Re: Which M camera?

[Tony Chang <stchang@ivnet.com.tw>]

At 08:26 AM 2/27/97 PST, you wrote:
>     Hi Tony,
>     
>       Personally my choice is the M3.  I currently own M2, M3, M4, M4-P 
>     and M6 and have had M5 and M4-2.  I regularly use the M3 with 90 or 
>     135 because of its viewfinder.

Because M3 viewfinder is bigger than other M cameras?  Sorry, I am only a
beginner in M equipment.

If I don't use mid telephone lens (75mm and 90mm), do you still think M3 is
a better camera for me?

My friend said M4 is just like a M6 without a light meter.  Is it true?  I
don't mind to carry an external light meter since I need it for my Hassy
anyway.  

I remember someone mentioned that M5 is the best M camera Leica has ever
built.  What is so special about M5 and why it is discontinued?

>       Last weekend downtown in San Francisco around 7 o'clock in the 
>     evening, I was shooting Chinese New Year Parade with M4-P and 135 
>     Tele-Elmar.  I was the only photographer without a flash.  They had 
>     several big lighting systems and I had no problem at all shooting 
>     without a flash.  I used f4 and 1/30 second.  That is one of the 
>     strongest point of using Leica.  Here comes one problem.  With 135 
>     lens, it was a little difficult to frame because it was a little too 
>     small.  I wished I had brought the M3, was testing the M4-P.
>       Yes, the M3 does not have a frame for 35 but still can be used with 
>     its outer frame as 35 because it is pretty much the same as 35 frame.  
>     Arguably in my book, the M3 is the best M body ever built.

One thing I like about M camera is that I can see the movement outside the
viewfinder.  Even if I can use the outside frame as 35, does that mean I
can't see the movement while I wait for the target to enter my frame?  This
might be a disadvantage for me to use M3.

Does M3 has a frame for 28mm and what else? 

>     
>     Regards,
>     
>     David
>     seungmin@luxcom.com
>
>
>______________________________ Reply Separator
_________________________________
>Subject: Which M camera?
>Author:  leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us at Internetmail
>Date:    2/27/97 4:05 AM
>
>
>Hello LUG users,
>     
>I would like to hear some suggestions regarding to which M camera for 
>myself?  I am a serious amature in photography.  I have used R4s before and 
>currently own Hassy and Caonon equipment.  
>     
>I like M system because it is small and it is perfect for street photography.
>     
>Some experienced Leica users suggested me to find used M lenses (in good 
>condition) and they said the old Leica lenses were better built than those 
>new ones.  And Canada made lenses are even better than Germany made lenses. 
>I need your opinion.
>     
>Right now, I am using Hexar and Hassy 503cxi (CW winder, 180mmCF lens) for 
>street and documentary photography.  I hope after many years my photos are 
>worth something.  I feel the world is constantly changing and wish I knew 
>photography 10 years ago.
>     
>Hexar is a great camera but I think M is still better built for street 
>photography.  I want to buy a 21mm M lens and a 35mm M lens after I have 
>decide which camera for myself.
>     
>Regards,
>Tony Chang
>3B Co-Op Chemical Engineering
>University of Waterloo
>Ontario, Canada
>     
>
>
>
Tony Chang
3B Co-Op Chemical Engineering
University of Waterloo
Ontario, Canada