Leica M Series Film Cameras Overview - M3, M2, M1, M4, M5, M4-2, M4-P, M6, M7, MP, MA

[@toulcaz31]

Maybe you want to add the time stamps to this very good round-up so it becomes easier for viewers to revisit the video. Leica M3 - 2:00 Leica M2 - 3:05 Leica M4 - 4:30 Leica M5 - 5:47 Leica M4-2 - 6:50 Leica M4-P - 7:43 Leica M6 - 8:12 Leica M7 - 9:12 Leica MP - 10:27 Leica M-A - 11:15

[@NoctiGirl]

Thank you for doing that! Great suggestion 😊

[@toulcaz31]

@@NoctiGirl super quick and easy to do as you can't resist grabbing each camera :)

[@NoctiGirl]

Hahaha totally agree with ya 😉

[@Stealther]

@@NoctiGirl Chapters would be great!

[@iandickerman365]

This type of video was exactly what I was looking for! Leica's numbering system is very confusing and trying to decide what body to hunt for was near impossible without this info. Thanks so much!!

[@NoctiGirl]

Glad that this video was helpful. Thanks for watching! 😄

[@Narsuitus]

Thanks for the very useful video. My first Leica was an M1 that I used on a microscope while I was in college. After I graduated, I sold the M1 and the microscope and used Nikon SLRs for decades. I finally purchased a Leica M6 with 21/35/90mm lenses. I recently added a Leica M10 to my inventory.

[@NoctiGirl]

Wow! Congratulations on your recent addition! I’ve never met anyone who’s actually used an M1, how cool! My first M was also an M6. Still have it and love it 😊

[@Hunter-nu7uw]

A timeless educational video for years to come. Bravo NoctiGirl!

[@NoctiGirl]

Thank you for tuning in. Glad you enjoyed it! More videos to come 🥳

[@kalenderquantentunnel9411]

Great overview and as far as I could tell.. flawless! 🎉 The effort you put into pronouncing "Messucher" correctly is appreciated by a native speaker. ❤

[@NoctiGirl]

Thank you so much!! I always try my best to pronounce words as closely to their original languages as possible, especially these special words 😊 though sometimes my limited linguistic skills prevent me from sounding intelligent 😅 thank you for your encouragement! 💖

[@eborgesrey]

Fantastic historic overview of the M system! Many thanks for the enlightening video!

[@NoctiGirl]

Thank you for watching! I’m glad that you enjoyed it! 😊

[@erichartke4331]

Nice run down of the system. Beautiful M3 and M2!! I have a button rewind M2 myself ❤.

[@NoctiGirl]

Thanks for watching! 😄

[@netnamii6781]

This is the most priceless camera ever leaves

[@Gravitys-NOT-a-force]

That was very interesting. Thank you. I didn't know that there were two versions of the M6, and I had never heard of the Leica MA. You might have mentioned some of the problems with buying an older Leica film camera. They all have cloth shutters, and a bit of user carelessness on a sunny day could cause a tiny hole to be burned in those shutters. One mint-looking vintage M3 might be quite different than the one right next to it on the shelf.

[@NoctiGirl]

That’s true! Thanks for providing the insight 😊

[@MrMoritz74]

Thank you! I have a Leica M3 and a MP. I love the cameras! Greetings from Germany! .... Messsucher 😅

[@NoctiGirl]

Hahahaha oh man, you are probably wondering why I looked like I was about to throw up trying to say Messsucher 😅 It's a difficult word to pronounce 🥹 I don't have a M3, but I have a M6 as well as a MP. I love both!! 😍

[@inigotaylor9401]

From an m6 owner and user,, buy an fm2 by the time the novelty wears off you will have saved thousands, have access to beautiful, affordable nikkor glass and have a body that will need far less maintenance and produce beautiful pictures.

[@NoctiGirl]

A bit too late for me at this point... though I do also own an FM10 🙂

[@bo_norris]

@@NoctiGirl nowhere near the same experience. The fm2 feels almost like leica m quality. Also hand assembled like the old leicas. But you also get the 1/2000th shutter speed benefit that leicas lack. A meter on top of the camera that allows you to adjust to the proper exposure before bringing to your eye. Also a removable finder that allows you to shoot from the hip and be swapped out with an eye level finder or many other different types of finders. That being said..... I started film photography with an m5 (I no longer have due to a bad expensive light leak) and currently shoot with an M2 that I wouldn't trade the world for. 😭😂😭😂 we sometimes just can't help it..... We are born leica-heads!!

