p.3 #1 · Looking to try a leica rangefinder. meter or no?
If you are just going to primarily shoot 35mm and dont want to spring for new camera, a M4-2 or M4-P is probably most cost efficient means to get in. You can find essentially unmarred ones to beat up ones depending on how spendy. New to range finder a M3 has a lot going for it, the viewfinder is optimized at 50 mm, no 35 frame lines but 35 is essentially the entire viewfinder. Easier to do the rangefinder path for focus- you can find great ones and beat up ones again. Most have a removable spool for film loading, that seems more complex but is more reliable for beginners. A M4 will gain you that 35 mm frame line again great ones to beat ones. Be cautious about eBay purchases lots of issues, you should consider buying from a reliable camera dealer and pay a little extra. Personally I think the M4-2 has a lot going for it, not considered the best made M, I have this camera as well as the others, but cost benefit is high, you can always trade up without much of hit. Check out youtube Analogue Insights for a M4-2 review, on other hand the M3 and M4 especially the M3 might be the best camera ever made- mine seems it, with the M4 following closely. Check out Three Blind Men and an Elephant youtube review. As always best to learn a bit before taking out the wallet. LLL just released more 35 8 element lenses tiny and wonderful- a lot going for it as that 35 companion for your soon to be new M. a light meter or phone light meter is a good addition, you can go for a shoe mounted one or be looking especially vintage cool with a Sekonic around your next for incident/spot metering.
p.3 #2 · Looking to try a leica rangefinder. meter or no?
Agree with EMH2025 about the M4-2 or -P. Also the M6 classic (non-TTL). Unlike the TTL, there is a 3rd party circuit board available in the event your meter fails. The TTL meter is not repairable in which case, if it fails, you’ve got yourself a M4-2 or -P. Personally I’d avoid the M7. It’s a wonderful camera but, if the electronics fail, you have a brick, not a camera. I find that using meterless cameras makes me MUCH more aware of the light and improves my entire composition process. Grab yourself a Gossen Digisix and you’re off to the races. But only you can make that decision. Good luck with your search.
p.3 #3 · Looking to try a leica rangefinder. meter or no?
Cloud75 wrote:
Lots of good info here. Hadn’t considered the m7, but having aperature priority would be nice.
If you can afford one, it's a no brainer. The M7 is the ultimate Leica, because it conforms to the original Leica philosophy of being a compact and quick machine to shoot on the go. There are no mental obstacles (like metering) between you and your subject. It also has the most refined shutter sound, and features the premium build quality+materials in contrast to the earlier M6 bodies that have a tiny bit of cost cutting in them, notably the inferior optics of M6 viewfinders.
I would ignore "if meter fails" or "if electronic fails" arguments because, and no offense to folks in this position, but it only makes sense for those who cannot afford an M7 to begin with. TBH I believe that the realistic probability of the novelty of film shooting wearing off, and abandoing your Leica in a far drawer is quite higher than the probability of M7's electronics failing
A meterless Leica is also a fine choice, but you will have to invest a bit of time into your light eyeballing skills. You are not going to shoot Provia this way, but it's not hard to achieve enough fluency to shoot color negative film without a meter at the same speed as with the M7's automation.
The worst situation is when you're manually metering with some kind of a shoe-mounted contraption. The worst of both worlds: the shooting speed of medium format + the image quality of a 35mm format.
p.3 #4 · Looking to try a leica rangefinder. meter or no?
M7 remains preferred, just a challenge to find. M5 was the nicest in the hand, but it's extra work to be sent off for voltage conversion. M6 appears to pop up frequently, but I'd prefer to find a black 0.72 that's in great shape, so I can move it right back along if I'm not thrilled with it. Whichever pops up, that's what I'll pick up.
