The Leica M1: A Minimalist's Delight

     More than one blogger has panned the Leica M1, but I don't agree.  If, like me, you're a minimalist who prefers standard transmission over automatic transmission or an old wind-up watch over a newer battery operated one, you'll like the M1.

Leica M1 with Jupiter 2/50 and Blik Lomo USSR Rangefinder and Soft Release

     Introduced in 1959, the M1 is as finely crafted and competent as are its cousins the M2, the M3, and the M4. But because it was intended for use with a Visoflex system, it lacks a rangefinder, a preview lever, and a self timer. But that's not really a problem. Actually, the M1 is an  M2 without those three refinements. Better yet, because they're not in great demand, M1s are less expensive than the M2s, M3s, and M4s are. I bought the one shown here (body only) for less than half the cost of an M2.

     I really like this camera. After all, really who needs a self timer? I don't think I used one in the last fifty years. Ditto the preview lever. By the way, the M1 shows just two frames in its viewfinder: 50mm and 35mm. Because those are the two lenses I've used the most over the years, that's not a problem for me .Of course, you can always use an accessory finder if you want to mount other
lenses.

    Perhaps the biggest complaint people have about the Leica M1 is that it lacks a dedicated rangefinder. There are two solutions to this problem: (1) you can attach an accessory rangefinder as shown the photo above, or (2) you can use the zone system. With the diaphragm set at f/11 on the Jupiter 2/50, for example, everything from about 3 meters (9' 9") to infinity will be acceptably sharp.
And it gets even better if you use a 35mm lens.  

  

Leica M1 with Jupiter 2/50

  Okay, okay. I know that some people will slam me for daring to mount an inexpensive Soviet lens on a Leica camera. And for all I know, they may be justified. But I have to say that I've used not only Soviet Jupiter lenses, but also Industar lenses for several years with good results.
   
     I have to admit, though, that all isn't peaches and cream when it comes to lenses made in the then Soviet Union. It's well known that in many cases quality control in that country hasn't always been consistent. But I guess I've been lucky because all of the lenses I've bought from Russia have performed well for me. And so has the Blik Lomo rangefinder, which I bought for just  a few bucks.

    Summary: if you require bells and whistles on your cameras, the Leica M1 is not for you. But if you like getting back to basics, then you're going to enjoy using it. And perhaps the best thing is that when you buy an M1, you're buying the same camera as the M2 without the preview lever, self timer, and rangefinder.