Sell everything and get an MP a la carte?

[cz23]

....So what should I do?

It always amazes me that people will give purchase advice to someone they don't know and knowing little or nothing about the type of photography they do or what their creative intentions are. Take a long walk and contemplate your choices. Or make a list of pros and cons. Then follow your instincts and do what YOU think is best. No offense to your or anyone else here, but this is an important personal decision, and the only one who truly cares what you do is you.

John

 

[MCTuomey]

If the move to a new MP (and maybe keeping one MF rig) buys you freedom from gear pondering and concentrates your shooting, then do it.

 

[Nowhereman]

It always amazes me that people will give purchase advice to someone they don't know and knowing little or nothing about the type of photography they do or what their creative intentions are...do what YOU think is best. No offense intended, but this is an important personal decision, and the only one who truly cares what you do is you...

John - Of course you're absolutely right. The most absurd thread title I've seen was on photo.net some years ago, "I'm going to Cracow — what film should I take?" Now, that is classic.

 

[Robert Lai]

Since he has several medium format systems, I have to assume that he likes the "medium format aesthetic". My original answer is as many others have said: keep at least one MF camera or system, then sell the others.

My own feeling is that you pay a lot more for a new MP ALC, but if that's your heart's desire, then so be it. I would still think a lot about making do with the M2.

 

[JChrome]

My MP is amazing. But I'm still buying MF equipment


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[maddoc]

There is certainly a very different look to medium format. Typically, the depth of field is much shallower. This is not a look that you can replicate by opening up a Summilux to f/1.4, however.

Don't forget that with the leaf shutter models, you have flash synch all the way to 1/500. With any Leica M, the flash synch speed is 1/50. Try that on a sunny day with ISO 400 film when you want some fill flash.

2 stop ND filter and flash output reduced by 1 stop did the trick for me.

I agree on the effect of different DoF when comparing 35 and MF, though.

 

[Fraser]

If you don't want/use the gear sell it, but if it was me I wouldn't buy a new mp when you can save a lot on secondhand. Must say I had an mp a few years ago and don't get me wrong they are lovely cameras but I just always went back to using my m2.
Good luck with what you decide the good thing is it's not life and death and if you do change your mind you can always sell the mp (and if you buy secondhand you will loose hardly anything).

 

[michaelwj]

Sell it all and buy the MP.

What is there to lose?

They're only cameras, it's not like you're selling you first born! If you decide you can't live without one or two pieces, then you can always but them back. It's far easier to come up with $1000 than $5000 in one hit down the track if you need to.

 

[maitani]

did the same a while ago, but went M7 alc route,
almost sold the M7 this year, now I'm glad I didn't , it's a keeper.
so decluttering is a good way to focus on creativity again. if you feel it's right, it's going to be right, and a ALC Leica is always something special.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Regardless of purchase, I'd sell the gear I haven't used in a long time.

 

[leicapixie]

Medium Format simply kills 35mm in analog.
The quality is there with a hefty price tag in cost of materials,
equipment and ease of usage.
Not knowing your needs, one cannot really give advice.
If it were me..
1. Keep the M2.
2. Keep the Rolleiflex.
3. Add an MA or MP not "a la carte".
Think harder.
Good luck.

 

[Richard G]

If it was me I would have kept the M2 with the 35 and 50 + Contax T2 and sell everything else.. if you want to 'upgrade' the M2 I think you should look at getting an M4 instead of an MP.

This. I haven't used or even fired an MP but I just don't believe it could match a good, well serviced M2. What frame lines would you get in an MP? All those fiddly extras? And the incorrect framing in comparison to the M2's glorious clean 35 and 50 frame lines? I've been from M2 to M4 to M6 and M5 and back to Leica II but still the M2 is the best for film I've used. Yes I liked the quick load of the M4 but I could easily live without it. The meter of the M6? Brilliant but I prefer hand held.

An MP is a camera you might choose to afford, not one to lose your jewels to stake. It isn't worth it. And a la carte has superficial attractions, but true happiness lies in relaxing with the vanilla version off the shelf.

 

[Hogarth Ferguson]

If this was me, I'd keep the Mamiya 7, sell the rest, and get the MP

 

[Bille]

It would almost be a straight swap if I do this.

Are the Mamiya and Fuji mf going for a few thousand these days? If not I don't see anything close to a straight swap.

 

[______]

And a la carte has superficial attractions, but true happiness lies in relaxing with the vanilla version off the shelf.

True happiness? What is "true" happiness? And from a camera?

 

[:: Mark]

I would argue that photographic true happiness comes from making amazing pictures, not from owning cameras.

Ultimately, only the OP can know what photographs they really want to make, and what camera (and lens, film, processing, lighting, composition, intent, ...) are needed to make them.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

I can attest for the pleasant experience of handling a Leica MP. It's designed to be unforgettable... BTW, have the OP done that?

 

[aizan]

Sell everything, then wait and see what you regret selling the most. 🙂

 

[Calzone]

This. I haven't used or even fired an MP but I just don't believe it could match a good, well serviced M2. What frame lines would you get in an MP? All those fiddly extras? And the incorrect framing in comparison to the M2's glorious clean 35 and 50 frame lines? I've been from M2 to M4 to M6 and M5 and back to Leica II but still the M2 is the best for film I've used. Yes I liked the quick load of the M4 but I could easily live without it. The meter of the M6? Brilliant but I prefer hand held.

Richard,

I see wisdom in what you write. I like the meter in camera, but if you don't why not remain in love with the M2?

Also a question because I have only owned a M4 and never a M2. Are not the framelines the same? BTW I think the M4 frames are the best Leica made, but I have no experience shooting a M2 because I never owned one.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

Sell everything, then wait and see what you regret selling the most. 🙂

That's funny, but it also hurts. LOL.

Cal