M2vsM3vsM4; Which one would you keep?

[mojobebop]

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.

--------------
you can shoot w/a 35mm, & not use the an external vf?

 

[HuubL]

I really don't understand why you would choose the m2 over the m4. The M4 isn't its successor for nothing. Better quality RF, film loading, film counter. At least the same uncompromised build. The "cluttered" 135 frame of the M4 is laughable, whereas the easier film loading is a real bonus. The angled reloading would easily break,... c'mon guys. Whoever, broke one?

 

[Livesteamer]

I have. All it took was a small bump to my M6 rewind crank and it bent enough not to work. I was able to remove it and straighten it enough to work till the replacement came. It was expensive. In looking at the construction of the crank assembly, some parts are very thin. Perhaps the weakest part of the camera. Joe

 

[MCTuomey]

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

wise humor, it seems to me.

nothing like hunger to improve the appreciation of a meal ... maybe the absence of any M will sharpen your taste.

i did something like that over the last couple years, selling an M4, M6, M7, and some high-end lenses i really had no business keeping. am now down to an M2 and a few too many lenses, and find myself more comfortable with my kit.

 

[KoNickon]

If the M4 is the one that seems to be in the best shape to you, then keep it and sell the other two. Note, however, that if you're interested in realizing the most return, the M4 sells for the most these days.

 

[elshaneo]

I would say keep only the one You prefer to use most !!!

As for me, I would have sold the M2 and the M4, as I believe that the M3 has better value since it's still sealed.

But also because, you're going to get the Leica M6 later on, and then the M3 will be great when you use it with a 50mm lens or longer, as for the M6, you can use the 35mm or wider lenses.

 

[hjagis]

M2. Sell the other two.

135mm lens on a rangefinder is stupid. Hjalti

 

[yoyo22]

Sell the M3 and M4, then get an M6(TTL).

 

[ruby.monkey]

I made part of that choice recently. The M4 went - fine camera though it is, I could never come to terms with the film loading. The M2/M3 take-up spool might slow me down a bit but the film never came loose inadvertently, something that I can't say for the M4.

As for M2 versus M3... luckily that's a decision I haven't yet had to make.

 

[Kozhe]

Thank you all guys!

Well, let´s say I´m not extremely worried about this. As said all three cameras are great and I don´t really see big diferences that would make me bias to one of them. That said, I´m prety sure whichever I keep I´ll regret selling the others but that´s more a mental issue than practical 🙂

Someone suggested to sell all three and get just one. Hey, that´s a good point! Having too many cameras you don´t enjoy them as you should. I think I´ll start selling the M3 next week and see what people is offering for the M2 and M4. Puting them against money and deciding wheter it worths to sell them will probably show me how much I apreciate each one.

 

[Vince Lupo]

35, 50 and 90. Do you need any more lenses than that to make great photos?

M2 all the way.

 

[MCTuomey]

OT: vince, very impressive work on your site. inspirational!

 

[Vince Lupo]

Many thanks! I need all the encouragement I can get. BTW, most of the black and white stuff was shot with an M2, so you can understand my loyalty!

 

[Vincenzo Maielli]

I voted for the Leica M3, but i also own the M2 and M4...
Ciao.
Vincenzo

 

[januaryman]

Keep the M2, a simple, return to basics camea that has 35mm framelines. What's the problem? 😉

 

[SolaresLarrave]

If you, as you said, intend to get an M6, keep the M3. It's excellent with 50 and 90mm lenses in a way that the M2, M4 or M6 won't be. At least, that'd be my criteria.

BTW, I have two M6TTL, one M3 and one M4-2. I'm not selling any; you could keep yours too and spare yourself the anxiety.

 

[colker]

sell neither. or sell the m6 because it's easier to buy one back.

 

[shadowfox]

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.

Once again Roland said exactly what I want to say.

Except I'd recommend an M4-P if you do sell all three. 😉

 

[Rob-F]

If you don't need the slightly faster film loading; the rapid rewind crank (I like the M2 style rewind better); the pivoting plastic tip on the winding lever; or the (too small) 135mm frameline, then keep the M2.

I think your plan to get an M6, for the meter, is very sound. You could get an M6 classic (pre-TTL) for about the same as the M4 alone should bring. You could easily get an M6TTL for the value of the M4 and M3 together.

I notice your M2 is in the 1019xxx range. So is mine! Gee, I wonder how close they are. I once saw one on eBay that was only 2 numbers off from mine. That one was 1019024.

You must be very skilled to do your own CLA work!

 

[pevelg]

voted M4 because ninjas are cool! 🙂 Since you've put so much work into it, you may appreciate it more.