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 find the best Leica film camera for you (including YouTube). If still not sure contact me and we can have a call.
Leica Blog – Leica Camera Reviews
As part of this Leica blog here is my Leica M camera buyer’s guide! I own and use multiple Leica M film cameras (M2, M3SS, M3DS, M4Ps, M6..) so I put together an easy to follow yet detailed comparison review. Hopefully it will cover all you need to know but get in touch if you need some help.
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What is the 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. Lots and lots of research I guess but I don’t really remember finding any information that summarised in simple terms how each Leica M camera is different or perhaps best suited my needs. It doesn’t help that Leica M cameras all look pretty much identical to the untrained eye too!
In this post I try to list some of the main differences between each Leica M camera which might hopefully make it easier for you if you are looking to buy a Leica M film camera. Please note I have only covered Leica M film cameras and it does not include Leica digital cameras. (See this video for a comparison of digital bodies.)
Leica M Camera Timeline (Leica M History)
Here are all common Leica M film cameras released from oldest to newest (excluding special edition cameras and showing the approximate release date/ production start date).
- 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)
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 and with the Leica MP and M-A being the most recent).
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5 Common Features to all Leica M Film Cameras
*to my knowledge for the cameras covered in this article
- Maximum shutter speed 1/1000
- Flash sync speed 1/50
- Rangefinder focusing system
- Uses 35mm film
- Leica-M bayonet mount lenses (or L39/M39/LSM/LTM Leica screw mount via adapter)
Leica M Camera Buyers Guide
Framelines – bright lines in the viewfinder for composition
- Leica M3 – 50,90,135 (individual framelines – so only see one at a time)
- Leica M2 – 35,50,90 (individual framelines – so only see one at a time)
- 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 – see 2 framelines at a time)
- Leica M6 Classic – 28/90, 35/135, 50/75 (pairs – see 2 framelines at a time)
- Leica M6 TTL – 28/90, 35/135, 50/75 (pairs – see 2 framelines at a time)
- Leica M7 – 28/90, 35/135, 50/75 (pairs – see 2 framelines at a time)
- Leica MP – 28/90, 35/135, 50/75 (pairs – see 2 framelines at a time)
- Leica M-A – 28/90, 35/135, 50/75 (pairs – see 2 framelines at a time)
Leica M Camera Viewfinder magnification / options
- Leica M3 – 0.91x (most magnified viewfinder)
- 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 (0.58x is for use with winder lenses)
- Leica M6 TTL – 0.58x / 0.72x / 0.85x (0.58x is for use with winder lenses)
- Leica M7 – 0.58x / 0.72x (0.58x is for use with winder lenses)
- Leica MP – 0.72x /
- Leica M-A – 0.72x
Leica M Rangefinder focusing
- Leica M3 – 1m to infinity (close focus goggles allow focusing from 0.478m)
- Leica M2 – 0.7m to infinity (can use lenses with close focus goggles)
- Leica M4 – 0.7m to infinity (can use lenses with close focus goggles)
- Leica M5 – 0.7m to infinity (can use lenses with close focus goggles)
- Leica M4-2 – 0.7m to infinity (can use lenses with close focus goggles)
- Leica M4-P – 0.7m to infinity (can use lenses with close focus goggles)
- Leica M6 Classic – 0.7m to infinity (can use lenses with close focus goggles)
- Leica M6 TTL – 0.7m to infinity (can use lenses with close focus goggles)
- Leica M7 – 0.7m to infinity (can use lenses with close focus goggles)
- Leica MP – 0.7m to infinity (can use lenses with close focus goggles)
- Leica M-A – 0.7m to infinity (can use lenses with close focus goggles)
Leica Photography Workshops
Leica M Camera – Battery required to take a photo?