[@NoctiGirl]

Hahaha thanks for such a detailed explanation of the FM2! I totally agree... sometimes we just can’t help ourselves. I am at the point of no return already 🤣

[@bo_norris]

@@NoctiGirl actually.. lol. I described the f2 not fm2.. lol. Sorry was late last night. But if I were looking to buy an fm2 I'd just buy and f2 instead all day every day. 😂

[@bo_norris]

@@NoctiGirl but you're welcome for such a detailed explanation of the f2. 😂

[@VariTimo]

The M6 can have some pretty bad finder flare. Don’t spend 2500 bucks on that camera and expect the great rangefinder experience people were talking about with the M3 or MP. The M5 has an amazing finder and a really accurate spot meter if you don’t mind the size.

[@NoctiGirl]

Thanks for the additional tip!

[@gewglesux]

EVERY hobby I've ever had isn't cheap. I started with the Q twins.... give me some time to catch up. Love the video and hope for many more.!

[@NoctiGirl]

Thank you for watching! I’m glad that you enjoyed it 😊

[@nelsonclub7722]

This is epic. I am an admirer of Leica but have never owned one. As a pro I am stuck too far in to Hasselblad with the H6D100 - 907x and X1D50cII not to mention the odd H5D spare kicking around - if I ever retire this is the road I will go down - thank you for your clarification, effort, masterful knowledge and utterly inexhaustible enthusiasm

[@NoctiGirl]

Thank you for the kind words! 🙌🏻 I’m just a photo nerd sharing my passion 😄 the Hasselblad H6D100 is a fantastic system! For medium format I shoot a cheaper and older Rolleiflex 2.8E. I’m a film girl at heart you know 😉 stay tuned for more Leica and other camera related videos. Thanks for watching!

[@nelsonclub7722]

@@NoctiGirl Bless you - I shot on film for twenty years and by far my most favorite camera - thus far is the Rollei SLX - the little 907x Hass I sue now is a familiar sight in this regard. The SLX sits in the palm so nicely and is both left and right handed. The cameras I shot most on were the Mamiya RZ's as I shot womens fashion for catalogues when they were a thing - I went a bit bonkers once when in Hong Kong once and bought the 500 APO - I used this lens almost exclusively - the separation it gave was off the charts and of course the 6x7 is akin to same crop as a4 so magazines loved it. Later I also bought into the even larger format of the Fuji GX680III the world's largest SLR system - on location it was a struggle but in a studio nothing could touch it. When I retired from mainstream fashion I sold all the lenses and bodies but kept a complete unused spare full system -last year I donated it back to Fuji for their heritage museum - if you ever find yourself in London have a care to visit the House Of Photography in Covent Garden - they now have it on display with every single lens - and some concept pieces I acquired after they stopped making it all unused!!! Take care stay safe and thanks once for more your Leicaesque insights - wonderful stuff

[@NoctiGirl]

Omg amazing! Sounds like you are all in! I also started out in fashion... then went on to jewelry and now I focus on my KZbin channel while shooting Fine Art. You can’t really make money doing Fine Art but that’s the kind of work I find meaningful creating. If I’m ever back in London again, I’ll be sure to check out that museum! Take care and thanks again for your support. Keep creating! 🤩

[@richardsimms251]

@@NoctiGirl Great video. Lots of useful information for my 4 Leica Ms that I use all the time . RS

[@NoctiGirl]

Thank you so much! I’m glad that you find the video useful and informational! 😊

[@fellowcitizen]

Thanks :) Pretty sure "messsucher" refers to an integrated viewfinder with a rangefinder, as opposed to two separate instruments as found on rivals and predecessors.

[@NoctiGirl]

Thanks for this valuable information! 😃

[@Kerberos2233]

That’s true, I am German and you could translate „Messsucher“ as „measuring viewfinder“ or better „ranging viewfinder“.

