Which would you keep - Leica M2 or M3 ?

In a non practical way, if I have to choose witch camera I would like to left for my son or nephew, definitely it will be an Leica M3.
 
A little OT, but do you really think they are of equal value, even if it will cost $250 to improve the faint finder in the M3? I would think that an M3 and M2 in exactly the same condition would be less than $100 apart.

Anyway, I wold keep the M2 b/c it's in better condition, no future hassles. It's also my favorite M.
 
BillP said:
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

Bill


Although I don't know which one to keep, since I unfortunately do not own a Leica M myself


- that's simply kubrickesque -

:angel::D:D:D
 
Florian1234 said:
Although I don't know which one to keep, since I unfortunately do not own a Leica M myself


- that's simply kubrickesque -

:angel::D:D:D

M2... A camera odyssey...:D

Regards,

Bill
 
OK, whicever you sell, you will miss it - but based on my experience, you will miss the M2 the most! The 35/M2 combination is a match made in camera heaven and it really has not been surpassed since. Simple, easy to use and one of the most intuitive cameras ever made!
I should know - I have a lot of them, all in use!
 
Despite all the wisdom and good intentions of the contributors, this thread has led me nowhere. I wasn't looking for enlightenment- I was looking for Easy. Now I am back where I started. Thanks a lot !
 
I hope not ! The whole point of putting these questions is to seek quick answers from others, so that one doesn't have to think too much, is spared the difficult decisions, and has someone to blame later on !
 
I hope not ! The whole point of posing a question here is to avoid having to think, or agonize over difficult decisions, and have someone else to blame later on. I don't know what you are thinking.
Subhash:D
 
LeicaM3 said:
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:

Hmmm. That's just another absurdism that has no factual value. Better for 50mm and upwards, perhaps. Better mechanics? I doubt it. But alas, of limited practical value for 35mm. As Tom A states, the M2 and 35mm is a marriage made in heaven.

They got it right the first time, but even more right the second time.:)

Ernst
 
The M3 is far more beautiful than the M2. I've owned both. However, I kept the M2. Looks are for looks; when it comes to what's inside, it's what counts.
 
Gabriel M.A. said:
The M3 is far more beautiful than the M2. I've owned both. However, I kept the M2. Looks are for looks; when it comes to what's inside, it's what counts.

That's interesting. A clear case of beauty in the eye of the beholder.

I've also owned both (albeit the M3 only briefly) and simply can't stand the gothic looks of the M3. It's the raised window frames that kill any aesthetic qualities that it could otherwise have had. In my opinion.

Regards
Ernst
 
ernstk said:
That's interesting. A clear case of beauty in the eye of the beholder.

I've also owned both (albeit the M3 only briefly) and simply can't stand the gothic looks of the M3. It's the raised window frames that kill any aesthetic qualities that it could otherwise have had. In my opinion.

Regards
Ernst
For some reason the raised bevels look like a nice touch, to me, of course. I'm sure they did away with those with the M2 to "lower costs". And by no means by this do I mean to say that the M2 is "ugly". Far from it.

Some people like bigger eyelashes, some don't. But they don't work on everyone (wearer and "looker").

The M3, with the .9 viewfinder, is perfect for most of those who shoot almost exclusively with 50mm. Oddly enough, I found the M3's viewfinder confusing to my previewing brain.
 
"...For some reason the raised bevels look like a nice touch, to me..."

I agree with this. And to my eyes, this gives it a more solid look/feel, but may be purely cosmetic. For now, I do not feel like selling either.

As to the suggestion of selling the M5 ?... " Only out of my cold dead hands ! " (or something like that )
 
ernstk said:
Hmmm. That's just another absurdism that has no factual value. Better mechanics? I doubt it.
Ernst

Ernst,

Among others, these are the most obvious mechanical simplifications going from the M3 to the M2 that you can feel and see: Double brake shutter (for low noise and vibration) to a singular brake shutter, VF, RF.

Both are great cameras, but Leica had to cut cost and they did. This is well documented and undisputed.
Discussed this many years ago with Sammaritino (Leitz Service Genova) and a family member who worked for Leica for numerous decades, starting in '51.

M2 and 35s are good mates, but if I know I will shoot in low light, I put the 35 on the M3 for the better VF and more accurate range finding (and I think I can shoot it at one speed slower, might be subjective just because I know it vibrates less :p).
In daylight, I use the M2.

No interest in a futile M2/M3 debate.

M3 - a rare example of getting it right the first time.
Good Luck and good exposures.



PS: Another absurdism? :D
 
srtiwari said:
"...For some reason the raised bevels look like a nice touch, to me..."

I agree with this. And to my eyes, this gives it a more solid look/feel, but may be purely cosmetic. For now, I do not feel like selling either.

As to the suggestion of selling the M5 ?... " Only out of my cold dead hands ! " (or something like that )


Yeah!
:D:D:D:angel::angel::angel::):):)

RFF worked again.
 
the M3 is one of the best 35mm RF cameras ever made, period.

everything else seems to be a step down.
 
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