Is having 2 M bodies inevitable?

[JayTee705]

Hi RF fans

As the title suggests, is one not enough?

I'm preparing for a semi-committed move to RF photography and I've been doing my due diligence: I've broken out the developing gear and used it on Tri-X from my modern SLR; I've bought, used and sold a couple of fixed focal length RFs to see how I get on with the breed; I've used my Canon FD gear sans battery to see if I can live with Sunny 16 and/or Sekonic.

BUT...one thing I can't really envision is living with the various VF magnifications.

Assuming you expect to shoot as wide as 25 or 28 and as long as 75 or 90, can you really make do with just say the .72 middle VF? Or are you really going to need (or just want) two different VFs magnifications for that range of FLs?

My query here is separate from the issue of backup or, ahem, collecting. That is, I'm wondering if you buy differently knowing you'll eventually have two bodies vs. buying one to do all.

While I'm posting on the Leica forum, I'm not committed to any particular brand body. In terms of lenses, I would guess long term to want 28, 50, 35 and 75, although I would probably start out with just a fast 35 in the beginning.

Thanks in advance for your advice. I hope my question is clear!

 

[ferider]

Welcome to the forum, Jay.

There are different philosophies on this:

- some say walking around with more than one body marks you as a gear head.
- others use two bodies for different films.
- others use two bodies for different lenses/magnification.

Windogrand carried two identical cameras/lenses with different films.
HCB carried one camera only.


When traveling, and when I have time/am by myself, I only carry one
body, usually an M6.

But when I have to bring photos home, for the occasional event that
I shoot, I carry M3 and M6 with identical film and different lenses
(35 + 50, or 50 + 85, for instance). Just makes it faster, which helps
in portrait situations, for instance.

Some carry backup cameras, and I have done that, too - but never needed the
backup, really.

It depends much on the situation.

Roland.

 

[Never Satisfied]

Hi Jay, yes, owning at least two M bodies is inevitable, what you choose to carry from there is up to you. Andrew.

 

[Keith]

A lot of people here are going to ask ... "Why stop at two?" 😛

 

[Bill Blackwell]

It is completely up to you...

Some have two bodies for using two different film types, while others feel like they need a back-up (or two... or three...). I shot for years with one body and a 35mm lens. Then I became a gear junkie!

In any case, you can only shoot with one body at a time, which is all you should really need.

 

[cmogi10]

Usually when I'm not going out to specifically shoot I grab only one body,
When I have something in mind I often grab the M8 and the M6 with (used to be 28 and 90 combo) will be 35-75. I also shoot black and white film and color with the M8.
2 body+2 lens kit is perfect for almost every application. (My Opinion)

 

[peter_n]

BUT...one thing I can't really envision is living with the various VF magnifications.

Assuming you expect to shoot as wide as 25 or 28 and as long as 75 or 90, can you really make do with just say the .72 middle VF? Or are you really going to need (or just want) two different VFs magnifications for that range of FLs?

Welcome to the forum Jay! 🙂 Yes, you can do quite well with a 0.72x for all your focal lengths although you will need a separate VF for the 24/25 focal length. A 0.72x has framelines that will cover all the lenses in your long-term needs list, and it is a very practical and versatile body. I think most Ms that are sold these days are 0.72x as the 0.58 & 0.85 mag bodies are now obtainable only through the a la carte program.

I started with a 0.72x M6TTL and was perfectly happy with that for two years while I dorked around with various lenses trying to find out which ones I liked. Then disaster struck, I saw an ad over on photo.net for a 0.85x M7 being sold out of Australia at an unbelievable price and I pushed the button instantly. I loved the M7. About two months later, I saw a dealer ad on eBay for a new Passport 0.72x M7 at a very low price + a free Leicavit from Leica NJ so I bought that too. 😱 So now I have two of them with different viewfinder magnifications and love it! 😀 (I really do need the 0.85x, I have a Noctilux and a 90mm AA neither of which are easy to focus.)

I guess the bottom line is yes all you really need is a single 0.72x and as a relative RF newcomer it will serve you well and you'll be satisfied. But be warned you are on a slippery slope once you get the first one. I wouldn't say having two bodies is inevitable but it is highly likely... 😉

 

[BillBingham2]

If you are making money with your M, get a second, it's a must. If not it's a nice thing. I'm learning to live with a single Nikon S3 2000 body very well.

I have two Ms (M4-P and M6) but often carry a Bessa L as a second body. My 25 is LTM and the L is so light with it on. I did the same when I carried my Bessa T too.

When I had three lenses, one body was fine, two lenses were even easier. Moving up stream to four and it's harder.

B2 (;->

 

[waileong]

Two

Two

Two? Two is just the beginning.

 

[Ken Ford]

Back when I was working I used two or three bodies at a time, each with a different lens (nothing but primes back then) - one around the neck and one on each shoulder. Now that I only shoot for myself, I generally only have one body out and in use at a time - if I have a second body with me, it stays in the bag.