[@NoctiGirl]

This is great to know! Thanks!! 😊

[@fellowcitizen]

@@Kerberos2233 Thanks for clarifying this.

[@farhadfadayi7389]

great video. I've M4 and M6, was very usefull for me. specially knowing about the frame lines and frame selection lever. I was planning to buy a external 28mm view finder for my M6. but now I see I don't need that. am still new in Leica World and has to learn much yet.

[@NoctiGirl]

I’m glad to know that this video was helpful to you! Keep in mind that widest frame lines you can get on the M4 is 35mm and 28mm on the M6. Keep experimenting and exploring. Most importantly, never forget to have fun when you shoot! That’s all that matters 😊

[@time-wanderer]

Very attractive video and host! Glad to have the knowledge and be jealous about your collections! Nice cameras! Masterpieces!

[@NoctiGirl]

Haha thank you for watching! I don't own all of them - some of them were borrowed for the video 😉 Happy shooting!

[@codiecrieg2480]

Oh this is latest model of m5? Becouse strap is on both side. Nice

[@NoctiGirl]

The M5 is definitely a very unique M!

[@crispin8888]

Very nice, and an excellent summary. I am lucky enough to have a black M2 and an olive M3. I also have a normal M3, for which I bought a quick take-up spool on Ebay. It saves the 'honeymoon struggle'.

[@NoctiGirl]

Thanks!! Omg 😂 do you also have a back up for that “normal M3”? It’s probably really clean too. But I can’t believe how pricy these cameras are getting nowadays 😩🥺😤

[@crispin8888]

@@NoctiGirl I confess Sister Noctigirl that I have two 'normal' M3's. I know I shouldn't, but it's the voices ... buy me...

[@NoctiGirl]

🤣🤣🤣 I KNEW IT!!! Don’t worry... I also hear those words too... 🥺😩😭💸

[@crispin8888]

@@NoctiGirl They are BAD words ... but, in reality, Leica is one of rare investment brands, and especially for the lenses and film cameras. Justified ! 😇

[@NoctiGirl]

Hahahaha usually when I feel guilty about buying another camera, I tell myself hey, I only live once. That’s my justification 🥲😆🤣

[@kevinfickling6384]

I learned so much helping you make this 🥳

[@NoctiGirl]

Ya ya yaaaaa 😍😍😍

[@lsamoa]

This was so informative, thank you so much for putting this together!

[@NoctiGirl]

I’m glad it was helpful for you. Thank you for watching! 😊

[@betterthanitneeded]

Thank you , was looking for this information in one place

[@NoctiGirl]

Thank you for watching! I’m glad that you enjoyed the vid 🙌🏻

[@camerafusion]

Beautiful collection 🤤

[@NoctiGirl]

Thank you! 😊 Not all mine tho 😛

[@Traveljournalist]

Great to see you again on KZbin !

[@NoctiGirl]

Thank you!! 😊 waiting for new content from you as well 😉

[@AmineRahmaniSC]

Thank you

[@NoctiGirl]

Thank you for watching! 😊

[@allena3430]

Leica M1 M2 M4 M7 M8.2 and M10. Very fortunate and grateful to own such beauties. A lot of beautiful bodies there you have 😍

[@NoctiGirl]

Hahahah thank you!! Unfortunately I don’t own all of them. Just had the pleasure of presenting them and trying them out 😊

[@TheVFXbyArt]

Nice! Thank you for this overview!!!!

[@NoctiGirl]

Thank you for watching! 😄

[@kimjongik]

Great! It helps a lot, thanks!

[@NoctiGirl]

Thanks J! 😄

[@1973sonvis]

Great overview! Thanks! 🙂

[@NoctiGirl]

Thank you for watching! 😊

[@jamesmoore9511]

I use an M2-R which is the quick load version of the M2 like the M4.

[@NoctiGirl]

Nice! Would love to see that setup some day 😊

[@theoldfilmbloke]

WoW !! How is it that all the cameras are 'MINT' --did you get them 'On Loan' from the Leica Museum !

