The Leica-M Poll of Polls.

[zuiko85]

First time I've seen this poll.
Voted M2. Have always had a tendency to pick the simplest, or most basic camera solution. No electronics, less to go wrong. I realize this is not entirely logical as modern cameras have quite reliable and stable built in meters and, if push comes to shove, the 2003 MP has fully mechanical shutter timing and can be used without the batteries. To be honest I have only handled an M2, I did not buy it because of extensive, and expensive necessary repairs. I have wound up instead with a M4-2, not as classy as a M2 but serviceable none the less.

 

[Roger Hicks]

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.

In some ways, yes. In others, not necessarily. But I still use my MP more than my remaining M2. And my M9 more than either...

Cheers,

R.

 

[trip-xa]

M4-P, of course. 😛

This makes me chuckle. My first M was M4-P, but I longed for M2 and sold the M4-P after less than a year. I prefer the loading and rewind, and, frankly, nearly everything about it. I was truly thinking the other day that is someone asked me what single item that you own is your favorite and in my mind it was the M2. Such an amazing thing. 50+ years old, butter smooth, and so fully evolved.

 

[Monochrom]

To me the m2 is the best, why would i spend that extra k´s of cash for a simple lightmeter?

After all B/W doesn´t need electric cicuits to get correct exposures!

😀

 

[Cyriljay]

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.

I have selected B as MP has more advantages .
😀

 

[maitani]

between the M2 and MP I'd choose the M2,
between all of them the plain M4

 

[Vincent.G]

I faced a similar choice as the OP and went for the M2 instead of the over-rated MP.
The M2 takes IXMOO cassettes but the MP can't.
The M2 also has bigger (more accurate) 35/50/90 framelines, if that is important to you.

Depending on what you shoot, incident metering with a M2 is easier (for me) than chasing the blinking diodes in the viewfinder of the MP.

Nonetheless, the MP has a nice VF and RF patch (at five grand, it better be!) and quick film loading. The choice of a 0.58/0.72/0.85 VF is a plus point.

I think the M2 is a simpler and more enjoyable mechanical camera to shoot with.

 

[Rob-F]

My M2 is smoother than my MP and has a more properly sized 50mm frameline.

And the M5 should have been included in the poll. It has the proper framelines and the meter.

 

[mfunnell]

This has been running long enough that I had to scan back to make sure I hadn't posted this before. "This" being: I can't vote here as the M of all Ms (an M3 DS with frameline preview lever) is not even included 😱 in the poll. Under these circumstances, how am I expected to be able to vote? 😕

...Mike

 

[Ronald M]

If both were made new today so as to eliminate the age related issues, M2.

I can adjust the RF easily, although I never had one go out.

Real rubber finish

Superior plating

And every shout will use the superior frame lines.

But considering they will not remake the M2, then I pick the MP.

 

[phofseth]

Closely cirumscribed poll. yes. The single stroke M3 was OK as well AND with all M3s one could keep both eyes open and have the frameline out in the potential picture. The Md with a bright extra finder was not quite as pocketable, but useful for WA. Not having to use a Gossen or Metrawatt extra, counted in favour of the M6 until silver halide succumbed to modified silicium. p.

 

[NJH]

M6 for the reasons already said. As nice as the MP is even secondhand they are 2x to 3x the price of an M6 so even if one could afford the MP you would be better off with a pair or three M6 bodies.

Best cure for the newer RF and coated optics is to upgrade your glasses if you are a glasses wearer to ones with the fancy Zeiss optics with their famous coatings. I did this when I needed new glasses and straight away noted my ability to focus my M6 classic was all of a sudden no worse than on the M7 0.85x I had. The M7 got sold.

 

[leica M2 fan]

For me it's the M2 mostly because that's the only one I have. I got it in 1970 and had it CLA'd by Youxin about a year ago. It is the button rewind and no self timer and the view finder is nice and bright and it is a keeper!

 

[coelacanth]

I've had both. Sold both, and re-purchased M2. Early one with button rewind and "small window." So I guess my answer is M2.

 

[FrozenInTime]

There is now a new pretender - the M-A : great viewfinder , no electronics , fast loading.

 

[coelacanth]

And incidently, I am (mildly) considering an M-A as my "last Leica" probably in black chrome as a film twin to the Monochrom.

 

[noisycheese]

I cannot address the M2 as I have never owner or worked with one.

However, I have owned an MP 2003 version and I ended up trading it in on my M240. The rewind knob was a pain to use, and the camera crapped out on me twice, requiring it to be sent in for repair.

My M4-P has been flawless in its reliability, which is why I kept it rather than the MP. I have not regretted trading off the MP.

So my answer to the question "M2 or MP?" would be M4-P. 😀

I would say that rather than sinking $5000 USD into an MP, get a nice used M3, an M4-P and an M5. You will have three M cameras for the price of one and cash left over.

 

[john neal]

I have not voted - I have the MP and love it, but like Roger, tend to use the M9 or MM more.

I thought about another M2 when I saw one recently for a silly low price ( a true "user") but dallied for a couple of hours and missed it. I did think about selling the MP and getting a BP M4, but collectoritis has shot the price of those above the value of my MP 😱

In the end, it comes down to personal preference and, at the moment for me, its the MM - sorry

 

[Pete B]

My MPs are 0.72 35/50/90
They are smoother than my M2
I voted MP
Pete

 

[Samouraï]

Useless poll without an M3 option.