most traditional m?

back alley · 08-08-2012

thinking of pairing up the new sony rx100 with a traditional m film camera as a walkabout kit...this would/might keep the film use down to something affordable plus satisfy my want for quick and quality digital images while waiting for the film to be processed and scanned.
this got me thinking about which m to get...i like the idea of an m4-p as this was my first leica and way back then it intimidated me.
i also like the m2 as i would mount my 40 sonnar on it and get the full advantage of that great lens...but then i thought...maybe an m3 coupled with a 50mm lens for that oh so traditional combo!
of course this all relies on getting a very affordable user m body so that i can afford both cameras.
just some thoughts from a man suffering from a migraine this morning...

GaryLH · 08-08-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by back alley

thinking of pairing up the new sony rx100 with a traditional m film camera as a walkabout kit...this would/might keep the film use down to something affordable plus satisfy my want for quick and quality digital images while waiting for the film to be processed and scanned.
this got me thinking about which m to get...i like the idea of an m4-p as this was my first leica and way back then it intimidated me.
i also like the m2 as i would mount my 40 sonnar on it and get the full advantage of that great lens...but then i thought...maybe an m3 coupled with a 50mm lens for that oh so traditional combo!
of course this all relies on getting a very affordable user m body so that i can afford both cameras.
just some thoughts from a man suffering from a migraine this morning...

Traditional m it would more toward the M6 for me... But I would counter with why not a CL, given your lens of choice is the 40?

U can find then pretty cheap, under 400 in good condition, especially the ones marked as Minolta.

If u are ok with getting one with bad light meter, I have seen them less then 300 even at keh.

Have fun with the rx100. When are u getting it?

Gary

thegman · 08-08-2012

Not sure about Canada, but in the UK, the M4-P is reasonably priced, compared to most other Leicas, not sure why. If the M4-P has some sentimental value for you, then why not.

I like my M3, but something a bit newer might be more reassuring in use.

FrankS · 08-08-2012

Back ally with a film RF: I'm tickled pink!

Let the camera find you. When you see it, you will know.

GaryLH · 08-08-2012

I think film day with local Flickr group got to him.

. Those were nice pictures he posted from that day.

Gary

back alley · 08-08-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryLH

Traditional m it would more toward the M6 for me... But I would counter with why not a CL, given your lens of choice is the 40?

U can find then pretty cheap, under 400 in good condition, especially the ones marked as Minolta.

If u are ok with getting one with bad light meter, I have seen them less then 300 even at keh.

Have fun with the rx100. When are u getting it?

Gary

as soon as they are available locally...

back alley · 08-08-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankS

Back ally with a film RF: I'm tickled pink!

Let the camera find you. When you see it, you will know.

that might be too zen for me frank...

Todd.Hanz · 08-08-2012

M3+50mm Coll. 'Cron+VCII Meter has served me well.

Todd

Warren T. · 08-08-2012

I'm sure it's not surprising that I say this, but how about what I use:

M3 w/50mm f2.8 Elmar

(see Avatar)

back alley · 08-08-2012

i plan to stick with my lenses...so for a 50 it would be the cv 2.5...i would use the 40 sonnar instead of a 35...

kshapero · 08-08-2012

My M3 mates up wonderfully with my CV 40.

digitalintrigue · 08-08-2012

Any M would fit the bill, it's more a matter of which film loading: M2/M3 vs later Ms, or the removable back of CL (or the flip back of CLE.)

An M3 with the 40 (and no separate viewfinder, using the full view) is a nice setup.

FrankS · 08-08-2012

The newer (post M5) Leicas have smaller framelines where the 35 framelines would match well with your 40mm lens, but they aren't the most traditional bodies.

Home developing B+W film and perusing RFF, go well together. (especially a semi-stand regimine with high dilution, longer developing times, and infrequent agitation) It's also less expensive and more satisfying.

back alley · 08-08-2012

i had an m3 before...so this time out i'm thinking maybe an m2 (tho i'm not sure about setting the frame counter myself) or back to the m4-p...there's an m4-p in the classifieds that has some fungus in the finder and paint on the skin or a much nicer but pricier one as well...

ferider · 08-08-2012

A Canadian M4-P, Joe. Maybe a late one with M6 frame-lines to fit your 40 Sonnar better.

back alley · 08-08-2012

i do like the canadian made idea...

Warren T. · 08-08-2012

Almost forgot, a Canadian M4-P would be very appropriate for Joe.

kokoshawnuff · 08-08-2012

I love my M3/M2 combo, and they're the cheapest Leica Ms to boot. Even if it's only a couple hundred less than an M4, every little bit counts when considering film that needs to be purchased

back alley · 08-08-2012

waiting for the best deal at this point...a known seller with a low price tag...maybe this is what frank meant when he said wait for the camera to choose me...

Roger Hicks · 08-08-2012

M3, in that it started the whole thng

MP, in that it's the current state of the (traditional) art

M2, if you want 35mm

Cheers,

R.

ChrisP · 08-08-2012

Buy something cheap! I'm sure deep down inside you know that 6 months from now you'll be going back to the Rd-1's and both the Sony and the Leica will be in the classifieds...

back alley · 08-08-2012

i'm not leaving the rd1s...
the sony is for the lazy days and wanting af plus it fits in my pocket...the m is for occasional use and yes it has to be cheap...

ottluuk · 08-08-2012

Most other models have been suggested already, but an M4 would also have some things going for it: the old-style patch flare resistant finder (like M2, but with 135mm frame), faster load and rewind than M2/3, smooth brass gears and classic build quality. On the EU side at least, a user chrome M4 isn't much more expensive than an M2 or M3 in similar condition.

But beyond the minutiae, I guess any working Leica would do, so maybe the "let the camera find you" line isn't so silly after all

Godfrey · 08-08-2012

I prefer the pre-meter Ms, my current fav is the M4-2 I picked up last September. I had a couple of M4-Ps, which were my previous favorites, but I like the viewfinder in this one more (first series production ... same viewfinder as the M4; they changed in the middle of the second production batch).

The CL is also a winner, although a little fragile with respect to the meter system. It's a perfect body for a 40mm lens.. :-)

venchka · 08-08-2012

Ask a hundred people. You will get 200 answers.

I have but one answer: M5. 50mm/2.0 Dual Range Summicron.
or...
M5 and one of the following: 28mm/2.8 Hexanon-M, 35mm/2.8 Canon, 35/2.0 UC-Hexanon, 50mm/1.4 Nikkor, 8.5cm/2.0 Nikkor, 90mm/2.8 Elmarit/Elmarit-M, 135/3.5 Canon. I told you that you would get multiple answers.

Always an M5 with a lens. And film.

Wayne