[@NoctiGirl]

Hahaha no! We just take good care of our cameras! And I don’t own the entire collection. It belongs to 3 owners, myself included 😉

[@sebvz89]

The Minolta CLE have Aperture Priority since 1980, incredible

[@62smarty]

My first M: M6... then M240 ... then M8.2 Safari (500 pcs made)... then M2. What is missing? Maybe M4P? BUT: Where did you get that great t-shirt from?

[@NoctiGirl]

Nice! I love my M6, which was my first film M 😊 the t-shirt is from Leica Store Miami! 😉

[@DNNSBMN]

Ah, a wanted to know about that shirt also 😉

[@geradebowden3293]

My M3 ds is my first and I’m happy with it.

[@NoctiGirl]

Awesome! My first M was the M6... still in love with it 😍

[@geradebowden3293]

Mine is from the first year of production double stroke. From an estate sale, had it CLA’d and its a dream .

[@NoctiGirl]

Awesome! Double stroke is fun. Happy for you! 😊

[@Edgy01]

One additional point for actual shooters--not merely collectors--is that with the M6 TTL, Leica reversed the direction of the shutter dial. It's slows down an old school Leica shooter, when you have to think about that!

[@NoctiGirl]

Thanks for adding this additional important info!

[@xx22x6x92xx]

"Reversing" it makes so much sense. The "normal" way doesnt make sense for me. Also the bigger dial on the TTL is way better to use because you dont have to "search" for the dial when you have the camera i front of your face.

[@Edgy01]

@@xx22x6x92xx hence, the M5 with the dial hanging over the front like with the Leicaflex bodies

[@victorll8731]

great video! would love to see more Leica-related stuff :)

[@NoctiGirl]

Thanks! Stay tuned for more Leica related videos to come 😄

[@michaelpatterson6678]

Great video. Thanks for the information. Very helpful.

[@NoctiGirl]

Thanks! I’m glad that you enjoyed it!

[@MB-or8js]

Great summary covering the essential pros and cons of each camera. Cute spelling of Messucher ;). Do you own all the cameras? M3, M6, M7, and M-E 240 shooter here.

[@NoctiGirl]

Hahaha thank you! No unfortunately I don’t own the entire collection. The collection seen in the video belongs to 3 owners, myself included. Just a bunch of Leica nerds sharing their passion and toys 😝

[@MB-or8js]

@@NoctiGirl I hope you didn't lose too many of your Leica friends when you were juggling with some of the Leica toys to exercise with (great video Btw) :)

[@NoctiGirl]

Hahah thanks! Fortunately my Leica friends have a similar sense of humor so most of them were laughing with me 😆🤣🤣

[@DannerPlace]

Great job [beerclink]

[@NoctiGirl]

Thanks! 🍻

[@DigitalNegative]

do the thread mount bodies too :P

[@NoctiGirl]

one of these days... 😛

[@HanHan-fb7zh]

Love your review

[@NoctiGirl]

Thank you for watching!

[@ChrisOBrienMusic]

I've mad an M1 and M3 but ended up selling them... now I have a Leicaflex SL2 and IIIg and couldn't be happier.

[@NoctiGirl]

That's awesome! The M & SL are 2 very different systems for very different purposes. I'm glad that you've found what works for you! 😊

[@Stanlyok]

Nice video! Would you go for M4 or M4-P?

[@NoctiGirl]

Thanks! I’d go with the M4-P for more frame line options... this girl is all about options 😛

[@Stanlyok]

@@NoctiGirl that's fair! On the other hand M4 has less overlapping frame-lines, you can still use the 28 I believe with the whole view being the frame and you get the M3-like handmade build from brass. Ah, choices X)

[@NoctiGirl]

That’s true! It totally depends on what your primary lens is I guess. Is your go-to the 28?

[@Stanlyok]

@@NoctiGirl usually I go for 21, 35, 50 & 90 - have yet to try the 28mm!

[@NoctiGirl]

Ah I see! The 28mm is a weird focal length for me. I am similar to you, either 35 or 21 🙂

[@leslumieres1237]

M5: the amzing thing is that the Visoflexes for the older M-models still fit, depite being significantly "higher."

