Leica M2 M3 or M6?

[flipflop]

Hi,
Just wondering what camera you would choose and why? Also, if you could post reasonable prices for each of these cameras.....thanks

 

[Crasis]

Leica M2 if you want to shoot without a meter, with a reliable old codger. Wonderful cameras that go for 600+ depending on condition which could drop it below 500. Will work with all Leica M lenses, etc. It has a 0.72x viewfinder similar to the M6

Leica M3 if you want to shoot without a meter, with longer lenses than 50 as it has a magnification of somewhere around 0.91x. This means it will be more accurate for longer lenses but precludes using 35mm and below. About the same prices as the M2.

Leica M6 if you want a semi new, metered Leica camera. They come in 0.58x, 0.72x and 0.85x so you have a choice of the magnification you want. These go for 1000+.

 

[nrj]

I used all three, and still use M6. I liked the uncluttered framelines of the M2, but the meter in the M6 makes for quick shooting and its very good, plus I'm completely at home with the framelines too.

Nik

 

[Wayne R. Scott]

I bought an M2 for the 35mm frame lines, so M2 is the correct answer. I think it was a hair over $500 from a rff member. It is a user condition one, not a shelf queen.

Wayne

 

[FrankS]

Get all 3! 🙂

 

[flipflop]

I wish..considering selling my Contax G system to get a M+35mm or 50mm lens

 

[ffttklackdedeng]

Of course M2! 😉

M2 or M3 because of the elegance of the body. M3 for the 50-style-people, M2 for the 35-style ones and the ones that don't know yet whether they are 50 or 35

M6 because it is a workhorse and the build in meter means a shorter learning curve.

 

[flipflop]

Yeah I want the M6 because of the meter but the price difference. Also, it seems as though the older leicas were made better?

How much can I get a leica 35mm for?

 

[richard_l]

My choice is the M2. It's like an M3 with the 'correct' framelines.

Richard

 

[jmi]

I wish..considering selling my Contax G system to get a M+35mm or 50mm lens

Just did that! M3+50mm cron instead with a little cash left over for a 21mm or 90mm. I really like the leica finder and the lack of noise - makes the G seem very loud by comparison.

 

[flipflop]

Basically, the only Leica I have seen in person and looked through the viewfinders of are the m5 m6 and CL. I am wondering if a m2 finder will be as bright as a m6 finder?
THanks!

 

[flipflop]

jmi.
Do you miss the meter and AF?

 

[richard_l]

Yeah I want the M6 because of the meter but the price difference. Also, it seems as though the older leicas were made better?

How much can I get a leica 35mm for?

I'm not sure the older Leicas were made better in terms of reliability and longevity; they just have more nice touches, like the engraved top plate and buttery smooth controls. Somehow the meter in the M6 seems like an alien implant. It's an all-mechanical camera (M4-P) with an electronic gadget shoehorned in. Otherwise, it is a fine camera with an excellent meter. I think it will prove to be as mechanically reliable as the older Leicas.

Get a 35mm Summaron. The prices are going up as more people are recognizing their excellence. My Summarons are so good that I have absolutely no interest in the Summicrons. I paid around $400 for my almost pristine f/2.8 Summaron with goggles, but that was a few years ago.

Richard

 

[richard_l]

...I am wondering if a m2 finder will be as bright as a m6 finder?...

As far as I can tell, my M2 and M6 have equally bright viewfinders. However, my M6 rangefinder patch will sometimes flare, but my M2 never has. The M2 finder is less cluttered, of course.

Richard

 

[dcsang]

My "ideal" Leica would be the magnification and build quality of the M3, the mechanics and framelines of the M2 with the metering and auto-exposure of my M7.

So when you ask which of M3, M2, M6.. I'd say "buy all of them" 😀

Dave

 

[sebastel]

if money matters, i'd also count in the M4, M4-2 and M4-P. recently i saw more reasonably priced M4 than ever before ... i was even tempted to sell my M6 and get an M4 instead.

it all depends. i think, you should think about the viewfinder resolution you want to get, and then go for either

M3 or M6 (0.86) if you prefer 50mm and longer

or

M2, M4 or M6 (0.72) if you are the 35mm user or undecided

or

M6 (0.58) if you like wide angle or wear heavy glasses.


up to you.
as far as i can tell, you won't go wrong with any.
please keep in mind, any used M might need CLA.

cheers
sebastian

 

[like2fiddle]

I've never looked back since buying my M2 "user" from a photographer gone digital. I'm keeping my eyes and ears open for another and would buy one for back-up today if the price was right. I considered the M3 and M4, but I like the 35 mm view and can't imagine shooting any longer than 90 with a rangefinder anyway. M4 still just a little too popular to come into a price I was willing to pay. My M2 came with an added crank so I don't have to deal with the knob. I would probably add that to my next M2 if it doesn't come with one already added.
Roger

 

[ray_g]

Personally, I prefer the M2. I really depends on how you shoot. I prefer to use a handheld meter when I need to. I like it that my speed and aperture are set, and my 35mm lens has been prefocused when I bring the camera up to my eye, and all I have to do is fire the shutter. You can do this with the M6, but the led lights distract me. So do the framelines. And the patch flare.

The M2's brass wears better than the zinc of the m6. In my samples, which have both been CLA'd, the winding, shutter and shutter release of the M2 are also smoother.

If you mostly use 50mm, the M3 is hard to beat. If not, then the M3 is the "must" for a second body.

If you absolutely need a meter, then the M6 is obviously the answer. If not, then I would get a good user M2 and put the difference towards the glass.

 

[photocrazy]

it's really difficult to choose from them. TTL metering is a very convenient function for Leica M series, especially if you mainly shoot slides. But the craftsmanship and smoothness of operation of M3 and M2 are unbeatable. I particularly like M3's viewfinder as I shoot with 135mm quite often. I can also use goggled wide-angle lenses. M2 is really a beautiful camera even more so than M3 and I find the manual film counting dial very appealing.

 

[5nap5hot]

I am planning to use a CV Nokton 1.4/40 ...cuz i want something for low-light/street...and cuz i am blowing the budget on the body itself