Best Leica Film Camera Buyers Guide/ Detailed Leica M Comparison Review
Looking to buy a Leica film camera but feel overwhelmed by the choices? I experienced the same minefield of information when I bought my first Leica camera. This detailed comparison review will help you find the best 35mm Leica film camera for your needs. Prefer digital? See the best digital Leica M camera comparison review.
Leica Blog – Leica Camera Reviews
As part of this Leica blog here is my Leica M camera buyer’s guide! I own and use many Leica M film cameras so I put together an easy to follow yet detailed comparison review.
New Leica user?
If yes, congratulations! After helping lots of new Leica owners over the last 10+ years I put together Leica Welcome packs to help new users get started. Get yours by completing the form below –
Best Leica M film camera?
Great question! When I think back to buying my first analogue film Leica M camera I’m not sure how I decided to buy the particular camera I did. It doesn’t help that Leica M cameras all look pretty much identical to the untrained eye.
Below I list the main differences between each Leica M film camera to help you can decide between different models. This article covers Leica film cameras only so please see this video for a comparison of digital Leica M bodies.
Leica M camera timeline (Leica M history)
Below are the popular Leica M film rangefinder cameras released from oldest to newest (excluding special editions and cameras without rangefinders such as the Leica M1, MD, MDa and MD-2).
- Leica M3 (1954)
- Leica M2 (1958)
- Leica M4 (1967)
- Leica M5 (1971)
- Leica M4-2 (1977)
- Leica M4-P (1981)
- Leica M6 Classic (1984)
- Leica M6 TTL (1998)
- Leica M7 (2002)
- Leica MP (2003)
- Leica M-A (2014)
- Leica M6 Re-Issue (2022)
Generally speaking the higher the M number the more recent the camera was released (with the exception of the Leica M2 that was built after the Leica M3, the M4-2 and M4-P that were released after the M5.
Looking for a Leica without a rangefinder?
If yes, this article isn’t for you. Please check out my review of the Leica MDa where I cover the Leica M1, MD, MDa and MD-2. All of these cameras have no rangefinder so you will need to zone focus (or use a Leica Visoflex).
Does Leica still make film cameras?
Yes if you want to buy a brand new Leica M film camera in 2024 the current production models are the Leica MP, Leica M-A and the re-released Leica M6.
Jump on a call
Common features of all Leica M film cameras
- Maximum shutter speed 1/1000
- Max flash sync speed 1/50
- Rangefinder focusing system
- Parallax corrected viewfinder
- Combined viewfinder/rangefinder
- No diopter adjustment
- 35mm film
- Manual focus only
- Leica-M bayonet mount lenses
- Iconic Leica quality and design
*Leica M can accept L39/LTM screw mount lenses via adapter
Design milestones during Leica M line-up
- Leica M3 – First Leica M mount camera, 3 framelines 50/90/135 hence called “M3”
- Leica M2 – Economy version of M3, manual frame counter, 35mm frameline added
- Leica M4 – Square timer + frames lever, rewind crank, no film spool, 2-piece advance
- Leica M5 – Bigger design, vertical strap option, first light meter, rewind on base
- Leica M4-2 – Similar to M4 but no self timer, now accepts motordrive
- Leica M4-P – 28mm & 75mm framelines added (now 3 pairs of frames), with hotshoe
- Leica M6 Classic – Built in light meter (2 arrows) + white dot on shutter, no self timer
- Leica M6 TTL – 2mm taller body, larger shutter dial & off, light meter (2 arrows+dot)
- Leica M7 – Aperture priority “auto”, electronic shutter, dx reader, +/- compensation
- Leica MP – Smaller M6 shutter dial & off, improved rangefinder (less flare), M2 style
- Leica M-A – Electronics removed, Leica M2 style advance, rewind, frame lever
- Leica M6 Re-issue – Same as the Leica MP internally with classic M6 design
Leica M camera viewfinder frame lines
- Leica M3 – 50,90,135 (individual framelines)
- Leica M2 – 35,50,90 (individual framelines)
- Leica M4 – 35/135 pair, 50, 90 (Individual & pair)
