Second M Body Suggestions

[Rafael]

I am beginning the process of looking for a second M body to join my M4. I'm usually quite a deliberate shopper and tend to take my time with these sorts of decisions. So, at this stage, I am interested in gathering as much information and as many opinions as I can.

Let me begin by saying that I love the M4. It really does everything that I want it to. Most of my RF photography is street work. I use my 35 and 50 roughly 80-85% of the time. The 21 gets used for about 10% of my work. And the 90 picks up the rest (I hardly ever use the 135 and I never carry it unless I have a specific reason for bringing it along). As far as future lens plans go, I would definitely like to pick up a 28 at some point.

So, as I see it, I have three real options (in Leica):

1) M4 - I could get a second M4 (I confess that I have looked at the one that Kim has posted in the classifieds on more than one occasion!). I know that a second M4 would work well for me because of how well my current one fills my needs.

2) M2 - I really like the uncluttered viewfinder and the classic styling. If the film loading becomes too much of a bother I can always get a rapid-load kit. This option is also appealing because, of the three, it would entail the least cost (in all likelihood).

3) 0.58 M6 TTL - I don't really need a meter. I do fine with a hand-held. But the 0.58 viewfinder is very appealing as it would give me 28mm framelines among 5 rather than 6 framelines in total (I don't wear glasses but I prefer the viewfinder to be as uncluttered as possible). Losing the 135 lines is obviously of little significance to me. I'm not too sure how I feel about the more cluttered viewfinder (more cluttered than the M2 or M4 finder). But the 28mm lines hold definite appeal for me.

So, anyone around here have an opinion on gear? 😀

Thanks in advance.

 

[ghost]

were there any .58 m6 classics?

 

[Magus]

Post deleted by posters request

 

[Rafael]

were there any .58 m6 classics?

Sorry, I meant M6TTL.

 

[peter_n]

I think if you use more than one camera together they should be as like each other as possible, as Al Kaplan pointed out on another forum this morning. The M6TTL is a fantastic camera but the shutter speed dial operates in the opposite direction to the M4. I know that the M6 "classic" was produced with a 0.85 mag VF toward the end of it's run, but I don't know if Leica also manufactured any 0.58 mags in that batch. Maybe someone else here might know.

I think you may be limited to Ms 2 and 4. Remember the older the body, the more likely it may need a CLA so you need to figure that in too.

 

[back alley]

can you use the entire fov in an m4 for 28mm use?

if so, i would get another.

 

[Rafael]

can you use the entire fov in an m4 for 28mm use?

Yes you can.

 

[ghost]

winogrand did it. 😀

 

[Rafael]

I think if you use more than one camera together they should be as like each other as possible, as Al Kaplan pointed out on another forum this morning. The M6TTL is a fantastic camera but the shutter speed dial operates in the opposite direction to the M4. I know that the M6 "classic" was produced with a 0.85 mag VF toward the end of it's run, but I don't know if Leica also manufactured any 0.58 mags in that batch. Maybe someone else here might know.

I think you may be limited to Ms 2 and 4. Remember the older the body, the more likely it may need a CLA so you need to figure that in too.

As far as I know, there were no 0.58 M6 Classics. So yes, the reversed shutter speed dial would be an issue for me. Thanks Peter.

 

[BillBingham2]

While I like the M6ttl, the shutter speeds rotate the opposite way toteh M4. I wonder how the spilt is between the 35 and 50 lenses. While you do not use the 90 or 135 a lot, perhaps a M3 so you have a bigger finder for the 50 and 90. You have the M4 for the 35 and if you need to use it on the M3 (should the M4 be sick) you can use an external finder. Reasonably priced, handles the same, clean finder? Use the M4 as your wide camera and then the M3 a your telephoto.

You seem to like clean finders and I think the M3 might do the trick.

B2 (;->

 

[hth]

I have an M4, M2, Hexar RF and a Bessa. Of these, the M2 and the Hexar RF see most use, the M4 only occasionly and the Bessa rarely. The M2 feels just right to me and is used for low light. The Hexar is wonderfully relaxing and fast to use and I tend to use it in most other situations, especaiily during travels.

I would recommend either an M2 or a Hexar RF (which gives 28mm frame lines, AE and fast film advance and reloading).

/Håkan

 

[richard_l]

2) M2 - I really like the uncluttered viewfinder and the classic styling. If the film loading becomes too much of a bother I can always get a rapid-load kit. This option is also appealing because, of the three, it would entail the least cost (in all likelihood).

You said it! Classic styling and uncluttered viewfinder. I don't find the loading to be much of a hassle. I also have an M6 and an M3, but the M2 is my favorite. If I could have but one camera, without hesitation I would choose the M2. I think you might like it too.

Richard

 

[Rafael]

Use the M4 as your wide camera and then the M3 a your telephoto.

Interesting idea. I hadn't really given much thought to the M3 because I use the 35 and the 50 so much of the time. I'm not all that keen on external finders. I do use and like the finder for the 21. But that's different because it is so difficult to get an out of focus image with that lens. But the idea of mounting the 50 (or 90) on the M3 and the 35 (or 28) on the M4 is an intriguing one. Thanks, I'll have to give it some thought.

 

[Rafael]

I have an M4, M2, Hexar RF and a Bessa. Of these, the M2 and the Hexar RF see most use, the M4 only occasionly and the Bessa rarely. The M2 feels just right to me and is used for low light. The Hexar is wonderfully relaxing and fast to use and I tend to use it in most other situations, especaiily during travels.

I would recommend either an M2 or a Hexar RF (which gives 28mm frame lines, AE and fast film advance and reloading).

/Håkan

Thanks for the suggestions Hakan. I have never handled a Hexar RF, but really doubt that it is my cup of tea. I'm sort of a mechanical kind of guy. So the Hexar is probably out. The M2 on the other hand...

 

[Rafael]

You said it! Classic styling and uncluttered viewfinder. I don't find the loading to be much of a hassle. I also have an M6 and an M3, but the M2 is my favorite. If I could have but one camera, without hesitation I would choose the M2. I think you might like it too.

Richard

It does hold a lot of appeal for me. Thanks for your input.

 

[terrafirmanada]

I have an m3 and an m2. I think they work pretty well together. Until recently I often used the m2 full frame with my 28. But I had some fungus in my frame mask, and DAG did not have any M2 masks, so I ended up with m4-p frames. Now I have the 28. This mask does not have the glass and can flare if you are not careful to keep your eye centered on the viewfinder in backlit situations.
If I were to do it over again I would get 2 m2's. I like a matched set. I prefer shooting 35 to 50, and that doesn't work so hot on the M3. The M3 has a more solid build, so I have not been able to bring myself to let it go (yet).
Incidently, I have been thinking the opposite thing lately. I am thinking about using only one body and trimming down on glass too. I prefer to travel as light as possible, and think I am overdoing it with two bodies.
I

 

[Magus]

Post deleted by posters request

 

[sejanus]

I can't afford a M4, much as I'd like one, so I went the opposite way and got a IIIc with a J12 lens when I decided I'd like a wide angle. I'm thinking I might get the CV 25 or something wider still, later on. I quite like having completely different bodies, as Burke and Hare might have said...

🙄

 

[Magus]

Post deleted by posters request

 

[FrankS]

I like the variety of different bodies too. A great combo would be your m4 for wider lenses, and an M3 for 50 and 90mm lenses.