M6 TTL or MP

[irq506]

There is a huge difference in price, and Im basically looking for incentives to help me choose which one would be a good choice.
I like the transport winder & the rewind knob on the MP and I know that that particular -older vertical style rewind knob is substantially more robust. Robustness is pretty important to me as I shoot alot (I bought a camera in June 2006 and have run 300 rolls of film through it) and intend to reduce the number of cameras I have to a minimum and I would be using this camera almost 99% of the time.
I will at some stage in the future be buying a Summilux 35 f1.4, and that will cost quite a bit also.
I love the MP and I want one, but I need to know if the M6 TTL could possibly be modified to having a top-plate with vertical rewind knob installed later on, I know I can get the older style transport lever relatively easily.
Its also a matter of that grand piano high gloss finish of the MPs that I really dont like. Brass is nice but Zinc is where Im at and Id probably end up taping the piano look up -and I really dont have the money for a la carte...

 

[martin-f5]

I think the rewind knob at the M6TTL is more comfortable than the one at the MP,
but you can change the MP knob so it will be better.

The MP has a newer and a precise lightmetering electronic and a mechanics wich has been improved in many details, they say it should last for ever.

So go on catch a MP and M6 as a backup body.

best regards

martin

 

[bayerische]

I love my M6, it's pretty much perfection in my eyes. Like the larger shutter speed knob on the TTL verison more, but for me no idea to change body just for that.

I'm one of the few that don't like the look of the MP. Would rather have an M7.

 

[Simon Larbalestier]

I have both and modified my M6 classic to match the MP in terms of the upgraded viewfinder optics and solid rewind lever. If you want acompromise you can still find the Millenium M6 's which have the same top plate functions as the MP.
Robert White in the UK has one but it will cost you more than an MP.

 

[Magus]

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[rover]

I have both and modified my M6 classic to match the MP in terms of the upgraded viewfinder optics and solid rewind lever.

You did, very interesting. That silly slanted rewind thingy is the only part of my M6 I don't like.

irq506, not because it is not sturdy, I think any Leica will stand up to your heavy use, but I prefer the MP rewind.

 

[Magus]

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[Simon Larbalestier]

You did, very interesting. That silly slanted rewind thingy is the only part of my M6 I don't like.

irq506, not because it is not sturdy, I think any Leica will stand up to your heavy use, but I prefer the MP rewind.

Rover i meant "film advance lever" not the rewind 😱
I had a friend modify the MP rewind crank to find a longer "handle" that doesn't spring back down...

The Millenium M6 is beautiful i have a photojournalist friend here who has one which is very brassed.

 

[Magus]

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[Magus]

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[Simon Larbalestier]

yes well worth it in my opinion KP - now all my M's have the same FOV and no rangefinder patch flaring which makes life much simplier!

 

[Ossifan]

irq506 - I have both and if money is not a concern I would recommend the MP but I actually like them both for different reasons. Can you go somewhere and hold one of each? As a side note, the oversized shutter dial on the M6TTL is quite nice...

Cheers,
Alex

 

[Magus]

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[peter_n]

Get the M6TTL, a much more practical camera in every sense. The ergonomics are excellent, from the film advance lever to the rewind (very durable) to the large and easy-to-use shutter speed dial. The M6TTL is much maligned but eminently usable.

 

[Turtle]

If you really want the MP, can afford one and are OK with silver chrome, get one. If price is hurting, get the m6 TTL. BTW is you can afford a new MP, the black chrome a la carte costs $100 more if all else is std I believe.

Tom

 

[kevin m]

If the money is a factor, then the M6TTL is the way to go. If you're going to use the camera as heavily as you say, the black paint finish is a bit too delicate, and shows every fingerprint and smudge. Go with either chrome or black chrome.

And the TTL shutter speed dial is a big improvement over the smaller MP dial, which is a nice nod to Leica's past, but not nearly as functional. (flame away!)

I had DAG remove all but the 35, 50 and 90 frames from my TTL when he did the finder upgrade. The black dot and the M3-style wind lever were vanity, but they sure did look nice! 🙂

 

[mervynyan]

new or minted MP is the ultimate choice, because /
1) there is no more high-end model in existing lineup...
2) there is no more high-end model in existing lineup..
3) there is no more high-end model in existing lineup.