[@NoctiGirl]

Thanks for this important user tip! 😊

[@albertma5467]

Rally great video

[@NoctiGirl]

Thank you! 😊

[@MrChoiczan]

Thanks so so so much s-mile-s

[@NoctiGirl]

Thank you for watching! 😊

[@Miguel-mv2bs]

I love your shirt! 😍

[@NoctiGirl]

Hahaha thanks!! 😊

[@christianguerpillon47]

une belle histoire de leica m !

[@NoctiGirl]

Merci beaucoup 🤗

[@Caracalaba]

very informative

[@NoctiGirl]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!!

[@moilami1]

This camera girl channel boggles my mind.

[@NoctiGirl]

Lol why is that??

[@Edgy01]

Sadly, I have a camera addiction. Just in Leicas I enjoy using the MP, M5, Leicaflex SL, Leicaflex SL Mot, SL2 Mot, and the Leica SL, and lastly the Leica SL2-S. Then there is Hasselblad and Nikon…

[@NoctiGirl]

Hahahah I hear you! I think most of us here suffer from some form of G.A.S… Gear Acquisition Syndrome 😆 I don’t see Rolleiflex on your list! Do you shoot Rolleis at all? 😃

[@zarmindrow5831]

I suggest a screw mount.

[@jaytan9549]

The M3 is still the king to me 😆

[@NoctiGirl]

The M3 is a beast! I'm enjoying my M6 and MP 😄

[@PhucTran-xu4py]

Do you still shoot film?

[@NoctiGirl]

I actually shoot so much film that I’m trying to shoot less because shooting film has gotten very expensive… my current photo project is entirely shot on 120 film: www.charlicelin.com/chasing-the-american-dream

[@ivainmartinossi7529]

M5

[@ivainmartinossi7529]

Except for the straps...the lateral straps on the m5 are not very nice

[@NoctiGirl]

Thank you for sharing your user experience!

[@garylambe1187]

Hi, do you own all these cameras? How on earth do you afford them all - even if I sold all my current kit I wouldnt be able to afford one of these.. who knows -one day!

[@NoctiGirl]

Hahaha unfortunately no, I do not own all of these cameras. The collection you see in the video belongs to 3 owners, myself included. Just a bunch of Leica nerds sharing their love and passion 🤗

[@allensmithphotography]

Personally I'm not big on rangefinders in general, but I definitely appreciate the effort and information in your video. We definitely need more women visible in the film photography world and I look forward to future videos.

[@NoctiGirl]

Thank you for the nice comments! I have lots of videos coming 😊

[@bngr_bngr]

Your Instagram link in the description doesn't work :(

[@NoctiGirl]

Sorry about that! The link should be fixed now 😊

[@bolleolympus]

😊😊👍👍👌👌✌✌❤❤

[@NoctiGirl]

🤩😎🤗

[@shademanirvanipour6870]

you are looking at over £20..000 worth of LEICA cameras and I got a friend of mine who want to sale his LEICA M6 NONE TTL Model black body to Me for £500.00 and is not been used for a long time

[@NoctiGirl]

Hahaha it’s probably more than £20.000... the lens on the MP is the 50 noctilux 😛 wow that’s a good friend you have! You should snatch it up right away. The price on the M6 has gone up dramatically. They are around $2.500 here in the US now...

[@karmatopden3417]

👍👍👍

[@NoctiGirl]

Thank you! 😊

[@tedolphbundler724]

What about the CL?

[@NoctiGirl]

This is the M series overview…

[@fmiranda66]

Great KZbin about the M system. Correct me if I'm wrong, didn't they make Leica M3 till 1967-1969? www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/M3

[@NoctiGirl]

Thanks for watching! Since it’s so long ago, it might be hard to pinpoint the exact year production ended, as some sources seem to provide different information: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leica_M3?wprov=sfti1 But I think it’s safe to say that production ended before 1970.

[@fmiranda66]

@@NoctiGirl thank you, sweetie :0)

[@fmiranda66]

@@NoctiGirl awesome ;0)

[@NoctiGirl]

Thanks Frank! 😊

[@andychandler3992]

I gotta get that shirt.

[@NoctiGirl]

From Leica Store Miami! I think it's sold out for now but I believe they might be bringing back these shirts since they were so popular! 😄

[@andychandler3992]

I nearly purchased an M1. I'm so angry I didn't get the chance to do it. I mean, I'd have become a rangefinder DIETY if I could shoot with one (zone and distance). But at the same time, decided against it.

