Which Leica to choose after some Bessas and Leicas?

I have been a Leica user for more than a decade with two M7 bodies. For the past few years I started shooting mainly Rolleiflex TLR and a Hasselblad SWC. Rolleiflex 3.5F, Rolleiwide and an SWC make an awesome travel kit! However medium format with slowish lenses are too often less than ideal in certain situations. I have missed shots with medium format due to format constraints. A big beautiful 6x6 negative of a shot I didn’t get or a tiny Leica neg I did manage to get? So I am shooting more Leica and choosing my tools more carefully. Anyway I have learned to love the incident light meter and no longer want any built in meter especially AE. The M7s will be sold and I’ll shoot with M2/M3.
 
presspass said:
If you are planning to concentrate on a 35mm lens, consider a .58 viewfinder or an M2. The 35 frame lines appear by themselves. For a metered body, that means an M6TTL, M7, or MP.
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I'm no M Leica expert. I have, however, owned a Konica Hexar RF. Consider one if you want a modern film Leica. They are 100% compatible with even goggled Leica lenses. 0.6 VF so better for 35mm and useless over 90mm.

Put one to the test if you can. They are a nice camera, load film like a proper modern camera, motor driven, metered manual or AE. They aren't a Leica but they are what Leica should have built.
 
Thank you all !

Black was just most available color for M4-2 and R2M . I was covering M4-2 top plate with white masking tape this summer. I don't like then cameras getting touch hot.

I like the idea of converting M6 TTL with non repairable electronics to meterless Leica with modern ISO reminder and newer light seals. Just how much would it cost to upgrade frame-lines to metterless and get rid of 75 and narrower frames...
All I need is 35, sometimes 50 and 28 is good option, but I frame 28mm by entire viewfinder in M4-2 and R2M and it works fine.

Maybe getting user M2 and sending it for VF service, upgrade and to install new main light baffle and curtains?
 
I have an (black chrome - mostly now anyway) M4 from a batch which I believe were used as cruise ship cameras - for taking pictures of guests which were then sold to those guests. It was very trashed when I got it and now has a new body shell from an MD2 as the original was cracked (the top was and is dented in various places too) and held together with epoxy resin. I have no idea how may photos its taken but I'd guess many thousands, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands. - a lot! Despite this Malcolm Taylor rebuilt it and no parts were needed other than the body shell. And it still works fine, although its now a 'custom' M4 with neither self timer nor frame selector.

I really wouldn't worry about an M4 and parts. They are rarely needed and if the time comes when they are no doubt there will be donor cameras available. The M4 remains my favourite film Leica and you can't go too far wrong with one - get it CLA'd though for peace of mind and to ensure that it runs for the next few decades. Unless you are going to put vast quantities of film through one, it should carry on fine. They are tough little cameras - mine shows this.
 
Sounds good! My maximum rate is four bulks of bw and two dozens of color per year.
The only drawback of M4 is no hot shoe, but I have working flash with PC cable.
 
Ko.Fe. said:
Sounds good! My maximum rate is four bulks of bw and two dozens of color per year.
The only drawback of M4 is no hot shoe, but I have working flash with PC cable.
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What exactly are the differences between the M4 and the M4-2? Is it the cluttered viewfinder you don't like?

The M4-2 does have a hot shoe and 28mm frame lines though.

Personally I chose the M4-P as my single Leica. But it could've been the M4-2 had I found that first. I need the hot shoe for flash (without cables) and I just never got along with the knob rewinds. I prefer black too.
 
I can see how people can compare the M4 to the M2. I've had both and I would say that I preferred the M4 over the M2 for a few reasons.

1 being the exposure counter. It's super easy to bump the exposure counter on the M2 and then end up not knowing when you're going to be finished the roll.

Faster loading as mentioned already is a plus

Framelines are basically the same. The M2 does come with a DOF scale built into the RF patch though. Not sure if this is something you're into but it's worth noting. I've never used it in my life but it's neat to look at.

