M2vsM3vsM4; Which one would you keep?

[HuubL]

Erik,
You have some lovely shots in this thread, lately. I love the one of two days ago, but also the last one is wonderful! Quite a difference in tones between the negative scans and the print.
Huub

 

[Erik van Straten]

Thank you, Huub, actually I am experimenting with an Epson V600 scanner.

Erik.

 

[filmtwit]

Sell em all, and get an M5.

 

[rogerzilla]

The M3 can do what no other Leica does, i.e. focus long lenses accurately. The M2 is nice enough but I find the M4 looks a bit plasticky in comparison to the others. In particular, the front-mounted levers are nasty compared to the old art deco ones of the M3 and M2. However, the M4-2 was where the rot really set in cosmetically; the lovely engraving is gone and the "Leitz" on the top plate is horrid.

 

[Ronny]

Keep the M2:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ronnypersson/5943865964/in/photostream

 

[leobloom]

M4 for me.

 

[Cagliostro73]

Hi, hard call!
I voted for the M2. It's plain and simple and strong.
But the bigger part of the decision is: what are the lenses are you going to use with the camera most of the time? If you use 50mm f1 or so, 75mm f 1.4, or something like that you MUST keep the m3. Otherwise I would definitely keep the M2 because it has the clearest and less cluttered RF and 35mm framelines. That's why I'm using it.
I would not like to be in your shoes fot this decision... 😛

 

[FrankS]

Has anyone noticed how old this posted question is? 2009

 

[taskoni]

Keep the M2, sell the M3 and M4 and buy M6

 

[Erik van Straten]

Leica M2, Summicron 50mm rigid, Tmax400, negative scan.

M2 forever!

Erik.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Leica M2, Summicron 50mm f/2 rigid, Tmax400, scanned negative.

Erik.

 

[PICHA]

I voted M4. Easier to load.

 

[umcelinho]

Has anyone noticed how old this posted question is? 2009

i think people just read the headline and answer without even reading what has been said already...

 

[taskoni]

Has anyone noticed how old this posted question is? 2009

This question will be up to date 2020 as well :bang:
Luckily I don't have to make that choice - all my Ms are M2 and all with the same Elmar's 🙂

 

[Nick De Marco]

I have had, and sold, all 3 at various times
The only one I bought again, and will keep, and indeed I am using now, is the M3
Possibly the best made 35mm camera ever, and the best viewfinder. I now have an M7 and m9, and like using both, but prefer to pair it with utter simplicity and the m3 - and if I want a wide lens on it I just use a finder. But I love using it with just the 50

 

[Erik van Straten]

Leica M3, Summicron 50mm f/2 rigid, Tmax400.

M3 forever!

Erik.

 

[errorlogin]

M3 and M2! Clear framelines, better rewind knob, the original design. No plastic. I don't like the M4.

Is the thread opener still here??

 

[Moriturii]

M4 easy. Loading new film to M2 or M3 get's really boring and fiddly after a few rolls, it turns into a gimic then anything else. Rewinding is 10x faster as well, you wont grind your fingers down to a stump after a few years. Not sure about the framelines, the framelines on the M4-P or Hexar RF never bothered me at all. On the Hexar RF you can easily modify your framelines to only show one frameline at a time ( Look here ) I would've thought you can do it with a Leica too.

Some people really like that perfect-for-50mm viewfinder of the M3, it really has one of the best rangefinder patches out there. It's just as good as my state-of-the-art Hexar RF but then again some people really like to have a winder view and the framelines in the middle (like using 50mm on a M2).

So you got to try them and see.

 

[cicala]

There is no date of the post and no time at all , this is a life question .............m3 for ever .....

 

[brainwood]

M2 forever!

another vote for M2. Simplicity at it best...and great view finder

The most ergonomic camera I have owned