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
P

proenca

Proenca
Local time
9:42 PM
Joined
Aug 27, 2006
Messages
258
Well there have been some polls here but they always mix film+digital or other non M cameras..

Would be curious to ask to M users which is the best M camera made.

Shoot away ! :)

Proenca
 
for what kind of shooting? Do you have a preferred lens focal length? And do you need a meter?

Too many variables.

Also, many would claim that you need to differenciate between the M4, and the M4-2/P.
 
For shooting 35mm and wider nothing better than the new MP. If I only use the 50mm length the M3 or MP.
 
rogue_designer said:
for what kind of shooting? Do you have a preferred lens focal length? And do you need a meter?

Too many variables.

Also, many would claim that you need to differenciate between the M4, and the M4-2/P.
Click to expand...

Well, I started with a FED 5 and Zorki 1.
Lens were very satisfactory, but I wanted a "quicker" RF with proper metering - the selenium cell on the FED 5 is not reliable any more - for general photography up to 50, occasionally 90 mm.
Aperture priority would have been "nice to have".

I looked at the M6 and followed many auctions. The M6 has more or less all that I require and prices are very reasonable now, but the rotation direction of the shutter speed dial confused me a bit. Ok, the M6 TTL got it right then, but that one would set me back a few hundred € more.
With added aperture priority, the M7 is therefore my choice as best M camera.

By chance, however, I came across a brand new Konica Hexar RF:
  • Good metering,
  • Aperture priority,
  • No winding lever poking into my eye (I am left-eyed),
  • Takes M-lens,
  • M-Hexanon lens with great price-performance ratio.
So I got it and haven't looked back since.

Therefore, my voting for the best M type camera goes to the Hexar RF.
And, please do not accuse me of Leica bashing: I just love my Leica R with the 50 Summicron!

Best regards,
Uwe
 
It's remarkable that a couple of transmogrified M6s (the M7 and MP) would lead the poll. I suppose it means (among other things) that people try to avoid incident metering (which requires a handheld meter), even though reflected metering is not always the best. Admittedly TTL metering is handy for filter users, since filter factor computations can thereby be avoided (but the average user probably wonders what the hell a filter factor is).
 
richard_l said:
It's remarkable that a couple of transmogrified M6s (the M7 and MP) would lead the poll. I suppose it means (among other things) that people try to avoid incident metering (which requires a handheld meter), even though reflected metering is not always the best. Admittedly TTL metering is handy for filter users, since filter factor computations can thereby be avoided (but the average user probably wonders what the hell a filter factor is).
Click to expand...

Come on, Richard!

As much as I like the looks of a Ford T, I prefer to have something more comfortable to start and drive as my everyday transport.
It's not that I try to avoid incident metering, but reflected metering and TTL metering does a very good job nowadays.
What about incident metering when your subject is under different lighting conditions than you are? You walk up to your subject? What if the subject is too far away or what about snapshots?
Ok, you probably tell me that you will incident meter from the point where you are and then guesstimate a correction factor for your subject's lighting conditions.
Fine, that's exactly what I do with reflective metering. If - in my opinion - the lighting conditions of the subject do not equal the 18% grey, I guesstimate a correction factor. So, what's the difference?
With in-camera metering, I may rely on the meter more than 90% of the times or - if I feel like it - ignore it and revert to incident metering.
W/o in-camera metering, I am stuck with incident metering and as I am generally lazy, I therefore prefer the first option.

Just my 2 Cents.

Best regards,
Uwe

Oh, and by the way, I know what filter correction factors are... ;)
 
In practice, Uwe, it is often not possible to take an incident light reading: but that does not deny that that is almost always more reliable than a reflected light reading. It must be said that a semi spot metering system is a blessing.
 
payasam said:
In practice, Uwe, it is often not possible to take an incident light reading: but that does not deny that that is almost always more reliable than a reflected light reading. It must be said that a semi spot metering system is a blessing.
Click to expand...

Mukul (I hope that's your first name - if not, please take my apologies),

I do agree with you that - in theory - incident metering is more reliable, but, as stated in my previous post, in the vast majority of conditions, I am very satisfied with the results from my in-camera meters.
Anyway, you should know the capabilities and - in particular - the limitations of your in-camera meters, but I agree that (semi-) spot metering in the camera is a blessing.

Best regards,
Uwe
 
Uwe, Payasam is Mukul. As for metering, we are limited by circumstance and cannot always do what we know to be best.
 
Though I Luuuv my M2 and consider it's one of the best camera ever, I think the MP is the best of the best, sir.
 
The one in your pocket.

In my case an M4-P. Has framelines for the 35 and 28, no meter to disturb me, easy loading and winding. Never thought to try anything else after I got mine.
 
Hi,

The best camera is of course the one you have in your bag. That one can take your pictures.
Actually I really like the Hexar RF. From a photographers point of view I think it outclasses any M.

Cheers,

Michiel Fokkema
 
rover said:
We all know the correct answer right?


MINE!!!!
Click to expand...

I'm with Rover on this one. I voted for the M6 because I HAVE one and use it almost every day.

How many who voted in this poll have actually used - not just handled, or seen - every camera on the list? Really? Really. That's what I thought.

How about even four of them? I'll bet there are at least a few pros and long-timers (I'm too old myself to refer to us as old-timers) who have actually used four different models of Leica.

Without this qualification, this poll is just for "what Leica do you have" - not even a polularity contest, much less a "which one is best".

just my 2c - John
 
If I average I get the M6. Bummed I can't vote for two- for I find it almost a tie between the 5 and the 7, but I went for the 7 if I have to pick one- the AP is the kicker. Electronics issues, yes, but after setting my ISO manually they have faded away. Shooting today with the M7 beside the Rollei 35SE. (My current kits are the Rollei & .72 M7 w/Hexanon 50- this for carrying daily, then the F2 bag with .58 M7 w/something wide- 25 or 28 or 35, and the M5 with the 50/2. This is mostly color neg, the daily bag b&w).

I find the shutter speed dial on the 5 & 7 vastly superior to the traditional tiny one, but that's my clunky fingers more than anything. Love the meter in the 5, the VF display as well. Love the handling of the M7 w/grip, and the quiet of it.
 
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