Hello! - Can anyone enlighten me with information regarding the Leica M1? There are frequent comparisons made within these pages between other models, especially the M3 and the current M6, but the M1 rarely (if ever) gets a mention. Is this a specialist camera unsuitable for “normal” photography (like the MD models, for example) or is it just not worth talking about? I have a 0.85 M6TTL and I would especially like to know the difference of the M1 in relation to this. - Thanks!!!

-- Chris Timotheou (nowayout@btinternet.com), June 18, 2001

Answers

The M1 is basically the M2 _without_ any rangefinder. Indeed, there is a little metal plate which says "M1" where the small LHS rangefinder patch window is on the front panel.

So only buy this camera if you are confident of focusing without any focus aids. ;?)

-- Andrew Nemeth (azn@nemeng.com), June 18, 2001.

It languished for years but now makes a bulletproof body for Brand V's 15 and even 21 mm lenses and finders.

-- Joe Brugger (jbrugger@pcez.com), June 18, 2001.

And there's the Visoflex, too. M1+Viso=Leica's version of the Nikon F. M3+Viso=Leica's version of the Alpa 6 :-)

-- Michael Darnton (mdarnton@hotmail.com), June 18, 2001.

No rangefinder but it still has parallax compensating framelines for 35mm and 50mm lenses (some military models have 50mm and 135mm framelines).

Cheers,

-- John Collier (jbcollier@powersurfr.com), June 18, 2001.

Iteresting to know it has paralax compensation; for 35mm is not so bad, the Md can be great for a 21 and even a 28 with a finder, but not a body to be used with other lenses but visoflex.

-- r watson (al1231234@hotmail.com), June 19, 2001.

Just to help illustrate what everyone's been talking about, here is an image and specs of the M1: http://www.leicagalle ry.com/m1profile.htm. And if you want a closer look of the M1: http://www.perkowitz.net/photo/resources/gear/35mm/leica/leic a-m1.html.

-- Hoyin Lee (leehoyin@hutchcity.com), June 19, 2001.