There will be no more temptation a year from now. even if you have million dollars, no where you can spend on a body (2 body is not better than 1-🙂), just bite the bullet, postpone the purchase for few months, think it over.

If you can rationalize the DSLR, MP is within reach.

cheers, mervyn

 

[aizan]

if you're really concerned about robustness, i would think you're also concerned about ease of use. the angled rewind crank is favored by practically every professional shooter for this reason. tom abrahamsson prefers the "more robust" rewind knob (you probably got this idea from him), but he acknowledges their primary weakness by always using accessory rewind cranks on them.

merv, the m6 ttl's descendant, the m7, is the most high-end model in the existing lineup, if you don't count the m8. the mp was designed to satisfy the fondlers, a good move on leica's part.

 

[demian]

I will ring on this bell....

I usually do ont respond to these types of things, as I feel it helps little all the opinions and sentiments vary greatly.

However, I can only recount my story, hoping it will help in some way...and yes I am aware of all comments people say about the models/comparisons, etc., but I, without stars in my eyes, continue to attest to the following.

the MP genuniely feels differently. I own/owned an M6 ttl also. Upon winding the advance one time on the MP, I said to myself, "whoa". Like butter. (and my ttl is recently CLA's by DAG).

The MP is built like a tank.

I also owned an M6 Titanium.

Now, upon a recent revelation...(i say recent as I am changing my lens to suit this final realization that the experienced photog. have already understood a very long time ago)...I had grown EVER so tired of worrying about scratching or knicking the d@mn thing(s).

Upon intending to sell it, many told me, "oh you shouldn't do that, the titanium will become very collectable in the future" That was 3 years ago...and yes prices have gone up, but who the h@ll cares. This was not my intent or why I purchased it/them.

I have and want only one body which I intend (ed) to use for life...perhaps a CL as back-up/color work...that's it!


In fact, I CHOSE the MP black paint partially because indeed it DOES wear, and is supposed to. It becomes such a personal thing which develops its own history. Your history, becoming more and more attractive as it does.

One could never sell it or part with it....it becomes an old friend. All romanticism, nostalgia, and superficiality aside...


I have absolutely no problem with scratches, wear, etc. Free of all of that nonsense. I don;t even think about it anymore...or care.

That mentality one must break from otherwise one will NEVER grow in their personal work. I am further moving that direction with lenses as well. As long as it has fine optics, I don't give a d@mn if it has barrel wear.

I own a flawless ASPH Summicron 35mm. And although, yes, one has to be concerned about past history of the object and there is good motivation to buy new/like new as a result as most older lenses (even flawless "looking" examples) require a CLA....however, you understand my point.

My wife says, well, just enjoy it, you have it, who cares if it wears etc. I suppose my point is, I really can't afford it to lose value and probably couldn't afford it in the first place...

However, the camera is non-negotiable.

Further, this is the last mechanical M. Do you realize the implications of that historically?

I purchased mine new/used 3 years ago for $1900 from a guy off of pnet.

I see them now selling easily online for $27-2900. With patience, a lot of patience perhaps, I am sure you may find one for sale again. The value will donothing but increase...if you are into that kind of thing.

Used or not, get it. It is far more refined than the M6 series. You will not regret it. you will love it, grow with it. It is a very personal machine that becomes part of you in time.

My goodness, to have the modern oprion of black paint over brass. There is no option here...Don't settle.

If to do over again, well, one apparently doesn't find many of these for sale.

I have recently seen a black paint M3 for sale on the auction site.

It was redone by a very famous Japanese fellow that specializes in stripping the chrome and baking black lacquer in the traditional manner.

It looked fantastic, and was selling for $1300 or so.

The Japanese as you know are obsessed with Leica. This fellow is world reknowned.

No it is not "original" if you wish to look up the serial numbers, but who on earth cares. It was genuinely beautiful, and very well done.

The M3 is arguably the best Leica ever made.

These are options I highly recommend fwiw. I do not know your level of experience, but you will not regret this, and will if you don't go this route in the future ( I feel this strongly about these aspects mentioned above).


Regardless, have fun and best of luck.
D

 

[Magus]

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