Most Maligned Leica M Model

[dof]

Which Leica M is the most-loathed and least-liked? It's a matter of historical fact that the M5's introduction was met with near disastrous financial returns, but that doesn't stop it from being the favorite of many a user here. How does each model stack up against its sisters?

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Anything doesn't have "Nikon" on it is the most-loathed and least-liked Leica.


F@ct.

 

[chris7521]

We all know what is going to happen here..haha! MP,M3, or M4 best, and M5 most hated !
What's the point? I still love my M5😀

 

[filmtwit]

Hello: Leica CL?

 

[Al Patterson]

I voted M5, but I think that the CL was probably more maligned in it's day, although a cult camera today.

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

M5 was considered big, and had a meter...

Cheers,

Juan

 

[dof]

Hello: Leica CL?

There's a limit to 12 poll items.

The CL isn't an M Model.

In the parlance of the day -- "'nuff said."

 

[larmarv916]

Yes the results of the poll confirm the dirt that was fostered on the M5 by the Pseudo Experts dating back to the original magazine reviews. The company created what I think is likely the best "low" light meter Leica ever produced. I have actually heard stories that back when it was released the M5's meter was considered a sell out the the Japanese marketing game of "one ups manship".
As we all know that back in the day no real Leica owner needed light meter for every day shooting. There were several really strange stories on why the M5 got such a slam in the press.

For me it is still a great camera and more sensitive than my M6TTL meter.

 

[Nokton48]

M5. My favorite Leica, hands down. And then the M4-2, another (getting to be) favorite shooter of mine. The Black Sheep of the Leica Family 😉

 

[Roger Hicks]

'Hated' and 'maligned' aren't the same thing -- and besides, I'd suggest that 'least liked' is more accurate than 'hated'.

For 'least liked' the M5 has to win hands down. A conspiracy theory of 'Pseudo Experts' holds no water at all: why is it in the interests of a 'Pseudo Expert' (or anyone else) to talk it down?

The simple truth is that it just didn't sell, and those who remember its introduction -- I still have the pamphlet somewhere -- were not particularly surprised. Since its discontinuation it has acquired a number of fierce devotees, but hey, so have Trabants.

For 'maligned' -- in other words, 'attacked unjustly' (usually by those who hadn't tried it) -- the M8 must surely be the winner.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Nugard]

Leica CL .

 

[Penzes]

I voted for the M8, the digital disaster.

 

[maddoc]

Since nobody voted for the MP so far ... 😀

 

[Austerby]

I voted for MP as I've seen nothing in favour of it on any forum I frequent. I had one, it virtually fell apart. It's made of metal which makes it heavy, doesn't come with a lens, no AF or AE and it only takes film.

 

[Philip Whiteman]

Roger: I think the M5 is to the M3/M4 what the Jaguar XJ-S is to the E Type. You cannot compare us M5 lovers to Trabant enthusiasts!

 

[cidereye]

For 'maligned' -- in other words, 'attacked unjustly' (usually by those who hadn't tried it) -- the M8 must surely be the winner..

Totally agree on that Roger, are you reading this Ken Rockwell? 😀

M5 the Trabant of the camera world. hehe

 

[RFluhver]

I don't care what anyone else has to say about it, but that M5 is just fat ugly.

 

[mfunnell]

I'm going to say the M8 on the basis of being most demanded (if Leica doesn't produce a digital M right-effing now, then...) yet most derided (not full-frame; purple dinner jackets etc.) M in my time watching - most of that (of course) by what seemed to be the same people. I've skipped the digital Leica thing through financial incapacity - but I have enjoyed watching the show. People hating being given what they've long demanded (in each of the M8, M8.2 and M9 circumstances).

Human buggeration in all it's non-glory.

...Mike

 

[Roger Hicks]

Roger: I think the M5 is to the M3/M4 what the Jaguar XJ-S is to the E Type. You cannot compare us M5 lovers to Trabant enthusiasts!

Dear Philip,

Sorry, that wasn't my intention! All I meant was that even a Trabby has people who love it, whereas the M5 is merely unloved compared with a range of other superb cameras.

I've never driven an E-type (though I had a girlfriend who had one -- she was keener on me than I was on her, which is why I never drove it) but I did have a new XJ-S on loan from Jaguar for a few weeks and I have to say that I find it hard to imagine the E-type being more fun, even with the V12 engine. A cherished memory is playing silly buggers on Mulholland Drive, me in the XJS, the other fellow (we never met to speak) in a Countache. Other friends who've has the E-type reckoned that the handling was not always up to the power.

Cheers,

R.

 

[red snapper]

M8 without a doubt. Just not up to the job and neither is the M9. My Nikon D700 is so much better in every way apart from the size, bulk and lenses of course. Get a grip Leica, you are 2 generations behind in the digital game. Am back shooting film on M6 and M7 and loving every minute of it!