M2 or M6 for next purchase?

M2 or M6 for next purchase?

  • M2 - built to last a lifetime

    Votes: 177 46.1%

  • M6 - meter and 28mm framelines are a bonus

    Votes: 183 47.7%

  • Neither - and let me explain why!

    Votes: 24 6.3%
  • Total voters
    384
Congratulations, Honus! It makes perfect sense. You will find yourself, maybe, just maybe wanting an M6, but much longer now than if you had gotten the M6 first, wanting then an M2. Trust me.
 
Great choice! I got the M6 first, then the M2. The M2 is my favorite. It's about as close to perfection as I can imagine a rangefinder to be.
 
This is an OLD thread. Robert has already bought the M2. There's no need to continue to vote! Move along, there's nothing to see here.
 
Honus said:
The Winner: .... M2

My mind said M6, but my heart said M2. After using my IIIc, I realized that I don't need a meter, but my eyes could sure use a better viewfinder/rangefinder. I found a listing on the evil auction site that literally spoke to me: a neat and tidy M2 with a recent CLA; seller with a perfect record. I am really, really excited.

Of course, about an hour before the auction ended, with me out in front, my spousal unit reminds me about a number of financial matters and asks me to cool it (i.e., control the GAS) for a while. I didn't have the heart to tell her that very soon she is going to be very pissed at me 🙂

Did I mention that I am really, really excited?
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honus, i am so very happy for you, you have made a fine selection. I, too, was a barnack man, and I had a M6 just over 4 years ago which didn't like as much as my M3 which i inherited from my grossvater. I had a M5 and then earlier this year sold it, and bought a user M2 like yours. The M3 and M2 are only leitz M bodies I have kept over the time; they are such good, dependable tools. i hope you will delight in using that M2 as much as I do using mine! try using the whole VF for 28 and even 25 lenses; it is a great, uncluttered vf compared to the m6.

i also can relate to the spousal situation you described with regard to fiscal matters. last week, i made a ZI purchase ..... so i am sure i'll get the questions, "what is popflash? who is stephen gandy?" can you relate?
 
FrankS said:
This is an OLD thread. Robert has already bought the M2. There's no need to continue to vote! Move along, there's nothing to see here.
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But if we outvote him now, does he have to take it back? 😉 I know he's had it a couple of years now, but still...

...Mike
 
I'd think the sweet spot would be an M4. Has the best of both worlds..

1. Rewind lever instead of knob
2. Quick load built-in standard
3. 35/50/90/135mm frames
4. Priced more like an M2 than an M6
 
pvdhaar said:
I'd think the sweet spot would be an M4. Has the best of both worlds..

1. Rewind lever instead of knob
2. Quick load built-in standard
3. 35/50/90/135mm frames
4. Priced more like an M2 than an M6
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Based on my recent transactions, I'm not sure the M4 will be any cheaper than an M6, but otherwise I agree and would add:

5. Flare-free finder optics
6. More accurate framelines vs. M4-P and later M bodies
 
Honus, I would get the M2. Coming from the IIIc you would feel right at home with it and the loading, though not as "convinient" as the M6 is MUCH easier!
The fact that you use the 35 as your prime lens is the deciding factor. The frames on the M2 are perfect. On the M6 they are cluttered and you have the diodes flicking on and off and that is distracting. As for the quick load, I never bothered with it and I found it more trouble than it is worth (but always carry an extra take up spool).
You can always use the full window on the M2 as a guide for the 28 (or even the 25). It is not perfect, but then rangefinders were never meant to be Nikon F like 100% precise view. On the M6 the 28 frame is a bit of an unknown quantity if you wear glasses anyway. The only decent 28 view M is the 0.58 MP/M6TTL but they are more money. Buy the M2 and spend the balance on lots of film instead.
 
Honus, you answered your own question when you said the built-in meter and 28mm frameline make a difference for you. An M6 is in your future! It will cost over $1000, but with some patient shopping, not too much more.

Oh, but do be aware that the 50mm frameline is way too small on the M6. It covers the same as a 60mm lens! If that's important, get the M2. I shoot my 50 on my M2 for that reason. Or else I use a separate 50mm finder. Or else I shoot the 50 on my IIIc. (See photo at left).
 
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I was in the exact same situation a couple of months ago. Chose the M2, never looked back.

Personally I preferred the advance lever and the uncluttered VF. I saw the lack of meter as a drawback but after using it with the sunny f16 rule + a meter, I now think it's a plus rather than a minus.

Plus, you'll be owning a piece of history as well 😉 (ok that's not so relevant).
 
nightlight said:
I was in the exact same situation a couple of months ago. Chose the M2, never looked back.

Personally I preferred the advance lever and the uncluttered VF. I saw the lack of meter as a drawback but after using it with the sunny f16 rule + a meter, I now think it's a plus rather than a minus.

Plus, you'll be owning a piece of history as well 😉 (ok that's not so relevant).
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Uh Yeah!
Like whut he sed!

I have a M2 and a M4-P. They both work very well. The M2 is just as good as the M4-P and neither have been CLA'd in 20 years, and they both get used often.

I must say that with the M2 I'm a little careful, much more than with the M4-P, I suspect I'd toss a M6 around a bit too.

So, with the M6 you have a light meter and some more frame lines. The M2's big advantage is ..... it doesn't.
 
Please buy an M2......

Please buy an M2......

If you know Basic Daylight Exposure you only need the meter for interior/low light work. I went from from M6 TTL to M2 for use w/ my 35mm. I love the M2 so much I sold the M6 and put the money toward an MP (0.85) for use w/ longer lenses. My M2 is a tank....great viewfinder, sharp, never flares....lovely shutter release....the rewind knob is a joy compared to that cheap angled deal. And I actually like the manual film counter. The only thing I want is a quick reload kit for that camera.
 
My experience with meters over nearly five decades, both seperate and built in, is that they never seem to last five years without needing some sort of repair, or even outright replacement. This goes for Leicaflexes, various Leica R models, the Leica CL, the Metrawatt made MC and MR meters for Leica M's and assorted Gossen and Weston meters I've had over the years. At least with a seperate meter you can continue to use your camera while the meter gets repaired, or start using your camera with a newer better meter. I prefer incident readings anyway.
 
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