First weeks with a M6 classic!

Merelyok

Merelyok

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It's my first Leica. A M6 classic, circa 1991. I've used it with a couple of lenses, mainly a rigid cron 5cm, Cron-C and Nokton 35mm1.4 SC. I've been using a Bessa R3a/ Zeiss Ikon before so i'm familiar with rangefinders. Strangely, the M6 handles nothing like the other RFs i have.

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I have to say i understand the hype now. It feels and handles totally different from my Bessa R3a (which since has been sold). The subtle click of the shutter, the smoothness of the advance lever and the nice heft of the base plate. As silly as this may sound, i think it changes the way i shoot because i actually enjoy the process so much more.

I've ran a couple of rolls through it (all B&W film, self developed at home). And these are the results. ( I have to say the meter on this baby is very, very accurate.)

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(Tri-X pushed to 800, Nokton 35mm 1.4 Classic)

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(Summicron-C, Neopan 1600)

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(Summicron-C, Neopan 400)

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(Rigid Cron 5cm, Delta 3200)

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(Tri-X pushed to 800, Nokton 35mm 1.4 Classic)

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(Tri-X pushed to 800, Nokton 35mm 1.4 Classic)

Hope you guys enjoy looking at the pictures as much as i had fun taking them.

Thanks for looking!
 
You've got some nice results by the look of it, I particularly like the woman ( on a train?)

I've been using Leica gear for a three years now and they are perfect for the work I usually do. Much more discreet, substantial and reliable than the Bessa I had before. I still use DSLR's for much of my press work and enjoy the ability to compose through the lens with pretty much dead-on accuracy but once used to the looser way of shooting with RF you really make the most of it's benefits.

I now have a TTL and an M8 but my battered old Wetzlar is still my favourite.

It's surprising that a number of my clients are now willing to wait a little longer for their images and let me use my M6 to cover a job for them as they like the style of shooting I get with it compared to my SLR style.

I'm not tied to film and certainly not against digital but it's interesting to see that film isn't completely dead in the, professional, digital age.
 
Thanks guys!

OurManInTangier, that's a woman i shot on the bus. Thankfully she didn't seem to mind my camera pointed at her direction. And i very much agree with you regarding the RF way of shooting. The end results are just so different.

SolaresLarrave, i quite like Delta 3200...it's got quite a special look. I'll probably be using that again in the near future with my rigid cron.

steveohan, i use mainly T-max dev and Ilfotech DDX. usually in the tune of 1:4 @ 20C. I get my timings from digitaltruth.com but sometimes i do develop the film for 30secs to a minute longer for abit more punch in contrast.
 
Nice pictures from the combo. I'd like to get my hands on the MC version of that lens of yours. 🙂
 
I have to say i understand the hype now. It feels and handles totally different from my Bessa R3a (which since has been sold). The subtle click of the shutter, the smoothness of the advance lever and the nice heft of the base plate. As silly as this may sound, i think it changes the way i shoot because i actually enjoy the process so much more.
Click to expand...

Can't agree more... I bought my M6 in summer 2008, and it changed my shooting style substantialy.

Those are some some nice images. I like the 2 portraits of the women.

(PS: there may be one minor difference: I kept my Bessa R2 🙂 )
 
Very very nice results. You must be happy. I love the light on the photos of the women. I am looking for a second leica m. maybe a M6 would be a good option.
 
Thanks for the encouragement guys.

I've been using the M6 alot.

Thought i did share a few more shots from yesterday.

All shot on Neopan 400 pushed to 800 , souped in T-max.

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I might get another M body in the near future....hmmm. A user M4 would go nicely with my rigid cron, me thinks!
 
An interesting and varied range of shots showing how an RF can be used in its natural environment - thanks for posting.

Out of interest - the finders on the 3 cameras you mentioned - ZI R3a M6 - which did you prefer? I am also interested in the feel of the leica in relation to heft - I have added a trigger winder for heft on my R3a, but of course it makes it bigger. The ZI is much lighter yes?
 
Jmilkins, i think i like the M6 for its heft. It feels nice and solid in my hands and when shooting. The Zi is indeed much lighter but feels nicely put together as well, if not as solid as the M6. It feels alittle more plasticky.

I'm very happy with my M6 and ZI and i think they make a nice combination. The R3a is in a word, functional. It is very good value for money and i liked it alot when i had it, but unfortunately i had to let it go to fund for a new lens.
 
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