[Leica] the best M body ...

[summarex at hotmail.com (Javier Perez)]

Actually, the notion's been around since 1967 or so. Some people just didn't 
like the M4 because it had the plastic tip on the advance lever and the 
rewnd button was cheaper to make. They didn't like the M2 because it 
incorporated a cost reduction in the form of an external frame counter. It's 
really a question of the individual's particular neurosis and its severity.  
If you look at a Leitz parts breaktown and order parts you'll find that some 
99% have the same part number for all m models. As for the M3s having better 
assembled than other Ms, that just doesn't hold up to scrutiny. In fact the 
only Ms I ever noticed build proiblems on are the early German M6s. I have 
one with curtains that atre not quite parallel!  The M3 finder is more prone 
to prisim separation  but a trained monkey with cement can handle it!  As 
for the wide angle RFs the M2 and M4 are more flare resistent but they 
acomplish this by having a clear screen with a hood like optical thingy on 
the center patch. Unfortunately that screen is a magnet for dirt and can get 
fungus. The M4-P and m6 OTOH have a rectangular hole! The result is a 
clearer but slightly more flare-prone second image on the M4-P and M6 RF.  I 
prefer it to the M4-M2 setup and I put in an M6 frame set whenever I have 
115 bucks to blow on BS.
Now, can we please get back to talking about politics, crappy computers and 
other stuff please.
Javier

>
> >>Leica M3...?  the best built M body ever  ?   with the best   viewfinder 
>of all ?
>
> >>is this the common wisdom?
>
>Yes, this is the common 'wisdom', but tend to disagree. (I own M2/M4/ 
>M4-2/M6TTL/M7 and have had an M3 on loan for a few weeks.) I believe  this 
>notion of the M3 being the best often originates from the  opinions 
>expressed on the cameraquest page.
>
>The M3 is extremely well made, but so is the M2/M4/M5. I really do  not see 
>a difference in quality between them.
>
>The M3 finder may be the most flare resistant, but it's the only M  finder 
>which doesn't have frame lines for the 35; instead it supports  50/90/135. 
>The M3/M2 prism block has also been cemented with Canadian  balsam, which 
>over time yellows and becomes brittle. This is why you  hear about M3/M2 
>rangefinder patches dying after an impact. The block  can become separated 
>and it's a very expensive repair, which only a  few shops will even attempt 
>to do. Starting with the M4 Leica  switched to a synthetic glue, which is 
>cured with UV light, and this  method is a lot more rugged.
>
>The biggest reason why the M3 feels as smooth as it does, is because  the 
>gearing is made of brass and not the mixture of steel and brass  as found 
>in post M4 cameras. Leica switched to steel gears starting  with the M4-2, 
>because the brass was not strong enough to support the  Leicavit or 
>motordrives. Also keep in mind that most M3 cameras have  had a few years 
>or decades of 'break in' time. After maybe 200 rolls  my M6TTL is also a 
>lot smoother, than when I purchased it new.
>
>In my experience, the M3 doesn't not feel any smoother than my M2 or  M4 
>and I was very pleasantly surprised the first time I handled the  new MP 
>and my M7.
>
>
>The worst camera Leica every made is the M4-2. I consider it the low  point 
>of the line, because it is the least reliable. Mine has already  died once, 
>even after a Sherry CLA.
>
>I have found the M6TTL, to be extremely reliable, but to have the  worst 
>fit and finish of the bunch. The covering feels cheap and the  rewind knob 
>on mine is downright crude. The anodizing is thin and  compared to the 
>older cameras it feels somewhat crude. I hate to make  this comparison, but 
>the TTL reminds me of an AK-47. Rough around the  edges and well finished 
>where it needs to be, but it will continue to  operate without a hitch 
>under circumstances than have long since  killed the operator.
>
>The new MP and M7 are also extremely good and after reading about the  
>internal changes that Leica has made I believe that these may turn  out to 
>be the most durable cameras they ever made. There have been  changes to new 
>materials that simply didn't exist 50 years ago and  CNC machining ensures 
>a level of accuracy that would have been  impossible to maintain on the 
>assembly line, in pre-automated days.
>
>So, here are my choices
>
>Best traditional body:
>
>M4
>
>Perfect frame line set (35/50/90/135)
>UV glue in the finder
>Quickload system
>Old world craftsmanship
>
>Best modern body:
>
>MP/M7
>
>Fit and finish is exquisite
>New materials insure long life.
>
>
>
>Feli
>
>
>
>
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