Help Needed - M6 Temptation

T

Tim

Guest
OK everyone - I need some help here......

In town yesterday wandering around taking pics in the Botanical Gardens, dropped into camera shop (always a dangerous move anyway).
New Old Stock M6TTL .58. 2 years old, Demo, just sat in showcase, never had film thru or even batteries installed. With full Factory Warranty, etc etc etc, and about 60% of the price of a new M7 or MP.

:bang:

The .58 VF is kinda perfect for someone whose main lenses are 21 and 35. I'd have to run it with my CV Ultron 35 (hardly a hardship) but I put it on the body and tried it, and it just felt soooo nice.

The missus even just looked at me and laughed. (tacit approval on the lines of "if it will make you happy")

But here's the dillema.......Yes it's nicer than the R2 I have. Yes it feels better. Yes it's built better. Yes it's quieter. No I won't get better pics with it. I want it so badly it almost hurts. I could afford it - but it is a lot of money.....

Now - those of you who do run Leicas - especially M6's - or those of you who looked at them and decided not to: anyone got some logic behind the decision? At this point I am trying to get comfortable (or not) with the idea of spending that much on a camera body that basically is just a nicer version of something I already have.....:confused:

help? please?

(btw, if I do this, anyone interested in: R2 body, mebbe Oly 35SP, Rollei 35T, mebbe Contax IIa?)

ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

tim :bang:
 
Just buy it and get it over with and be thankful that you have not been bitten by the Nikon SP bug.
Trust me; you can end up spending a lot more money than 60% of an M7. Does Jorge still have his M6 for sell?
 
Re: Help Needed - M6 Temptation

Tim said:
But here's the dillema.......Yes it's nicer than the R2 I have. Yes it feels better. Yes it's built better. Yes it's quieter. No I won't get better pics with it. I want it so badly it almost hurts. I could afford it - but it is a lot of money.....

Now - those of you who do run Leicas - especially M6's - or those of you who looked at them and decided not to: anyone got some logic behind the decision? At this point I am trying to get comfortable (or not) with the idea of spending that much on a camera body that basically is just a nicer version of something I already have.....:confused:
Click to expand...
I felt just like that when I got my M4-P. I didn't believe that I'd take better photos with it than with my R2 so it felt kind of unnecessary... But I wanted it really bad, and I'm glad I bought it when I had the chance. :)
 
I'd be no help here whatsoever. The camera store called to tell me that there was an M6TTL which had been only slightly used, with a Summi 35mm ASPH.

I caved instantly, like someone popping a balloon. The budget is still walking it's delicate balancing act.


(Edit: SPELL BALLOON CORRECTLY)
 
Don't do it! You already have a great camera why waste the money. Please don't become what I am, stucked with 3 R2 and taking photos like crazy to justify my foolhardy purchase! :(
 
It's called Leicalust. Happened to me after borrowing a friend's M3 for a week (he borrowed my Rollei 3.5F TLR in exchange). Couldn't rest til I had a Leica. Finally got a CL and loved it. In the end, though, I decided it was just a wee bit too small for my hands and switched (through a fortuitous opportunity on RFF) to a Bessa R2.

I really think every RF shooter should own one Leica in his/her lifetime. You may not keep it, or you may become a Leicaphile, but Leicas are so nicely built and so woven into the history of 35mm photography, it's a rite of passage you'll never regret.

I'm now at peace of mind regarding Leicas. Will probably not buy another one, but loved the experience and am now fully enjoying my R2 without comparing it to a Leica.

Gene
 
i agree with you gene. i had a m4-p for a few years and liked it enough. it's great to say i had a leica once.

i think today they are overpriced and i marvel at the number of complaints about vf glare, poor sealing against the elements etc.
if i were to pay the asking price for a current leica i would want perfection or close to it.
although i secretly crave an old m2, i doubt i would consider another new leica.

joe
 
Tim -

If it looks like a good deal and if you're wife says okay and if the budget allows it and if you really want to buy it, well, I would say that it is a done deal. Call it fate.

Enjoy the camera; those Leicas are beautiful pieces of work!
 
Tim I have a used M6TTL that I bought last year for a very good price from a dealer. It's my first and so far only rangefinder (I also have one other camera, a Nikon F3). To be honest, when I bought the Leica I had no idea the Bessa existed and if I'd known I probably would have bought a used Bessa instead. Probably not what you wanted to hear but there was no real logic in the purchase, just ignorance of the market.

