I am near reach of the M6 ... am I ?

My cash allocation may have risen to $800 due to selling two lenses.
I am getting "there" ....


Raid

P.S. Now if only someone would by the 85mm/2 Nikkor in LTM ...
 
Hey Raid!
Have you decided yet? if not I´ll make another vote for the M6 (Classic)! Great camera and because it was soo much more expensive back when new it´s obviously build better than any Bessa. I love mine and don´t regret selling my M3 at all, it was worth it! (ok the M3 was better build and smoother in Operation except the shutter dial wich is much easier to turn on the M6 IMHO...maybe my M3 was too stiff thou)

contrary to others I realy like the Meter readout of the M6 as the balanced led´s give very acurate readings. Plus I like the ability of changing shutter speeds smoothly into both directions with my right index finger when looking through the VF (as mentioned above ...on my Bessa R it´s only possible to turn the wheel for slower shutter speeds because in the other direction it´s to stiff and I have to turn with index finger plus thumb..on my M3 it was the same)

The VF Patch flare seems to be a issue of Eye placement in my case..on my R the patch disappears so I have to be carefull there too (the M3 was without competition in this regard)

The matte black finish is also a plus for me since its very rugged and my camera bag is a very messy place 😉

M6 M6 M6 M6 !

Oh ..before I forget... My M6 classic was much cheaper than a ZI or R3M set so it was a "no brainer" and I wish you are just as lucky!

all the Best
Friedrich
 
thafred said:
Hey Raid!
Have you decided yet? if not I´ll make another vote for the M6 (Classic)! Great camera and because it was soo much more expensive back when new it´s obviously build better than any Bessa. I love mine and don´t regret selling my M3 at all, it was worth it! (ok the M3 was better build and smoother in Operation except the shutter dial wich is much easier to turn on the M6 IMHO...maybe my M3 was too stiff thou)

contrary to others I realy like the Meter readout of the M6 as the balanced led´s give very acurate readings. Plus I like the ability of changing shutter speeds smoothly into both directions with my right index finger when looking through the VF (as mentioned above ...on my Bessa R it´s only possible to turn the wheel for slower shutter speeds because in the other direction it´s to stiff and I have to turn with index finger plus thumb..on my M3 it was the same)

The VF Patch flare seems to be a issue of Eye placement in my case..on my R the patch disappears so I have to be carefull there too (the M3 was without competition in this regard)

The matte black finish is also a plus for me since its very rugged and my camera bag is a very messy place 😉

M6 M6 M6 M6 !

Oh ..before I forget... My M6 classic was much cheaper than a ZI or R3M set so it was a "no brainer" and I wish you are just as lucky!

all the Best
Friedrich
Click to expand...


Hallo Friedrich: I am stilling waiting for a suitable M6 to materialize
The budget looks better each week, and I wish I could find a fully working M6 at a good price from a fellow RFF member or at PN. The best find would be a M6with recent CLA .

I wonder wehther the M5 is also a good choice or not. I want a Leica M that has a meter. The M5 seems to be a risk due to its age, but if Sherry Krauter can do a full CLA on an M5 [I hear], it will be back like new.

Regards,

Raid

P.S. I miss Austrian pasteries!
 
Raid,

I would definitely go with an M6 over the M5. The M5 feels much larger in the hand and the meters are getting old and might need some work. It was one of Leicas first moves into a metered camera and I don't think it is very robust.

I have used the M6 and the R3A. IMHO, the R3A feels a bit better in my hand. Probably because of the rubberized covering. It is very grippy and makes for a nice feel. It is also thinner than the M6. I find that both cameras really need a grip though. The R3A for better balance and the M6 for better hold.

I found the R2A viewfinder was better for me. The 1:1 mag of the R3A was hard for me to get used to. The 40mm framelines are really close to the edge. Similar to the 28mm framelines on the M6. I had trouble getting them in even without glasses. I find the 35mm frames on my M6 are a perfect match for my 40mm. But if you are going to use it for a 50mm lens then the 1:1 finder is great. The meter readings can be hard to see in bright light on the R3A. Your eye has to be in just the right spot to see them. The R2A was much better at this and the M6 is wonderful. I have the TTL version and love the meter readouts.

I really liked the RxA series. They handle well (after you add the grip) and feel good in the hand. I actually like the way they feel in my hand better than the M6. The shutter speed readouts in the RxAs are a bit distracting though. I much prefer the arrows of the M6. It is much more intuitive for me. I sold my R2A and R3A because I got an M6 TTL with the MP no flare vf and modified to have only the 35, 50 and 90mm frames for $1000. It is like having an M2 with a meter. I was also worried about long term reliability of the Bessas. The M6 should be better in that respect.

Anyway good luck. If you have any other questions please ask.
 
Chuck: I wish I could find such a deal! Maybe if someone here points me to a good deal like yours, then this would solve all worries here. From your posting above, you seem to also like the Bessa RxA cameras. How about the noise level of the shutter? Is it as bad as with the Bessa T?


Greetings,

Raid
 
I agree with Joe and the others... it seems what you really want is the M6, so go for it! Besides, if you get the M6 and its not for you, then you can sell it for what you paid for it very quickly.

