Thinking of purchasing film M body. Talk me out of it, please.

[David Murphy]

A decent M3 runs about $1500 these days and up - similar for M2. They are worth every penny of it.

 

[Fjäll]

The biggest drawback of rangefinders is the parralax error for sure, particularly at close distances. I went down the SLR route for that reason but I kept grabbing my M4-P anyway. I ended getting a visoflex for it instead. You can always turn it back to a rangefinder again.

 

[pmu]

On the other hand, when shooting with Leica, it would force me to see and shoot differently than normally. That could be a good thing.

 

[lxmike]

Don't get one, they are all awful, overrated etc, that's probably what I should be saying, but in all honesty your only alive once, give into GAS, grab yourself a Leica and have some fun

 

[jsrockit]

I am not sure it is like that. The OP knows it is not the right camera for him but wants it anyway. I can understand that. It is certainly not akin to extreme mental health issues.

 

[Dralowid]

I suggest he just buys the cheapest LTM Leica he can find, puts it on the mantlepiece to admire and carries on using whatever comes to hand.

 

[raydm6]

I believe Erik shoots/composes full frame with his M's and prints as such - showing the black outline of the negative (or negative-holder frame - do I have that right?) in the final print. I would be interested in hearing Erik's view and approach to how he handles framing/composition and viewfinder accuracy on his M's?

Interesting thoughts on this subject at the Leica FAQ:
How accurate is the M's frame-line display?

 

[Ronald M]

Precise framing and focus can be achieved with a visoflex, 100% close or far. Downside it become kind of heavy and proper correction lenses are difficult to source. Drug store glasses.
Film can be debated. My opinion is if you do not have a darkroom and must rely on others, digital is a better option. M10 series or perhaps 240 have live view with 100% perfect image close or far. Use modern visoflex or just back of camera with a dark cloth like large format. Not as nice a original visos, but useable.

Plus X film is gone and it makes me sad. All the other stuff is just film. M10R is almost as good as 4x5. Definitely puts Hassy to shame.

 

[pmu]

All the best,
Mike

Thanks a lot. Positive energy is always welcomed.

 

[xayraa33]

If you want an Leica M camera then you should buy one...pick the best that you want and enjoy using it....if you get sick of it or it turns out it is not for you then sell it.. and I doubt you would lose money on it. And with the way real high inflation is going (not the phoney gov't stats BS) it will be a better money making investment than a savings account that gives a half of one per cent interest on the principle.

 

[Erik van Straten]

I believe Erik shoots/composes full frame with his M's and prints as such - showing the black outline of the negative (or negative-holder frame - do I have that right?) in the final print. I would be interested in hearing Erik's view and approach to how he handles framing/composition and viewfinder accuracy on his M's?

Interesting thoughts on this subject at the Leica FAQ:
How accurate is the M's frame-line display?

I use M2, M3, M5 and MP.

M3: the frameline for 50mm is very good, but there is no frameline for 35; the framelines of the M2 and the M5 are extremely good; the framelines of the MP (and M6) are a bit less, but you can get used to them. The M-Leicas have parallax-correction, but no field correction; the field of the viewfinder is for all models optimal at 1m.

Erik.

 

[d_c]

You won't find many on here to talk you out of buying an M film body. I'm shooting with a digital M-body these days, and I sold most of my film gear to afford it, but I'll never get rid of my M6.

 

[newst]

If you are going to consider an LTM rangefinder, look into a Canon P. It offers a parallax corrected, one-to-one coincident rangefinder/viewfinder with complete frame lines for 35mm, 50mm, and 100mm. Added bonus, you don't have to trim the leader.

 

[Derek Leath]

I have over 100 film cameras. I do not shoot with all of them, but I could. I just purchased a M4 and a M6, which I'm finding I use more than my MM246 and M9.
I do like to put film in a FILCA now and then, makes my IIIF RD feel at home.

 

[pmu]

I found an perfect example of what annoys me with M rangefinder viewfinder inaccuracy. Attached is a photo taken with my normal shooting distance. Not close up, but pretty close. Can you spot that hook on the wall, right up corner? I am always super careful with the backround and I most definitely framed it out of the photo, but there it is.

SLR's, they don't feel good. My OM-1 takes fine photos, but I don't enjoy using the camera as a tool. M Leicas feel perfect.

 

[aizan]

If you want an SLR that feels good, try a Pentax screwmount with the old Super-Takumars or Super-Multi-Coated Takumars, preferably the SV or SL. The feel of the lenses, shutter button, and film advance lever, and the sound of the shutter are *chef's kiss*. Perfection.

 

[Erik van Straten]

The LTM-Leicas have a better "feel" than the M-Leicas, they are just a bit smaller and the lenses are smaller too. However, you'll need a SBOOI for 50mm and a SBLOO for 35mm. These finders are incredible.

gelatin silver print (summicron 50mm collapsible) leica II (sbooi)

Erik.

 

[JeffS7444]

Olympus Pen-FT combines small size and SLR accuracy. And because it's a half-frame 35 mm camera which gets ~72 exposures from a 36-exposure roll of film, leaving home with nothing more than camera, lens, and the film already loaded into the camera becomes an option. There is nothing else which handles or feels quite like a Pen SLR. I loaded mine with Lomo 800 color negative film for this photo, and dig the grain:

 

[cjm]

pmu - I have the same dilemma: Leica M's are an absolute pleasure to use but I prefer the precision of an SLR with 100% viewfinder coverage. I settled on using an M2 for situations where framing is less important and a Nikon F2 where precise framing is important. I would have a hard time choosing just one. If you can swing the M, go for it.

 

[Bill Clark]

I enjoy using my Leica cameras, barnack and M series.

They give me a nice conversation to have with TSA. Haven’t had a problem of late. No issues with film either. I just have lots of fun with them.

I kind of enjoy the Barnacks the best. My 1936 IIIa gets exercised frequently.