M6TTL... right choice?

N

NoTx

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First I found a new (with Passport) M6TTL for $1500. It is a chrome .85. This seems to good a deal to pass up.

I would be looking at the following lenses: 35/1.2 Voightlander or some 35/2 of an unknown brand (maybe both in the end), 50/2 Planar and 90/2 Summicron (portraits) and the 21mm Biogon, but I have my G Biogon’s viewfinder... so irrelevant. Problem, I wear glasses, though I can barely see the 35mm markings, so would this possibly be an issue in the long run for me? Also, is this the magnification you would suggest for these lenses? As an FYI, I prefer shooting with two eyes open.

Now comes the weird question: in harsh weather, will this camera be something to put in a pouch, or use? Rain and cold. High humidity and high heat. My planned travel for next year is going to run the gamut. This is a big issue for me.

Can a M6TTL be used in the rain without concern?

Comments? Suggestions? Issues?

Thanks!
 
OK travel, I don't see San Diego as having harsh weather. :)

The 35mm framelines may be a problem wearing glasses with a .85 finder. I can see the 35s with my .72, but Huck Finn could not wearing his glasses. $1,500 with a passport is great though. How often will you be using the 35? Anything wider and you will be using an external finder so no big deal there. And it will be great for a 50 and 90.

Oh, and the rain, I have done some showers, and it is pretty humid around here right now, no problems.
 
I have used my M6TTL in hot & cold, rain & shine and so far it hasn't skipped a beat. I recently bought a 0.85 mag M for 90/135 use, and was pleasantly surprised that a 50 worked so well on it.

However I'm keeping my 35mm on my 0.72 mag - more room around the framelines... :)

 
I'm with Rover about the magnification and the 35mm lenses. In fact, I think that, according to my Leica manual, that's the widest lens you can put on the camera without an external viewfinder. But will you ever need a 28mm?

The 0.85 magnification is perfect if you do a lot of shooting with long lenses (from 50 onward). Now... at $1500 with Passport, you're buying peace of mind... in relative terms. Make sure the seller (if it's not a store) can work with you to send the camera to Leica in case something comes up.

Now, go and shoot some pics when it comes. What's the name of that historical district near the convention center? I wish I had taken more pics around there...
 
A lot depends on what you mean by extremes. I have never used an M-series Leica at temperatures below about -10C/14F or above about 45C/115F but that's because I've never encountered lower temperatures and I've rarely encountered higher ones (and when I did, it was before I had Leicas). Oh; and I've used them in the monsoon season in India, too.

A quote from Jean-Jacques Viau at Leica: half our customers baby their cameras, and the other half just use them.

Cheers,

Roger
 
I use my M6 here in the tropics and it holds up pretty well in light rain and humid weather (typically 90% relative humidity). Of course proper storage and care needs to be taken. My cameras are stored in purpose built dry cabinets which maintain a constant 35% RH level. It stores pretty well in most pouches. I typically carry it in my Domke satchel. It will however be pretty bulky with a 90 cron attached.
 
rover said:
OK travel, I don't see San Diego as having harsh weather. :)
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Nope. Though on the other end, travel to riverside... and say hello to 115 Deg F. and higher. Go to one of the major mountains during winter, and say hello to -10 Deg F or lower.

Granted, I was actually refering to travel:)

I also plan on some hurricane and fire chassing.

Roger Hicks said:
A lot depends on what you mean by extremes. I have never used an M-series Leica at temperatures below about -10C/14F or above about 45C/115F but that's because I've never encountered lower temperatures and I've rarely encountered higher ones (and when I did, it was before I had Leicas). Oh; and I've used them in the monsoon season in India, too.

A quote from Jean-Jacques Viau at Leica: half our customers baby their cameras, and the other half just use them.
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This sounds very useful. Did you take any precautions durrin the rain?

Terence T said:
I use my M6 here in the tropics and it holds up pretty well in light rain and humid weather (typically 90% relative humidity). Of course proper storage and care needs to be taken. My cameras are stored in purpose built dry cabinets which maintain a constant 35% RH level.
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Do you think a silica dry pack would work in a bag for travel through high humidity?

SolaresLarrave said:
I'm with Rover about the magnification and the 35mm lenses. In fact, I think that, according to my Leica manual, that's the widest lens you can put on the camera without an external viewfinder. But will you ever need a 28mm?
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Interestingly, I find my 28mm is sitting, almost always. For my G1. I normally have either a 21mm and 35mm or more likely 21mm and 45mm. I actually like 35mm. I expect the viewfinder could be used as the 35mm (maybe like 36 or 37mm).

Now, go and shoot some pics when it comes. What's the name of that historical district near the convention center? I wish I had taken more pics around there...
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Gaslamp:)
 
Thanks! The Gaslamp District is the one I liked the best during my very brief stay in San Diego, two years ago, for a conference in December.

I took my Leica to a Manuel Antonio National Park in Costa Rica. Hot, humid weather, and the camera worked very well. There was only a bit of fogging on the lens and VF when leaving AC environments but the problem disappears easily. Now, I never have used it under the rain... And wouldn't try, either, unless I can wipe it dry right away.

I read in Photo.net about someone whose camera got drenched in a sudden storm. He had to set in under the sunlight for a few days to dry off. That'll give you an idea.
 
I've taken my Leicas all over the globe, in many extremes of climate, and knock on wood they've never let me down. I do take sensible precautions though, like not taking the camera straight from an A/C building out into hot, humid weather, or bringing it into a heated building straight from the winter cold (although that's less of a problem because heated places are usually pretty dry). I also carry a ziplock bag in my pocket when I'm out shooting, in case of a sudden torrential downpour. Maybe a Leica can survive a soaking unscathed but I don't want to take the chance if there's a simple way around it.
 
With the .85 and a 35mm lens with you wearing glasses, my experience is, no, it won't work. The 50 , 90 , and a 135 are perfect on a .85. With a 35 lens on that body I can highly recommend a CV brightline 35 VF. Comes in black or chrome.
 
Special precautions in the monsoon? Well, it stays under a rain-cape or inside my jacket except when actually shooting, but otherwise, no. And there's no humidity-control cases when I'm travelling, thoough that's where some of my kit lives when I'm home.

Cheers,

Roger
 
You don't say whether this is continual travel or just a series of trip...or whether this is a once-in-a-lifetime thing. If you are really going to have to depend on the camera to work, you should really consider having two bodies with you.

I have been using Leica Ms since the early 1970s and have owned at least one of most models, and still own/use several. However, as good as they are, they are not immune to unexpected failures that require expensive and time-consuming work. That's why you might want to consider a second body as part of your kit. In real life, s*** sometimes happens...Murphy is always ready to pounce.

Frankly, if I were going on an extended, once-in-a-lifetime trip where the camera had to work, I would take a Nikon FM3a and a Nikon FM2n and I'd take (1) either a 24/2.8 or 28/2.8 (the 28: AIS only), (2) a 50/1.4, (3) either an 80 (1.8 or 2) or a 105/2.5, and (4) a 2x converter. I've take many pictures in available darkness in places like Eurpoean churches. WIth a wide angle, 2.8 is almost always fast enough, and with today's superior 400 speed films, I don't think I'd feel badly equipped if I didn't have an f/1.4 wide angle, but you may have different needs.
 
Well, JNewell and I have been using M-series for about the same length of time and I wouldn't even consider reflexes, let alone the ones he names (I'd go for 'real' Fs), for such a trip. This merely shows how much opinions differ. Neither of us is right or wrong: we just have different premises and priorities. I agree about 2 bodies but I'd take 21/2.8 - 35/1.4 - 75/2. Maybe my 'available darkness' is darker than his; maybe I haven't as steady a hand; but it shows you how dangerous it is to take others' advice.

Cheers,

Roger (www.rogerandfrances.com)
 
Roger Hicks said:
it shows you how dangerous it is to take others' advice
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Clearly true. The answer(s) to a question like this is/are extremely subjective, even if you had all the facts...Roger, you've inspired to me post a subjective question of my own, albeit a more narrow one. :D Any opinions welcomed.
 
Ok, some additional information seems to be needed:)

I am talking about several once in a lifetime trips. I will be bringing a DSLR for Telephoto work (E-1). I plan on hitting as many places that have penguins as possible in the next few years. My wife is a penguin fanatic, so I was thinking we could spend maybe 4-6 weeks a year searching them out:) Heck, we were married in the Penguin Encounter at Sea World San Diego. In addition to this, I am a backpacker. Here I would am looking to cary something simpler than currently... and maybe a little more robust.

I currently take a G-1 with (21 / 35 or 21 / 45 / 90 or 35 / 90). Fore some reason I end up leaving my 28mm home, unless I am looking at interiors... at which case, I am probably going to bring my E-1 with 11-22mm.

Now this has made me wonder if I just shouldn't try and tracck down a Contax 2b, since I have the 45/2.8, 50/1.4 and 60/2.8 1:1.

This is however maing me think on many different points.
 
How close to the penguins are you going to get? Even when shooting relatively large birds, yellow-crown night heron, from a reasonable distance at a wetlands (40ft), I found a 300mm or 500mm lens best.

1st: Yellow-Crown Night Heron, Nikon Photomic F w 500mm F8 Reflex-Nikkor,
2nd: King Rail, Nikon Photomic Ftn w 300mm F4.5 Nikkor-H

(The fact that real Nikon F's were used in this post is just coincidence)
 
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Here is one with a Nikon FE2 with an MD12 and a Meade 1000mm F11:
You should not need a lens this long for bigger birds like Penguins:
(Note: The bright lighting behind the Cardinal is not a lens artifact, that was the lighting coming through the trees)
 
For telephoto, 50-200mm F2.8-3.5 + 1.4x TC. Figure a max with crop factor equiv to 560mm (in reality 280mm Four Thirds). The 300/2.8 is too big. Now I may grab a 300/4 Tele-Tessar to take along to, which would give me a 300 *1.4x 420mm equiv to 840mm.

And as to how close... hoping to be real close. But the cities and people and terrain is pure rangefinder territory (Penguins SLR).
 
For extreme circumstances Leica advise: For hot and humid have the camera treated against fungus.For extreme cold have the camera treated with cold-resistant lubricants. Both options are unreasonably expensive. I have shot untreated Leica M camera's for at least 30 years in conditions varying frome above the arctic circle at -45 centigrade to the tropical rainforest of Uganda at +45 centigrade and rain. I never had any problems at all. So my advice would be: just use it.
 
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