[@NoctiGirl]

Omg an M1! Those are so rare! It’d definitely be cool to shoot with one!

[@andychandler3992]

@@NoctiGirl Update: another M1 came up for sale and this time I didn't hesitate. I also found and purchases a Leica IG which is a screwmount IIIG without the rf. Only 6000 copies of that were ever made.

[@NoctiGirl]

Omg that’s really cool! Congrats 🎉 thanks for the update!!

[@David-hk3ly]

Can you explain why in 50 years Leica never improved the eye relief of their eyepieces on rangefinders? Eyeglass wearers still have to squint to see the whole frame thru viewfinder.

[@NoctiGirl]

Hahaha I am also not sure. That’s a question for the Leica development team to answer. Though Leica is not really known to be innovative. They are more known for their history and heritage 🙂

[@betod63]

you can add 1500 euros and Leica would offer you an MA with 0.85 vf

[@NoctiGirl]

Thanks for the info! 😄

[@silvestersze9968]

What’s your favorite model? 🎉

[@NoctiGirl]

I'd have to say the M6! The MP is quite similar, but I enjoy the internal light meter 😊 How about you??

[@silvestersze9968]

@@NoctiGirl I’ve always been an M6 fan. However, in the end not having a meter will feel liberating. Plus the presence of the self timer lever makes the camera more appealing to my eyes, so M4 for now. LOL 😝

[@silvestersze9968]

@@NoctiGirl Also, I prefer brass over zinc for top and bottom plates. What about you? 😂😆🤣

[@silvestersze9968]

@@NoctiGirl What other camera brands and formats do you like besides Leica M-series (just curious)? I think Leica rangefinder and maybe R-series cameras quality is like Rolex in watches and Steinway & Son in pianos 🎹 (pure mechanical and craftsmanship)

[@NoctiGirl]

Hahaha brass is definitely nicer. But I did this to my M6 🙈 kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKLFdqyng7OZgKc

[@tedolphbundler724]

Ha! She said "screw" and "mount".

[@tanatipsangkhawasi474]

For me for M3 and M2 should show basic color as original one. Not a special color edition for new comer to better understand. And you forget M-D

[@NoctiGirl]

Hahaha thanks for your comment! Ahh ya the M-D... definitely didn't forget it! I needed to keep the video to a certain length so I left out quite a few other Leica film M's! Maybe I should do a part 2 with all the other cameras I left out in the first video 🙂

[@tanatipsangkhawasi474]

Anyway nice video and full of knowledge 😮

[@NoctiGirl]

Thank you so much!! 😊

[@mbutton48]

Lol! Perfect

[@NoctiGirl]

Thank you 😄

[@aying25]

Great video but why does she move like that? It’s rather unsettling

[@explosivebricks4395]

If you tell me how to get the peak design clips into the Leica body holes, I can tell you how to pronounce the German words xD

[@NoctiGirl]

It takes persistence and patience… 😆

[@explosivebricks4395]

@@NoctiGirl xD

[@nickdigrispino2409]

I picked up a Leica IIIf for less than $250

[@NoctiGirl]

Nice! From a yard sale or something?

[@nickdigrispino2409]

@@NoctiGirl eBay. Just picked up a Leica iiic for $200 on eBay

[@NoctiGirl]

Nice! That’s a great deal!... if the camera is in good condition 😃

[@Mamo878]

All that money for just a max of 1/1000th shutter speed is a freaking joke.

[@NoctiGirl]

I take it that you are unfamiliar with the rangefinder system. That is typical of rangefinder cameras.

[@Mamo878]

@@NoctiGirl Sure, it's typical. It's also another reason _not_ to shoot with a rangefinder camera!

[@NoctiGirl]

Lol ok

[@Asmoc23]

Damn! I never seen or held a Leica camera and here you are with 10 different leica's. So jealous! :))

[@NoctiGirl]

Hahaha don’t be 😆 they say the best camera is the one you have when you need it, so… enjoy yours 😉

[@Asmoc23]

@@NoctiGirl I like my camera, but I'm still sooo jealous of you! 😄

[@NoctiGirl]

😝