Ranking the Titans: The Best Leica M Analog Cameras

Introduction

Let's get ready to rumble in the vintage camera arena, where only the finest of Leica's M series contenders roll for the top spot in our analog affections. Each camera in this lineup isn’t just a piece of photography history; they’re a testament to the enduring power of film in a digital world. Here they are, the heavyweights of the Leica legacy, ranked for your shutter-pushing pleasure.

1. Leica M3

The Leica M3 is not just at the top of the list; it's sitting on the throne with a crown of film canisters. With its peerless viewfinder, a high magnification factor of 0.91x, and the quietest shutter around, it's the camera other cameras have posters of on their walls. Lauded for its precision, the M3 is the go-to for those who appreciate the golden trifecta: 50mm, 90mm, and 135mm framelines. It's not just a camera; it's the king of the analog world. Loading the film in the camera is a joy!

Pros:

1. The most iconic and classic of all Leica M cameras (arguably)

2. The most precise focussing camera of all Leica Ms

3. Full brass body

4. High quality glass pressure plate

5. The best Leica M for shooting 50mm focal length

Cons:

1. 1m minimum focussing distance

2. No light meter

Completely stripped and bare to the bone. - shot on iPhone X

2. Leica M5

And then there's the M5. It's the rebel in the family, the one that went to art school and came back with ideas (also the one that almost made Leica bankrupt and go out of business). With its built-in through-the-lens needle light metering and unconventional design, it stands out from the crowd. It may not have the universal appeal of its siblings, but for those who click with its unique ethos, it's nothing short of brilliant—a cult classic that zags when all others zig. In my humble opinion, the Leica M5 is a fantastic beast. It is the only M that shows the shutter speeds and aperture range indicator inside the VF. The needle for light meter is a genius touch. One is aware of the exposure at all times. A Leica M5 in Black Chrome makes me think of the Nolan’s Batmobile. Big, Bad and Mean (in a good way!).

Pro:

1. Unique design

2. Light Meter and aperture indicator inside the viewfinder

3. Quick fim loading mechanism

Con:

1. Strange strap lugs

2. Uses 1.35V battery for light meter

3. Leica M6

The M6 is the people's champion. It's the camera that shook hands with the past and the future at the same time. Integrating a light meter while keeping the fully mechanical operation, it spoke to the hearts of traditionalists and the heads of pragmatists. A 0.72x magnification viewfinder, compatibility with a wide array of lenses, and those LED exposure indicators make it a modern classic and an absolute joy to shoot with. The body is sleek and light weight compared to the older M3s and M4s.

Pro:

1. Most recognisable Leica M amongst the young crowd

2. High demand (you could sell it for higher price than you buy)

3. Light meter (takes two1.5v SR44 or LR44 batteries or a single 3v CR1/3N or DL1/3N lithium cell battery)

Con:

1. Heavy flare in the rangefinder patch in certain angles (due to the use of cheaper, poor materials and coating in M6 due to cost cutting)

2. The direction of the exposure correction arrow in the viewfinder match the aperture direction but not the shutter speeds. This takes time to get used to. The shutter speed dial direction is corrected in the Leica M6 LTM.

M6 rocking the legendary Elmar 50/3.5 - Shot on Leica Q2 Monocrome in ICE train from Berlin to Düsseldorf

Sep. 2020 - shot on iPhone 13 Pro

Shot on iPhone 13 Pro

4. Leica MP

The original MP is as mythical as the creatures in a fantasy epic. Designed for professionals with a Leicavit M rapid winder, this camera is about as common as an honest politician. If the M3 is the king, the MP is the wizard—rare, powerful, and cloaked in an aura of mystery. Its robust build and mechanical purity make it the Excalibur of cameras: not everyone can have it, but those who do... well, they've made it.

Pro:

1. Legendary status

Con:

1. None

5. Leica M4

The M4 is like the cool cousin of the M3 that rolled into town on a motorcycle. It built on the M3's legacy with a quicker film loading system, a crank for rewinding, and a refined viewfinder experience with 0.72x magnification. It's the M camera for the shooter who loves the feel of the M3 but craves just a tad more convenience and speed. It's practical, it's stylish, and it's everything you want an M-series camera to be.

Pro:

1. Focus less than 1m

2. 28mm and 35mm lens adaptability

3. Full brass body

Cons:

1. No light meter

My first Leica M4 - Shot on Ricoh GR ii in Positive Film Preset

My second M4 with Leica Summilux 35/1.4 V2 - shot on iPhone 13 Pro

6. Leica M2

The M2 says, "Who needs all that extra fluff?" and then walks onto the scene with its sleek lines and a no-nonsense viewfinder that supports wider angles like 35mm, along with 50mm and 90mm. It's the M-series entry for the purist who adores the essence of rangefinder photography without the added complexity. A workhorse for street photographers and the wanderlust-stricken, the M2 has been there, done that, and taken the iconic photo.

Pros:

1. Focus less than 1m

2. 28mm and 35mm lens adaptability

3. Full brass body

Cons:

1. No light meter

Conclusion

This lineup is less about declaring a single winner and more about celebrating the incredible craftsmanship of Leica's M series. Each of these cameras carries the torch of film photography with grace, and to shoot with any of them is to hold a piece of history in your hands. Whether you're a collector, a professional, or someone who reveres the alchemy of film, these Leicas are the pinnacle of camera craftsmanship.