My last film Leica?

[marke]

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.

How can a camera have "character"?

Yes, a nice feeling and looking camera but something missing.

What?

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?

I've been misquoted twice in this thread. Again, I was referring to an M6 TTL. You have a point about the steel gears though.

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.

There's that character thing again. I must be missing something here. I can see where lenses might possibly described as having "character", but I've never felt that about a camera body.

If it's the meter issue get an M6 classic and save your money.

Probably the best choice if you're looking to get the best body for the buck. But then, I wouldn't buy one without expecting to have to pay for a CLA.

 

[marke]

I feel the same about my M6 TTL when compared to my MP. Not that the M6 TTL is a piece of junk, but there is a noticible difference when actually using the cameras. It's more than just a "cult" thing.

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.

 

[shimokita]

Buy a red convertible and wait for spring - just kidding. With more time on your hands and with the thought that it will be a camera that you will grow older with your "decision" may be seen in a different light. Why not choose the one that you have always wanted and then pick it up in Germany. That means it would need to be a current production model. Supports Leica, and you get many wonderful memories along the road. It's not all about which model, but rather your experience with it. You could also go to a factory in Japan, pick up a DSLR, and enjoy that road as well ;-)
Casey

 

[nobbylon]

Marke, when referring to character, I perhaps should have said classic feel.
To me a new MP doesn't have it. Yes they are smooth in operation but don't have the quality feel of the m3,m2 and m4's. more like a customized m6 classic. Yes for me that's what is missing in the new MP. Stick a few brass gears in an M6, add a brass unbadged top and charge a huge premium on it. Oh and a flare resistant finder that was already in the 2/3/4.
It was Ron's line about the m6's being less durable so no I didn't miss quote you!
My MP from the factory had duff slow speeds so yes factor in a check over for any M one buys even an MP.
You said, 'I feel the same about my M6 TTL when compared to my MP. Not that the M6 TTL is a piece of junk, but there is a noticible difference when actually using the cameras. It's more than just a "cult" thing.'
thats how I feel comparing my M4 to an MP, in use, to me, the M4 feels nicer to use.

The m6 'classic' as we all seem to call them have zinc top plates, as do on the whole m6 ttl's. This was later changed at the end of the ttl's production to brass. Mine was brass. All m7's as far as I'm aware have brass top plates. The extra height was again as far as I know to accomodate the flash ttl circuit board in the m6ttl and m7. I understand that bottom plates where and are brass and all mine have fitted nicely.
The shutter dial on m6ttl's looks cheap for such a high cost camera, prob same on m7's, never had an m7 so can't say but the cheap looking speed scale insert that is just stuck on the top of the dial is a step back from quality imho.
The plastic tip advance, well if people don't like them it's an easy change to a solid one.
I'm not an MP basher, I just don't feel, based on my usage of the various m's that both the hype and price is justified. As in my original post, i'd rather have a couple of great lenses than an over rated light tight film box!

 

[Red Rock Bill]

My last film Leica

My last film Leica

When I purchased my M7 5 years or so ago I thought it would be my last film Leica....however I sent my M2 in for a going over a couple of weeks ago ...so I guess it will be my last film Leica ...there is just something about an M2.....Regards,Bill

 

[Keith]

Someone above said with what you now have ... how could you need any other Leicas. I tend to agree!

If you feel the need for AE why not go the whole hog and get the best viewfindered AE rangefinder on the market and buy an Ikon. You'll have saved a lot of money and can fall back on your IIIg M3 M4 combo when you feel you need a Leica 'Hit!' 🙂

 

[Pablito]

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.

Well, I must confess that's my reaction as well.

 

[marke]

Marke, when referring to character, I perhaps should have said classic feel.
To me a new MP doesn't have it. Yes they are smooth in operation but don't have the quality feel of the m3,m2 and m4's. more like a customized m6 classic. Yes for me that's what is missing in the new MP.

I'm still not understanding what you mean by "classic feel". I've never shot an M2/3/4, so I'm lost here. Or are you referring to the raised frame design of the vf/rf windows?

Stick a few brass gears in an M6, add a brass unbadged top and charge a huge premium on it. Oh and a flare resistant finder that was already in the 2/3/4.

