Leica R6 vs Nikon FM2

[abhishek@1985]

Hi Friends,

I am looking to get a film slr and have decided either of teh 2 - Leica R6 or Nikon FM2 with Leica Summicron 28mm or Nikon AIS 28mm f2.8 lens.
Both are mechanocal legends , so wann know your thought on the choice?

Ofcourse I am a leica fan boy and use leica M2 and M6 but wanna know you rthoughts on how does teh Nikon FM2 coupled with the legendary 28mm AIS lens stands upto leica R6 with the 28mm lens?

How different are color rendition of both the lens?

Please let me know your thoughts..

 

[David_Manning]

Nikon + 28

I'm extremely impressed with my FE2 and same 28mm lens, both image quality and reliability/toughness. The shutter is a bit loud though...I've never shot with an R Leica so I couldn't compare. I really like the Nikon's high shutter speed though (FM2 and FE2 both 1/4000 second).

 

[dave lackey]

Hi Friends,

I am looking to get a film slr and have decided either of teh 2 - Leica R6 or Nikon FM2 with Leica Summicron 28mm or Nikon AIS 28mm f2.8 lens.
Both are mechanocal legends , so wann know your thought on the choice?

Ofcourse I am a leica fan boy and use leica M2 and M6 but wanna know you rthoughts on how does teh Nikon FM2 coupled with the legendary 28mm AIS lens stands upto leica R6 with the 28mm lens?

How different are color rendition of both the lens?

Please let me know your thoughts..

Well, I use a Leica R4 with 80 Lux pretty much full time when not about with the M3 and X1.

Today, however, I am using the two FE2s just for fun. They are the cameras I grew up with and are as comfortable as a pair of favorite jeans. They just feel good because they are long time friends.

The Leica R4 is pretty much the same as the R6 and the R lenses are amazing. Much better IMO than anything for Nikon MF cameras. The cost of the Leica R6 and a 28 Cron are going to be higher, but for me, the satisfaction of using them is far better than my beloved FE2s.

It is not just about the image, or the cost for a lot of us, the experience and the feel of the Leica camera and lens are a class or two higher than the Nikons. I much prefer the M3, for example, over the Nikon D bodies I used in the past but then I don't do sports, motorsports, or weddings anymore so I don't need hulking DSLRs...I now enjoy the M experience far more than I ever did the DSLRs....

Leica R6 + 28 Cron? No brainer...go for it if you want it and have the cash. If you want to save money, then, the FM2 and the fastest lenses you can buy will better serve your needs.🙂

Maybe in time, you too will fall asleep on the couch with your favorite body in-hand tucked under your arm...the camera body!

 

[Murchu]

Haven't used the R6, but have used the FM2, M6 & M3. I would say the differences I remembered most, were the lightness of the FM2 compared to the M's, as well as the much louder shutter. Any reason you don't just use a 28mm on your M6 ?

 

[jamais]

I own now a Nikon FE besides an F80 and have also used the FM2 (as well as EM, F301 and a lot of Nikon AF cameras). All Nikons (more than ten) never let me down during the years. I have bought one Leica R3, two R7 and one R8 body - had to send them all back to the dealer because of electronical (R3, R8) or mechanical (R7) problems. Theses cameras feel fantastic in my hands and they have their own beauty. A newly CLA'd or repaired camera should work and serve you many years - but I would not want to invest that much in any 35mm SLR system anymore. Nor do I want to continue that lottery game in buying cheap R bodies... As far as I know Leica does not have replacement shutters for the R6 / R6.2 anymore.

Edit: Did you take the Contax S2 into consideration? It has a big and bright viewfinder. You can combine it with the excellent Zeiss Distagon 2.8/28.

 

[abhishek@1985]

Hi guys, thank you so much for all the replies. Well I do not wanna use the 28mm on my M6 as its a .85 M6.
As far as the Contax goes, I also have an option of picking up a RTS II with 28mm f2.8 distagon. How do you compare that combo with Leica R6 and 28mm f2.8?

 

[Michiel Fokkema]

Is there a 28 cron for Leica R? Afaik there is only the elmarit.

 

[gavinlg]

I would go the leica combo for sure - especially with the leica 28mm. The nikon is workman-like - I never really liked mine. The contax would be nice too, but be aware contax lenses are pretty damn contrasty/modern vs the leica which would probably be more balanced/classic in contrast.

 

[Clint Troy]

No more shutter repairs for the R6? Are you sure?
I love
My R6.2. Damn it's fine!

 

[Contarama]

I think you are going to be disappointed when you look through the viewfinder of a FM2 especially using a 28.

 

[Vickko]

Choose the R6.2 before the R6. But you'll be locked into Leica lenses, which are still expensive.

