Leica M4-P or G2 ?

[mrisney]

I have spent a good amount of 2009, pretty much in love with my Mamiya 6.
My trusty old Leica M4-P has gotten less use, as 120 Portra 160NC shot with
my Mamiya 75mm pretty much does everything I need for film.

I have heard about the G2, and have an opportunity to do a swap, having never been
able to purchase Elmarit's or Summilux'es, I have been making do with a Cosina Voigtlaner
40mm MC 1.4 (great fast lens!), and 90mm Summicron Canadian 55 lens.

My old M4-P is very nice, and I enjoy it, but the Mamiya 6 does rangefinder photography better IMO

So it's at the end of a year, end of a decade. My M4-P has been a good old friend for years, never failed me
but I cannot afford German Leica lenses. Money is an issue, I can't keep both.

So if you had to do an almost Sophie's choice, between M4-P with 2 bargain M lenses.
And a G2 black kit with all 3 lenses and a TLA 280 Flash, with the smart aluminium Contax case,
what would you choose ?

The answer seems slightly towards the G2. But I must say the all mechanical M4-P and the emotional attachment I have
is something to consider. But then again, as mentioned the Mamiya 6 has been the love of my life this past year.

 

[35mmdelux]

Get the G2 kit. [While the My6 is a great camera its a slow f/4.0 so in reality it cannot do handheld lowlight.]

 

[maddoc]

Well if the Mamiya 6 does everything well for you and the M4-P is your old trusty companion, why change ? Never change a running system... Some of the Contax glass is good, exceptional good, but I am not so sure about the reliability of the G2. Also, basically, you would invest into a dead system ... Your M4-P can be serviced by everybody who knows how to service a camera but the G2 ?

The lenses that you have are two great performers and should cover 90% of what can be done with a 35mm rangefinder camera.

 

[ReeRay]

G2 - I did

 

[Roger Vadim]

The G2 is a sweet little camera, and the esp the 45mm is great. BUT: the viewfinder is tiny and because of the AF (which works alright) it feel to me at least more like a point n shoot. its a great carry everywhere camera, really sharp results (I think your summicron 90mm is as good as the Zeiss 90mm, the 45mm is a stunner, the 35 mm is good, but so is your 40mm - might be even better...).

For me, the framing is really tricky. but for happy snapping with gorgeous results it is great. I see it as a "special purpose camera" 😉

Definitely get your hands on a G2 before you do the swap. The M4 and the G2 are entirely different beasts...

stupid sidenote: and the G2 is not made in Germany, neither are the lenses 🙂

 

[photo4ls]

Also, basically, you would invest into a dead system ... Your M4-P can be serviced by everybody who knows how to service a camera but the G2 ?
Per "maddoc"
This statement makes the most practical sense to me. You can always sell a Leica and not lost so much, may be a little harder w/the G2.
Keep the M4-P 😉
Nelson

 

[fbf]

The VF on G2 is a turnoff. If you have no problem with it, the G system is as good as it gets, particularly all the lenses. If they make leica M mount, I don't mind switching all my leica lenses to the G lenses.

 

[splitimageview]

Actually the G2 holds value well, if you keep it in the same condition as when you bought it, you can sell it and get your money back, just as with Leica.

I've used many Leicas and owned a couple of G1s and now a G2, I much prefer to use the G2. It's far easier loading. Not as bright a viewfinder but bright enough, and uncluttered. Not as quiet but quiet enough. They are very well-built reliable cameras if given reasonable care, and can still be serviced for a decent price by Tocad.

But the best reason to use a G2 are the superb lenses which are bargains, as good or better than any others. Some shrewd buying can result in acquiring them for less than the price of some Leica hoods. 🙂 I'd skip the black versions to save money.

 

[filmfan]

M4-P easily.. or if money is a problem, sell the m4-p and just use the Mamiya 6. You can also pick up a hexar af for around $350 with a lens as good as the leica summicron already attached for you. great way to free up cash, keep a 35mm rangefinder (hexar af = bettet than G2 if you are okay with just one lens), and still have the Mamiya 6 to use... this sounds easy

 

[literiter]

Keep the Leica.