M4 does have the canted advance lever vs the classic solid advance lever of the M2.

Something that people don't often bring up is the frameline accuracy. I've read that Leica changed it's RF design starting with the M4-P and newer. This might not be a deal breaker for you but I constantly find inconsistencies between my M5 and my M240, the 240 sharing the same newer RF design which is wildly inaccurate. M4 vs M4-2 or M4-P, the M4 will have more accurate framelines. I didn't find the same inconsistencies between the M5 and the M4.

Also, I PMd you about an M6 kit I know for sale in the area. If you are still sold on an M6. I can't comment on how the M6 stacks up with the M4 or M2 because I've actually never shot or owned an M6.
 
Used M3,M4,M5, M4-P, M6 and Bessa R2 and Bessa T.
Still have most of them (sold M3 and Bessa R2).

Based on your description, would suggest M4 or M6 Classic for you. M4 feels great and got (IMHO) the best viewfinder of the bunch. M6 got a light meter so is great for indoors and tricky light environments.

Wish you luck.

Best regards
Marcelo.
 
In your case a late M6 classic. Relatively young, reliable and easier to fix than the M6 Ttl. IMO the modern classic Leica.
 
Ko, Let us know what you end up with. We might still be here discussing what's best for you ;-).
 
Having used the M2, M4, M5, M6, CL, M7, and MP, I still own the M2. It’s just so “pure”. Great viewfinder. No plastic parts.

However, I will admit to wishing I still had the M4 as well.
 
It will take some time before I will update with real update.
I asked in advance. Now I have to sell R2M and M4-2 and most likelly 50 Cron of I'll take M6 (TTL) route.
I was hesitant to start this thread, but it was very helping with all of your reply and information.
So, let's keep this thread open. Canada Post has huge backlog due to the strike.
And this is how I"m getting it delivered to me if it is not local deal.
But here is alternatives to Canada Post for me to ship.
 
It is convienient to have the shutter speed diai turn in the same direction as the exposure arrows. Plus the dial placement and size alows you to keep the camera at eye level while making the changes.
 
Something worth bearing in mind regarding the M6TTL (which may or may not be helpful):

My understanding is that Leica no longer have certain parts to fix the internal meter - so if you're not planning on using the meter, you can pick up M6TTL cameras with a duff meter considerably cheaper than normal price.....


John
 
Timmyjoe said:
Like many here I have owned a number of Leica M cameras (M6TTL, M2, M3 DS, M3 SS, M4) and the Leica M I use the most is an M3 SS. Because, for these aging eyes, the M3 is the easiest for me to focus accurately. (I use an external finder for 35mm & 28mm lenses).

Best,
-Tim
Click to expand...


I heard today from a Leica certified tech that The M2/ M4 have a brighter VF than the M3. I have the M3 and will go w/ the external VF for the wides too...
 
Fjäll said:
What exactly are the differences between the M4 and the M4-2? Is it the cluttered viewfinder you don't like?

The M4-2 does have a hot shoe and 28mm frame lines though.

Personally I chose the M4-P as my single Leica. But it could've been the M4-2 had I found that first. I need the hot shoe for flash (without cables) and I just never got along with the knob rewinds. I prefer black too.
Click to expand...

I prefer silver 🙂. M4-2 has no 28 frames. It is simplified M4.
But you raised valid point. I could exchange one run down M4-2 to fresh one.
It should be quicker and less $$$ solution.
M4 is on M2, M3 guality build, I guess. My M3 DS ELC was different from M4-2 in this regard.
 
Ko.Fe. said:
I prefer silver 🙂. M4-2 has no 28 frames. It is simplified M4.
But you raised valid point. I could exchange one run down M4-2 to fresh one.
It should be quicker and less $$$ solution.
M4 is on M2, M3 guality build, I guess. My M3 DS ELC was different from M4-2 in this regard.
Click to expand...

I believe there is a silver M4-P on ebay...
 
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