The Leica-M Poll of Polls.

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

I say MP. First of all, I have NEVER seen an M2 with a good rangefinder. Not one, and I had a BUNCH of them pass through my hands when I was first looking to buy my first Leica last year. I recently saw a few more at a camera store I visited and none of them were any good either. The RFs were dim and hard to focus on every single one, no exceptions. I have never seen an M4 or M6 with this problem (I owned 2 M4 bodies and looked at several others, and I own two M6 bodies and looked at several others). The M2 is just too old, sorry.

On top of that, the MP has a meter and can be bought with different finder magnifications if you need/want that. It has a hot shoe and modern PC socket if you use flash. You can't lose the takeup spool, its easier to load too. If you like black cameras, a used MP black paint is probably cheaper than an M2 black paint thanks to collector stupidity. An MP isn't likely to need a CLA or new shutter curtains for a long time either! That enough reasons? The only thing the M2 has going for it is they're cheap for the chrome ones....but I think its a false economy because nearly all of them need work. If you can't afford an MP, get an M6....still a better more usable camera and a lot cheaper than a used MP.

 

[mathomas]

Well, I have an M2, and love it, and I think I would love an MP even more (but won't pay for it). Mainly because it would just be a newer camera. Possibly less issues over time.

 

[Doug]

Exactly my view too, mathomas! I might opt for an MP if I didn't already have an M2... which has been serving me well for 43 years. I can sorta sympathize with Leica, their new product facing competition from their own decades-old products!

Mine has the quick-load kit, for one fewer differentiating factor. But it also has the very beginnings of separation in the viewfinder, a point for the MP.

 

[v3cron]

I can't throw the price out of the equation. I would just be too scared to use a $5000 camera. Plus, I looked through an MP before, and didn't the think the rf patch looked as contrasty as that of my M2. Maybe it's just me. Plus, I can buy 10 M2s for the price of one MP. On the other hand, a custom MP can be really sexy in black.

 

[dreamsandart]

If it was a 'new' M2 from the factory I would say it wins hands down for built quality and 'beauty'. But since we're talking 40+ years on its a matter of who has been working on it and how well the finder has held up (other parts being easier and cheaper to replace). There is something to be said for the in-camera meter on the MP, and the finder with its multi-coating is very bright and neutral in color.

For me, the 'classic' chrome MP .85 (thanks Thomas!)

 

[parsec1]

I have just bought an unused black M6 for 700 pounds for XP2. V/f seems very bright to me...Love it.

 

[jsrockit]

Best value of price / performance seems to be the M6 TTL IMO. If you throw price out the window, I love the newest Mps.

 

[Pablito]

As a photographer, I prefer the M6 classic. No glitz, no glam, just works. Wish the frame lines were better but even so.

As purist, I prefer the M2.

The MP is an absurd device. 😱

 

[ferider]

Couldn't have said it better.

 

[johnnygulliver]

this is hard, my ancient M2 feels sweeter, the wind-on smoother than my old MP. The latter may be tougher, the top plate more resistant, it's quick loading, vf more versatile in many ways. But, if really pushed: the M2, because it was there first, it's cheaper and I suspect more trouble was taken over it's assembly in those days internally and externally - it has a beautiful finish, the MP uses cheap x head screws, yuch ... but I don't see how the MP can be described as absurd - it's just another v. slightly different M...

 

[craygc]

M2 but with the M4 take up spool. I'm so used to using this on my M2 I often forget that it didn't actually come that way...

 

[segedi]

MP got my vote, i have one. But I did get a Photo Equip winder attachment for it.

 

[Kwesi]

Although we get attached to our leica's, they really do get subtly better ( more useable) with each evolution so the MP gets my vote.

 

[shortstop]

I vote MP, that have chrome (0.58).If Lenses are the first thing in Leica system, VF is the first thing in a Leica body, so my choice has been and is MP. Now that I have a camera with wide angle frames, my second body would be an M3 (that I consider better aestetically and for its VF/RF than M2).
But differences between 2and 3 are so subtle, that understand who preferes the first (35 mm frame plays an important role).

 

[Krosya]

Since noone is sayng this - M5 is THE ONE. Tried many others. M5 is the only one that I really loved.

 

[Timmyjoe]

I gotta go with the MP, but only because I'm getting lazy and the light meter is a big help. I think the M2 is better made, though not as nice as the M3. But they're all good.

For me, dream camera, MP w/0.85 viewfinder, vulcanite covering, in chrome. That would be sweet. Brand new with a three year warranty so I could shoot the heck out of it and not pay the outlandish prices for Leica service for at least three years.

Best,
-Tim

 

[ray*j*gun]

At one point I had an M6, M4p and my M2 (button rewind) the M6 and M4p are gone but the M2 is still with me. Pure precision and (out side leaf shutters), the quietest shutter I have ever heard on any camera.

 

[helen.HH]

Button rewinds(M2) are the prettiest...sigh

 

[leicapixie]

Button rewinds(M2) are the prettiest...sigh

.
So true!
There is though a big BUT for me..
My M2 least used of my "M" boxes..
My M6 TTL has the meter, the drop in loading, the worst finder.
It really sucks..
My M3 battered, needing new covering, shutter blinds, my fav.
It's most used, the M2,M3 never flared, ever.
The 50mm lens my preference.
As a new Film M is about to be released, what thoughts..
😀

 

[Brian Atherton]

Voted MP, simply for its flare-resistant rangefinder.

Not on the list, the M6 TTL does it for me over the MP, for its larger speed dial.