- Leica M5 – 35/135 pair, 50, 90 (Individual & pair)
- Leica M4-2 – 35/135 pair, 50, 90 (Individual & pair)
- Leica M4-P – 28/90, 35/135, 50/75 (pairs)
- Leica M6 Classic – 28/90, 35/135, 50/75 (pairs)
- Leica M6 TTL – 28/90, 35/135, 50/75 (pairs)
- Leica M7 – 28/90, 35/135, 50/75 (pairs)
- Leica MP – 28/90, 35/135, 50/75 (pairs)
- Leica M-A – 28/90, 35/135, 50/75 (pairs)
- Leica M6 Re-issue – 28/90, 35/135, 50/75 (pairs)
*Early models display single frame, later cameras show 2 frames at once
Leica M camera viewfinder magnification
- Leica M3 – 0.91x (most magnified)
- Leica M2 – 0.72x
- Leica M4 – 0.72x
- Leica M5 – 0.72x
- Leica M4-2 – 0.72x
- Leica M4-P – 0.72x
- Leica M6 Classic – 0.58x / 0.72x / 0.85x
- Leica M6 TTL – 0.58x / 0.72x / 0.85x
- Leica M7 – 0.58x / 0.72x / 0.85x
- Leica MP – 0.72x (some 0.58x / 0.85x)
- Leica M-A – 0.72x
- Leica M6 Re-issue – 0.72x
*0.58x helps with wider lens (has no 135mm framelines)
*0.85x for 50mm+ lenses (has no 28mm framelines)
Leica M rangefinder close focus (MFD)
- Leica M3 – 1m (can modify to 0.7m)
- Leica M2 – 0.7m
- Leica M4 – 0.7m
- Leica M5 – 0.7m
- Leica M4-2 – 0.7m
- Leica M4-P – 0.7m
- Leica M6 Classic – 0.7m
- Leica M6 TTL – 0.7m
- Leica M7 – 0.7m
- Leica MP – 0.7m
- Leica M-A – 0.7m
- Leica M6 Re-issue – 0.7m
*With specific lens close focus goggles can focus cameras to 0.478m
Leica M camera battery required?
- Leica M3 – N/A (No electronics)
- Leica M2 – N/A (No electronics)
- Leica M4 – N/A (No electronics)
- Leica M5 – Battery needed for light meter
- Leica M4-2 – N/A (No electronics)
- Leica M4-P – N/A (No electronics)
- Leica M6 Classic – Battery needed for light meter
- Leica M6 TTL – Battery needed for light meter
- Leica M7 – Yes (Speeds 1/60 & 1/125 only without battery)
- Leica MP – Battery needed for light meter
- Leica M-A – N/A (No electronics)
- Leica M6 Re-issue – Battery needed for light meter
Book a Leica Workshop
Brass or zinc top plate/ base plate?
- Leica M3 – Brass
- Leica M2 – Brass
- Leica M4 – Brass
- Leica M5 – Brass
- Leica M4-2 – Brass
- Leica M4-P – Brass (Earlier: Indented finder) Zinc (Later: Flush)
- Leica M6 Classic – Zinc
- Leica M6 TTL – Zinc (Mostly)
- Leica M7 – Brass
- Leica MP – Brass
- Leica M-A – Brass
- Leica M6 Re-issue – Brass
*Brass dents, Zinc can bubble and crack
Silver or black Leica M camera + Red dot?
- Leica M3 – Silver chrome (mostly), no red dot
- Leica M2 – Silver chrome (mostly), no red dot
- Leica M4 – Silver chrome, black chrome, black paint, no red dot
- Leica M5 – Silver chrome, black chrome, no red dot
- Leica M4-2 – Black chrome (most) red dot
- Leica M4-P – Silver chrome, black chrome, red dot
- Leica M6 Classic – Silver chrome, black chrome, titanium, red dot
- Leica M6 TTL – Silver chrome, black chrome, red dot
- Leica M7 – Silver chrome, black chrome, red dot
- Leica MP – Black paint or silver chrome, no red dot
- Leica M-A – Black chrome or silver chrome, no red dot
- Leica M6 Re-issue – Black chrome, red dot
* There were also many special editions in different finishes
Leica M cameras with self timer
- Leica M3 – Self-timer
- Leica M2 – Self-timer (most)
- Leica M4 – Self-timer
- Leica M5 – Self timer
- Leica M4-2 – No timer
- Leica M4-P – No timer
- Leica M6 Classic – No timer
- Leica M6 TTL – No timer
- Leica M7 – No self timer
- Leica MP – No timer
- Leica M-A – No timer
- Leica M6 Re-issue – No timer
* Some variants had different configurations to those listed
Leica M film camera weight
- Leica M3 – 575g
- Leica M2 – 569g
- Leica M4 – 536g
- Leica M5 – 625g + silver oxide battery
- Leica M4-2 – 525g
- Leica M4-P – 517g
- Leica M6 Classic – 530g + batteries (below)
- Leica M6 TTL – 600g + batteries (below)
- Leica M7 – 605g + batteries (below)
- Leica MP – 585g + batteries (below)
- Leica M-A – 585g
- Leica M6 Re-issue – 575g + batteries (below)
*Batteries – 2x LR44 or 1x DL1/3N (Most cameras) M7 needs 4x LR44/ 2x DL1/3N
*Some weights are based on online info so approx numbers
*The lightest cameras have no rangefinder like the Leica MDa and MD-2
Internal components – Brass or not?
