My last film Leica?

[johnastovall]

I'm looking at getting my last film Leica. Which should it be an M7 or MP? I currently have and shoot a IIIG, M3, and M4.

 

[RichardB]

My last two M's have been M7's which I consider the pinnicle of Leica M cameras.-Dick

 

[payasam]

The two options are both metered, unlike what you already have. You must decide between auto exposure and manual metering.

 

[nrb]

The ultimate Leica camera should be a fully mechanical manual film camera, just like the ones you already have.

 

[maddoc]

MP-3.... 😎🙂

 

[Al Kaplan]

The best film Leica of all time would be an M2-R. All down hill after that.

 

[dap]

I would go with the M7. You already have 3 fully mechanical leicas, why not go "high-tech" (a very relative term when used to describe an M 🙂) with your final purchase. An M7 will definately add more variety and alternate modes of shooting to your mix than an MP will.

 

[ferider]

Maybe outside the box:

How about a camera that you can always take anywhere, without being worried about it being banged around, etc. A good M6 classic comes to mind, with VF upgrade from Don.

Cheers,

Roland.

 

[Merkin]

If you are certain that this is going to be your last film leica, go all out and do an a la carte mp with the m7 rewind, in black paint, with the full engraving, or whatever combination you feel would make the "ultimate" m leica.

 

[Ron (Netherlands)]

In my view M7 is best value for money (as far as you can say that from a Leica) it has - as you already know - most lightmeter options; all the others have less. I like the looks of the MP3 but it has no AEP and I never understood the fuzz about the any MP with or withhout lightmeter, therefore I think they are overprized.

 

[marke]

John, unless you feel a need for AE - and considering that you already have experience with meterless Ms - I think the only one that makes any sense is the MP. I have an MP, and I truly feel that the only other film M I would like is an M3 (which you already have), unless I would replace my M6 TTL 0.58x with an MP 0.58x.

After shooting nothing but my MP for several months now, I picked up my M6 TTL to keep loaded with Kodachrome (for the Kodachrome Project). But I immediately noticed that it felt cheap compared to my MP. And I believe the M7 has the same body design/construction as the M6 TTL, so I would imagine that you might feel the same after shooting an M3/M4.

 

[Ron (Netherlands)]

...... And I believe the M7 has the same body design/construction as the M6 TTL, so I would imagine that you might feel the same after shooting an M3/M4.

From what I read, M7 and MP have both brass tops, whereas the M6 is the same as the M4-2 and M4-p thus cast aluminium, thats why the M6 feels less dureable. The body of the M7 is also slightly bigger than the M6

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

If you want an MP, might as well get an M3 and a light meter. It's a matter of feel and handling, really.

I'm not a big fan of the M7, but I would go with the M7 over the MP, any day. Unless, of course, the MP were a gift 😀

 

[marke]

From what I read, M7 and MP have both brass tops, whereas the M6 is the same as the M4-2 and M4-p thus cast aluminium, thats why the M6 feels less dureable. The body of the M7 is also slightly bigger than the M6

Okay, maybe I'm wrong, but I thought the M7 also had the cast aluminum (magnesium?) top, although maybe this was changed sometime in production. I mentioned the M6 TTL (not the classic M6), which also has the cast aluminum top, also bigger as the M7, to accomodate the extra gearing for the changed direction of the shutter speed dial.

But it's not the top of my M6 TTL that makes it feel cheaper than my MP to me. It's the pivoting, plastic-tipped advance lever. ALSO, the fit of the base plate is more precise on my MP.

 

[mojobebop]

depends if you want a mechanical camera, or auto.

 

[nobbylon]

I've had m6, m6ttl and an MP. sold them all. my only regret was the m6. The MP seems to enjoy cult status among Leica users and onlookers alike but to me it just didn't have any character. Yes, a nice feeling and looking camera but something missing. Someone commented on the feeling that m6's feel less durable! in actual fact, they are probably more durable due to steel gears instead of brass, but hey, how many of us on here are ever going to wear one out? Any of these m's are going to outlast us all save for electricals packing in.
I've now settled on an M4 and think that it feels smoother, nicer and has more character than the MP. I do still miss the meter but i'm getting there with that! If it where me, i'd get the M4 serviced by someone who really knows how to and treat yourself to whatever lens you always wanted instead. If it's the meter issue get an M6 classic and save your money. At the end of the day an M is an M, a light box for film and it really doesn't matter which one you fix your favorite lens to.

 

[rya]

I feel my M6 TTL has three cheap parts, shared with M7:

1- I would rather have the film rewind 'post' of the MP.
2- The larger dial is better for my hands, but also feels less sturdy.
3- The pivoting advance lever.

Thus my ideal is an MP.

I also wish the LEDs were different or on the outside, but that is not an option.

Oh yeah and it should cure cancer, whiten my teeth, have a 42" fold-out plasma screen and relieve stress all while I sleep.

 

[Prosaic]

The MP is the definitive Leica M.

 

[Fred]

The M7 as it is easilly the most versatile. Oddly I have an M7 but part of me wishes for an MP, similarly I have a Pentax ME Super but prefer to use my old MX.

 

[pmu]

I have to say that I don't understand this kind of questions... how can someone give the right answer to this? Don't buy anything, you already have 2 M bodies, that's enough.