Nikkor AIS
Nikkor AIS
Thanks Wes. I no longer have the M6.
It was nothing against the Leica M6 model itself. It was just that I never liked the chrome M6 I had; it felt really rough compared to other Leica Ms. But I wouldn't think twice about getting a nice black one down the road.
It was nothing against the Leica M6 model itself. It was just that I never liked the chrome M6 I had; it felt really rough compared to other Leica Ms. But I wouldn't think twice about getting a nice black one down the road.
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LeicaFan
Well-known
I've noticed that most people prefer the black ones. Stealth look, maybe?
I'm a sucker for silver/chrome ones.
peter_n
Veteran
This thread is nearly a year old... Just wondering what the OP bought? FWIW this is an MP3:
Biggles
My cup runneth amok.
Ain't bought nuthin' yet! Have been keeping an eye open for a .85 M-Something at a price I can justify for a design I'm not over-fond of that I'll maybe take ten rolls a year with, while trying hard to buy and not to buy a ZM to replace my disintegrating fleet of air-to-surface CLs and kill one and a half birds with.
I need a stiff drink. And maybe a nice Lomo.
I need a stiff drink. And maybe a nice Lomo.
MP if money is no object
M6 for a bargain
M7 if you need auto modes
M6 for a bargain
M7 if you need auto modes
Guaranteed
Well-known
I've been wanting an M6 for awhile now because of all of the framelines, but I gotta say I wasn't to keen on the size of the 50 lines on either the .72 or the .85. I guess I've just gotten used to the shooting right eye with both eyes open on my R3A.
For only a handful of rolls a year maybe it would be worth a look, seeing most of the time it would be sitting on a shelf/in a bag and spend the difference on glass. Just a thought.
For only a handful of rolls a year maybe it would be worth a look, seeing most of the time it would be sitting on a shelf/in a bag and spend the difference on glass. Just a thought.
MCTuomey
Veteran
Exactly
The M6 VF is upgradeable, so you can functionally approach an MP at a better price.
Dwayneb9584
Well-known
When I was shopping for my first rangefinder I looked at Voightlanders and Leica M6's. I didn't like the viewfinder much in the R3M so I then checked out Leica over at B&H. The one I was going to get was about $1200.00 for the body at the time and it was way to dusty and worn so I knew I would have to get it cla'd. The viewfinder wasn't of my preference either. So I did my research and checked out the Zeiss Ikon. I was sold on the viewfinder on that bad boy man. It's unlike any other viewfinder I've looked through. I'd go for the Zeiss Ikon if I were you and use the rest of the cash to get a 35mm Summilux pre-asph unless you already have this lens. Buy some more film and shoot with it. I hang out a lot with friends and go to the bar a lot. It's amazing in low light and can't beat the price tag. It has the AE option as well, although I mainly use it as a manual camera and don't like to rely on the AE. But it is a great option and can come in handy for quick shots.
vz7
Newbie
Does anyone know what the M6 Millennium has the same upgraded viewfinder as the MP? Cos my M6 TTL flares quite badly but not the MP as I have been told.
dof
Fiat Lux
hlockwood
Well-known
Well, I'll join the chorus of anecdotes. I bought the M7/0.85 new, with upgraded VF and DX reader several years ago. I thought I was a 35/75 shooter, but it turns out I'm more of a 50 shooter, especially with the Elmar-M (latest version). AE is important for me, and I'm not overly concerned about electronics reliability. The M7 gives me dead-on exposures every time, provided I meter the correct surface in the frame. Battery lifetime is really a non-issue in practice; I keep a couple in the car and a couple in the bag.
For a critical photo shoot, I suppose a second body (M3, M6) would be nice but weight would be a consideration for me. I take my chances by carrying a pocketable Canon G9, hardly ever used though, and never in an emergency.
There have been a lot of good suggestions here, but there is something important to keep in mind. If you buy used and find you're unhappy with your choice, you'll likely recoup most of your investment in a sale. Then move on to another candidate. After all, you're not making a lifetime decision.
Harry
For a critical photo shoot, I suppose a second body (M3, M6) would be nice but weight would be a consideration for me. I take my chances by carrying a pocketable Canon G9, hardly ever used though, and never in an emergency.
There have been a lot of good suggestions here, but there is something important to keep in mind. If you buy used and find you're unhappy with your choice, you'll likely recoup most of your investment in a sale. Then move on to another candidate. After all, you're not making a lifetime decision.
Harry
zerobuttons
Well-known
It seems to me that prices on second-hand M-bayonet cameras have been going up lately, so you should probably begin finalizing your decision, if you want to pay a decent price - or wait even longer and see if prices go down again within the next year or two.
Right now, the general price demanded for a used, dinged Konica Hexar RF is 1.5-2 times the price I paid for a mint complete set (with Hexanon 50/2 and flash) two years ago. And Leica MP second-hand prices are far from realistic at the moment.....
I cannot quite decide in which part of the world you are situated. Maybe you should tell us that, and then the guys here from around you could tell you which dealers should have something like the camera you want.
You seem to have been narrowing in on a decision, judging from your last few posts.
EDIT:
I looked at your gallery just now, and it seems you wander around in NY, NY. Plenty of choices, then. But I guess some dealers are more recommendable than others.
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tom_uk
Established
I faced the same question a couple of years ago, and for me the answer was a .85 M6TTL. It was cheaper (by quite a lot) than the s/h M7 they had in the shop. However, at just 10 years old it was a lot younger than either of the M6 classics that were also available, so although they were even cheaper I was happy to pay the small extra cost for the TTL to get a camera that was 10 years old rather than nearly 20. I would probably have been happy with a .72 - indeed, the M6 Classics and the M7 were .72 - but as it happened the .85 was what the TTL was.
I don't use it a lot, but when I do I enjoy it very much. After buying a 50mm lens to begin with, I now have the classic trio of lenses: 35mm, 50mm & 90mm. The .85 viewfinder is OK for the 35mm, and excellent for the 50mm & 90mm.
I don't use it a lot, but when I do I enjoy it very much. After buying a 50mm lens to begin with, I now have the classic trio of lenses: 35mm, 50mm & 90mm. The .85 viewfinder is OK for the 35mm, and excellent for the 50mm & 90mm.
Biggles
My cup runneth amok.
Because a few of you asked, and because I'm still grateful for all the advice I got... exhuming this thread to state that I've finally bought something.
Could not, in the end, resign myself to splashing out for a proper M body, mostly due to the size & weight, but also due to the fact that loading it in the field will be at least as three-handed as with my present CLs. Have just given an I'll Take It on a used black Zeiss Ikon ZM body I spotted at a reasonable price.
Rationale: I can apparently use my favorite 40/2 Summicron on it with the 35mm frames pegged, it loads like my old OM-1n, and it's not very heavy. In fact, having played with a couple of store demo units, I find it handles kinda like a corn-fed CL with autoexposure. I think I'l do all right with it.
Thanks again for the opinions. They weren't wasted. Lottery money will go toward a black .72 MP, come the day.
seakayaker1
Well-known
Good Luck with ZI, please update after you have run a few rolls of film through the camera with the 50mm and let us know your thoughts. You certainly were patient and did the research and would love to hear your closing thoughts after having time to use the camera you choose.
Biggles
My cup runneth amok.
Thank you, and will do.
(And judging from your handle, you, sir, might appreciate better than some where my MP fund went.)
(And judging from your handle, you, sir, might appreciate better than some where my MP fund went.)
_mark__
Well-known
Good choice, hope you enjoy using it to shoot stuff like Bronze Apple which is fantastic!