- Leica M3 – Brass gears
- Leica M2 – Brass gears (Some cheap components)
- Leica M4 – Brass gears (More cheap components)
- Leica M5 – Steel gears (Cheaper components)
- Leica M4-2 – Steel gears (Cheaper components)
- Leica M4-P – Steel gears (Cheaper components)
- Leica M6 Classic – Steel gears (Cheaper components)
- Leica M6 TTL – Steel gears (Cheaper components)
- Leica M7 – Steel gears (Cheaper components)
- Leica MP – Brass gears
- Leica M-A – Brass gears
- Leica M6 Re-issue – Brass gears
Leica hotshoe or coldshoe (for flash)
- Leica M3 – Cold shoe (Use flash sync cable)
- Leica M2 – Cold shoe (Use flash sync cable)
- Leica M4 – Cold shoe (Use flash sync cable)
- Leica M5 – Hotshoe
- Leica M4-2 – Hotshoe
- Leica M4-P – Hotshoe
- Leica M6 Classic – Hotshoe
- Leica M6 TTL – Hotshoe & TTL flash with SF-20 unit
- Leica M7 – Hotshoe
- Leica MP – Hotshoe
- Leica M-A – Hotshoe
- Leica M6 Re-issue – Hotshoe
*Hotshoe – Can use flash units such as Nikon mount (See lighting 101 post)
Leica M camera built-in light meter
- Leica M3 – No
- Leica M2 – No
- Leica M4 – No
- Leica M5 – Yes
- Leica M4-2 – No
- Leica M4-P – No
- Leica M6 Classic – Yes
- Leica M6 TTL – Yes
- Leica M7 – Yes
- Leica MP – Yes
- Leica M-A – No
- Leica M6 Re-issue – Yes
Leica film rewind mechanism
- Leica M3 – Rewind knob
- Leica M2 – Rewind knob
- Leica M4 – Rewind crank
- Leica M5 – Rewind ratchet on base plate
- Leica M4-2 – Rewind crank
- Leica M4-P – Rewind crank
- Leica M6 Classic – Rewind crank
- Leica M6 TTL – Rewind crank
- Leica M7 – Rewind crank
- Leica MP – Rewind knob
- Leica M-A – Rewind knob
- Leica M6 Re-issue – Rewind crank
*Rewind knobs are seen to be slower than rewind cranks but perhaps more durable. Upgrade your Leica M1/M2/M3/MA/MP by adding this rewind crank – Check Price (+ Discount code “MRLEICA”)
Film loading for Leica M cameras
- Leica M3 – Removable take-up spool
- Leica M2 – Removable take-up spool
- Leica M4 – Quick film loading
- Leica M5 – Quick film loading
- Leica M4-2 – Quick film loading
- Leica M4-P – Quick film loading
- Leica M6 Classic – Quick film loading
- Leica M6 TTL – Quick film loading
- Leica M7 – Quick film loading
- Leica MP – Quick film loading
- Leica M-A – Quick film loading
- Leica M6 Re-issue – Quick film loading
* Early models have a take-up spool similar to Leica iii cameras
* Later models use Leica quick film loading (no spool)
Leica viewfinder condenser / prism?
- Leica M3 – Yes
- Leica M2 – Yes
- Leica M4 – Yes
- Leica M5 – Yes
- Leica M4-2 – No condenser removed
- Leica M4-P – No condenser removed
- Leica M6 Classic – No condenser removed
- Leica M6 TTL – No condenser removed
- Leica M7 – No + Yes (after ~288x SN)
- Leica MP – Yes
- Leica M-A – Yes
- Leica M6 Re-issue – Yes
*Viewfinder condenser removed = Risk of flare/ ghosting/ difficulties to focus
*Meaning when the rangefinder patch is not visible so you can’t focus
YouTube: See the cameras here
Buyers Guide: Leica M film cameras
Buyers Guide: Leica M vs Leica iii Cameras
Leica MP vs Leica M3 / M2 – YouTube
Customise your Leica camera
Leica M4
Leica M6 vs Leica M4-P Review
Leica M7 vs Leica M6
Leica M2 vs Leica M3
Leica M2 vs Leica M4
Small Print
- Information is sourced from personal experience and a range of websites
- There are many Leica M camera variants/ specials that may not fit the above
- Leica cameras continued to evolve so some traits may overlap from last/next model
- Information is simplified and generalised but there is full detail on other websites
- I own Leica M3s, M2, M4-P, M6 Classic and have not used other models
- Non-factual comments such as ‘faster’,’slower’,’cheaper’ is a generalisation
- This review does not include the M1 or MD models
- Use external viewfinders for lenses wider than the frameline
- Lenses with close focus goggles: Leica Summicron 50mm DR, Elmar 50mm f2.8
- Leica M3 can use 35mm lens if the lens has 35mm focusing goggles
- If I omitted information or described incorrectly let me know and I can update
Best digital Leica M camera?
