M3, M2 Metal Lever VS M4, M6 plastic lever?

Personally I find the M4-style lever much faster and more comfortable to use (although I'm sure some others would disagree), but the all metal version has a kind of retro charm all its own. You pays yer money...
 
I recently replace my M6's lever with the M3 lever. It has a more solid feel to me.

My thumb would slip off the plastic tip of the M6 but not so with the M3 lever.
 
Although it appears really strange the first time you see the M4 lever, you get used to it's pivoting behaviour fast. Especially at the start of the advance, the stick out position provides a good place for your thumb to exert force.
 
I have an M4 with the hinged plastic lever. It's not something you notice, which would mean the ergonomics are spot on - the tip has a couple of teeth which grip your thumb so that you can't slip off the end.
I love the look of the all metal lever, and recently saw (somewhere here on this site) an M4 with M3 levers self timer and frameline levers, which looked rather nice. I'd love to do the same thing, but wouldn't know where to start looking for the levers. I presume they would cost the proverbial arm and leg anyway.
Z.
 
3opkuu said:
I have an M4 with the hinged plastic lever. It's not something you notice, which would mean the ergonomics are spot on - the tip has a couple of teeth which grip your thumb so that you can't slip off the end.
I love the look of the all metal lever, and recently saw (somewhere here on this site) an M4 with M3 levers self timer and frameline levers, which looked rather nice. I'd love to do the same thing, but wouldn't know where to start looking for the levers. I presume they would cost the proverbial arm and leg anyway.
Z.
Click to expand...

I agree, the M3 levers are more appealing to me, but functionally the more current ones are fine.
 
I find little difference in use. From an aesthetic point of view I like the old type even if mine has put little dents in my M2's shutter dial.
 
colyn said:
I recently replace my M6's lever with the M3 lever. It has a more solid feel to me.

My thumb would slip off the plastic tip of the M6 but not so with the M3 lever.
Click to expand...

I just did the same with my M6 and find it much faster to use - if i had the time and cash i'd send both my M4's off to DAG for the same conversion.
 
Dont understand any of this. If I had money I'd get a leicavit, you then have the option of saving a little time when you dont need to hold the camera as securely against shake risks.

Any M lever wont make any difference to shake or delay?

I always use a leiciavit on a IIIC, it transforms the little camera, until you need to reload.

Noel
 
In a recent conversation with Sherry, who has my M6 for a CLA, I asked her whether the plastic tip was likely to break off. I like the ergonomics of the plastic tipped lever but was willing to replace the lever with the all metal version in order to prevent the possible breakage while out working. She said it's very rare for the plastic tip to break off, so I decided to save the money and keep the lever as is.
 
I shot with two M6TTL's for wedding work, one of which had the M3 style lever. I thought it was just vanity, too, but I found I prefered the M3 lever in use as it was always just where you left it. The pivoting action of the later style lever seemed annoying in side by side use.

FWIW, you don't have to send your camera to anyone to change the levers. Just get the correct wrench from "Micro Tools," and order the lever from DAG and you can do the job yourself in 10 minutes. You save losing your camera for a couple of weeks, at least, and shipping and insurance costs, too.
 

Attachments

  • mchrome2.jpg
    mchrome2.jpg
    164.6 KB · Views: 0
Having had solid rewind levers on all previous cameras I find I prefer the ergonomics of the pivoting lever on the M6 - M7.
 
The metal lever in the M2 I once bought then sold caused dings in the speed knob. I wanted to change the plastic tipped lever on my M4 for a metal lever but now I don't want any dings on my speed knob! But I really love the old time charm of the all metal lever, so maybe one day I will have my lever calibrated (meaning not too greased so the return movement can't reach the speed knob)
Or maybe I will find an MP lever because I think there are longer in size. That way it will reach the accessory shoe rather than the knob

I presume they would cost the proverbial arm and leg anyway
Click to expand...
The price of the lever is 40€ (M3 lever from DAG) and you can change it yourself if you have the specific tool (flexiclamp of 16mm) wich cost 10 bux.
 
Last edited:
My M2 came with an M4 lever, which is very similar to that on my M6. This was a disapointment as I like the retro look of the former. Having a bit of floating plastic just isn't in keeping with the solid nature of an M, if you ask me.
 
two piece all the way. larger and easier on the thumb in use. you'll appreciate this when you shoot a lot.
 
I have two M4s, one with all-metal M3 type levers, the other with the regular plastic tipped levers. I (my fingers) don't have any problems when switching the cameras. I like the looks of the M4 with the all-metal levers more.
You can see both cameras in the Flickr gallery that you reach by clicking my signature picture below.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom