21st birthday:Ikon or M6?

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knodd

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Hey guys,

My parents told me they are gonna buy me a camera for my 21st birthday :)):):)) and i think with the budget they set out for me, it would put me within the range of either a new zeiss ikon or a used leica m6 (in nice condition).

i know the ikon is better off being compared to the m7 etc, but the m7 is wayyyy out of the budget, so its either the ikon or the m6.

i was hoping for some opinions on which one i should get, considering that:

i don't intend to resell the camera (it'd have quite abit of sentimental value to me), and that i've already got an m2, so if the reason for getting the m6 is to enjoy the quality and smoothness of a leica, i don't think the m6 can top the m2! i think i could do without the AE on the zeiss ikon but i think it'd be really nice and convenient :D

thanks for the advice in advance!
 
I sold my ZI to get a M6TTL but I am now going to sell my M6 and buy a ZI. I just miss the ZI, it is such a great camera.

I am not saying that the M6 is bad but the ZI is much more convenient (IMHO).
 
M6. You know your parents want to buy you THE leica. Yes, zm is a really Nice camera but, for this special occasion, the M6 screams "lifetime camera"... Not the zeiss in my opinion. Anyway, enjoy shooting it pal!
 
It may not matter really, both are great cameras and take the same films and bunch of lenses.

But, I played with an M6 the other week and loved the quiet shutter, but the viewfinder was nothing like as good as the Ikon's. The end result is that I bought another Ikon (and so will be selling a couple of voigts soon...) as it's just a great camera to use.

Mike
 
I have owned a ZI and now an M7 which is really just wonderful GAS porn. My opionon is that makes no difference as long as the M6 is CLA'd, if not go with a new ZI. Confessions from a Leica 'ho.
 
From what you wrote, it seems you lean towards the ZI. Definitely a good choice. En plus, you'd be able to get a new one with warranty. Not bad at all, if it's a gift from your parents and there is a problem. The Ikon is a fantastic camera. You will certainly have the chance to be happy with it.

Each camera has its idiosyncrasies - but neither the M6 nor the ZI have properties you can't adapt to.

Cheers
Ivo
 
The Zeiss has a VF unlike any other camera I've seen. You will appreciate that under most poor lighting situations. Keep in mind that the Zeiss needs a battery, the M6 will always fire but if the battery fails....no meter.
I've owned both but have to say the Zeiss is my favorite.

Steve
 
I was gonna say M6 cause I have one and loooooooooooooove it. But since you have a M2 why not go for the Zeiss and give it a try. Or get the M6, sell the M2 and get the Zeiss.
 
Probably ZI is better choice for you as "purchasing a tool" point of view. You already have an M2, and ZI's AE, being "current line up" camera would be a big plus.

That said, as reuno said, a part of reason you might want to consider M6 is the "the lifetime camera" factor, espeicially for your 21st birthday (congrats!).

You'll likely be able to fix at least all mechanical parts of M6 and use it for the rest of your life, or give the M6 to your son/daughter for his/her 21st birthday. (That's my plan with my MP)
 
Okay after reading the responses so far, i'm leaning more towards te ZI, cos anyway if it ever fails on me i can fall back on my trusty m2 :). and then i can start saving up for my mp which will be my 30th birthday present to myself :D
 
As to the "Lifetime Camera" idea- I completely understand it, and I think it is a good, noble, idea.

But...

Lifetime Images are more important than Lifetime Cameras. You are only 21, there is plenty of time to buy a camera worthy of handing down to the grand-kids. However, now is the time that you should be thinking about beginning to assemble a collection of images that is worthy of handing down to the grand-kids. If I had sold a print for each time I have heard someone say "My grandfather had this awesome camera, and I really wish I could shoot it, but my uncle pawned it for a bag of dope in the seventies," I would be Ansel Adams. For non-photographers, cameras just aren't as important as they are for photographers. On the other hand, the photographs you take can stay with your family for generations. An ancestor of my stepfather took a photograph of John Brown's hanging at Harper's Ferry, and the family still has the glass plate. The camera, however, is long gone. Lots of people who have no photographic inclination have prints hanging in their homes that their family members made, and they are some of the most treasured of objects. Right now, you should concentrate on getting the best tool you can for making the best images you can that is in your price range, and I think the ZI is that tool. Once you are older and have more disposable income, you can worry about grabbing something like a custom shop MP, that really would be a hand-down-to-the-kids camera.
 
I think Merkin really nailed it.

I think getting ZI as a birthday present from your parents is a good idea.

Then when you get older, buy an MP or whatever you fancy with your own earning, then that can be your lifetime camera with a hand-down-to-the-kids option.

A mental note to my future kids: if you want my MP or Triumph, you better behave! :D
 
If you have an M2, you already have a camera to fondle and shoot when speed is not critical. With the Ikon, you load it with Tri X, set the exposure wherever you want it to be, and just fire off in the street without ever needing to worry about the exposure. On top of that, the Ikon's finder is great in low light, it will give you a meaningful view of the 85mm frame, and yet also offers the 28mm frame without much sacrifice. It will be great for using big lenses for the low light shooting, and also, it will fire at 1/2000th when you want shallow depth of field. Last bonus is, you can point it against naked sun, without worrying that you will burn the shutter.
 
+1 for the Ikon, especially if you're expected to shoot.
If you're more of a collector kind, then the M6.

In both cases, I guess we're all envying the generosity of your parents, whatever choice you won't go wrong !!!
 
knodd said:
Okay after reading the responses so far, i'm leaning more towards te ZI, cos anyway if it ever fails on me i can fall back on my trusty m2 :). and then i can start saving up for my mp which will be my 30th birthday present to myself :D
Click to expand...

I predict, that by the time you're 30, you no longer care about camera brands or model. Because you'll be too busy creating wonderful photographs.

At least that's my hope for you... :)

Hug your parents for me, they are awesome.
 
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