Leica M2,M6 or M8

[Range-rover]

Hi all,

I'm a bit confused I purchased a m2 in really nice shape, but all
of the sudden I find a M6 and M8 at a price's a little more than the M2
I purchased. Here's the thing where I live I can't even get a roll of film
processed without getting into a car and ride for a half a hour to a hour,
or get the M8 and just download it into my computer. It's just that I really
like the Leica film cameras, Help! Oh, the M8 only has 7000 shots on it.:bang:

 

[Ccoppola82]

Keep the M2, save a little more and grab an m240.

 

[Mark C]

The M8 is still a nice camera if you don't mind the crop factor; I do mind.

M2 is a highly regarded classic. Values certainly weren't hurt by the very long M2 worship thread here where Tom A was very active. I had my M2 serviced after 20 or more years and was stunned how slick it is. Sometimes I think it is not loaded right because the advance is so effortless. Shutter release is as good as it gets.

M6 is probably the most popular because of the meter. A great camera but not the incredible craftsmanship of the M2, 3, 4. Ditto plus the M8.

Can you develop and scan? C41 and b&w are easy and cheap. The pleasure of using these classics doesn't go away, and you are off the upgrade escalator.

 

[helen.HH]

Hey B,

are You tired of your Fuji... ?

If You want to develop and scan
Which really is easy
Stick to one type of film, do a 1;4 ratio ,maybe 8-10 minutes developing, rinsing, 5 minutes fixer, rinsing , hang dry... YAY
Plustek scanner maybe half hour to scan 36 exposures
Done

If not in your Horizon
M8 is quite cool
Figure your favorite focal length / adjust to crop factor
Your only worries, if Sensor problems , not sure if they have ‘new’ M8 sensors

 

[presspass]

That's like asking if you should buy a pickup, a station wagon, or a sports car. If you're going to shoot film and need a built-in meter, the M6. If you're going to shoot film and don't need a built-in meter, the M2. If you want digital and don't mind the crop factor, the M8. Just don't buy the Miata and then complain when it won't haul a cord of firewood.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Home develop and scan is not difficult.
Leica M8 is nice camera with 1.33 image crop and not available screens as parts anymore.
They might have shutter for spare still. If you like tele effect, M8 is good. If you like wide lenses, M8 sucks.

I didn't know M2 could be this expensive.

 

[Out to Lunch]

Just get an Epson, at least the sensor will not rot on you.

 

[Huss]

That's like asking if you should buy a pickup, a station wagon, or a sports car. .

M8 = Italian sports car. Like an old Alfa Spyder that is great when it runs but has serious quirks - body rot, failing 2nd gear synchro, long arms short legs driving position..

I would not touch an M8. Or M9 for that matter. If you are thinking digital, M240 is really cheap now (considering) and rock solid.

 

[Emile de Leon]

M2..gettin pretty old now..
M6..old...lol..
M8..old...unrepairable..
Get something newer and you wont have to buy 2 x's...or repair..

 

[Huss]

Developing is super easy with Cinestill DF96 Monobath. One liquid for everything, no dilution required. $20 bottle for 18 rolls of film.

 

[Range-rover]

The M8 is still a nice camera if you don't mind the crop factor; I do mind.

M2 is a highly regarded classic. Values certainly weren't hurt by the very long M2 worship thread here where Tom A was very active. I had my M2 serviced after 20 or more years and was stunned how slick it is. Sometimes I think it is not loaded right because the advance is so effortless. Shutter release is as good as it gets.

M6 is probably the most popular because of the meter. A great camera but not the incredible craftsmanship of the M2, 3, 4. Ditto plus the M8.

Can you develop and scan? C41 and b&w are easy and cheap. The pleasure of using these classics doesn't go away, and you are off the upgrade escalator.

I can't develope, but I could scan.

 

[kshapero]

Sounds like Digital is a must. So get a Pany Gx8 or a Fuji XPro2 then when you can afford it, at least get a Leica M9 with a new sensor or better.

 

[Ricoh]

Hey B,

If You want to develop and scan
Which really is easy
Stick to one type of film, do a 1;4 ratio ,maybe 8-10 minutes developing, rinsing, 5 minutes fixer, rinsing , hang dry... YAY
Plustek scanner maybe half hour to scan 36 exposures
Done

If not in your Horizon
M8 is quite cool
Figure your favorite focal length / adjust to crop factor
Your only worries, if Sensor problems , not sure if they have ‘new’ M8 sensors

It takes me ages to scan a roll of 36 using the Plustek, about 2 hours assuming fatigue hasn’t got the better of me (for the sake of calcs I’m saying 3 mins per neg, on average, but could be longer due to negative shuffling, dusting, carrier alignment etc.

 

[raid]

Listen to all posts above, and get all 3 cameras!
Not really 🙂

1. decide between film or digital
2. if your choice is a film camera, do you need to have a built-in meter: get the M6. Else, get the M2.
3. if your choice is a digital Leica: what is your budget? The M8 is a nice (older) camera for portraits.

Good luck with your choices.

 

[Range-rover]

The one thing about the M6 is the rangefinder as well, I wear glasses and when I
shift my eye's to the left or right it whites out unless my eye is perfectly in the
center which drove me a bit nuts. The M2 doesn't do that it's clear either side.

 

[retinax]

I can't develope, but I could scan.

Why not? Btw you can also mail film to be developed, no need to drive it to the lab yourself.

 

[Range-rover]

Listen to all posts above, and get all 3 cameras!
Not really 🙂

1. decide between film or digital
2. if your choice is a film camera, do you need to have a built-in meter: get the M6. Else, get the M2.
3. if your choice is a digital Leica: what is your budget? The M8 is a nice (older) camera for portraits.

Good luck with your choices.

I have the M2 already and it's pretty nice.

 

[Range-rover]

Hey B,

are You tired of your Fuji...

If You want to develop and scan
Which really is easy
Stick to one type of film, do a 1;4 ratio ,maybe 8-10 minutes developing, rinsing, 5 minutes fixer, rinsing , hang dry... YAY
Plustek scanner maybe half hour to scan 36 exposures
Done

If not in your Horizon
M8 is quite cool
Figure your favorite focal length / adjust to crop factor
Your only worries, if Sensor problems , not sure if they have ‘new’ M8 sensors

Helen, I still love that fuji it's a great camera, but that Leica. I had a dream a few weeks ago and I was taking portraits and I went into my bag and
pulled out a Leica M6. 😱

 

[helen.HH]

Ok , new thought

keep M2, be happy in leica Land / though i really think You are over Film
get a Ricoh GRIII, 24 mp, easy to carry, no need to focus, excellent IQ and FUN
save up for an M240 ( used 2200-2600.00) Yum

 

[kshapero]

Ok , new thought

keep M2, be happy in leica Land / though i really think You are over Film
get a Ricoh GRIII, 24 mp, easy to carry, no need to focus, excellent IQ and FUN
save up for an M240 ( used 2200-2600.00) Yum

Hadn't thought of that, the Ricoh GRIII, then go Leica Digital M style, budget permitting.