Don't the brass gears give the operation a smoother feel? At least that's the way I would describe my MP compared to my M6 TTL. I completely agree with the price of the MP being a bit over the top. I keep forgetting that because I got mine (brand new) for not much more than my M6 TTL. So I apologize, because I would NEVER pay the price that they usually sell for now.

It was Ron's line about the m6's being less durable so no I didn't miss quote you!

Oops, sorry again. 😱 I better read more carefully next time.

My MP from the factory had duff slow speeds so yes factor in a check over for any M one buys even an MP.
You said, 'I feel the same about my M6 TTL when compared to my MP. Not that the M6 TTL is a piece of junk, but there is a noticible difference when actually using the cameras. It's more than just a "cult" thing.'
thats how I feel comparing my M4 to an MP, in use, to me, the M4 feels nicer to use.

Really, well, as I've said, I've never shot an M4, but now I understand why you feel the way you do when it comes to the M4. The unfortunate thing is that now you got me wanting to check one out!

The m6 'classic' as we all seem to call them have zinc top plates, as do on the whole m6 ttl's. This was later changed at the end of the ttl's production to brass. Mine was brass. All m7's as far as I'm aware have brass top plates. The extra height was again as far as I know to accomodate the flash ttl circuit board in the m6ttl and m7. I understand that bottom plates where and are brass and all mine have fitted nicely.

Don't get me wrong, the bottom plat on my M6 TTL fits fine, but I can notice a real difference in the way the MP's bottom plate feels. Who knows, it could just be the way my specific cameras were manufactured, and be the exception rather than the rule.

The shutter dial on m6ttl's looks cheap for such a high cost camera, prob same on m7's, never had an m7 so can't say but the cheap looking speed scale insert that is just stuck on the top of the dial is a step back from quality imho.

Yes, it's a poor decision for this level of a camera, IMHO.

The plastic tip advance, well if people don't like them it's an easy change to a solid one.

Yes, I've considered doing that to my M6 TTL. But in the end, I think I would be happier with another MP (or M4 😉) because of the reversed direction of the ss dial on the TTL models.

 

[hiromu]

How about IIIf??

After having my IIIf CLAed by Youxin, I am using it more than my other Ms (M7 and MP), although I only have one LTM lens... But if I have to use M body, then it is MP.

Hiromu

 

[mark-b]

The fully-mechanical M-body is fully independent of electric power.

 

[FrankS]

You are already where you want to be going.

 

[Debusti Paolo]

a mp!what else?

 

[marke]

John, just pick up a LX3 and be done with it. It all about making pictures, after all. 😉

 

[rya]

Marke, you and I think alike--I am hunting an LX3 to complement my M now.

 

[Ben Z]

I would never advise someone else to follow my lead, but I can just offer what my experience has been. I've owned, at one time or another, every model of Leica M except the finderless ones and the exotics/rarities (original MP, M2R, or any of the commemorative limited editions). My M7 was problematic, and I was not impressed by my MP for several reasons, and had sold it for a pair of M6 classics plus a lens. Those are now sold too. I'm down to a pair of M4's, which will be my last film Leicas.

 

[Innerimager]

Just bought my second M7 John, an 0.85 to go with a 0.72. In fact I'm just running a roll through it after it arrived yesterday (used). Haven't held an MP, all I can say is the M7 is my favorite camera. best...Peter

 

[Vincenzo Maielli]

My last Leicas was, in May 2008, a Leica M7, a Leica M3 and a Leica IIIf with a Summicron 32/2 whith 8 elements and a Summicron TS 90/2, all used in excellent conditions.
Ciao.
Vincenzo

 

[FrankS]

My last Leicas are a pair of M2s, a CL, and a IIf.
(and a IIIf that needs new curtains and RF mirror)

 

[Rui Morais de Sousa]

You already have a IIIG, M3 and M4...
In my opinion, it doesn't matter what you buy now, because it won't get better than what you already have...
With that money, I would buy a good hand-held lightmeter (if you don't already own one...), and a load of film.
Then I would plan a nice and interesting trip, to make some "ultimate" photographs.
As an alternative, I would make the trip without planing, just letting it go... (I like it like that).
I won't worry to buy no new camera.
Cheers,
Rui

 

[mark-b]

Yes, there is something special about an M2. I would never have parted with my M2, except that I needed the money to pay veterinary bills.