 

[Hilm3]

It is my fervent wish to inevitably get to two bodies. I've got rid of two, so I'm down to five (gave them to my kids). I am too emotionally attached to three of them, though - M5, F2AS, and Nikkormat Ftn. The M6 and FT 3 are next in line to go to my other kids.

My dad, though, is threatening to pass down his M3, M6, and his R9 gear. His eyesight is not good enough to focus with anymore, so he is using an autofocus something or other.

So collect those bodies! Your kids will need them sooner or later.

(Yes, they all get used regularly.)

Hil

 

[SolaresLarrave]

It's not absolutely necessary... it's indispensable to have two Leica M bodies. Why? Let me tell you the reasons:

Great machines,
Nobody cares,
You do,
Looks cool,
Only those "in-the-know" will understand you,
Great conversation pieces,
Excelent vehicles for different glass,
Chance to experiment with same subject & different film,
Makes you look professional,
Having two is twice the fun,
Help you in daily workout,
They're toys when you're bored in long flights/rides (provided you're not driving)

And so on...

I started with one, rapidly followed by another. I got in deep debt, but it was worth every minute and every penny. Right now, I have all the Leica gear I ever wanted, and I use it as often as I can.

 

[tedwhite]

When I was doing freelance PJ work using SLR's I often carried three bodies, all with the same film (TriX). but all with different lenses (28,50,135) so I wouldn't lose time changing lenses. But then I was trying to make money and didn't want to lose a shot. I used Pentax Spotmatics for 30 years and never once had a camera failure.

But that was then. Today I wander around with either a Yashica GSN (no lens choice there) or a Bessa R with the 35/2.5CS. In a pocket frequently resides a Canon 50/1.8 for the Bessa.

If I had a Leica M it would probably be the M4-P or an M6 because they have more frame lines than an M3. But one body would be enough as I wouldn't worry about camera failure.

Ted

 

[Tom A]

As Keith says, why stop at two! There are days when I wish I had stopped at two only. It is probably a throwback to having worked for papers and magazines that still "foces" me to carry at least two, usually one with a 35 and the second with a wider lens (21/25). If I am travelling, I add a third body and most likely a 50/75 or 50/90 combination. They are usually M's, either M2's or M2/M6 combinations. The M6's are all 0,58's with one exception, a 0.85 and the M2's are of course 0.72's. Lately I have been dedicating a Bessa R4M as my wide body (no external finder) with the M2/M6 kit.
I hate changing lenses as experience has shown me that most disasters happen when you are trying to balance 2 lenses and a body at the same time! The second body also extends the film from 36 to 72 frames as you can be sure that whatever you are shooting is going to get interesting just when you come to the end of the roll on camera 1!

 

[windraider]

Actually you only need 1 camera body - even if you're a professional making a living (unless you're shooting in different film formats).
Framelines, viewfinder magnification and handling qualities pose no real barrier in making images - that's what acessories are for.
It is mixing with other people with more than 1 camera and visiting photography websites/forums (like this one) that influence you to hoard 🙂.

I should know - I've lived with 1 camera with a fixed lense for 20yrs until I went on the internet.

 

[pvdhaar]

If you're doing this only for yourself, and not to make a living, then I'd say:

One body, one lens, one film.

That's all it takes to make great pictures.. the rest is fluff.

 

[Doug]

I think there's adequate reason for a second body similar to the first. One body might be lost/stolen, jammed, dropped, broken, in for repair, and the other can fill in. Also of course Tom A's and other stated reasons! Once you discover a favorite rig, go out an get another one like it. It might have a different color finish or leather, different VF magnification or frameline selection, but those differences can be useful in differentiating the two also.

Somehow my cameras seem to go in pairs, like the critters on Noah's Ark... 😀

 

[HuubL]

Somehow my cameras seem to go in pairs, like the critters on Noah's Ark... 😀

I tried that with my two M4s, and it works. They got a beauty of an M2 🙂

 

[pvdhaar]

I think there's adequate reason for a second body similar to the first. One body might be lost/stolen, jammed, dropped, broken, in for repair, and the other can fill in.

The first one being in repair is the very reason I have two RFs.

Wouldn't have got a second one if the first one hadn't been in for a fix. I still think that honing your skills with a single body/lens combination is a great thing.. especially when it comes to RFs..

 

[alexz]

My take on the issue is:
1. For an everyday workaround, to/from work, shopping, strooling with my children, family events - one body and most certanily one lens (50mm). Eventially it became M3.
2. When on deliberate street session expecting for a diversity of shooting opportunities - two bodies, usually M6 + 50mm, M3 + 90mm. Both across my chest, one (usually that with 50mm) held in my hand ready for a shoot.

Sometimes, when I expect using in-camera metering or when conditions require (aimed for style to suit the happening around) - M6 with 50mm.

Vey often, when with single camera I constantly use a sling (Leicagoodies), I have two for both of my Ms. WHen in teh mood, chasing aruond (streets, events), I found this is near ideal solution helping to keep teh camera ready in the hand securely with no fear to drop it accidently. Besides, sling allows quite convenient fingers layout aimed to insatnt shooting.