Stupid Leica.... :)

[ferider]

And as far as framelines go- i plan to use a 35 or 50, nothing else. I wear glasses, but i am fine with essentially using the "whole frame" for 35 on the M4-2.

Ferider- you might not remember, but i bought a shiny little Jupiter 8 from you back in 2006.
I shot that lens in several different states, and in Korea also, on my R3M and later the Hexar RF i got from Sockeyed.
This was my favorite shot i took with it.

Hey Chris,

forgot to say in my post above, welcome back, of course. And that J8 shot looks like you caught Fred asleep 🙂

If you just want 35/50, I warmly recommend the Leica M2. It's the best priced Leica on the used market, cheap enough to budget for a CLA if needed. Great finder, smooth gears, etc.

Cheers,

Roland.

 

[stupid leica]

as much as i'd probably enjoy the M2- i've only heard good things about it... i can't possibly see myself shooting a silver camera! 🙂 That is my biggest beef with it. All the black M2's i ever see cost a grip!

 

[ferider]

Ahh. Makes sense. The M4-2 is the next best bet, then. Avoid the first batch, but get a relatively early one - one which has the full M4 RF optics, and in which the RF can be aligned with a simple screw driver. Late M4-2s "lost" a condenser lens and received the M6 vertical alignment mechanism, that requires a special tool if the RF ever gets out of whack.

The M4-2 50mm framelines are nicer than in the M4-P and M6. And bigger than in the M6.

Cheers,

Roland.

 

[35mmdelux]

Tom A. knows abit about cameras and I think he shoots wit a clutch of M2s. Thats all I need to know. Snag M2 for $500-600, send it for a $150 CLA. Get a 35mm/1.2 VC lens and you're ready to hit the streets.

EDIT: Tom's cameras all black.

 

[thomasw_]

Hi Chris,

I think you know what you want already in a RF. It sounds to me as if you've made up your mind about a M4* variant, which is fine. Since you know the specifications for these cameras, I recommend obtaining one.

The only thing I will add is that you seem to believe the myth about the faster tulip loading. I have used M2/3s a lot, and currently I use the tulip loaded MP; I found the loading times to be about the same, and that the M2/3 film loading onto a spool to be a bit more definitive and positive and less fussy. The only hassle is pulling the spool, but it is no big deal that some make it out to be.

Same for the rewind knobs. I've had the m4 angled knob and the classic knob. The time differential is inconsequential. You are shooting an older M, if you want really fast rewinding, etc., this camera is really not for you. The camera is designed for the deliberative, thinking shooter who waits and thinks and re-thinks his plans. If pressed to use a film M for a wedding, and I have done this, then just change film at down times, never wait with 5 to 8 shoots left in a roll. The rewinding time with any M is just part of the contemplative joy in using a M. My 2 cents.

Have a blast in choosing your M!

Thomas

 

[Chris101]

thanks for all the great input, guys.
I suppose from this i can gather that any of the 4 or 6's will make me quite happy.

Framelines, smoothness, and the style of the rewind knob are minor details compared to the major difference between the M4 and M6 lines. That difference of course, being the inclusion of a light meter in the M6 cameras.

A light meter will have a direct influence on how you use the camera. That, to me, is the over riding characteristic in choosing between these two cameras.

 

[shadowfox]

FWIW, I never have a problem with flare with the M4-P viewfinder. And I live in a place where the sun goes to on summer vacations.

And if it's not the smoothest of the family, I don't really mind because it's smooth enough for me. Best thing is, I didn't spend more than what I was prepared to.

I second what Roland said about frame-lines. I prefer 35mm or 28mm to 50mm, so M4-P is perfect in that regards too.

 

[Roger Hicks]

FWIW, I never have a problem with flare with the M4-P viewfinder. And I live in a place where the sun goes to on summer vacations.

And if it's not the smoothest of the family, I don't really mind because it's smooth enough for me. Best thing is, I didn't spend more than what I was prepared to.

I second what Roland said about frame-lines. I prefer 35mm or 28mm to 50mm, so M4-P is perfect in that regards too.

Not sunlight. Shooting at night, or inside, with small, bright light sources in a big, dark frame.

Cheers,

R.