Which would you keep - Leica M2 or M3 ?

[srtiwari]

Like everyone else, I too am trimming my film gear. I have an M2, and an M3 (SN 908xxxx, SS) , both in near Mint condition, both recently CLA'd. BUT, the M3 VF patch is a bit faint, and will likely cost $250-300 to repair.
Given the patch issue, they are probably equal value presently. I MUST sell one, but cannot decide which one, since they are both such gorgeous machines.
The Magnification is not the crucial issue, since I do have a .72 M5, and another .85 M6. And I shoot in the middle range - about 35-90mm focal length. So the extreme ranges 28mm or 135mm are only of relative interest.
I do not have a Summaron with Goggles for the M3, but can probably use either the entire VF window, or an external VF when using a 35mm.
Any thoughts ? :bang:

 

[varjag]

I'd keep the one I used most and longest.

 

[rover]

As I now have both, I have no preference of which you sell.

That said, keep the one in better condition and keep using it as much as you can.

 

[Keith]

In your position I'd be selling the M5 and hanging on to the M3 and M2. I just think that the M3/M2 is nearly the perfect non metered M combination and ultimately you will regret selling one or the other!

 

[pfoto]

Keep the one that has the framelines for the lenses you use most.

 

[Kim Coxon]

If you often use a 35, I would sell the M3 as you have the longer length covered with the .86 M6. On the other hand, if you use the M3 more often, sell the M".

Kim

 

[Ronald M]

Never sell a working piece of Leica gear.

 

[terrafirmanada]

If I were you I would follow EXACTLY every single post fore mentioned. If I were me I would keep the M2, and the .85 sell the rest, and consider selling the .85 too. The M2 to me is the simplest best working cam with great framelines.

 

[George S.]

My stock answer which applies to many different questions asked.... Sell everything and buy an M4-P...

 

[sirius]

Never sell a working piece of Leica gear.

Ha ha! Devil!!!

 

[ernstk]

Keep the M2. It's much more flexible and elegant for the range of lenses that you use.

Ernst

 

[wallace]

Sell the M2 to me!

 

[fbf]

keep the m2, period.

 

[BillBingham2]

What are the percentages of use for each lenses? How fast is the 90 that you have?

B2 (;->

 

[Benjamin Marks]

keep the sell the M3 M2 gear never always sell retain use give away the most covet the least fondle the often-est wide angle normal send to me ha ha.

I have both. I like 50's. Therefore I'd keep the M3, if forced to ditch one. But this position is subjective. What lens do you use the most? If its the CV 15mm, then it hardly matters. If it is a 35 or 50, then I'd think that would make your choice for you.

Ben Marks

Ben Marks

 

[Al Kaplan]

I rarely even use a 90 these days, and I lucked out on a pristine 135/2.8 at an estate sale a couple of years ago and the "goggled" 135 uses the 90mm frame lines anyway. Keep the M2. If you ever send it in for major service you can get the newer style framelines installed which includes the 135 frame.

 

[shadowfox]

And I shoot in the middle range - about 35-90mm focal length. So the extreme ranges 28mm or 135mm are only of relative interest.
I do not have a Summaron with Goggles for the M3, but can probably use either the entire VF window, or an external VF when using a 35mm.
Any thoughts ? :bang:

... sounds like to me you *want* to keep the M3

In your shoes, I'd keep the M2.

 

[thomasw_]

Get rid of the M3 with its VF going hazy; it will only get worse until you PAY to have it repaired....The M2 is such a versatile machine for what you want to shoot, subhash, 35 to 90. Keep the M2; sell the M3 and M5: buy some good glass for the M2.

 

[BillP]

Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2
Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2 Keep the M2

...is that clear enough?

Regards,

Bill

 

[LeicaM3]

Keep the M3.

Better VF, better RF, better mechanics, no corners cut, the rare case of getting it right the first time - before the cost savings at Leica. :angel: