Buying Leica M cameras - M3, M2, M4, M4-2, M4-P

The main checks to main when buying a Leica M cameras, from The M3 and M2 through to the M4-P. Please see are other buying videos for the M6.

[@davidlewis8702]

I have several M film cameras and others and your advice on how to examine a camera for shutter and other functions is excellent! I do this for my cameras as they get older or just sit unused for a time.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Appreciated - thanks

[@terencelaubach6565]

Thank you for this informative video and for the others that I've watched on this channel. Much appreciated!.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Glad you find them useful- thanks

[@MegaSoundscapes]

Your videos are much appreciated, thank you for taking the time to share your experience ! It is always a great help if one is contemplating about a particular camera. I did that several times in the past before buying.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Appreciated - thank you

[@joseuribe430]

thank you for sharing important tips. Looking to buy my first Leica sometime this year

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Thanks - enjoy your Leica; fantastic cameras.

[@joseuribe430]

@@WorldwideCameraExchange you’re welcome. I’m so looking forward to it. It’s been 14 years since I wanted one.

[@joseuribe430]

@@WorldwideCameraExchange I’m seriously considering the 50mm summilux asph. Would that be a version 5? Don’t need the latest version, can’t afford it. Thanks in advance for your suggestions

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

@joseuribe430 the latest asph version is a fantastic lens but very, very expensive. Most will be extremely happy with the non-asph. Try them both and make up your own mind. It’s a very personal decision. And only buy the 1.4 if you’re using it full open. If you usually use smaller apertures then stick to the f2.

[@joseuribe430]

thank you for sharing your opinion, much appreciated @@WorldwideCameraExchange

[@naturligfunktion4232]

I love your videos mate. Some day I will try to get a nice Leica M3, but for now I am satisfied with my Nikon FM. Found one in a very good condition. I also just want to say, your wristwatch is very nice!

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

I get as many comments about my watch as about Leica and Nikon! It’s made by Nite, an English firm. They’re not particularly expensive, basic and are very robust … a bit like the Nikon FM! Www.nitewatches.com

[@fabricem1534]

Thanks a lot very helpful. Take care.

[@eggs-benny]

great video, thank you!

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Thanks - glad it’s useful

[@Rangefinder48]

Excellent video as always. Could you do a buying guide video for Nikon S series of rangefinder cameras? Particularly the S2, SP, S3/S4? Thanks!

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Thanks. Yes, Nikon rangefinders are on the to-do list!

[@Rangefinder48]

@@WorldwideCameraExchange Looking forward to it!

[@harrisjon1]

Great video! I am thinking of purchasing an M4 body but what kind of lens would you recommend? I was thinking of a Voightlander 50mm. Is there one in particular? I am doing mostly street photography.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

I’d recommend talking to your local dealer and trying out the alternatives. It’s a decision that depends upon your personal preferences and artistic style.

[@jaxytvids]

Thanks for this. I'm really wanting to jump into the Leica waters. Would you recommend starting with a M3 or M4-P? These are the two that jump out at me but I can't decide which would be a better starting point.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Try them. That’s the only way to decide. If you ask 100 Leica users, half will say M3, half will say M4-P. It’s a very, very personal decision based on your own artistic needs and style.

[@jaxytvids]

@@WorldwideCameraExchange 🙂Fair enough. Well, I have a M4 being delivered tomorrow. Hopefully I chose well.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

@jaxytvids excellent choice!

[@deemdoubleu]

If you can find someone to service one of these locally and able to do it within 3 months, you're quite lucky.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Thanks for commenting. I’d only ever recommend a specialist Leica repairer with a good reputation. And, yes, they’re few and far between, are expensive (justifiably), and will have long waiting lists (understandably). A well maintained mechanical Leica will happily work for decades so it’s a price worth paying.

[@CzejenAndCodaj]

I just buy my m4 from Sri Lanka in really bad condition but cheep. 550$. Now CLA, New Curtin and polish. It will be cheep too for me but in total i hope it will be 150$ + and i hope it will be my camera for years but.... i broke my leg so i will wait a lil bit longer to tahe some photos ^^'

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

It’ll feel fantastic after the service. Enjoy!

[@Jonny33333]

Where in Sri Lanka did you buy it?

[@CzejenAndCodaj]

@@Jonny33333 yup i did ;3 Srsly it was bargen and sorry for my english. Not native english speaker here ;3

[@codiecrieg2480]

1- optics < really expensive to repair> 2- Mechanics < many people sell total trash> 3 - guaranty 4 - cheep leica is more expensive than working one... PS: no problem when you buy it in safe spot

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Yes - agree totally!

[@nickfanzo]

I mean Leica cameras are cool to hold and stuff but a Nikon f or f2 is a considerably more reliable camera, that needs less maintenance. They also have better view finders (100%) and more accurate framing and focus by design. And you can get those for a few hundred dollars . Leica cameras are all about the name and how it looks in your hand. Other than that, they’re mechanically inferior to something like a Nikon f,f3, f3 Btw I’ve owned 15 Leicas in my life time and 5 Nikon f and f2 . I haven’t needed to service my Nikons in years, they’re fine, and when I darkroom print, the images are sharper and framed the way I saw them in the camera. the shutter isn’t made from Rubber cloth that’ll burn in the sun Finally most people are buying Leicas off of eBay and such, so this kind of testing isn’t possible for them.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

The Leica vs Nikon/Canon debate is as old as the hills. Everyone has their own view and that’s fine. EBay allows for purchases to be returned, so testing is possible (and essential), whatever you’re buying.

[@EricMilewski]

In 2024 asking people for common sense can be a bit sketchy ;P lol!

[@jeremykeller211]

Please KZbin: less buying. More using.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Plenty of channels out there cover using. Just not this one!

[@dps6198]

I fear a Leica will always be out of my reach