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
If anyone is so klutzy or impatient that they need a quickload for a camera as simple to load as the M2, then I should think they would be happier with a fully automatic camera with autoload than with a slow-poke manual rangefinder. Get a Nikon F100 and fire away like gangbusters. 😀
 
M6 gets my vote. I've yet to hold a Leica I didn't like, although I've not held an M2. But for the bonus features you mention, the meter and the 28 framelines, I'm throwing in with the M6. You can still use a handheld meter if that's important to you. M6's seem to always be up for sale, but I've yet to see one where the asking prices was less than $1.2k

Otherwise, I agree: look for an M4-P. With an M4-P you've half those bonus features. I really like mine. I agree with the comments about "seeing" light, and being more concerned about light, when you don't have an on-board meter. I'm constantly "checking" light when I carry a meter, even when I've no intention on shooting (drives the wife crazy—hehe).

I find I tend to go more with incident readings when I'm not using a ttl/ae meter. Anyone else?



😛
 
richard_l said:
If anyone is so klutzy or impatient that they need a quickload for a camera as simple to load as the M2, then I should think they would be happier with a fully automatic camera with autoload than with a slow-poke manual rangefinder. Get a Nikon F100 and fire away like gangbusters. 😀
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My M2 doesn't have a quickload. I'm pretty quick with loading the M2, but the M6 is quicker, and sometimes that's the difference between getting a shot or not. The quickload just makes it that much quicker.

One time, in a ten thumb moment I dropped the spool into a grate :bang: . Thank god the local shop generally has 2-3 spares for sale.
 
RayPA said:
I find I tend to go more with incident readings when I'm not using a ttl/ae meter. Anyone else?
😛
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I almost always use incident readings. I find that it's more easy to notice when the light changes when I'm not metering ttl all the time.
 
thpook said:
One time, in a ten thumb moment I dropped the spool into a grate :bang: . Thank god the local shop generally has 2-3 spares for sale.
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Another advantage of the M6. It's okay to change film over a grate. (Juat don't drop the film into the grate, unless you have a long stick, a piece of chewing gum, and good light (and no pool of water down in whatever the grate is covering).
 
RayPA said:
I find I tend to go more with incident readings when I'm not using a ttl/ae meter. Anyone else?



😛
Click to expand...

I'm using incident metering almost exclusively - until I'm good enough by eye. I also find myself metering constantly throughout the day so I can get a feel for changing lighting conditions.
 
I always incline to the newest body, so I would say get the M6. Conspicuity must be in the eye of the beholder, to me the brand name and red dot are about as conspicuous as my Canonet, silver or black also - it doesn't seem to make any difference.

The M6 is a modern all-mechanical cam with a very accurate light meter. Perfect. 🙂

 
RayPA said:
(cut)

I find I tend to go more with incident readings when I'm not using a ttl/ae meter. Anyone else?
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Same here. I just took some shots this weekend with the M4-P using a Sekonic 358 as my walking around meter.
 
Thanks to all for your input. Exactly what I was looking for. Reading through the thread, I only changed my mind 12 times. And of course, rather than parsing the list to one camera, I have added a third (M4-P). I think in the end, I will go with JJA and Frank, and let the camera choose me.

In the meantime, to fight off the GAS, I just bought a collapsible summicron on eBeware for $111. If it comes in as advertised, it's a steal. Can't wait to use it on the IIIc.
 
Honus said:
Thanks to all for your input. Exactly what I was looking for. Reading through the thread, I only changed my mind 12 times. And of course, rather than parsing the list to one camera, I have added a third (M4-P). I think in the end, I will go with JJA and Frank, and let the camera choose me.

In the meantime, to fight off the GAS, I just bought a collapsible summicron on eBeware for $111. If it comes in as advertised, it's a steal. Can't wait to use it on the IIIc.
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Okay, I take it your list is M2, M6, and M4-P. Now you might as well tack on the M4-2 and the M4. The M4-2 will likely be cheaper than the M4-P, and the M4 will be more expensive.

BTW, the M4-P has the same framelines as the M6. All the other models include at least the framelines of the M2. The M4-2 may well be the sleeper of the bunch, except that I think people are finally realizing that it can be a real bargain. I rarely see them for sale nowadays.

Glad to be able to simplify things for you. 😀 Congratulations on the Summicron.

Richard
 
just a heads up.. an M6 (classic, I'm guessing) just popped up on the p.net classifieds.. asking $1050

no idea who the seller is, so you're on your own.. but that's a very good price (while not being TOO good of a price, if you know what I mean)
 
For me was hard to choose, M2, M3, the Bessas a P... they are all great cameras, the M2 is a classic and it will need a Clad, also a meter but you are used to your old IIIc.
The M6 feels very simillar to my IIIb, the viewfinder is incredibly better on the M6, if it`s not TTL it's a fully manual camera you can use without batteries. I agree it's a matter of style, I'm very happy with mine.
 
Brett - thanks for the heads up on the M6. I couldn't find the listing, but I may have not been looking in the right place. I am certainly a hard lean towards the M6 right now. My IIIc gives me a great all-manual experience, so having an M body with built-in meter and framelines for my favorite focal lengths (28, 35, 50, 75) seems like the way to go.

Matu - Your M6/IIIb combo sounds sweet.
 
I'm not finding now, either.. most likely the camera already sold and the seller deleted the ad.. I knew it wouldn't take long for someone to grab it
 
Brett,

Yes, I see it too. Just after I told my wife I would cool it for 30 days...

My screw mount Summicron arrived on Friday, however, and it is a cracker. I'll post some pics later.
 
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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