Sell everything and get an MP a la carte?

[______]

The M2, like the M4, has a 0.72 viewfinder. However, it only has 35/50/90 framelines, with only one set of framelines visible at a time, for a uncluttered look.

 

[mlu19]

Do a simple experiment, and see if you can stop yourself from visiting this forum for a month. 90% of the conversation here is about gear in my eye. I told myself three years ago that a digital Leica would be the end game of my camera acquisition journey, but I still visit this forum daily to check out what is listed on classified. Now, I've definitely thought about getting an MP to cure the film end-game itch .. but would it really?

 

[nickla]

I didn't sell all my gear, but I recently traded in a milk crate full (yes, I literally filled a milk crate with gear) of stuff all for an MM240 and found it totally worth it.

I say do it!

Get what you want, make yourself happy!

You will probably just buy it all back eventually anyway!

 

[BillBingham2]

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

Cal

+1. My my head is hurting at the simplicity and beauty....

 

[Richard G]

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

Cal, I've realised that if I just stopped with my first film camera the M2, I would still be happy 40 years later. After using the M9 and Monochrom, which I would not be trading for an MP, I look in the M2 finder and nearly fall over with that clean uncluttered 35 or 50 view. I got the M4 for the 135 frames which sit inside the 35, but I now use a SHOOC external finder for the best view at that focal length. The M4 is as good as the M2 except the 35 frame addition of 135.

 

[twhittle]

Oh dear, lots to read and see here! Thank you for all of your divergent opinions.

After spending all day printing Mamiya 7ii negs in the darkroom I think I am siding more with the chap here:

Think about the end results. More format allows you to create different kind of pictures. The leicas are good with fast paced work. But when you have time, mf forces you to slow down interact w your subjects and when the light is right its so much better. Im on the opposite camp thinking of leaving leica and just shoot my mamiya 6/rollei combos. Final results matter use what you need to make them. Dont have to trim your tools too much, there will be time you want a diff kind of pic then switch around your tools. Get an mp though if thats what you like to have. It wears off though i have lot of friends who trade their mp for m6. I like metered leica, i hate overconfidence then have under exposed negs.

 

[narsuitus]

So what should I do?

You should do what will make you happy and what you can fiscally justify.

I, on the other hand, know exactly what I would do.

For the longest, I have wanted an MP. With the exception of the 50mm f/2.8 and 35mm f/2 lenses and the Nikon FE with the 85mm f/2 lens, I would sell everything else to get the black MP with 35/50/90 frame lines. Eventually, I would sell the Nikon and 85mm to get a Leitz 90mm f/2 lens.

 

[huddy]

Ultimately it's going to be up to you to select the photographic tools you enjoy/need to make the images you want to make. Or just use the tools you derive the most pleasure from if you don't care too much about the final images. I think the suggestion to make a list of pros/cons and be analytical is absolutely the right thing to do because having to replace gear that you later with you wouldn't have sold can be difficult/painful (spoken from experience). Also, you shouldn't rush to sell any gear if it's something that brings you joy in using/owning or helps you get the results you want that can't be produced using other tools.

If you want to scratch the MP itch, I'd suggest trying to rent/borrow one before selling off the rest of a collection. I've owned 2x M6TTL's, and handled an M4 and M3 in stores. The M3 was the smoothest of all, but my M6TTL never leaves me feeling like I'm getting the short stick. If it's just the frame counter and flash sync that drive you bonkers on the M2, I'd just consider swapping the top plate or purchasing an M6/M6TTL, swapping the top plate, and having an MP finder upgrade and removing any framelines other than the 35/50/90. That'd get you pretty much the same camera and allow you to keep MF equipment if desired, or take the extra money and go to some cool places to shoot said camera.

 

[twhittle]

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

John, I appreciate this a lot. At the end of the day it is the images I want to make that will dictate my gear.

I think I am pretty settled for 67 for my serious work; I just want to have a Leica with me all the time rather than the many different cameras I ponder over.

I will most likely keep the Pentax 67 and the Leica; although I have just seen a very tempting Big Logo M6 for sale that would be excellent if the framelines were cleaned up. . . Is GAS curable?

