m4 or m6??

[iml]

If you want a built in meter swap your M4 for an M6. If you can live with a hand held meter keep your M4. There isn't a whole lot more to be said IMO, all the rest is down to personal preference and foible. Both cameras are great for taking pictures with, which you prefer is for you to decide.

Ian

 

[Krosya]

Flare on M6 fix

Flare on M6 fix

Thanks. In fact I was a bit doubtful in regard of farmelins/focusing patch brightness once their shade is attached since it appears to limit the light entering the window.
But perhaps just a mere of 13-15$ worth the shoot...

Hi,
While I can't help much on a M6-vs M4 topic, as I only have M6 and M3. But I can address this M6 flare thing. You can read here :
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34082

about my own M6 flare fix. I had the "real" so called MP fix done to my M6 since and I tell you, while it offers a better result - a bit brighter viewfinder and a bit less flare that with my fix, if can still flare. Rarely, but it can. Mine was done by DAG while I had a CLA, so it's legit. But if I knew then what I know now - I'd save my money and just use that fix with tape listed above. So, try it, and save your money. I don't know if my fix is any better that that shade for $15, but its deffinately cheaper.
Hope it helps.

 

[ferider]

Thanks. In fact I was a bit doubtful in regard of farmelins/focusing patch brightness once their shade is attached since it appears to limit the light entering the window.
But perhaps just a mere of 13-15$ worth the shoot...

One of my cameras had the shade when I bought it and
I took it off after using it for a while.
Reduces the brightness of the framelines (by 1 stop) and
the occasional flare doesn't bother me. I do want bright framelines
though especially when its rather dark.

Roland.

 

[venchka]

Thanks, Magus.

I should add that I have longed for the M4 since forever. I may yet own one. However, since using the M5, the M4 might go unused. I still want one. I just don't want the M4 as badly as I once did.

I should also add that I don't think that a camera body by itself is likely to make you a better photographer. If that were true, there would be one magic light proof black (or chrome) box that we would all strive to own. As you said, the M4 is only a tool. Perhaps you need to hold onto the M4 and learn to make it a better tool. It's a tough call either way. I personally tend to use bodies with meters to the exclusion of my non-metered bodies. That is a fault of mine that I need to correct.

Good luck!

 

[JNewell]

So do most M6's have framelines which flare, or was there a fix beginning from serial #... ? 😱

All M6 classics unless modified by the owner, but also:

- many/most M4-2s
- all M4-Ps
and, I believe (someone will correct if mistaken)
- all M6 TTLs
- early M7s

You can get any post-M3 M rangefinder to flare under the right conditions. The optics in the M3 are totally different and in my experience really don't flare at all.

Separate point...Magus, what do you not like about the M5 finder? I had one for a while and thought the VF was great. The meter readout along the bottom edge was readily accessible but also very unobtrusive...to me...YMMV...curious to see why you thought differently.

 

[xavi]

I'm happy with all of you. If i can say that (i don't know the exact meaning of the english words, i'm from Spain). Thank's for all.
By the moment i will wait for one month or so. I know that the tool don't make you a better photographer but it can help to make it easy. I have been taking pictures for a long time, and usually i know the light for normal conditions. BUT i love to shoot during the nignt with the street lights (electric or fire, depending the city) or that magic ours before the darkness. And i can say that the metering its difficult. It's not the same all over the World.
I own a Contax G2 too. Wonderfull camera with great lens, but i love the feeling of taking pictures with my Leica. I think not exist the "best leica", but its sure that exist the most usefull leica for evryone.
I'll wait some days
best regards

 

[ferider]

Xavi,

your English is good.

One more comment: for the scenes that you mention the M6 meter will
not help you very much. It is much better to get a sensitive hand-held meter,
like a Gossen Luna Pro or Calcu-light XP.

Best,

Roland.

 

[Magus]

Post deleted by posters request

 

[xavi]

So, do you preffer a Gossen Luna Pro or Calcu-light XP much more than voigtlander VC II??.

 

[ChrisN]

... I personally tend to use bodies with meters to the exclusion of my non-metered bodies. That is a fault of mine that I need to correct. ...

Not at all! Why should a preference be considered a fault?

Hey, this is all about enjoying youself, isn't it?

 

[Simon Larbalestier]

Eric, did you have the chance to actually use leicagoodie's SHADE ? I was wondering how good it works in reality as reported by actual users. I also experience flareness of my M6's which at a time is really annoying, but the RF upgrade to MP's isn't currently an option due to necessity to ship the camera abroad back and forth..(can be done locally in my country), perhaps is some far future...
So if their patch is indeed as effective in real situations as they advertise, I'd tend to think 13-15$ to be well spent...

I purchased two of these some years back and used one for a while but eventually took it off as i found it darkened the viewfinder too much for my liking but it did solve the problem. Eventually i had Don@ DAG to upgrade the viewfinder to the MP one at the same time as removing unwanted frame lines. You're welcome to have both "Shades" just for the shipping costs but from Bangkok shipping cost alone would probably outweigh what it would cost for Leica Goodies to sell and ship to you from Geneva as they have a very good deal on postage rates.

 

[alexz]

Thank you Simon, but Bangkok ?? 😱 🙂 I'm in Israel, which is quite far from Thailand and S&H from Leicagoodies were yet tolerable...😉 (I bought from them in the past a few things).

Thank you for the opinion.

 

[ferider]

So, do you preffer a Gossen Luna Pro or Calcu-light XP much more than voigtlander VC II??.

The VCII is a good meter. But the Luna Pro and CL XP are much
more sensitive. Plus, I do prefer hand-held meters in general,
with incident metering capability, but this is a personal preference.
The CL XP is the most sensitive meter available, but it is not easy
to find one.

Best,

Roland.

 

[raid]

I sold my XP [for $40] a while ago since I always use my Pentax spotmeter.

Raid

 

[venchka]

Yes Indeed

Yes Indeed

Not at all! Why should a preference be considered a fault?

Hey, this is all about enjoying youself, isn't it?

Yes indeed, Chris! Enjoyment is the goal. However, I have these two pristine Canon VI-T bodies that don't get out to play as often as they should. I can't think of parting with them. Well, the latest addition perhaps. They just sit around missing out on all the fun. Dastardly Bigfoot & Bubba are to blame. 😎

Back to meters. I have owned & used & liked Weston & Gossen meters since forever. The Westons are gone. I'm quite sure that a current model Gossen will do everything you need. I use an ancient Luna Pro and it works fine for my needs.

 

[xavi]

Sorry, i've been out of home for a couple of days...
Thank's everypeople fot your help.
regards
xavi