M6 Classic for US$1200 ok? What 35mm for B&W?

S

snaggs

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I was going to get a Bessa R2A, but a M6 0.72 Chrome is available from a dealer, 1 owner, bought in 1986 and CLA'd in Germany a year ago. No dents or big scratches but few scuffs (it has been used, by an amatuer, not professionally).

Question is, what lens to partner this with? Can I get by with a Voigtlander Color Skopar 2.5? This will be exclusively a B&W camera, so I've been led to believe that pre-ASPH lower contrast designs are more desirable?

What is THE 35mm lens for B&W night shots? (which is likely to be available 2nd hand).

Daniel.
 
Daniel, you do know that a Leica M6 is not an R2A!

Seriously, that is a good find. The Skopar 35mm f2.5 would be an excellent lens, but if you are looking at doing lots of available light night shots, look for one of the faster C/V 35's.

Good Light to you!
 
FrankS said:
Daniel, you do know that a Leica M6 is not an R2A!

Seriously, that is a good find. The Skopar 35mm f2.5 would be an excellent lens, but if you are looking at doing lots of available light night shots, look for one of the faster C/V 35's.

Good Light to you!
Click to expand...

Yes, I thought it was a good price, and in Australia we dont have so many pop-up (population etc). I might put the M6 on laybye and start paying it off on the sly so I can later buy the M6 with only $495 or something innocent on the receipt :)

What about older Leica Lenses;

LEICA 35F3.5 FOR M3 EX QC VG- (LENS WITH SPECTACLES FOR M3) AU$475.00 or ~US$330

or

Leica M 40mm f2.0 Summicron "C" with hood
AU$695.00 or ~US$480

or are these getting a bit old? better of with a Color Skopar 2.5 (US$225) ? Ill see what else I can dig up.

Thanks for the help!

PS. So its the kind of find not to leave and expect to be able to find again later?
 
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$1200 is a fair price for a cla'd M6 in good shape here in North America, and I get the impression that prices are higher in Australia, so I do think it's a deal. On top of that, I want you to get a Leica so you will understand what the rest of us are talking about. If it turns out that you don't like it, I'll buy it from you at only a slight loss to you.

Paying layaway is a good way of "protecting" our spouses.
 
Hey, congratulations on the M6! It'll be with you as long as you want, I think, and will always be worth the occasional tune-up. (I have an R2A as well, and it is wonderful, but frankly I do not expect it to last for 30 years!)

The only 35mm I have used with either camera is the current Summicron ASPH. However, I notice that on ebay right now, there's a Canadian Summicron being sold by an LHSA member, and it has been recently CLAed by Leica. That would be a great buy if you got a good deal on it. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=30063&item=7511609421&rd=1

General comment, if you don't mind: I would get something on the fast side considering what you said it's for. At least f/2. Remember that available light means dark shadows, and you want to be able to get enough light in there from the shadow areas to get over the film's minimum sensitivity. That's my preference anyway. Otherwise the shadows will be very dark and the contrast will be accentuated. Some photographers associate this look with available light shooting, but I think available light photos are more interesting and have more depth with more even lighting. So in my case in those situations, I shoot wide open a lot, as wide as the lens will go. Although there are many good 35mm f/2.8s I don't think you would be happy with one in night shooting or other available light.

I have not used the Cosina Voigtlander lenses, but lots of people here like them, and they have some fast wide-angles. One of them is a 35mm f/1.2! It's a big mother, but that would not stop me if I could afford it. A 1.4 lens means that (with a Leica or other good rf and a steady hand) you can shoot at 1/8 or 1/15 in very dark situations and get away with it, instead of 1/4 or 1/8 at f/2 and not get away with it. A 1.2 might be enough faster than a 1.4 that in many situations you could shoot at 1/15 instead of 1/8.

A used 35mm Summilux would be nice, too, but it'd be so expensive I might go back & look at the Voigtlander store.
 
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snaggs said:
What is THE 35mm lens for B&W night shots?
Click to expand...

I am surprised that nobody has mentioned the CV 35 f/1.7 Ultron or the Leica 35 Summilux; if money is no problem, for night shots, the Summilux; if money is an issue, the 35 Ultron is a very very good value. And you have the extra 1/2 (just a tad more) stop than with the Summicron.

I am very happy with mine; but if money were no problem, no doubt I'd get the Summilux.
 
I have an old Summilux F1.4 non asph. and does just fine for my purposes. It is small and light for travel and is fast when needed. Used it can be a bargin compared to a new asph. one from Leica and my be competative with CV 35 F1.7.

Bob
 
Thanks all, I havn't placed cash down on the M6 yet. Im thinking I'll get the Rollei 35RF pack first, as its basically Lens with free camera. Then get a M6 later once I'm sure Ill like the whole rangefinder experience. Or if I win another tender.. I could just get reckless in a Leica shop.

Were going on holidays to South Africa & Sweden to show my grand parents (in their 90's) my son. So I definately want to get it a week or two before that to practice.

Daniel.
 
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