- Leica M3 – No – N/A
- Leica M2 – No – N/A
- Leica M4 – No – N/A
- Leica M5 – No – Battery only needed for light meter
- Leica M4-2 – No – N/A
- Leica M4-P – No – N/A
- Leica M6 Classic – No – Battery only needed for light meter
- Leica M6 TTL – No – Battery only needed for light meter
- Leica M7 – Yes&No – Can use at 1/60 & 1/125 only without battery
- Leica MP – No – Battery only needed for light meter
- Leica M-A – No – N/A
Brass or zinc top plate/ base plate (brass dents / zinc cracks)
- Leica M3 – Brass
- Leica M2 – Brass
- Leica M4 – Brass
- Leica M5 – Brass
- Leica M4-2 – Brass
- Leica M4-P – Brass (earlier cameras) Zinc (later cameras)
- Leica M6 Classic – Zinc
- Leica M6 TTL – Zinc (Mostly)
- Leica M7 – Brass
- Leica MP – Brass
- Leica M-A – Brass
Precision components (brass) or cheaper components (steel/plastics)
- Leica M3 – Brass gears (Least cheap components)
- Leica M2 – Brass gears (Some cheap components)
- Leica M4 – Brass gears (More cheap components)
- Leica M5 – Steel gears (More cheap components)
- Leica M4-2 – Steel gears (Even more cheap components)
- Leica M4-P – Steel gears (Even more cheap components)
- Leica M6 Classic – Steel gears (Even more cheap components)
- Leica M6 TTL – Steel gears (More cheap components)
- Leica M7 – Steel gears (More cheap components)
- Leica MP – Brass gears (Some cheap components)
- Leica M-A – Brass gears (Least cheap components)
Leica Hotshoe or coldshoe (for flash photography)
- Leica M3 – Cold shoe (can still use a flash via sync cable)
- Leica M2 – Cold shoe (can still use a flash via sync cable)
- Leica M4 – Cold shoe (can still use a flash via sync cable)
- Leica M5 – Hotshoe (can use common flash such as Nikon)
- Leica M4-2 – Hotshoe (can use common flash such as Nikon)
- Leica M4-P – Hotshoe (can use common flash such as Nikon)
- Leica M6 Classic – Hotshoe (can use common flash such as Nikon)
- Leica M6 TTL – Hotshoe & TTL flash with SF-20 unit
- Leica M7 – Hotshoe (can use common flash such as Nikon)
- Leica MP – Hotshoe (can use common flash such as Nikon)
- Leica M-A – Hotshoe (can use common flash such as Nikon)
Leica 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 Film rewind mechanism
- Leica M3 – Rewind knob (slower)
- Leica M2 – Rewind knob (slower)
- Leica M4 – Rewind crank (faster)
- Leica M5 – Rewind ratchet on base plate
- Leica M4-2 – Rewind crank (faster)
- Leica M4-P – Rewind crank (faster)
- Leica M6 Classic – Rewind crank (faster)
- Leica M6 TTL – Rewind crank (faster)
- Leica M7 – Rewind crank (faster)
- Leica MP – Rewind knob (slower)
- Leica M-A – Rewind knob (slower)
Loading film into a Leica camera: Separate take-up spool insert
- Leica M3 – Yes (slower to load)
- Leica M2 – Yes (slower to load)
- Leica M4 – No (has quick loading film mechanism)
- Leica M5 – No (has quick loading film mechanism)
- Leica M4-2 – No (has quick loading film mechanism)
- Leica M4-P – No (has quick loading film mechanism)
- Leica M6 Classic – No (has quick loading film mechanism)
- Leica M6 TTL – No (has quick loading film mechanism)
- Leica M7 – No (has quick loading film mechanism)
- Leica MP – No (has quick loading film mechanism)
- Leica M-A – No (has quick loading film mechanism)
Leica Viewfinder condenser / prism (risk of being unable to focus without it)
- Leica M3 – Yes
- Leica M2 – Yes
- Leica M4 – Yes
- Leica M5 – Yes
- Leica M4-2 – No condenser removed – risk of flare/ ghosting/difficulties to focus
- Leica M4-P – No condenser removed – risk of flare/ ghosting/difficulties to focus
- Leica M6 Classic – No condenser removed – risk of flare/ ghosting/difficulties to focus
- Leica M6 TTL – No condenser removed – risk of flare/ ghosting/difficulties to focus
- Leica M7 – Yes
- Leica MP – Yes
- Leica M-A – Yes
YouTube: See the cameras here
Buyers Guide: Leica M vs Leica iii Cameras
Leica M3 vs Leica M2 Review – YouTube
Leica M6 vs Leica M4-P Review – YouTube
Small Print
*Please note
- The information is sourced from personal experience and a range of websites
- There are many 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
- External viewfinders are available if you want to use a lens wider than the frameline
- Some camera lenses have close focus goggles such as the Leica Summicron 50mm DR
- The Leica M3 can be used a 35mm lens using 35mm focusing goggles
**Mistakes
- If I have omitted some obvious information or have classed a camera incorrectly (being for the majority of cameras produced for that model as I know there are lots of camera variants) please let me know and I can update it.
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.
Leica M3 vs Leica iii (“Barnack Leica”)
This video helps cover the main differences between Leica M cameras and Leica iii cameras.
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
Leica Camera Blog Posts – Cameras I use
***Enjoyable
I hope you find this very simplified guide of some help. I enjoyed researching the information and I now know how to distinguish the difference between my Leica M2 and Leica M3 at a glance from the front! The Leica M3 has a plain frameline illumination window and the Leica M2 has a fresnel type illumination window (vertical stripes in the window next to the viewfinder window). 🙂
Matt
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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!
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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 🙂
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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