Like Joe said, "its fun, have fun."
 
raid amin said:
Chuck: I wish I could find such a deal! Maybe if someone here points me to a good deal like yours, then this would solve all worries here. From your posting above, you seem to also like the Bessa RxA cameras. How about the noise level of the shutter? Is it as bad as with the Bessa T?


Greetings,

Raid
Click to expand...

I got it over on Pnet. It is a bit of a user, with a few very small marks near the strap lugs and some marks on the shutter curtains. It was also recovered. None of which make any difference to me as long as it works as it should. It was there for a day or so without many serious inquiries. I thought about it for a while and then went for it. I have found that many people don't like to buy Leicas that have been altered. Frankly, I love the flare free finder and the framelines. Although, I might get the 28mm frames put back when I get a nice 28mm.

Yes, I really do like the Bessas. I didn't have them for very long but they gave me no problems and the Aperture Priority is a nice feature. The shutter noise is definitely louder and more noticeable than the M6. It also has a higher pitched tinnier quality that draws attention. You can muffle it a bit with a half case though. It is supposed to be a bit quieter than the Bessa T. The M6 definitely wins here. If you want an interchangeable lens camera with a quiet shutter to be used in low noise situations, the only choics is the Leicas. The sound of that shutter is soooooo sweeeeet!
 
Raid,

I'll throw out a few comments on the M5.

For 50 mm FL the frame lines on the M5 are more accurate than the M6.

The M6 has the triangles in the VF for metering and a metering area which is a circle about 2/3 the size of the short leg for the frame line of the lens used. The M5 is a much smaller spot type meter that has the measuring area defined in the VF. The meters on the M5 are very accurate and reliable. (Just have Sherry calibrate it and set it for the 1.35 or 1.5 voltage depending on the battery that you will use.) The M5 has match needle metering in the VF which is intuitive because both the aperature and shutter speeds get turned in the direction that the needle needs to move. The M5 also displays the selected shutter speed in the VF while the M6 does not.

VF brightness is about equal, but the M5 is less prone to flare.

Shutter speed is variable on the M5 but not on the M6. You can leave the M5 shutter speed dial between speed detents and it uses the fractional speed.

The M5 still has the timer while the M6 does not.

The M5 is larger than the M6, so this is a personal preference. The size of the M5 is just fine for me.

Iso is set in a window on the top plate of the M5 and a dial on the rear of the M6. Again this is just a personal preference. I like the top plate of the M5.

The shutter speed dial on the M5 is more ergonomic in size and directly under the shutter button, vs. the smaller seperately positioned one on the M6.

The M5 only has frame lines for 35, 50, 90. This is less cluttered, but can also be a disadvantage if you shoot 28, 75, or 135.

Relative to CLA and work on an M5, Sherry Krauter can take care of everything and make it like new or add a third lug to the 2 lug cameras. She truly knows the M5 inside and out. It happens to be here favorite Leica. If you get here talking about them, plan to spend a lot of time on the phone.

As a final expression of my opinion, I had the M5 and MP (basically a new M6). I sold one of them to end up with only one film camera and have ordered the M8. THE M5 IS THE CAMERA THAT STAYED. (You can also ask Wayne "Venchka" about the M5 and how nice they are after a CLA by Sherry. - He bought my back-up M5 body several months ago.)

As always, just my opinion. Good luck on which ever way you go.

Best,

Ray
 
Ray: Thanks for your detailed comparison between some of features of the M5 and the M6. This morning I put up a WTB ad for theM6 and I have received three offers so far. Is the M5 sold at a similar price level to that of a M6?


Raid
 
Raid,

An M5 will probably run you between $1000-$1500 depending on condition.

Glad I could help with the info.

Best,

Ray
 
I will buy an M6 this week. I have been offered excellent buys by some nice people. The decision depends on the model and age now.

1. M6 Classic 0.72 1984 (excellent)
2. M6 0.85 1997 (mint-)
3. M6 TTL 2000+ (mint)


Any of the above models will make me happy.


Raid
 
Yes, they will. If you don't shoot 28mm lenses, then go for the 0.85 M6; I almost did and thought I would use 28mm lenses, but that focal length is not for me in rangefinders.
 
I have been silently watching this unfold Raid. I think that you will not be disappointed with any of the M6's you listed.

Here is me lifting a glass of Sam Adam's light to your happiness with a new M6.
 
Raid,

The first thing to decide is whether the direction of the shutter speed dial is important to you. The M6 classic dial turns like the earlier M cameras and is small. The M6 TTL turns in the direction of the arrows in the viewfinder and the dial is significantly larger.

I agree with Gabrielma. If you don't shoot 28 and don't use glasses the .85 would be a great viewfinder.

Best,

Ray
 
Raid, they all sound great, I'd personally go with the .72 classic if they were all the same price and functional condition. You can go wide with the .72, but not the .85, and you can always get the 1.25 magnifier(s) for the .72, but can't revert from a .85 without major work.

M6 TTL is bigger, has reverse dials, and *may* eat more batteries, depending on who you talk to.

have fun!!
 
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