New to Leica - which M?

<p>I am looking to purchase my first Leica M camera. I believe I will mainly be using it for wide angle shooting and no longer than 50mm. Which Leica M is recommended? I am trying to keep the purchase of the camera under $1,000 so that I can afford some better lenses. I see M2 - M5s are on ebay and other sites for around this amount if not a little under. </p>

<p>Hi Ryan, I use M4-Ps and keep them well maintained. It is the first M with 28mm frames, as well as 35mm. They are fairly affordable, along with the M6 and M6 TTL. I bought my last one for about $1100 in great shape with an MR4 meter, winder, and 50mm Summicron. If you can tolerate a non Leica body, you might consider a Voightlander R4A or M. I think the finder will adjust for 21mm.</p>

<p>In exactly that situation I felt there was only one <em>rational </em> choice - M6TTL with 0.58 finder - though I do find that a x1.25 magnifier helps greatly with lenses of 50mm and upwards. However, prices for the 0.58 TTL do seem to be quite high still - but the situation varies place-to-place, etc.</p>

<p>Beyond pure <em>rationality </em> I really prefer using a M2 or M4 with lenses from 28 to 50mm, even though they are tricky at 28mm (and wider) without separate viewfinders, which can be cumbersome and slow me down. The lack of a TTL meter with very wide lenses isn't an issue for me.</p>

<p>Get the Voigtlander Bessa R4M or R4A and use the change for lenses.</p>

<p>Bah, makes me wish I had my "guide to m mount lenses" article finished.</p>

<p>But, as you are a short lens fan, Fred's advice is pretty good. That R4 is a cool camera for wide angle fans. I've got one coming in the not too distant future.</p>

 

<p>Get the best lenses you can afford, then spend what's left on the body. If that mean you have to get a not-pretty M2 instead of an M6, so be it. If that means you have to get a Bessa, so be it. Get the best lens you can afford.<br>

Personally, I love using an M2 with a 35mm Summicron. This is a great way to start using a Leica in its purest sense. But if you must have a TTL meter, then an M6 or Bessa is the way to go.</p>

<p>Shop around and you should be able to find a nice user M6 (for the built-in meter) for around $1,000 - much less for a user M3 or M2 (no meter).</p>

<p>Get a good used M2, a good used 35mm f/2 Summicron, and a hand-held meter. Not the latest, fastest or flashiest, but a classic combination that is flexible and highly effective in many situations.</p>

<p>I would get an M6 for the meter and easier loading. I like to have a meter on the cameras I use a lot, but am not so worried for cameras I use less. If you don't intend using it all the time, may as well save some money and get a meterless M2 or M4.<br>

The M3 has a higher viewfinder magnification, so is not the best choice for wide angles.</p>

<p>What Peter Shawhan said.</p>

<p>I recommend a user M2 for 650$. Then find yourself a version 3 summicron 35/2 for 750 to 850$. Or, if you need more speed, buy a cv 35/1.4 used for ~500$. The M2 is excellent with 28mm lenses, as you can just use the entire vf to approximate the fov. Tom A suggests temporarily covering the brightlines window with tape, and I have found that helpful while I was shooting with a 28.</p>

<p>Ditto what Thomas Wildeman said about the M2 and 3rd version Summicron. If I lost all my gear tommorrow this would be exactly what I would get, having used many M bodies and lenses these 12 years.</p>

<p>Wide, how wide? You need a separate finder for most lenses under 35 (although the M6 and later has 28mm framelines they are pretty hard to see if you wear glasses.) I don't mind a separate finder. Leica 24 Elmarit ASPH is a superb lens but pricey. 35 Summicron, any vintage, is the definite Leica wideangle. But if you get an M3 you need a separate finder or a bulky goggle version of this lens.<br>

Which leaves M2 or M4 -- both good choices if you don't mind using a handheld meter like the Sekonic 3008.<br>

The most practical and long-lasting option, however, would be a used M6 plus a 35 'cron. </p>

<p> </p>

<p>m2, or m6 + 35mm summicron. easy.</p>

<p>M2 & the "sharper than 35 Summicron," the 35mm 1:2.8 Summaron for 1/2 the price of the Summicron!</p>

<p>I am a little surprised no one has suggested the Leica CL or even better, the Minolta CLE....a great & 'cheap' way into M photography.</p>

<p>cheers Steve.</p>

<p>Leica CLE = serious lack of repair parts.</p>

<p>Leica CL = meter that needs a mercury battery.</p>

<p>Regarding the Bessa suggestions: If you really want a Leica M, then get a Leica M. Otherwise you'll just regret it later.<br>

Beyond that, I don't think you can go wrong. I've owned an M2, M3, M4, M4-P and M6 at various points in life. I can't go back and look at any of my photos and tell you which picture was shot with which body.<br>

If you need an on-camera meter, get the M6. if not, get a decent user copy of an M2, M4 or M4-P and start shooting. There was actually a pretty nice deal on the RF forum last night (not sure if it is still there) for an M4-P - recent CLA and painted black by Rangefinder Restorations. It was listed at just under $800.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Tim your making me feel bad! You mention a whack of M's except for the M5: which I have...making me wonder if I got the wrong M!</p>

<p>Derek, that's funny. I mean no disrespect to the M5. I've just never used one. Never actually seen one in person, actually.</p>

 

<p>Just giving you a hard time...Josh hate smilies so I didnt add one...dont want to get my account deleted!</p>

<p>The only M camera I had was/is the M5 and I love it.</p>

<p>As Fred earlier said, go bessa. Even a Bessa 2 would suffice, let alone 4, unless you are determined to have Leica brand. In that case, M4-2 or -p. Leica is truly a great camera, but soon it comes to picture taking/making and then Bessa is as good. But difinitely a rangefinder. Reflex is for the yupi.</p>

<p>As Fred earlier said, go bessa. Even a Bessa 2 would suffice, let alone 4, unless you are determined to have Leica brand. In that case, M4-2 or -p. Leica is truly a great camera, but soon it comes to picture taking/making and then Bessa is as good. But difinitely a rangefinder. Reflex is for the yupi.</p>

<p>The meter in the CL can be adjusted by adding a resistor so that different battery types can be used.</p>

<p>I would say that any CLA'd M body is a good one.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>Regarding the Bessa suggestions: If you really want a Leica M, then get a Leica M. Otherwise you'll just regret it later.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>I agree. I'm one of those who thinks that others have now matched Leica <strong><em>glass </em> </strong> of decades past but no one's ever matched the feel of Leica <strong><em>bodies </em> </strong> of decades past.<br>

<br /> So I vote for a really nice M2 and a CV 35/1.7.</p>

<p> </p>