M2vsM3vsM4; Which one would you keep?
- Thread starter Kozhe
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notturtle
Well-known
keep the one that you like to pick up and shoot, whatever the reason. It does not have to be the best shooter either, but the one that is most likely to make you make negatives.
cam
the need for speed
loving this thread as i'm looking to buy my first one!
although i do like 35mm, i have a Nocti and 75 Lux and am leaning heavily towards the M3.... is the VF really that good? can you get a magnifier for the M2 or the M4? is it difficult to make the adjustment to focus closer on the M3? do the DOF detents on the latter M2 and M3's really work? and, lastly, can you really just use the whole VF on the M3 to use a 35 on it?
ooh -- one more question: which one is truly the quietest?
thank you!
although i do like 35mm, i have a Nocti and 75 Lux and am leaning heavily towards the M3.... is the VF really that good? can you get a magnifier for the M2 or the M4? is it difficult to make the adjustment to focus closer on the M3? do the DOF detents on the latter M2 and M3's really work? and, lastly, can you really just use the whole VF on the M3 to use a 35 on it?
ooh -- one more question: which one is truly the quietest?
thank you!
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Kozhe
Well-known
Hey guys, the point is that the more I use any of them the more I like it over the others. So once again, my final conclussion is that it´s basically the same camera.
The M4 is quieter (at least mine!) and it´s VF is brighter than the other two, although the M2 has probably the brighter guides. Also the M3 VF is really a lot better for 90mm lenses and focusing at distance with the 2 and 3 is not so cool, especially with the not so bright M2 VF in dark situations.
Right now I´m pretending to keep the M2 just because it´s in great shape and I love it´s supossed simplicity. I have a Bessa R3A in the mailbox that I bought just for the pleasure of checking how it compares against the Ms. I´ll also check if I really need a meter, and I´m rather sure I won´t, so I´ll see if there´s a point to sell all of them and buy a 6.
The M4 is quieter (at least mine!) and it´s VF is brighter than the other two, although the M2 has probably the brighter guides. Also the M3 VF is really a lot better for 90mm lenses and focusing at distance with the 2 and 3 is not so cool, especially with the not so bright M2 VF in dark situations.
Right now I´m pretending to keep the M2 just because it´s in great shape and I love it´s supossed simplicity. I have a Bessa R3A in the mailbox that I bought just for the pleasure of checking how it compares against the Ms. I´ll also check if I really need a meter, and I´m rather sure I won´t, so I´ll see if there´s a point to sell all of them and buy a 6.
Kozhe
Well-known
Forgot to say. As someone says, it dosen´t look like it worths to use a lens bigger than 90mm with the Ms, at least no with the M4. Focusing them with a vf wider than the M3´s sucks. Really.
Harry Lime
Practitioner
Keep the M4 as your main body. It has the best viewfinder, quickload and easier to use rewind crank.
Keep the M2 as your second body.
Sell the M3, because it lacks 35mm framelines.
Why on earth would you want to 'downgrade' to a VC, if you already have three of the best cameras ever made?
Keep the M2 as your second body.
Sell the M3, because it lacks 35mm framelines.
Why on earth would you want to 'downgrade' to a VC, if you already have three of the best cameras ever made?
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Kozhe
Well-known
Yes Harry, that´s another good idea, although I prefer the .91 finder of the M3 for "long" lenses in case I´d want to keep two M bodies.
I got a second hand Bessa R3A just to have a first hand impression of what it gives and so far I think it´s a great camera but can´t stand against the M vf and feel. I don´t like the way you have to center your eye through the vf to be able to focus, I still have to use it a lot to see if this is just something you can get use with.
I wanted to test the Bessa (to "downgrade" if you want) because I thought having a meter and AE is a plus (as long as you don´t feel like paying 3 times as much for a 6 or twice this for a 7) but honestly I don´t enjoy using meters so much. Morevoer you can probably get a user M2 for less than the price of a new Bessa. But besides this, it´s a great design and it´s new, so you don´t have to worry about CLAs as you do everytime you get a new Leica, isn´t it?
I got a second hand Bessa R3A just to have a first hand impression of what it gives and so far I think it´s a great camera but can´t stand against the M vf and feel. I don´t like the way you have to center your eye through the vf to be able to focus, I still have to use it a lot to see if this is just something you can get use with.
I wanted to test the Bessa (to "downgrade" if you want) because I thought having a meter and AE is a plus (as long as you don´t feel like paying 3 times as much for a 6 or twice this for a 7) but honestly I don´t enjoy using meters so much. Morevoer you can probably get a user M2 for less than the price of a new Bessa. But besides this, it´s a great design and it´s new, so you don´t have to worry about CLAs as you do everytime you get a new Leica, isn´t it?
