Best M type camera ?

Best M type camera ?

  • M1

    Votes: 1 0.1%

  • M2

    Votes: 227 13.3%

  • M3

    Votes: 248 14.5%

  • M4

    Votes: 153 8.9%

  • M5

    Votes: 72 4.2%

  • M6

    Votes: 268 15.7%

  • M6TTL

    Votes: 157 9.2%

  • M7

    Votes: 155 9.1%

  • MP (new)

    Votes: 384 22.4%

  • MP (old)

    Votes: 11 0.6%

  • MD's

    Votes: 5 0.3%

  • Barnacks ( screwtype )

    Votes: 30 1.8%
  • Total voters
    1,711
If this poll had said M mount and not just M I think the Ikon would be right up there.

But it didn't so it's not and I voted for the MP ... 😛
 
I voted MP, but...

My favourite M is a (hold the flames) special-edition of the MP: the MP-3. Mechanically, it is identical so has all the best bits of the series-production version: meter, construction, flat rewind knob, 'right-way-round' speed dial.

But to this it adds some wonderful additions: the clear, uncluttered 35-50-90 framelines, the vulkanite finish, the M3-look top-plate, the M2's rotational (and resettable) framecounter, the traditional Leica engraving...

I know that some (though not all) of these are available 'a-la-carte' for the MP, but having them all together, off-the-shelf makes the MP-3 my favourite M bar none.

Although, that being said, I've never handled a Leica, M or R, that I didn't love using (my M8 aside)...
 
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If you are just shooting without mentally taking note of shutter speed and aperture like an auto-exposure camera, yes the M7 is faster. Personally this can drive me crazy and the reason I sold my M7 (found myself second guessing and checking what I did after the exposure). The MP (or any other Leica) you need to think a bit more about what you are doing, and I'm more comfortable working with the camera in this way - my 'human auto-mode' if you are presetting your exposure.
 
people frequently vote either for what they own or would like to own. The MP is hugely desirable and I love mine, but doubt that makes it much better to anyone else!
 
My Leica CL...because I actually own it. Now if you want to call me uninformed and unfortunate, you are required to loan me your gorgeous classic M until I have learned better than to espouse the virtues of a too-short, Japanese made camera with a dangerous spot meter. My address is available for shipping of your M3's and MP's upon request. I will also, if I must, slum it and provide a home for your M8's.

Cheers,

Jay
 
In terms of useability and value for the money, an M6 is hard to beat.
 
Best M type camera?

Best M type camera?

I only read the question, and the first answer... For me the answer is easy! Although I also agree that there are too many variables (focal length beeing the most important in my opinion), the clear winner is the original M4 introduced in 1967!!! You only need to pick up one and study the quality of the engravings, for example, to understand what I mean. In my opinion (I admit that I am no technician, I don't see them from "inside"), the M4 represents the pinnacle of Leitz/Leica excellence, the refinement of former models M3 and M2 (better universality in the finder, for ex.), and without the cost-saving worries of subsequent models (M4-2, M4-P), and without the "sacrilege" of changing that wonderful round-shape, as in the M5. The missing of a built-in light-meter, even prolongs is timeless classic design (although efficient, see how dated the meter in the M5 and in the CL look today...Cds cells, moving arm...). I also prefer the shape of the film advance lever. The only point I miss in the M4, would be a film reminder of the type where you can insert the end of the film box. That would be an improvement!
Some people claim that the new MP is the top. Well, I never used one, but in my opinion, making a camera look "retro", doesn't necessarly makes it better. I find it very silly, that Leica went back to the extendable knob for to rewind the film, and then sales an acessoir to make it easier again! Just plain ridiculous! I never minded the knobs in my M3 and M2, but yes, I find it more convenient , easier and faster, with the rewind lever. With this kind of actitudes, I think Leica is distancing itself from real photographers. Or should we go back to the separate take up spool? Or maybe even separate viewfinders and rangefinders as in the LTM models? Wouldn't it be even more fashionable, more collectable? Leica might earn it's bucks on such gimmicks...
Rui
 
The M4 was it, with the M2-R a close second. I still have the M2-R but the M4 was stolen. One of the things that I like about them is the lack of needles and lights in the viewfinder and the ease with which I can make accurate incident readings with the Weston Master V carried in a small belt pouch. I've never felt the need to meter every shot.
 
M4-P, has extra frames, quick film load, great angled rewind crank, works great with Mr-4, although Al as usual is right a hand meter or the ultimate cheatsheet of meter settings would be just as good.

I don't use flash on leica because I like flash fill and other features on my F-100 and SB-800. Leica is for me an available light machine.
 
Yammerman said:
I got one last week and I was surprised how light it was compared to my M2 and MP. Put it in a small video cam bag with a CV 28mm F3.5 plus four rolls of film and I am ever ready.😀
Click to expand...

hahah,same here. I got a minty m4p with a recent CLA. It is a joy to use. Though I still miss my m4 a lot but the m4p with rapidwinder is a dream come true to me. 😀
 
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