Dilemma -- which camera to keep? Leica M6 or Zeiss Ikon ZM?

bobby_novatron

bobby_novatron

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Hi everyone ...

I don't expect people to tell me what to do in this particular situation, but I wanted to kind of get an informal poll.

My situation: severe GAS attacks in the past few months. I'm starting to realize that I've gotten a bit carried away in camera collecting. Like many other people in the recovery stage, I'm wanting to simplify my collection and eliminate cameras that I don't use often.

Camera #1: Leica M6 (non-TTL)

Nice user. Works great. A classic camera. I enjoy using it, primarily for the tactile experience. It has heft, and exudes quality and craftsmanship.

Camera #2: Zeiss Ikon ZM (black)

Another user. Everything works fine. It's a pleasure to use, mostly because of the more advanced features compared to the M6 ... faster shutter, higher X-sync, larger VF, etc. etc.

Summary: I find I don't take the M6 out of the house that often. I feel like it's an expensive unit ... I don't want anything to happen to it. As a result, I've only run maybe 6 rolls of film through it in the past year.

The Zeiss, by comparison, is a bit smaller and lighter. I appreciate the electronic metering and bigger VF. Plus, this particular body is a real road-warrior. I don't care if it gets bumped or knocked around a bit.

So...which to keep?

Any friendly input/opinions would be appreciated. Thanks!
 
You seem to have answered your own question, the Ikon.
Send me the M6 and I will take good care of it for you.;)
Nelson
 
Clearly, you answered your own question. I've got two Ikons and I have at least 15x too many cameras and I have yet to sell a camera, but am constantly going to sell one. I did trade one once for a very nice S&W 1911. Another hobby where I have too many.
 
I say keep the Leica, but it is simply my personal preference. I say ask yourself which one is the most pleasurable to shoot, then get rid of the one that's not.
 
I'd say sell the M6, too.

I was very much against AE until the M7, and now I couldn't live without it for street shots :p
 
ae and that huge finder would push me to keep the zm. plus you seem much more comfortable using it.
why have a camera thats too nice to use?
 
The M6 would be much easier to replace than the Ikon. M6's pop up in the classifieds here all the time ... the Ikon not quite so often.

Jetison the Leica ... by the time you wear the Ikon out a used M6 will cost $800.00 if you decide to revert.
 
LOL! I am really enjoying reading everyone's opinions on this matter. Clearly, there are good arguments for both sides. As Photo4ls mentioned above, it seemed that I've answered my own question.

I originally bought the M6 for the Leica mystique ... but as heretical as it sounds, I find the technology of the M6 to be somewhat lacking compared to the ZM.

I am leaning towards selling the M6. It pains me to even type that sentence. But the reality of the situation is that I am not getting good use out of it.

Also, I am not the kind of person who likes to collect shelf queens. I'd rather collect worn, but well-loved rangefinders and take them out for a spin every now and again.

There are many strong arguments here for the AE and AEL functions on the ZM. For street shooting those come in very handy.

My consolation in keeping the ZM is that I will still be able to use my small but mighty M-mount lens collection.
 
The M6, like any mechanical camera, whether it be from Nikon or Canon or whatever, will force you to understand photography a little deeper then the more automated camera. But you have to use it to become proficient.
 
A simple rule is that if you're worried about carrying a camera around it's either too expensive or your attached to it for non-usage reasons. Selling stuff can be hard because we invest it with lots of emotional baggage around identity and so on. Therefore you'll (briefly at least) regret whichever choice you make. However, you'll regret selling the M6 when your sat at home reading RFF and regret the Ikon when you want to take some pictures.

Good luck:)

Mike
 
That's funny, I find myself in the same situation but I'm not forcing myself to choose any time soon. I just picked up an M6 in fantastic condition on Friday, and I've already run three rolls throught it. The ZM viewfinder is certainly better if you wear glasses (as I do). The M6 metering is better for selecting your shutter speed manually, whereas the AE on the ZM can result in faster shooting. I think you already answered your own question. As for me personally I'll give it a few months and then eiher keep the one I use more, or possibly both.

Cheers,
Rob
 
I would sell both and buy a M7.
Same features as the Zeiss Ikon with the M6 quality.
Sold my Zeiss Ikon for an M7 and really happy I did despite the better VF of the Zeiss.
 
Thanks to everyone for their input. I think I'll give it a bit more thought.

I would be tempted to get an M7, but then I'd probably use it even less than an M6. The M7 body is considerably more expensive than an M6, it seems ... although if a reasonably-priced 'user' body came up for sale, I'd be hard-pressed to say 'no'.

In the meantime I think I'll put down my FSU rangefinders (I've been on a big Kiev 4A shooting spree lately) and try out the M6 / ZM bodies again.
 
Hi Bobby!

I had myself a dilemma like yours, at last sold the m7 (never liked it too expensive and way to heavy) the m6 and bought an ZI.

Of all the cameras i have it´s the one that gets more action.
Bought with it a nice price Zeiss Ikon grip and a leica wrist strap!

The best! it never gets in the way!

Bye!
 
Keep the Ikon. If you like the larger VF, AE shutter, and use it more, I'd say it's a no-brainer.

Don't let Leica marketing (sorry, "mystique") win you over. A camera is a camera, and unless you're a collector, a camera is meant to take pictures. If you are more comfortable using and taking more pictures with the Zeiss, keep it.
 
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