Going Digital to Film - M6 Advice

[Cabron]

As an aside, what are your opinions of the Voigtlander Nokton 50mm 1.5 vs the 50mm 2.5?

The Nokton seems a bit large, looks heavy, and I've read that people can't put B&W filters on them (because of the built-in hood). While the 2.5 is smaller, it's obviously significantly slower.

Any other lens suggestions in the sub-$500 range?

 

[maajka]

Be a real German and get a Zeiss Planar 😉
Seriously, you can find a used one for ~500$.

If I may add something... I'm in similar situation, student, low on cash, and interested in film only at the moment. I've set up a darkroom in my bathroom. I make contact sheets and prints. For online stuff, I plan on getting V500 too. And if I want something printed big, I'll get it done at a lab. No need for an expensive scanner, than you'll need an excellent printer, and three more lenses, and one more leica, and an assistant....

Find a course at a CC or a university and have fun.
Cheers

 

[f16sunshine]

I'm going to risk cutting against the grain here (sorry for pun). As a college student with likely little time and considering your budget of $2k ish. I would suggest finding a good used R D1 and getting a Zeiss 2/35 to go with it. You will find as I think many here will admit. Developing and Scanning is a space and time consuming operation that is a hobby within the hobby. If you made this purchase and still wanted to shoot some film. A used bessa r2 can be found for the price of a CLA on the M6. Enjoy your time shooting while you are in school. As everyone says the Leica will last a lifetime. There will be one waiting when you have more time to spend proccessing. If I had my RD 1 while a student instead of the CL that I was shooting. I can't even imagine the increase in learning curve that could have been acheived in those years (not to mention the additional captures).

OK, back to scheduled programming 🙂

 

[urban_alchemist]

I

I know that Leicas are known to be ultra-reliable, but my question is more specific. Can I rely on the M6 to last me up to 5 years or so, shooting around 20-30 rolls a month?

Yes.

My M7 went 6 years before it fell and needed repairing, my MP's on two without a kiccup.

Don't think, just do - you can't get any better...

 

[andreas]

I think your choice is good.

But did you consider going the MF way?
For this kind of money nowadays you get a perfect Rolleiflex, Hasselblad or even Mamiya 6 or 7 (or a Pentax6x7 for quite a bit less) and are in for a treat concerning the qualities of film. And the Epson V500 can handle the larger negatives far better than 35mm.
Just a thought,
andreas

 

[shadowfox]

Leica was my only thought when deciding on a film camera to move on to. For me, it's personal, in that I was born and raised in Germany, and it's far more meaningful to me to have a true German camera, particularly one with Leica's history.

Voigtlander Nokton M is not made in German 😀

Just kidding ...

Have fun and take lots of pictures until one day you'll discover darkroom printing. That's actually more rewarding and fun than taking and developing the pictures... at least to some 😉

 

[marke]

There's an M6 TTL in the RFF classifides right now for a great price.