Bad Idea?

Sara, sounds like for your purposes you need a camera with AE, not just a meter. And more, you need to shoot quickly. Know what I'd recommend? A Hexar RF. The AE is very accurate and the camera of course has very fast autowind. And you can get one in the $600-$700 USD range these days.
 
I have both. I use the M6 TTL more just because of the light meter, especially in the changeable English weather and with f1.4 and f1.1 lenses.

Not that a street setup of M2 + CV21mm on a sunny day needs anything but sunny 16, so it still sees good use 🙂
 
One other option would be to keep the M2 and get a Voitlander VC II meter. This is a meter which slides into the accessory shoe of your camera, making a neat little package. Has the same field of view as a 90mm lens, so makes it easy to meter, looking through the the viewfinder and using the 90mm framelines (or nearest equivalent) to find a suitable subject to meter off of. Meter uses two 1.5V button batteries.

This meter can be purchased through Cameraquest in the U.S. They have a website you can order off of.

Only problem might be if you have to use an auxiliary viewfinder as well as the meter. In that case you might try to find the double accessory shoe Voitlander used to make. They made several models, designed to fit certain brands of camera (i.e, one model to fit Leica screwmounts & Leica Ms, another model to fit Nikon rangefinders..)

These double shoes have been discontinued by Voitlander, but you might find one if you look hard enough. Be sure to get the model designed to fit Leica Ms...
 
Hi,

Dare I confess that I use the MC meter with the M2 but, obviously, I regard using them as a hobby.

Anyway, my 2d worth is to suggest another camera is bought and the M2 semi-retired (it's one of those rare ones you miss when it's gone) and then used when appropriate. Trouble is I don't know the metering options on the less old M series bodies. I doubt if they are like the old R5 but that is what I've long regarded as the ideal.

Regards, David
 
Hi Sara,

Not that I have a lot of experience in shooting behind the scenes of a fashion show, but I think I can make some assumptions:

* Varying lighting, if not greatly varying
* Tight spaces
* flash (only sometimes?)


I'd say get a Konica Hexar AF to go with your M2.

* It has infrared focusing and can nail focus in pitch black rooms because of that
* It has a 35/2.0 lens that is really sharp wide open and delivers enough of a wide angle to use in tighter spaces
* It can be used completely automated but also with aperture or shutter priority
* It is silent, auto-wind and auto-rewind
* It has TTL flash that is controlled by the camera and always exposes correctly
* Camera and flash together still are a small package.

It's half the price of an M6 and double the ease-of-use in your situations. (Yes fellow members, I know the button settings can be confusing and fiddly, but when using it in P, A or S mode you do hardly need the button business!)
 
Not so easy in the UK. Used Zeiss Ikons seem not to be it so plentiful, but can be sourced easily (new) from Ffordes for around £1300.

I sympathise with the OP- I tend to take more photographs when using one of my FD cameras than my M4-P. I'm sure I just need to practice more....
 
Hallo.

Thanks for everyone's input, i did not expect too many replies.

Anyway to summarise everything:

External meters - I've thought about this but to me I may as well carry my digital and take a light meter reading.

Buying an M7 - I can't. I can't keep the M2 and buy an M6. I'm not super rich like my tutor who has 10 Leicas and an M9. Also, I don't want a Hexar or another camera unfortunately...if I did then I would've said so 😛 but don't let me stop you selling your M6 cameras to buy other cameras 😛!

I do have an EOS camera which I use for work sometimes. My primary job is not photography. I am a graphic designer. Just one all-rounded camera works for me. Sure I take eg fashion backstage photos but just once a year or twice.

If I was better, I'd have a light meter in my head already, but no different reason to a person changing from film to digital!

I think I answered my own question 😛 like I said if I don't like it I'll change back to an M2 but I don't think I'd do it of I see the M6 as a bigger advantage to me. Also I always wanted the M6 but as a student back then could only afford the M2, only reason why I have it 😛

Anyway it was an interesting topic and ts replies too. I'll have to read it again tomorrow!
 
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