If you are on the market to buy a digital Leica M series camera I’ve got you covered. Check out the best digital Leica M camera comparison review where I cover all 19 digital M bodies.
Can’t afford a Leica M film camera?
Leica M film cameras are now very expensive but don’t worry you can still get a Leica film camera without robbing a bank. There are cheaper alternatives. I would say look at Voigtlander Bessa cameras but (a) they are not Leica and (b) they are also quite expensive now. So if we stay with Leica you have 3 options:
1. Leica CL / Minolta CL = Cheap Leica M Mount
The Leica CL camera will give you the smallest cheapest Leica M mount camera.
2. Small Affordable Leica iii “Barnack Leica Cameras“
These older Leica screw mount rangefinder cameras are beautifully made and much cheaper than the M mount versions. There are quite a few variants so check out my Barnack Leica Cameras help guide.
Join us!
3. Feature Packed Leica R Cameras (Leica SLR)
Leica R cameras are SLR cameras not rangefinder cameras. The early Leicaflex models are beautifully made, the mid-period ones were built in collaboration with Minolta and later models were all Leica-made again. Leica R cameras can be very affordable and with all the mod cons verses the basic features on Leica M cameras.
The Leica R lenses are not as cheap as they once were as are popular with cine photographers so get bought and modified to use for video. See my full Leica R lens guide for more info and sample photos.
Leica R Lenses
Pro tip! Leica R lenses can be used on Leica M cameras but Leica M lenses can’t be used on Leica R camera (You have to zone focus Leica R lenses on M bodies as not rangefinder coupled). This works better with wide lenses such as 21mm etc, via Leica M-R adapter.
Do you use digital Leica cameras?
If you enjoying using digital Leica cameras whether Leica M, Leica Q, Leica SL, Leica CL series you might find my Leica Lightroom presets useful.
Leica Presets for Lightroom
Related Posts
- 50x Leica Film Portraits! (Budapest Girls)
- Leica 50mm lenses compared (x11) What is the best 50mm?
- NEED FILM? Click Here!
- Leica Lightroom Presets – DOWNLOADS!
More info
- Workshops Mailing List – Receive info on events for your city/ country
- Zoom Consultations/ Remote Workshops – Need help? Let’s jump on a call
- Recommended Gear and Discount Codes? View MyKit
- Join the family on Patreon! *Sign up to Patreon for 12 months and get 10% off!
Good guide Matt. Interesting to see how some features have gone full circle from the M3/M2 to the M-A
By the way, I forgot to compliment you on the pictures you put up to adorn this post.
Thanks.. old photos but with Leicas in shot 🙂
Thanks Jeremy, yes agreed 🙂
Good job! Love the photos you put together for such a “technical” guide. :o)
Just one comment, M7 also have 0.85 version, although not many been produced. And for MP, 0.58/0.72/0.85 are all available. Not so sure about the M-A, it is still new to me.
Love all your blogs, and read everyone of them. Keep going!
Thanks Daniel, Yes there seems to be so many Leica variations for reach model I tried to cover the most popular options. Thanks for the support! ..lots more to come when I get time to finish writing them!
Pingback: MrLeica.com – BLOG | MrLeica.com – Matthew Osborne Photography
Do these beautiful ladies come with the Leicas? 🙂 Kiddin’ Wonderful guide right at the time of me going after a second Leica. After an M4-P, an M6 will make me feel even better me thinks.
Ha they are not included in most Leica sales I’ve seen but you can always arrange your own camera bundle after 🙂
I have an M6 and just got my M4-P. Shooting with models I tend to shoot digital alongside film so meter with the M240.
Both are great cameras 🙂
Wow, what an extensive look at what Leica film can offer! Thanks for posting this, Matt. Great stuff.
