for the M6 with the 0.72X VF.

It is and issue for the cameras with the 0.85X VF.

I'm not saying it isn't ever observed with the o.72X finder, just that it is much less often and much less of a concern.

RF white out only occurs in back light situations. The MP modification virtually eliminates the problem.

That's reassuring as I'd def go for the .72x finder

 

[Rogrund]

The framecounter on the M2 works just fine. Of course it isn't garbage. And like Erik said, there's no difference in build quality between the M2 and the M3.

 

[Richard G]

The framecounter on the M2 works just fine. Of course it isn't garbage. And like Erik said, there's no difference in build quality between the M2 and the M3.

Absolutely agree. My M6 frame counter broke and needed fixing. The tactile functionality of the M2 counter is wonderful. I looked through an M3 once. Those curvy cornered 50 frame lines look terrible. And the wonderful 35mm clear sky frame lines of the M2 are not there in the M3. M3 worship is an internet delusion, or an extrapolation from single user experience of a badly cared for M2/M4.

Lenses mount much more easily on the M6. But can fall off.

 

[Erik van Straten]

M3 worship is an internet delusion, or an extrapolation from single user experience of a badly cared for M2/M4.

Long before the internet existed and long before I owned an M2 I had an M3 and worshipped it until this very day. It is the king of the cameras. The M2 is the queen.

Erik.

 

[thegman]

I went from M6 to M3, no regrets. I'd certainly go for an M2 if I was using a 35mm lens.

 

[denizg7]

i have an m6 but i will get an m3 with a collapsible 50mm summicron someday as my back up

then i will be SET FOR LIFE

 

[Arvay]

I would say M6

 

[Arvay]

I went from M6 to M3, no regrets. I'd certainly go for an M2 if I was using a 35mm lens.

I did the same and regret all the way)

 

[micromoogman]

M2 hands down! You don't need a meter if you learn how to expose say a Tri-x. Your mind is better than a lousy light meter.

 

[micromoogman]

A black one of course!

 

[jky]

Had an M2 years ago. Sold it.

Regretted selling it.

Years later I bought an M6. Loved it.

From strictly a user standpoint, the M6 with metering was the one for me. No need to carry an external meter.

I do miss fondling the M2 however.

 

[larmarv916]

I would say that I have always preferred my M3 to my M6TTL ....even though mine had a .85 viewfinder. The M3's .92 really does make a big difference and the longer the focal length of the lens...the bigger the advantage. I have a M5 and the meter on it is more sensitive than that of the M6 or M7....it works un super low light very well. However I have always carried a hand held meter.

When I am shooting in low light situations with the M3...the incident light reading will deliver a better exposure. As all to often in low light one tiny bright source or a facial high light will kick out a distorted reading to a "reflective" meter. So...accuracy of focus was and remains my boogieman to fight in low light. So a .92 is much better than a .72 or a .68 of M2. If we shoot with a 90 or 135 lens on a M3 versus a M2 or other low mag viewfinder.....we will see that you will get a sharper focus, just by virtue you have better source to view the subject. I did not think this we so until I did a test between my M5 and M3 a few years ago. So now I would only use a 35 or 50 on my M5 in low light!

But in the end the M5 was made for the "Noct" and "Lux" lenses...which is why on the "back" of the body there is a "F/1" on the exposure calibration wheel. Most people never see this or just have not had it pointed out...but it is there.

In the end you need to think more about how you chose to shoot and what focal length lenses. Good Luck

 

[sjgslack]

I would say that I have always preferred my M3 to my M6TTL ....even though mine had a .85 viewfinder. The M3's .92 really does make a big difference and the longer the focal length of the lens...the bigger the advantage. I have a M5 and the meter on it is more sensitive than that of the M6 or M7....it works un super low light very well. However I have always carried a hand held meter.

When I am shooting in low light situations with the M3...the incident light reading will deliver a better exposure. As all to often in low light one tiny bright source or a facial high light will kick out a distorted reading to a "reflective" meter. So...accuracy of focus was and remains my boogieman to fight in low light. So a .92 is much better than a .72 or a .68 of M2. If we shoot with a 90 or 135 lens on a M3 versus a M2 or other low mag viewfinder.....we will see that you will get a sharper focus, just by virtue you have better source to view the subject. I did not think this we so until I did a test between my M5 and M3 a few years ago. So now I would only use a 35 or 50 on my M5 in low light!

But in the end the M5 was made for the "Noct" and "Lux" lenses...which is why on the "back" of the body there is a "F/1" on the exposure calibration wheel. Most people never see this or just have not had it pointed out...but it is there.

In the end you need to think more about how you chose to shoot and what focal length lenses. Good Luck

Unlike a lot of people I love the look of the M5. It's the size I don't like... It looks fantastic wearing a noctilux though! Unfortunately i don't have the funds for one of those. 🙂

 

[Dylan Hope]

I'd go for the M6 over the M2, especially as a first M. Metering (You can ignore it and remove the battery if it distracts you), standard flash sync port if 1/50th flash sync is your thing, more framelines (Some would disagree with me here, but I feel it is an advantage), the quick loading in the M6 is helpful and it's just a fantastic camera.

The M2 is a seriously smooth camera though, feels as close to a tank as you're going to get with the M system (The m4-m6 don't feel fragile, but the M2 just feels extremely solid) and is extremely fun to play with, perfect if you don't think you'll ever need the 28mm, 75mm and 135mm framelines in the viewfinder - though you can just use the entire viewfinder if you're shooting 28mm. But I think I'd always grab my M6 first when shooting, if only for the metering

Of course, I might be totally biased because I love my M6 to bits and the M2 I sort-of-but-maybe-don't own has been tripping over its feet as a backup camera right out the gate because I made poor decisions sometimes. Your milage should vary though.

 

[sjgslack]

The framecounter on the M2 works just fine. Of course it isn't garbage. And like Erik said, there's no difference in build quality between the M2 and the M3.

The problem with the counter on the iii is that after you set it the wind on 'click' on the first wind always moves it more than one notch along. Annoying! ... From what you say can I take it that the M2's is more reliable? (I don't mind having to set it-- just the fact that it always gets it wrong!)