Do we really need a Preview Lever on an M body?

Definitely a case of different strokes for different folks...personally I don't use the frame selector too often but might consider having it removed if/when any of my M's need new leather.
Here is a link to Ralph Gibson's site with a nice pict of his boutique MP
http://ralphgibson.myshopify.com/
 
in purchasing a m-camera, we use the frame- select lever to check the frame lines, instead of bringing several lens nor triggering the inner spring.
 
I own only a 28mm lens now. But I check already today, how my future 50mm frame could look like, in some shot situations, using the frame lever.

Glenn2 said:
Very useful, it lets you preview framing without going to the bother of digging out the other lens and mounting it... ...I wonder if Leica will ever go to digital framing like the X-100? It would enable them to just project the frame for a mounted lens rather than a clutter. I think it's for this reason that the M2 finder is so popular. Once you've gone digital it opens up the possibility of using a zoom lens on a rangefinder, if the lens communicates with the body. Perhaps it will be a feature released with the M11...
Click to expand...

You don't need digital for a wysiwyg view finder. Every analog zoom compact has a zoom viewfinder which frames automatically as you zoom in. And the Contax G1/2 don't select a frame with the lens, but the zoom to the correct viewfinder ratio.
 
I could easily lose the preview lever on my M4 (it just gets in the way), but self-timer must stay. :) ST is great for family shots, plus it yields 2sec shutter speed with shutter dial on bulb.
 
I can't speak for the ST of other M and LTM bodies, but the M4 works as follows: arm ST by turning it downward, set B on shutter speed dial, hit ST button. After some buzzing, shutter opens, then closes two seconds later. ST buzzing concludes shortly thereafter. A fun trick not mentioned in the M4 manual, and one that will surely change your life. :)
 
I do find the frame selector lever useful. I will use it to determine what lens or lenses I will use for a particular subject I am shooting. Better than SLRs in this regard, where it's trial and error, taking lenses on and off.
 
I never change lens on my M4-P.
When I had to, it'd be switching to another 35mm lens, so the frameline preview lever is definitely useless for me.

Roland, did you send your M3 out to get its 'appendix' removed?
 
I found the preview lever to be very handy just a few days back. It saved me from purchasing a 28mm lens! 35mm is fine for me :)
 
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