Thanks mate, I hope it can be of help if you ever take that route! 🙂
Matt, your work is very impressive and your passion very inspirational. Got an M3 awhile back and it’s out for a CLA now. I’m planning to get into B&W film developing soon. I’d be curious what your workflow is with regards to B&W film you use, how you develop and get images digitized.
Thanks Craig, great choice, the M3 is an amazing camera! 🙂 This link includes some info on B&W processing – https://mrleica.com/c41-colour-film-developing/
Cheers
Leica your work Matt. After a disaster of an M3 I finally had my faith restored when I picked up a ratty but working M5. Would mind getting another M3 though at some time.
Hi Stuart, yes don’t give up. If you get a good M3 you will never sell it i’m sure 🙂
Pingback: Leica M 50mm Lenses Compared - MrLeica.com - Matthew Osborne Photography
just came across your flickr account i am impressed by the consistancy of your photography
As a ex-M3 owner that what caught my attention to your photographs
Just whant to mention M-3 had singe and multiple stroke rewind ,
I was not aware that there was a m-3 with a rewind knob
Ihad also a M-1 wich was identical to the M-3 but without the rangefinder mechanism
Hi Jacues, Thanks for your kind words! With regards to the two Leica M3s I have (a SS and a DStroke), both have the ‘standard’ rewind knob the same as the Leica M2 I have (Circular, not a lever). After that the M4-P and M6 I have use the much faster rewind lever/knob design. Perhaps I mis-understood you or you might have interpreted my wording in the blog differently but that I what I was trying to describe. 🙂 Leica M1- nice! That is one Leica i’ve not used/ owned. I will have to dust off an M3 to use again soon! (too many film camera to chose from!) Thanks Matt
I don’t believe your description of the Leica M4 quality is 100% correct. The M4 is considered as the best made Leica M in terms of components quality and by many Leica experts, it’s described as the best manual Leica M. It was also confirmed to me by Leica trained technicians in the US. To quote one of the most reputable Leica trained technician after asking about available upgrades about the M4: “The M4 camera does not need the up-grading that you’ve read on-line because all of those up-grades are for the cameras made after the M4. In order to save money, Leica cheapened & removed some things in their M cameras starting with their M4-2. So the up-grades are to make those newer cameras work as good as the M4.”
Thanks Nicolas! Good info, thanks for sharing. Many thanks. Matt
Still not up to the quality of the M3 or the now current M-A
Yes for me the M2,M3,M4 are the best. Even the new M-A is not quite a good. M3 is my fav but I have the M2 for 35mm too.
M7 also offered an 0.85 Viewfinder,
Thanks Manny, I missed that. I just Googled and I see them. I’ll update the page, many thanks!
This is a great website, so thank you. I’ve saved like hell for a year to buy a Leica. But now I’m reading all sorts of negative stuff. Seeing your listing that nearly every M film camera has a mixture of ‘cheap’ internal gears has really put me off buying one! The word cheap and Leica is something I’d never thought I’d read in a sentence. I’m also seeing issues about ‘sensor corrosion’ on the m digital models, and it’s a mixed bag of comments on the quality of Leica customer service and repairs. I’m shocked to be honest. I wonder what the failure rates are of Leica cameras? Regards.
Hi Stephen, thanks for visiting the blog and sorry to scare you with some of my wording! To put it in perspective and to restore some faith Leica film cameras are very well made. I use a 1931 Leica Standard as my “daily carry” and it works like a dream. As smooth as the day it was made (after servicing), so yes you are buying some great quality. When I say ‘cheap’ I mean less over engineered than earlier models. For me the M2 and M3 are still the best made M cameras. With digital sometimes things can go wrong but most models are good once the initial bugs are fixed. The M9 did have a sensor issue but no other models. The M11 still has some teething issues being the latest camera. If you think of Sony or Lumix cameras you need to buy a new one every few years (and the price plummets). I use 2012, 2015, onwards Leica digital cameras and the M cameras especially hold their value extremely well. If you drop any Leica M camera you will need to get it serviced as the rangefinder focusing doesn’t like being knocked. Customer services are very slow and can’t compete with Canon and Nikon. I’ve used Leica cameras for over a decade now (all systems, film and digital) and I wouldn’t use anything else. If you need specific help visit the MrLeica.com/zoom tab and we can set up a call. Cheers Matt
Thanks for replying Matt. Very helpful. Puts my worries into perspective 🙂
No problem Stephen!
Pingback: Leica News 🔴 Oct25 – Leica Club