Leica M6 and lenses

[morphomir]

Hi all -

I'm sorry if this is so basic it makes you sick, but I have a few questions as a newbie to RFs and the RFF.

First, in your opinion, what should I expect to pay for a very good (to excellent) condition M6 (TTL, .85, .72 doesn't matter to me)?

Second, as far as lenses, do I just look for M-mount lenses? Would the Color-Skopar 25mm f/4 fit without an adaptor?

Again, I'm sorry if this is super basic, but I'm trying to get a good understanding of this stuff. I don't want to overpay and I want to make sure I get a nice body.

Thanks, all. 🙂

 

[dpetrzelka]

Morphomir - M-mount lenses will fit without adapters.

LTM/M39/Tread Mount/Screw Mount lenses fit with the use of the appropriate adapter- many of us do this. You will read many opinions on which brand of adapter to get, I'll leave that for others to discuss. However with the M6's automatic framelines, you will need to make sure you get an adapter that matches the focal length of your lens 35/135, 28/90 or 50/75. (Bessa bodies have manual framelines allowing you to select the appropriate framelines regardless of the adapter used).

The first version of the 25/4 Skopar needs an adapter, the second version is M-mount, and fits as is.

 

[lic4]

Your question doesn't make me sick; it's often difficult to wade through all the messages to figure out what you want to know. M6 TTL .72: I've seen them in the range of $1100 recently if it's in user condition. You can get M-mount lenses or leica thread mount (including the older color skopar) if you have an LTM-M adapter; so you will need an adpater unless you are buying the new skopar 25mm that comes in M Mount. LTM is often referred to as L mount, or M39 (?), someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Steve Bellayr]

Condition is important when pricing the camera. You will need to go to cameraquest & read, even study, the various descriptions of the cameras & lenses available. The 50mm Summicron & 90mm tele-elmarit are common enough and I believe affordable. It is only when you get the the 35mm that cost rises appreciably. Do not disregard the M6 classic. Basic price for the M6s start around $1100 and will run to $1500, again depending upon condition.

 

[morphomir]

@ dpetrzelka: Thanks for the info! Very much appreciated. However, I'm not sure I understand the adapter issue you mention. So suppose I want to fit a Voigtlander 40 f/1.4 on the M6. Are you saying I need to also purchase an adapter that matches the 4mm focal length?

@ lic4: Thank you for your input. You're right, it's very hard to sift through the internet and message boards trying to find an answer to a question. You've done a great job in my quest. Thanks!

 

[BillP]

Morphomir, welcome.

Yours is a fair question. I'd suggest getting hold of a book to help with the basics. There are plenty out there.

Your choice of M6 is not straightforward. Viewfinder magnification should really be a function of the lenses you intend to use. Generally, the .72 is the best "general" choice, since it has 6 paired sets of framelines - 28/90 35/135 and 50/75. The .86 loses the 28mm framelines, although some (like me) contend that you can use the whole viewfinder for 28mm on the .85.

Others have already given you an appropriate answer about the use of screwmount lenses. There is no penalty in using adaptors, provided they are properly made, and they open up a whole world of lenses to your use.

Finally, and off-topic, PLEASE can we keep irrelevant parochial politics out of the Forum?

Regards,

Bill

 

[Graham Line]

The situation is complicated because the L39 mount has been around since the 1930s and the M-mount since the 1950s and there are a lot of lenses out there, from several manufacturers.

The recent 40/1.4 Voigtlander lens is an M-mount and doesn't need an adapter to fit the M6. HOWEVER, because you don't look through the lens on a rangefinder camera, you use frame lines in the finder to compose your picture. The M6 has framelines for 28, 35, 50, 75, 90 and 135 lenses with the .72 finder. Some people can adapt and judge what area a 40 covers; others can't.

Cameras like the Leica CL, Minolta CLE and some of the Voigtlander Bessas have 40mm framelines.

Keep asking questions. It takes a while to get comfortable with the basics.

 

[dpetrzelka]

morphomir -

The use of 40mm lenses is another topic of great interest on forums. There are no 40mm framelines in the M series of Leica RFs- the M6 included. So you must make the decision of weather to use the 35mm or the 50mm - the lens will work just fine with either, its how you want to frame the shots that will be the deciding factor.

The most common 40mm lenses I know of only come in M-mount, so you don't have to worry about an adapter- just weather or not to grind down the flange to pull up 35mm framelines vs the standard 50mm (Many 40's have already had this done).

 

[dpetrzelka]

morphomir -

Although you didn't ask, I would recommend that you wait a few more weeks and look for a used 35/2.5 Skopar Classic in LTM and get a 35mm Voigtlander adapter. It is a wonderful little lens, amazing performer, a great focal length to start with for your RF, and I have a feeling they will be showing up at great prices come the end of February.

 

[morphomir]

@ BillP: Thank you for your reply. You're right, my choice in an M6 is very straightforward, but the reason I don't seem to care about .72, .85, etc. in my original post is because I don't have lenses for the camera seeing as I'm new to RFs. Therefore, I just wanted a basic idea from you all here since I know a lot of you are extremely knowledgeable. I'm very interested in an M6 because of its fair price and so I wanted to look around for lenses while simultaneously looking for an M6 to see what my options are. Your post, in this case, also helped tremendously. Thank you kindly.

@ Joe Brugger: Thank you for your reply and your kindness. Very much appreciated. Your post is very clear and things are definitely starting to click and make sense. Thanks again! 🙂

 

[heiyu]

I've also gone down this road, after shooting many years with dslrs I wanted to experiment with some other formats/camera's. I've always wanted to use/own a Leica as I don't know anybody who has one, I took the plunge myself after some research on the internet.

One day I came acros a mint M6 classic (with 2yr warranty) and I took it right away. And I still don't regret it. For a starter lens I think a 50mm is a good choice. Try to get an used 50 summicron. Decent price and amazing lens.

 

[Andrew Sowerby]

If you're just getting into rangefinders, consider one of the Bessa R's. Much cheaper than a Leica and you can find out if RF photography is for you. Within a few months you'll know if you want to stick with it and you won't have tied up a couple thousand $$$. Once you've decided, a Leica M6 is a great choice.

I'd also second the recommendation of 35mm as your first lens.

 

[Paul Jenkin]

As a newbie myself, it is a steep learning curve. However, the guys here are extremely helpful.

I eventually went for a classic M6 in nice condition together with a Summicron-M 35mm/f2 (made in Canada - which for some reason is less 'attractive' - so a bit cheaper - despite being identical in every respect to its German twin.....!)

I also found Voigtlander 28mm/f1.9 and 75mm/f2.5 lenses and I've been extremely happy with them.

You can download a copy of the M6 user manual if you Google "Leica M6 user manual" and have a hunt around.

Buy the best you can find - ideally with a CLA history (Clean, Lube and Adjust - if you're wondering...). The thing I noticed price-wise is that a mechanically flawless Leica will not be cheap. However, the increase in price to get a mechanically and cosmetically flawless one seems disproportionately expensive unless you are really "into" the aesthetics as well as the "tool" itself. I suppose it's because they don't make that model any more.

I'm sure you'll find a bargain out there if you look hard enough. Best wishes,

Paul.