But I have it and I'm happy with it, it seems to be very well made. If I ever need to sell it I wouldn't lose too much money on it so yes they're more expensive than your average camera but you can recoup most of your investment if you need to sell it.

If you really want it then get it, use it and enjoy it and don't fret about it. You can always trade it for something else...
 
Tim,
I have an M6, it came with a pair of 50/2 and 35/2 summicrons and that's why I bought it. Yeah the body is sweet, movements are smooth like a baby's butt and it's a pleasure to hold. BUT, if you don't see yourself buying Leica glass then it's just a body too me, your images won't be any different, same lens same performance right?
Now if you find yourself with Leicalust and just gotta have the body, boy get it! I think a purchase like that leads to the inevitable though, Leica lenses.
I love mine, quality is outstanding, images are beautiful and it fits my hand well. If I were you I would not hesitate if my wife gave me the OK, I'd get it and see what you think.
Good Luck,

Todd
 
I have won the war agains Leica Lust (for now)!!!! If you want the Leica look in your photography, use the money and buy the lenses. The body can always come later, damn they last for ever and will be less expensive used some day, maybe, I hope.
 
Re: Help Needed - M6 Temptation

Tim said:
OK everyone - I need some help here......

In town yesterday wandering around taking pics in the Botanical Gardens, dropped into camera shop (always a dangerous move anyway).
New Old Stock M6TTL .58. 2 years old, Demo, just sat in showcase, never had film thru or even batteries installed. With full Factory Warranty, etc etc etc, and about 60% of the price of a new M7 or MP.

...<snip>..

tim
Click to expand...

Sorry but I'll be no help at all, my local pro shop has a couple of the same M6 TTL .58 at a reduced price (and I love wide glass).. For a week or two after they put one in my hands to get a feel for I was checking my bank accounts, checking what camera gear I could sell and how long I could live on toast for dinner.. hehehe.. Well I didn’t crumble but I'm almost afraid to go back to the shop :bang: ... But if you can afford it get it! I will when I can :D
 
The really good thing about buying Leica, is you don't lose money. if you buy it, and find you don't love it more than the R2, then you will be able to sell it for what you paid.

And if the wife already says yes, then I don't see the point of the debate!!!!!!!
 
I don't think you absolutely have to have Leica glass on a Leica body. I have a Kobalux 21mm/f2.8 that (bought new) cost 13% of the current B&H street price for the Leica equivalent (US$2695.00). The Kobalux is a stunning lens, and given that it is invariably used at f8 or f11, magnifications from it are probably indistinguishable from the Leica.

Much is made of the "look" of Leica lenses, especially the older ones, but the lens isn't the only contributing factor. If you don't shoot into the light source and avoid contrasty scenes, have a background that is fairly uniformally lit with subject matter in more-or-less the same plane, use a yellow filter and a lens shade and an old-fashioned film like Efke, you are well on your way. I use a CV 35mm/f2.5 P1 that by sheer luck has produced a few prints that definitely have that "look". I wouldn't change that lens for anything. It's a cracker.
 
Peter_n,
The Kobalux is a great lens with outstanding results, looks pretty cool too. My point was that by only changing the body, R2 to M6, there will not be a difference in his images.

todd
 
Tim,

Go for it. I am in debt... and I got two Leica bodies (the story only speaks poorly of me and my will power)! But if you have the glass that fits (doesn't need to be Leica), the price is right... and your wife doesn't object, don't waste the chance.

And I may go against the grain here, but let me say this: owning a Leica may not make your photos instantly better, but you'll feel so good that you'll start thinking more before every shot.

Good luck and keep us updated! :D
 
I take your point Todd, and I agree with it. I guess I have a bit of a bee in my bonnet about this. On another (Leica) forum a few months ago I was queried as to why I would ever use a non-Leica lens on a Leica body. I did try to explain but I didn't get anywhere... :(
 
Tim,
Do you have the first test roll back yet? As far as Leica Glass on Leica bodies, the older glass is not that expensive. Look at a collapsible Summicron or Summarit in M mount and spend $90 to have it CLA'd. My M-Mount Summarit ran me $215 with the CLA. Check out my Summarit folder.

I will be uploading some Type 1 Rigid Summicron shots as well; was under $300 with the CLA.


Summarit Pictures
 
Brian - Haven't bought it yet. Still agonising about it!

I KNOW it's just equipment lust, that my photos won't be any better, but.....

tim
 
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