M2vsM3vsM4; Which one would you keep?

[Kozhe]

Hi everybody,

wellcome you all to the definitive old-M thread 🙂 So I have three old Ms and I can´t stand having this three gems on the shelves, I see no point to keep all of them and I decided to sell two of them and to look for a Bessa, CLE or M6 so an exposure meter will make sense for a second M body. The history is: I got the M2, loved it, fell to the temptation to compare it to the old brother M3, then asked myself how a M4 would feel.

All of them are wonderfull cameras, but despite what others said, I don´t see big diferences between them. All of them are in great working order, the M3 is a bit slower at 1 second but it´s probably a minor curtain tension issue, not big deal. The M2 feels a bit better made, but the M4 is the smoother. All of them are nickel btw. Let´s review the guys:

- M2; 1019XXX 1961 - Just lovely, minor marks and very good external condition. Leatherete in perfect shape, perfect vf. I like the manual film count dial, it just adds to the old-all-manual feel. Well, do I like it really?

- M3 DS; 916XXX 1958 - It´s more likely the first one to be sold since I like 35mm lenses and can´t stand external vfs. But... otherwise a great camera as you can imagine. It´s the only one from all three that it´s still sealed. I was never opened for a cla allthough it´s working great. This together with the fact that the M3 is the standard for Leica M iconism sounds like a good reasson to be the one to keep. Some marks and signs here and there, an user camera but in good overall shape. It´s a double stroke M3, but that´s something I just don´t mind at all, can´t say if I prefer a single stroke or not.

- M4; 1190XXX 1967 - It´s probably the ones that feels better, really smooth and the 35 to 135 guides is a plus. As the M2, it´s not sealed anymore. I bought it in non working order, and while I was repairing it I saw a lot signs that someone with not big skills had worked on it before. Forced screw heads, a bit of glue on one of the curtains ribbons, some marks from unapropiate tools on vf guides and self-timer levers. But it´s a great camera after all! And it´s just working better than the other two, that´s the point. Overall external shape between the other two. But I guess it has less iconic feeling, in case I´ll only have one Leica some day...

What do you think? My initial idea was to put all three for sale and to keep the last one to be sold, but I think I should think a bit more about it and to keep the one I really prefer.

 

[Rafael]

I should think a bit more about it and to keep the one I really prefer.

That is precisely the advice that I would offer. The decision is very personal.

 

[ElectroWNED]

Keep the 2 and the 3, and give me the 4 😉

 

[Livesteamer]

I had to stop and vote for the M3 but I will admit to bias. I started with an M3 back in 1990. A few years later got an M6 because I thought I needed a meter. Now I'm back to the M3. 50mm is my main lens and the M3 is a smooth old friend. Never had the M2 or M4 but I like the .91 finder of the M3. This may change as I just got an e mail from Sherry Krauter that my M6 .85 is ready after the finder upgrade. The original M6 .85 finder was a big dissapointment compared to the M3 finder. Sherry says the upgrade helps a lot. I'll find out soon.
Joe

 

[maddoc]

That's a decision only you can make ... If you really like 35mm lenses and don't use really fast 50mm lenses (1.2 or 1.0), I don't see a point to keep the M3, though.

Myself, I bought 3 times (!!) an M3 and never kept it long because of the missing 35mm frame lines. I also had two times a M4 but albeit being nice, the camera didn't have anything that made it preferable over my M4-P.

The M2 I now have looks like a good user with some scratches and two minor dings, has never been serviced (still the original seal), and I had to adjust the range finder myself and to replace the felt under the film counter. This camera simply works as is should, wasn't expensive, is the most puristic M Leica so I don't feel the need anymore to have an M3 or M4 ... 🙂

In short, if you want one camera with meter and one classic one, I would keep the M2 and buy an M6 classic.

Good luck with your decision ( ... and as already has been mentioned, think twice about it) !

Cheers,

Gabor

 

[Al Patterson]

Since I'd buy an M2 if I were to upgrade from the CL, I voted for it as the keeper. Although keeping the M4 would also make sense, as you like the availability of the 35 framelines.

 

[MCTuomey]

you need the 35mm framelines but not the 135mm, so the uncluttered M2 VF might be a factor. you also seem to have bit more connection with the M4, having serviced it. i guess i'd think of selling the M3 first, then keeping the M2 and M4 around together for awhile to see how you feel.

 

[chris00nj]

While personally I like the M3 as I often shoot with a 50/1.5 and a 85/2 wide open. If you like 35mm framelines, then your choice is different.

 

[Ben Z]

I've had all those models, plus (at one time or another) M4-2, M4-P, M6, M6TTL and M7. I have my 2 M4's left, and will be keeping them indefinitely. Having used them all, I find the M4 is my far and away favorite.

 

[Bassism]

You seem to think that the M4 is the best user, and why keep a camera if not to use it?
Iconicity, while tempting, probably isn't the most practical criteria for a choice like this 🙂

 

[thomasw_]

M2. Sell the other two.

 

[Nokton48]

Keep the M2.

 

[Bingley]

I've got an M2, and have passed on M3s for sale recently in favor of an R3a for its metering, the option of AE, and 40 mm framelines. That's a good combination of old school and new, IMVHO. The M2 is simply wonderful, and it sounds like yours is in good working condition. If I were in your shoes, that's the one I'd keep.

 

[MikeL]

This may change as I just got an e mail from Sherry Krauter that my M6 .85 is ready after the finder upgrade. The original M6 .85 finder was a big dissapointment compared to the M3 finder. Sherry says the upgrade helps a lot. I'll find out soon.
Joe

Hey Joe, I just got my 0.85 back from Sherry, with the finder upgrade. I had a couple screws pop out of the flange mount (it had been dropped in the past) and decided to have it done at the same time. All I can say is Wow. Big difference in contrast in low light and I haven't been able to get it to flare. Well worth it in my opinion.

 

[SimonSawSunlight]

I love my M2 and I love my M4. but if I had to choose the M2 would go, the M4 would stay. I think I love the M4 just a little more, not really because of the 135mm frames, not because of the M2's take up spool, I don't know I just like the design a little better. I've read somewhere that the rangefinder mechanism is more reliable on the m4 too.
and I can totally understand the M3 hardlinder folks, but I just need need need my .72 v/f 😀

 

[HuubL]

I have them all and like them all. The M3 is the ultimate classic. but if I would need to sell, I'd keep my metal lever M4.

 

[photogdave]

I am biased too. I would keep the M4 because it has the fastest film loading.
I don't understand the concern of cluttered framelines with the M4. I can see the issue with the M6 .72 but the M4 is very clean. The 135 frame is hardly intrusive.
I love my M4!

 

[aizan]

if you aren't really sure which one you want to keep, sell all of them! makes buying your new camera that much easier.

 

[ferider]

If you want to be en (RFF) vogue, keep the most popular one.

If money is an issue, sell the most popular one. Or sell all and buy an M4-2 or a Bessa.

If you care about use, keep the one(s) that feels best to you.

🙂

Roland.

 

[pagpow]

Which you keep: it'll be affected both by what you shoot and which voigtlander you get.

i'd consider keeping the M3 for its VF and EBL, and even shooting a 35 lens on it using the whole VW. This lets you shoot 35mm on it w/o external VF and also have a long base length rangefinder for long fast lenses (should you ever shoot them). Then get a Voigtlander for your shorter lenses and with a meter -- it has a shorter EBL, however.

That might cover the bases.