M6 TTL or MP

Geeeez guys...this kind of debate *has* to be the reason that other photographers think of Leica users as snobs. That is awesome that many of you think that the MP is the holy grail of the leica line, but what about the pictures?

Or is the MP just another nice shiny trophy that you can't wait for your jeans to wear the "Look at me, I am a wannabe photographer who thinks that it is cool to show premature wear on my camera" marks on?

To each his own I guess. I plan on having DAG re-do my M6 finder and do a CLA and that is it. But the thing that people will remember most about me having a leica are the pictures I make with it.

Nothing else really matters, just the pictures.

Get over bagging on the M6, it is in poor taste and is really unfounded.

All this said, I would like a second M body and I am considering getting a bargain rating M3 from KEH.....
 
Last edited:
I plan on having DAG re-do my M6 finder...
Click to expand...

I think he charges less than $200 to do it and if the flare has ever bothered you, it's well worth it. He'll remove any unwanted frameline masks at the same time for no extra charge so you can have, in essense, an "a-la-carte" MP finder on the cheap.

He added the black dot for an extra $15, and I put on a new cameraleather cover to replace the worn original, and it still came in a couple grand less than a new MP. 😀
 

Attachments

  • mblack1-web.jpg
    mblack1-web.jpg
    127.7 KB · Views: 0
KM-25 said:
Geeeez guys...this kind of debate *has* to be the reason that other photographers think of Leica users as snobs. That is awesome that many of you think that the MP is the holy grail of the leica line, but what about the pictures?

Or is the MP just another nice shiny trophy that you can't wait for your jeans to wear the "Look at me, I am a wannabe photographer who thinks that it is cool to show premature wear on my camera" marks on?

To each his own I guess. I plan on having DAG re-do my M6 finder and do a CLA and that is it. But the thing that people will remember most about me having a leica are the pictures I make with it.

Nothing else really matters, just the pictures.

Get over bagging on the M6, it is in poor taste and is really unfounded.

All this said, I would like a second M body and I am considering getting a bargain rating M3 from KEH.....
Click to expand...

Hmmmm. People having fun and enjoying their toys is not neccessarily in bad taste (quite different to bragging in fact) and you should perhaps rememeber that this is in the Leica M category so hardly an attempt to make non-Leica owneres feel inferior. Whether someone loves the MP has no bearing on whether they are a good photographer or not, as you will note the absence of people saying that the MP 'will clearly produce better pictures than the M6TTL'.

I also think I am a reaonsble photographer, who loves the picture. I happen to really love using my MPs. Is there a problem with this?

Does getting a bargain rated M3 make you purer of heart? I think not. Arguably this is a form of bragging to...'I am buying a beater M3 which shows that I am a real photographer unlike these snobby people who love their shiny new cameras...how I pity them as I pursue the image undistracted by materialistic distractions'

Come off it. Just because you have a passion for an expensive camera does not make you a git!
 
Hephaestus said:
The MP is cooler. I want a chrome one, with matching 50 Lux, that I can sling over my shoulder in a cognac coloured Luigi half case while I sip cocktails on patio in the Med with a super-model, named Stella, who likes me for my camera.

Why does the supermodel have to be named Stella?

I'd prefer a supermodel who likes me for me, and I wouldn't be picky about her name.
Click to expand...
 
KM-25 said:
Geeeez guys...this kind of debate *has* to be the reason that other photographers think of Leica users as snobs. That is awesome that many of you think that the MP is the holy grail of the leica line, but what about the pictures?

Or is the MP just another nice shiny trophy that you can't wait for your jeans to wear the "Look at me, I am a wannabe photographer who thinks that it is cool to show premature wear on my camera" marks on?

---------

Oh, amen, brother. I spend a lot of time on various websites, and I can't recall a similar discussion anywhere. Which Leica model will do a better job of attracting a supermodel named Stella? Paint, zinc, brass, chrome, engraving - Nikon and Canon owners don't debate about these things.