Harry Lime
Practitioner
You can get a magnifier that will turn the .72 viewfinder of theM2/M4 in to a .90.
http://matchtechnical.com/EyeCupMag.aspx
Leica also makes one of these, but they aren't cheap.
If you want a meter sell the M3 and M2 and get an M6. Keep the m4, because it's better for shooting a 50 or 90 (framelines are more accurate than on the M6)
http://matchtechnical.com/EyeCupMag.aspx
Leica also makes one of these, but they aren't cheap.
If you want a meter sell the M3 and M2 and get an M6. Keep the m4, because it's better for shooting a 50 or 90 (framelines are more accurate than on the M6)
BillBingham2
Registered User
Get a Nikon F2AS with a 180/2.8 AF and stick it in your bag for long stuff. Keep the M2 with a 35 and 50 and sell the rest (except for say a ZI 21/4.5 or CV 15/4.5) and go and shoot. Perhaps get a RapidWinder II for the M.
B2 (;->
B2 (;->
sanmich
Veteran
Here is what I would do:
Keep them all, buy you Leicameter MR-4.
Not the prettiest contraption BUT:
measuring light BEFORE bringing the camera to your eye can kick a**es in terms of speed.
Something between regular measure and AE, if you see what I mean.
Of course it's not TTL, and it kind of kills the leica look.
You also have to protect your top plate or the meter will leave heavy traces.
OTOH, it is coupled (vs CV models) and can be attached to any M2..., M3,...and.....M4 😉
Keep them all, buy you Leicameter MR-4.
Not the prettiest contraption BUT:
measuring light BEFORE bringing the camera to your eye can kick a**es in terms of speed.
Something between regular measure and AE, if you see what I mean.
Of course it's not TTL, and it kind of kills the leica look.
You also have to protect your top plate or the meter will leave heavy traces.
OTOH, it is coupled (vs CV models) and can be attached to any M2..., M3,...and.....M4 😉
Al Kaplan
Veteran
Scarring up the top plate can save you a FORTUNE! You won't be tempted to trade the camera in on a newer one. Covering the top of the camera with some electrical tape or masking tape before putting the meter on the camera will solve the problem.
clicker
Well-known
The M2 would be my choice, I like shooting with an uncluttered viewfinder.
notturtle
Well-known
35mm can be rather limiting at the wide end but the entire finder is fine for 28mm so no worries there!
b.espahbod
Optophile
Twist a Summicron 2 35mm Gery PreAsph Chrome on an M2 with a finder and kick ass
Zenjitsuman
Established
Take the newest camera.
johannielscom
Snorting silver salts
I voted for the M3, since I like to use large aperture lenses. The M3s viewfinder is what gives it the angle for me. If you are considering a CLE of an M6, you would need a VF with as much magnification as possible. The Bessa will have s shorter rangefinder base, so no help there.
BUT: since you yourself like the 35mm lenses more, the M3 for you might not be the best choice. Even though is is a DS camera (I love to double clutch on an M3😀)
Deciding between the M2 and the M4 I'd go with the M2, since I have trouble with the sloped rewind (geez, I'm kind of traditional when it comes to Leicas it seems!). Have it serviced, it will be as smooth as your M4, I'm sure.
BUT: since you yourself like the 35mm lenses more, the M3 for you might not be the best choice. Even though is is a DS camera (I love to double clutch on an M3😀)
Deciding between the M2 and the M4 I'd go with the M2, since I have trouble with the sloped rewind (geez, I'm kind of traditional when it comes to Leicas it seems!). Have it serviced, it will be as smooth as your M4, I'm sure.
Krosya
Konicaze
Sell them all and get M5 - best Leica there is!
Kozhe
Well-known
Thanks everybody for all the suggestions and ideas. Some great points here 🙂
I´m finally making up my mind and I´ve almost decided to keep two M bodies, an M6 with a VC 35 and one of my old bodies with a 50 Summicron. I think that´s a killer combo together with my Nikon Fe with 28 2.8 and 50 1.4. I like to get around with both the FE and a M, so either the Nikon with 28 + M with 50 or Nikon 50 + M 35 should cover all my needs 🙂
Now tell me I´m completely wrong and make me change my mind again hehe
I´m finally making up my mind and I´ve almost decided to keep two M bodies, an M6 with a VC 35 and one of my old bodies with a 50 Summicron. I think that´s a killer combo together with my Nikon Fe with 28 2.8 and 50 1.4. I like to get around with both the FE and a M, so either the Nikon with 28 + M with 50 or Nikon 50 + M 35 should cover all my needs 🙂
Now tell me I´m completely wrong and make me change my mind again hehe
Kozhe
Well-known
I also thought about it, but smaller bodies are a big plus for me.
Pickett Wilson
Veteran
M2's are great cameras. Had mine for so long it just seems to be a must have camera. What are M2's going for these days? Thinking of picking up another one.