 

[BillBingham2]

If the Mamiya 6 is doing everything you need what's the rush to change? Yes, while you do not have what you might call the ultimate lenses for the M4-P, the ones you do have work very well. I found that I preferred other lenses to my Leica glass. Lots of folks LOVE ZM glass, others Nikkors, all of which are less than glass from Solms and in many cases every bit as good.

My concern about the G2 was stated earlier, long term repair. Same as I have for many electronic cameras. If you really need to sell the M4-P, flip her for a wide M6 lens and say a tele for your C220. MF quite frankly rocks in so many ways.

B2 (;->

 

[bwcolor]

Well, if you decide on a G2, let me know. I have a little used G2, three lenses and flash with boxes, etc. I've got lots of equipment intended for sale, a few systems, but never get around to selling anything. Have a couple of Mamiya 7's and love the cameras. The advantage of the G2 is the ability to shoot moving subjects. The advantage of the M is purely mechanical. I'm not good with keeping the sun off the cloth shutter curtain, so I usually accept more noise vs. me being more careful. So, I shoot G2/Ikon. I started out wanting to buy an M9, but instead spent over 12K on going back to film and my wife insists that I sell cameras to fund. Selling my 1DMKIII..when I get around to it. You are asking about two very different cameras. I will eventually replace the G2 with a compact large sensor camera... when one that I like actually appears on the market.

 

[ferider]

M4P + 40/1.4 and 90/2 is as good as it gets. Forget other lenses. Put some Neopan 1600 in, take it for a beer, and it will remind you what you cann't do with your Mamiya. Or a G2 for that matter 🙂

 

[splitimageview]

A fine choice. 🙂 You won't miss what you can't do with the Mamiya or the G2.

On the other hand, if you take a G2 and 35/2, you won't miss what you can't do with the M4-P. 🙂

 

[ferider]

That took me a second, Robert 🙂 Merry Christmas.

 

[Astigmat]

A fine choice. 🙂 You won't miss what you can't do with the Mamiya or the G2.

On the other hand, if you take a G2 and 35/2, you won't miss what you can't do with the M4-P. 🙂

I agree. Take a G2 and the 35/2, 45/2 (a truly great lens) and the 90/2.8 and you just might forget you owned a Leica.

Astigmat

 

[uhligfd]

Don't get the G2; everyone advises against it, it is a steep learning curve to get used to AF and AE. The lenses screw in sort of funny, the Contax gear (viewfinder ) is maligned. It is too modern, though ten years old by now ...

Why would you want to mess up your karma now, getting the best there is when you can stay with the Leica and be happy mainstream. You do not really care about the pictures the G2 might make you take after that year of dedicated relearning etc and all its pains, do you?

The G2 is only for those who can appreciate it and are willing to go onto the photo trip of their lives. Just forget the G2 with a Biogon 21 mm in front! 40 mm is wide enough anyway ....

 

[Cron]

go for the G2!
Reliable little camera with excellent lenses. If the normal set up with 28, 45, 90 is in the metal case you can't go wrong with quality. Some people say the (not included) Planar 2/35 is not as good as the other lenses of the G-system because of being not so sharp but I like this lens also giving not so much contrast and therefore pictures don't look harsh to me. Also a very nice optic.

 

[Roger Hicks]

If you want an out-of-production autofocus camera with a unique lens fitting the G2 is the easy winner. Personally I'd go for the Leica.

Cheers,

R.

 

[BillBingham2]

.....The advantage of the G2 is the ability to shoot moving subjects.....

That's funny, I shot runners in Central Park during the Marathon for years, Rockers jumping and moving for years with my M4-P and never had a problem.:bang::bang::bang::bang::bang:

Other than battery dependence and autofocus what was I missing?😱😱😱

OK, so I did not have either of my beloved Rapid Winders at the time, yeah, that's what I was missing!🙄

B2 (;->