And this batteries/no batteries thing. Seems to me that war photogs in Iraq are doing quite well under extreme conditions with their Canons and Nikons.

I won't call anyone a snob, but I do find these discussions entertaining.
Click to expand...
 
BillRogers said:
KM-25 said:
Geeeez guys...this kind of debate *has* to be the reason that other photographers think of Leica users as snobs. That is awesome that many of you think that the MP is the holy grail of the leica line, but what about the pictures?

Or is the MP just another nice shiny trophy that you can't wait for your jeans to wear the "Look at me, I am a wannabe photographer who thinks that it is cool to show premature wear on my camera" marks on?

---------

Oh, amen, brother. I spend a lot of time on various websites, and I can't recall a similar discussion anywhere. Which Leica model will do a better job of attracting a supermodel named Stella? Paint, zinc, brass, chrome, engraving - Nikon and Canon owners don't debate about these things.

And this batteries/no batteries thing. Seems to me that war photogs in Iraq are doing quite well under extreme conditions with their Canons and Nikons.




I won't call anyone a snob, but I do find these discussions entertaining.
Click to expand...

Pi'tures? We don't need no stinkin' pi'tures. We got cameras. That's what its really all about. Cameras. Give me more more more. Stack them high and stack them wide. Let me revel in them. Pile them in the tub and let me soak my ackin' body in them. Let me luxuriate in them. M3s, M2s, M4s, M6s, MPS...mmmmm...especially MPs. And no film...no...no film. We got cameras. We don't need no simkin' film. "cause it's all about the cameras. Lovely, glorious, fantabulous cameras. get them while they're hot...
Click to expand...
 
let's hope these gear frenzies give way to some real conversations about photography, and not the usual namedropping crap. a change in atmosphere would be good for this forum.
 
aizan said:
let's hope these gear frenzies give way to some real conversations about photography, and not the usual namedropping crap. a change in atmosphere would be good for this forum.
Click to expand...

The post was about two cameras if I recall correctly...and funnily enough users and owners of both, having been asked, gave their opinions.

OK, I give in. Buy the M6 TTL because it is simliar to the MP and far cheaper. I cannot possibly defend my purchases of MPs and must be a bad photographer and a snob. Henceforth I shall buy cars with the smallest engines possible (used of course) with no unneccessary frills (or even confortable seats). Someone ought to tell Slagado that he would be a better photographer if he binned his Leicas.

The whole point here is that once the picture taking bit is covered (by either an M6TTL or an MP) there are other considerations such as enjoying ownership and use of. Some dont care about this and some do; each makes a personal choice as to whether they are prepared to pay more for something they deem 'nicer'. How many of you have cars with metallic paint, alloy wheels, leather seats?. This is exactly the same argument. I suspect that quite a few of the puritans here could have saved a $ thousands by going for smaller engines, no metallic paint and cheaper wheels......
 
Let's face it. Using a Leica is a visceral experience. It can't be described. I know that sounds silly. It did to me until 6 months ago when I picked up my first M3. So, it's natural to talk about all of these "material" considerations. You just don't get that experience with any other camera. Disagree? Good for you. But don't try to stop me talking about my visceral experience or put me down for doing it. Just go away if you don't like it.

/Ira
 
Turtle said:
The whole point here is that once the picture taking bit is covered (by either an M6TTL or an MP) there are other considerations such as enjoying ownership and use of. Some dont care about this and some do; each makes a personal choice as to whether they are prepared to pay more for something they deem 'nicer'.
Click to expand...

Oh, of course I care, that is why I have an M6. It is a very smooth and nice camera, and once I pay to have it CLA'd and the VF upgraded, it will be just about as good as it can get. What I am getting at is you can pump up the MP all you want, but when it starts to come down to outright bashing the world renown M6, then I have to call snob.
 
Let's take it easy. Everyone has their passion and sometimes gets carried away with it. Hey, if it weren't for egregious excess this forum would be no fun at all.

