The Leica-M Poll of Polls.

[Boniface XIII]

To me, the two greatest Ms ever.

If only one, which one? And, if you feel like saying so, why?

For the purposes of this poll, please assume the MP is meterless. Concentrate on the mechanics and feel of each, as well as on the build of each camera and its viewfinder quality.

 

[ferider]

I know this voice ... Glad that you are back. Myself, I prefer the M2, and if only for the better 90mm and larger 50/35mm framelines.

 

[thomasw_]

Depending on which VF magnification the meterless MP has; if the MP has the ,72x VF, then the M2 would be my choice; if it is the ,58x or ,85x VF on the MP, then the MP would be my choice.

 

[coelacanth]

Ohhh. That's one tough poll. I, too, believe M2 and MP (new) are the two best Ms, and they are the ones I'm sticking with.

In the end, I must choose M2, namely the ones without self timer. The simplest M with RF. My MP has modified/simplified framelines, but regular ones have extra framelines I personally don't want. M2 has clean 35/50/90 by default. Also like M2's 90mm lines better. MP one is missing the corners so it's harder to frame.

And I actually like M2's film counter a lot. Charming character to it, less chance to break, no glass or auto resetting, truly fully manual.

 

[drewbarb]

Your poll is missing the hands-down winner all-time best Leica M- the M3. M2 is runner up, with the MP in third place. All the others fall into also-ran category. Just MHO.

 

[visiondr]

I suppose, and only if you threaten me with red hot tongs, I would choose the MP. The reason comes down to the film loading. Aesthetically, the M2 is the hands-down winner; the true vulcanite, the film counter, etc. REMEMBER, I'm only making the choice because I am being coerced. It's like choosing between Mary Anne and Ginger; they're both hot, but how practical is that tight dress and high heels on a desert island anyway?

Then again... I despise the flush finder windows on the MP. Those darned things are constantly getting smeared up with fingerprints. And that's not and aesthetic issue at all. A smeared rangefinder window can make the focusing patch indistinct and thus focusing more difficult.

 

[fbf]

Same here. My ideal would be an M2 or MP with 0.85 finder but with the older, simpler, thicker framelines of the M2.

Ditto. I should add I prefer M2R instead of the m2

 

[bwcolor]

Poll should read M2 + M7 or MP

 

[J J Kapsberger]

I know this voice ... Glad that you are back.

Smart. I've been watching the continuing exploits of B XIII. It seems you sensed things even a couple of weeks ago. I too was struck by the familiarity.

Anyhoo...

There's an inevitable trade-off between these two bodies: on the one hand, the M2, like the M3, is simply Leica at its best in terms of quality of build. This camera is the one that truly can claim to be "mechanical perfection".

(In the opinion of one very respected Leica repairman, the current MP cannot claim such a title, as it doesn't measure up to the M3s and M2s in terms of build quality. Or in terms of smoothness. The M2s and M3s I've handled have been smoother than the MPs I've handled. Indeed, the smoothest Leica I've every used is a buddy's M2, which is almost laughably smooth and quiet.)

On the other hand, the MP has a better VF and can come with a warranty. And can be purchased brand new, so there needn't be a question of what a previous owner did to it.

Tough decision.

 

[J J Kapsberger]

Then again... I despise the flush finder windows on the MP.

Same here. The recessed windows à la M2 and M4 are the best, practically and aesthetically.

Poll should read M2 + M7 or MP

Agreed. The M7 would be my choice.

 

[jsrockit]

If you can afford the MP, I think you should do that. The M2 is relatively cheap in comparison, so you can always pick one of those up later.

 

[visiondr]

Smart. I've been watching the continuing exploits of B XIII. It seems you sensed things even a couple of weeks ago. I too was struck by the familiarity.

I've had the same feeling. I'm pleased Boniface XIII is with us.

There's an inevitable trade-off between these two bodies: on the one hand, the M2, like the M3, is simply Leica at its best in terms of quality of build. This camera is the one that truly can claim to be "mechanical perfection".

(In the opinion of one very respected Leica repairman, the current MP cannot claim such a title, as it doesn't measure up to the M3s and M2s in terms of build quality. Or in terms of smoothness. The M2s and M3s I've handled have been smoother than the MPs I've handled. Indeed, the smoothest Leica I've every used is a buddy's M2, which is almost laughably smooth and quiet.)

I have to wonder how much of the M2/3's smoothness has to do with the fact that they're all at least 40+ years old and have had hundreds, and perhaps thousands of rolls of film through them.

 

[coelacanth]

I have to wonder how much of the M2/3's smoothness has to do with the fact that they're all at least 40+ years old and have had hundreds, and perhaps thousands of rolls of film through them.

That's a good point. I can feel my MP from 2003 with total of five owners got very very smooth winding operation and such, but it's still "crisp" smoothness (nothing wrong with it) that's shouting "precision!" compared to my recently CLA'ed M2 from 1959 being "buttery" smooth operation.

One more thing about M2 is shorter/lighter release button operation compared to MP.

 

[jarski]

I know this voice ...

Smart. I've been watching the continuing exploits of B XIII. It seems you sensed things even a couple of weeks ago. I too was struck by the familiarity.

I've had the same feeling. I'm pleased Boniface XIII is with us.

am not sensing anything ! who has joined us ? 😕

 

[Austerby]

I've had both and sold both - I preferred my M3 and M7. Between the two, I'd pick the MP - I liked the covering on the MP more than the M2.

I know, I'm a heretic.

 

[J J Kapsberger]

I have to wonder how much of the M2/3's smoothness has to do with the fact that they're all at least 40+ years old and have had hundreds, and perhaps thousands of rolls of film through them.

I understand it has mostly to do with brass, which becomes smoother as it wears. And the fact that they're overbuilt and exquisitely well put together.

 

[visiondr]

One more thing about M2 is shorter/lighter release button operation compared to MP.

Oh, I suspect His Holiness will concur.

 

[visiondr]

I've had both and sold both - I preferred my M3 and M7. Between the two, I'd pick the MP - I liked the covering on the MP more than the M2.

I know, I'm a heretic.

Yes, you are and you should be burned at the stake for such blasphemy! :-0

 

[sepiareverb]

I've had and sold M2 cameras. I've never sold an MP.

It is the film loading that I mostly prefer, as the meter is taken off the table.

Having one less piece to keep track of allows my moronic mind to direct my clumsy fingers that much better. I much prefer the loading of the MP.

 

[Rafael]

I was wondering if that was you. Welcome back.

Following Thomas and Mike, I vote for the MP for its 0.85x VF.