 

[abhishek@1985]

Hi Vickko, is there any reason you prefer the R6.2 over the R6..
The only difference I guess is the 2000 shutter speed over 1000 shutter speed of R6. I am using 1000th shutter speed in M cameras and yet do not feel the need of the 2000th shutter speed.

 

[ktmrider]

Both Great Systems

Both Great Systems

Have an R6.2 with 28/50/135. It is a great combo when I want something slightly longer then the M. Same size as an M rangefinder and sometimes SLR's work better. The 28 is a great lens.

Used the Nikon F/F2/F3 for years and you will not find me saying anything negative about Nikon except the FM's and FE's were never viewed as well constructed as the F. But they were never meant to have a second career as a hammer like the F series. Could be wrong and Nikon optics are great, especially 24f2.8/55Micro/105f2.5 which are classic.

Think it comes down to ergonomics. Try both before you decide.

 

[nobbylon]

I'm going to throw a spanner in and say Leicaflex SL or SL2, can't remember if a 28 will work on an SL. They are much better cameras than either R6 or FM2's. Any of the good techs can service them and the viewfinder is still the best there is.

 

[jamais]

...As far as the Contax goes, I also have an option of picking up a RTS II with 28mm f2.8 distagon. How do you compare that combo with Leica R6 and 28mm f2.8?

The Contax RTS II is one of my all time favourite cameras. What I like about it:

- For an SLR unbelievably short shutter lag (RTS = "Real time system"). Two separate buttons for shutter release and metering allow a one step shutter release button. In the case of the RTS / RTS II it is implemented using a very short travelling way
- VF offers 97% image coverage (R6 / S2: 92%)
- Very pleasing user interface in general

Of course the shutter is electronically controlled unlike the FM2, R6 or S2. But you can still use a mechanically controlled 1/60s without batteries .

 

[dof]

I own both an R6 and an FM2 and would have to say that I prefer to use the R6. The Leica body is heavier, but it's also more full featured.

On a strict feature basis, the choice between the two might be governed by how much light one typically shoots in.

The FM2 has shutter speeds up to 1/4000th of a second which gives it an advantage with fast moving subjects and allows for a greater range of working apertures when shooting in daylight. If you like shallow depth of field, this is very handy.

The R6 has a mirror lock-up feature which gives it a advantage when shooting the camera while mounted on a tripod.

As for reliability: Other than having the foam seals replaced, I'm currently one-for-one with each camera needing a single major repair. I can't comment on the availability of replacement shutters, but be aware that the cost of parts for the R cameras has kept pace with the rates of all things Leica. If you need a repair, they are getting expensive.

Lastly, while each system has it's standout lenses, overall I'd rate the Leica images as more pleasing to my eye. This factors greatly into the reasons I choose the R6 over the FM2 when a small SLR is right for the job.

 

[CK Dexter Haven]

I think it's the Leica 28/2.8 Elmarit, LAST VERSION that is so highly-acclaimed. I had this lens for a brief period, with an R7. It really is a very good lens. But, when i quickly compared it to the Contax 28/2.8 on an Aria, i didn't find an advantage on either side. The Distagon is also supposed to be fantastic. As is the Nikkor. That all said, i'd choose based on the camera body you want to use, since all three of those lenses are better than we are. I can't tell you about the color rendition. I shot slides, but don't recall colors. I always feel those things are going to be altered after the scan anyway.

In the end, i sold all the Leica R stuff. I just didn't like the way the R7 shutter release was working. Felt like there was a delay between button press and mirror/shutter actuation. The repairman said it was within spec, though. Maybe other samples or other models are different. I had an R8 once, and didn't have that problem, and tested an R5 in a shop - no such issues. I'm sure the R6.x will be okay. But, i prefer Contax and Nikon bodies.... That was a few years ago and i now still have the FE2 and F100, and neither the Leica nor Contax.

 

[Flat Twin]

I'm going to agree with John above. Forget the R6.2, R6 and R4 and check out a Leicaflex SL or SLII. I am a recent convert after reading John's posts on the cameras and then I found a nice one at the right price. After six weeks of shooting it I haven't put it down, its a wonderful camera. Even my M's are getting worried!

I've had all sorts of Nikons, they are really great but this Leicaflex wins hands down...

Kind Regards,

Simon

 

[Benjamin Marks]

Better lenses for the Leicas. More lens selection for the Nikons. BTW, I have both the FM2 and the R5. Love 'em both.

 

[kanzlr]

I just sold all my Nikon gear (FM2, FE2) and got myself a Leica R7.
The Leica feels much nicer, I like the viewfinder more, especially the readout and the lenses are really really great, even the older 28mm Elmarit-R is very nice.

I never really liked Nikon lenses (and I had quite a few of them).