/Ira
 
KM-25 said:
Oh, of course I care, that is why I have an M6. It is a very smooth and nice camera, and once I pay to have it CLA'd and the VF upgraded, it will be just about as good as it can get. What I am getting at is you can pump up the MP all you want, but when it starts to come down to outright bashing the world renown M6, then I have to call snob.
Click to expand...

Who has bashed the M6? If I have done so it escapes me (better check my posts!)Lots of passion for MPs yes and if some get off on the smoothness of the MP, so be it. Some may have opted for the MP due to criteria you deem superfluous. You have explained your priority of factors and way of achieving the right camera for you, which is fine. Some may think you a snobby kit freak for owning any Leica in this day and age 😱 I would have wondered why you paid all that money for an M6 a few years back, but that was before I I caught the sickness, but I am done now I have a working kit (no intention to collect)

(not directed at you) Whenever someone suggests that if you have passion for certain cameras you must be a cr@p photographer I am quite happy not to show prints to try and demonstrate otherwise....just as I do not tell people what cameras or lens brands I use when I show my prints! I feel no need to justify one with the other.
 
aizan said:
lithiums do pretty durn well in the cold. there's no need to be so worried, irq.
Click to expand...

Lithium button cells???? I wasnt ware of a lithium version of the LR44 or SR44 battery?
Can you point me to a link?
 
aizan said:
the mp obviously exudes less. it has flush windows, a cost-cutting feature introduced by the m4-p, as well as only engraving "leica" on the top plate instead of the full classic engraving, which started with the m4-2. it has a battery compartment on the front, and an adjustment pot underneath the advance lever. the plastic iso-dial is even cheaper than the m6, and there is still no black crinkle paint in the film loading frame. the black paint finish, in immitation of "designer" jeans, was made softer than the original, making it very susceptible to fine scratches. this eventually clouds the surface of the camera and doesn't wear like the original black paint leicas. this especially convinced me that an mp was not for me. the body covering is leatherette, instead of vulcanite. finally, the knob has a tendancy to get or become wiggly. demos at both camera shops had it, and it's been reported on the internet. this may be caused by the new friction gromit in the mechanism.

on the other hand, none of the classics have built-in meters.
Click to expand...

Very good information to know.
Personally I like that M7 covering very much and I believe that its standard on the MP. As far as paintwear goes, well I loved the romance of the camera growing with me etc but at the end of the day I want it to stay as dark as possible and thats where the Black Chrome comes in as it stays its dark matte even under heavy use. If Black Chrome is going to wear like the regular Grand Piano black then id consider just going with the regular Grand Piano black and do my best to cover the camera with tape until it falls off and then re apply new tape (I find that with gaffers tape it actually improved the grip on all my previous cameras, but it doesnt last half as long as 3M contact adhesive Matte (which is black covering material for books etc), and it is considerably thinner then gaffers but lasts a very long time -I used to use it on all of my Canon Eos cameras, and the trick is to heat it in the oven for a few moments and then apply it so that it contracts as it cools and makes for an extremely tight bond which doesnt come off as easily).

That information regarding the knob is very useful, and Im delighted you brought that up, I can imagine that running the edge of your hand over that knob for a "fast rewind" would probably only encourage that wiggle.

The fact that it has a light meter is for me CRUCIAL, and negates the use of the older Leica M's.
 
darkprints said:
irq506 - does this 3M matte contact tape leave a residue like duct tape? Or does it come off cleanly like gaffers?
Click to expand...

Ive only ever pulled it off once -most times, when I sold my cameras the new owner was always surprised and delighted and opted to leave it on. However to answer your question, yes it comes off clean, except if you have areas on the camera that cannot be covered you will have a build-up of finger-snot and grub which I would seriously suggest you leave there because it you do attmpt to clean it, with something like Isopropyl Alc, itll take the good stuff off as well.

I find it very difficult to get this stuff over here in the US, even through 3M itself. If you are in the UK you can get it typically in Graphic supplies stores -if they still exist : didnt Apple Macintosh kill them off?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom