The best companion for the MP

[Doug]

I think that one of the best companions for your MP would be an evil SLR, as it will add versatility to your kit. Frequently, I am carrying a Nikon FM2 or FM3A with my M6.

I was thinking that a good companion for an MP would be another MP, but that's not a choice on the poll. 🙂

But your suggestion, while not in accord with this forum's emphasis, is a sensible one I think. SLRs are just more comfortable with longer lenses, also with close distances, and situations where parallax is an issue. A good complement to the RF.

I'm recalling the late 60's when I'd walk about downtown Seattle and the waterfront with a Pentax Spotmatic with 85mm f1.8 Auto-Tak on a short strap hanging above my M2 with 35 Summicron, both with Tri-X. A useful pairing.

 

[Bryce]

Another vote for "something different". Could be digital, SLR, both, or medium format- maybe even 4x5.
Having access to more than one medium is great. The only trouble can be making yourself choose which to use at a particular time sensibly.
If your family is bent on color, digital really shines there...

 

[amateriat]

Yep...I second the Hexar RF.

Bob

(In my best Foghorn Leghorn voice) Three, I say, three votes for the Hexar...

(Are we starting to become annoying?) :angel:

Of course, a brick of K64P wouldn't hurt, either.


- Barrett

 

[Joop van Heijgen]

I think that one of the best companions for your MP would be an evil SLR, as it will add versatility to your kit. Frequently, I am carrying a Nikon FM2 or FM3A with my M6.

A SLR is always the logic companion of a M Leica.

That's the main reason why Leica have the M and the R system!

I use the M4(P) with the Leicaflex SL 2 or Leica RE!

 

[Keith]

A SLR is always the logic companion of a M Leica.

That's the main reason why Leica have the M and the R system!

I use the M4(P) with the Leicaflex SL 2 or Leica RE!

Lateral but logical ... come to think of I often reach for my OM-2 as a compliment and alternative to a rangefinder. It does the things the RF struggles with without feeling completely foreign in my hands after using a small bodied camera like a Leica M or similar.

 

[Joop van Heijgen]

Lateral but logical ... come to think of I often reach for my OM-2 as a compliment and alternative to a rangefinder. It does the things the RF struggles with without feeling completely foreign in my hands after using a small bodied camera like a Leica M or similar.

'without feeling completely foreign in my hands after using a small bodied camera like a Leica M'

You keep that M feeling with the Leicaflex SL 2...

A real Leica 🙂

 

[dreamsandart]

Back in the days I had one my simple but 'complete' outfit was a [SLR] Leicaflex for long lenses, close-up and very wides (to see I got things straight) along with an M for quick use and normal 35/50 fast lenses.

Now if its 'companion time' travelling I take along my Rolleiflex to 'see' with, something different and to slow things down, the M is still for lens speed and quicker capture.

 

[maddoc]

Back in the days I had one my simple but 'complete' outfit was a [SLR] Leicaflex for long lenses, close-up and very wides (to see I got things straight) along with an M for quick use and normal 35/50 fast lenses.

Now if its 'companion time' travelling I take along my Rolleiflex to 'see' with, something different and to slow things down, the M is still for lens speed and quicker capture.

The Rolleiflex is indeed a good companion to (any) Leica M. I do the same when travelling, bringing my Rolleiflex 3.5E for the more "composed" photo moments and a M-Leica for the quicker capture and lens speed.

 

[Way]

The Rolleiflex is indeed a good companion to (any) Leica M. I do the same when travelling, bringing my Rolleiflex 3.5E for the more "composed" photo moments and a M-Leica for the quicker capture and lens speed.

I carry an Agfa Super Isolette 120 folder (6x6) with my MP or ZI. Love that square format!

 

[welder]

Get an MP3 and you will sell your MP to get another MP3 - yes - it is true - an MP3 is truly "the" camera to die for.

 

[peter_n]

Aren't you limiting yourself to three lenses with such a strategy?

 

[kbg32]

The best companion for the MP is a good eye.

 

[eric]

The best companion for the MP is a blonde. Or maybe a brunette.

 

[mfunnell]

Every once in a while I wonder if an MP might make a good companion to my (CLA'd) DS M3, but every time I try 'em in store they just don't measure up in terms of construction or viewfinder. Its a conundrum... 😀

...Mike

 

[mfunnell]

The best companion for the MP is a blonde. Or maybe a brunette.

And there's a problem with redheads?? 😕

...Mike

 

[northpole]

If you require a spare manual camera, logic dictates that another MP, perhaps black/ chrome combo - one having different viewfinder mag than the other depending on your predominant lens usage.

If you'd prefer an automatic fallback option then I would suggest either the M7 or the Konica Hexar RF. The Konica having the further advantage of weighing less than the M7.

SLR's are great but I think they are potentially confusing the question you have raised.

Peter

 

[maddoc]

If you require a spare manual camera, logic dictates that another MP, perhaps black/ chrome combo - one having different viewfinder mag than the other depending on your predominant lens usage.

If you'd prefer an automatic fallback option then I would suggest either the M7 or the Konica Hexar RF. The Konica having the further advantage of weighing less than the M7.

SLR's are great but I think they are potentially confusing the question you have raised.

Peter

The M7 might indeed be a good companion to the MP. All manual, a M4-P or M4-2 are probably the most reliable all manual companion(s) if a second MP is out of reach, money-wise.

 

[Turtle]

I personally think another MP but I know you dont want that! I would actually say a bloody good SLR is the perfect compliment to any RF, but if you are thinking wider I would say a MF RF such as a Mamiya 7 for stunning image quality. If you love wides and Voigtlander R4 would make sense....

 

[kubilai]

A 4x5

A 4x5

MP is perfect for hand-held shooting.
Now you need a tripod and a Linhof Master-Teknika 4x5 for the remaining.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Put it this way:

I have M8, MP, M4-2, 2x M2

The natural second camera is another MP and I can't quite see your objection to this. MP/M8 is not an especially good combination because of the 1.33x effective increase in focal length BUT if you want a colour camera it's probably a good idea. The rest I wouldn't even consider.

I'm considering selling my M4-P and one of the M2s (the one without the Rapidwinder -- thanks, Tom) and putting the money towards another MP. And my wife is thinking of buying an MP too...

Cheers,

Roger