Best backup body for an M

[mojojones]

Oooo Rob, now you're really tempting me... Yes the dial rotates the same but I can just hear that discussion now... Err, honey, I'm going to Africa for 6 weeks, and I HAVE to get an M7 for the trip.

As for the OT camera covering discussion: While there is a classic elegance to the Leica which I wouldn't touch, I have been tempted by the red lizard skin for some of my other cameras.

 

[peter_n]

i disagree entirely with the logic of the 2nd m6. the most likely that will fail with the m6 is the electronic aspect; therefore take a back up that is purely mechanical like a m3 or m2, etc. [snip] beat the heat and humidity: go mechanical for your back up.

I agree entirely with it. It makes total sense to have two identical cameras, maybe different mags but that's it. A 0.58 and a 0.72 sounds excellent. Yes the M6TTLs' shutter dial rotates the same way as an M7. Yes you could buy something in a forum or eBay then sell it. Also I don't buy this stuff about mechanical/electronics & reliability. I've had Nikon AE cameras for years and nothing ever failed. I have two Leica AE cameras and so far, nothing has failed. But my mechanical backup M6, now that has failed (and just when I needed it!). This is not to trash all mechanical cameras but they are susceptible too. I'm taking my two M7s to Fiji (very hot & humid) later this year without a second thought. I'll take dessicant too and I'm sure they'll be fine.

I would not buy something new, especially a brand new camera model. Get something you don't have to think about when you use it, which means something either identical to what you have already or something very very close to it.

 

[JNewell]

Ehhhm, not sure this follows. One of my M6s is at Don Goldberg's because it had an electronic meltdown. It took me almost six months to get around to sending it off -- because other than the meter it kept working. You could tear all of the electronics out of an M6 (only something like four subassemblies) and it would still work fine. I'd vote for another M6.

i disagree entirely with the logic of the 2nd m6. the most likely that will fail with the m6 is the electronic aspect; therefore take a back up that is purely mechanical like a m3 or m2, etc. A post above mentioned that m6 lens -- whatever they are -- will be more appropriate to fit another m6: this is simply not so, as the M lenses fit all M system cameras.

beat the heat and humidity: go mechanical for your back up.

 

[raid]

If most of your lenses are in LTM, I suggest to consider either the Canon P or Canon IV-L as the back-up for the M. The other obvious choice is the Leica CL for M mount lenses.

Raid

 

[Pablito]

I too agree with the two M6 approach. THAT's why I travel with two M6! (in addition to other stuff - MF...) Believe me, I have done a lot of assignments with two M6 cameras and I have been very, very glad to have that second body, especially the time one of them had a mechanical failure (not a meter/electronic failure despite the severe heat & humidity) Having two identical bodies is a no brainer- you just grab the other one and keep going. Absolutely no thought of the difference is equipment. Furthermore, I'd take the CL as well, since you have it. You're going very far, investing a lot of time and energy. The chance of equipment failure has to be totally minimized. The cost of a used M6 pales in comparison to the cost of losing the pictures you went so far to get. Just make sure everything has been checked out by a good technician like Sherry or DAG if it has not had a fairly recent CLA (I'm thinking of the CL...). In very hot climates, lubricants can get runny....