 

[sara]

For me, if I wasn't using any of the other gear, and I know I would be using the Leica more, then I'll just get the Leica.

Unless you have sentimental values with the other cameras...

 

[ray*j*gun]

If you like 'pretty', consider a mint M6 Millennium edition body at a much lower cost.

Plus one!!

 

[sepiareverb]

... I have just seen a very tempting Big Logo M6 for sale that would be excellent if the framelines were cleaned up. . .

And likely much cheaper than an a la carte.

... Is GAS curable?

Yes, just be sure you are far from any other flammables, depending on how long you've been suffering the explosion can be rather powerful.

 

[skopar steve]

Most of us have sold off equipment to finance the piece of equipment we have always wanted (at that point in time). The initial outcome is our taking pleasure in photography and spending more time making images.

For me a kit consisting of a body and three or four lenses meets all my photographic needs. So I have a Fuji kit for digital and an Olympus kit for film. So the answer for me would be sell off everything but the Leica lenses, get the MP, build a lens kit around it, and get out there and start running thru copious amounts of film.

 

[sanmich]

It's really in the owner's mind, and about his wallet.
I'm thinking of moving the other way around:
The MP is certainly a great camera, but for me, an M6 is almost as good (I have the 0.58 MP), at one third of the price. lugging around very expensive gear makes me nervous, and I seem to prefer having multiple, lower value cameras as backups one for the other.

 

[sepiareverb]

Cal, I've realised that if I just stopped with my first film camera the M2, I would still be happy 40 years later. After using the M9 and Monochrom, which I would not be trading for an MP, I look in the M2 finder and nearly fall over with that clean uncluttered 35 or 50 view. I got the M4 for the 135 frames which sit inside the 35, but I now use a SHOOC external finder for the best view at that focal length. The M4 is as good as the M2 except the 35 frame addition of 135.

framelines are easy to change, you could have the M9and Monochrom lines done up to match the M2.

 

[jim0266]

As for the Leicas, keep the M2 for your 50mm, and buy a 0.58 MP for your 35. They both offer a similar eye relief with the viewfinder magnification, and there are no 135 frame lines in a 0.58. I use this as a two body travel combination and love it!
Sell whatever you don't use or want in order to add the MP, but that's entirely your choice.
Good luck!
Cheers
J 🙂

I like this solution. I have a .58 MP and it's great for a 35.

Because Leica shrank the frame lines in the later M's after the M4-2, the 50mm in particular is frustrating to use as so much more is recorded on film. That why I use one of my M2's when using a 50.

Resetting the M2 film counter is something you can learn to do. It's a habit.

I would also keep your favorite MF and SLR cameras. It's nice to have those options if only to mix things up to spark creativity.

I've been down this road too many times and know how easy it is to get lost in your own head. The Leica experience is about seeing through the rangefinder and the images you make. It's nice to have a body you love to fondle, but when you are in the zen moments of actually making images it doesn't matter which M is in your hands. All that fades into the background as you are immersed in act to seeing through the RF window.

Good luck!

 

[gb hill]

I think I am pretty settled for 67 for my serious work; I just want to have a Leica with me all the time rather than the many different cameras I ponder over.
. . Is GAS curable?

You have NO Barnack Leica in your line up?😱 An MP will just make you paranoid to carry...I mean 5K...really? Sell a few camera's & get a nice IIIC or F or G & some screwmount glass. Liberate yourself...having that Barnack with a collapsible elmar or summitar in your pocket is very nice & inconspicuous...and yes this will cure GAS. 😀

 

[sepiareverb]

... It's nice to have a body you love to fondle, but when you are in the zen moments of actually making images it doesn't matter which M is in your hands. All that fades into the background as you are immersed in act to seeing through the RF window.

Good luck!

Unless you want a meter in the VF. 🙂

 

[jim0266]

Unless you want a meter in the VF. 🙂

Sacrilege! 😉

 

[DanskDynamit]

Keep the Mamiya, sell the rest, go on a world tour, enjoy.