New M6 ttl

[equalizer]

Hello all

I've just bought a chrome M6 ttl that looks almost brand new. I am new to the world of rangefinders but I am sure it suits my style of shooting - I used to have a Nikon FM3 with prime lenses, 35mm and 50mm. The camera looks great and the best thing for me, the viewfinder... amazing!

I haven't tried the camera yet because I have no lens, I have ordered a 50mm summicron and I am waiting for it the next few days.

I want to ask the more experienced RF users...
How safe is to take the camera with you when it is raining? I mean not heavy rain but a few drops on the camera body could they potentially damage it? What do you do in these situations to protect it?

The summicron I have orderer is a chrome one as well. I then realized after reading on the net, that the chrome is 100gr. heavier than the black one, a thing that I didn't like...
Do you think the combination M6 chrome + 50/2 summicron chrome is heavy? And how bulky is it?

a thing I miss on the M6 is a self-timer but I know, you cant have everything...

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Both of my M6TTL bodies (beware, once you have one, you'll want another) have gotten water sprinkled on. Nothing has happened to them, but don't assume they're waterproof because they're not. If these camera get some drops of water, simply wipe them and use them just as you would use your Nikon: keeping it out of harm's way. It's a basic precaution.

Besides, cameras are unpredictable. I took my Nikon AF out yesterday in the middle of a blizzard (I kept it in a plastic bag, only took the camera out of it to shoot), and the lens came back with a very slight squeak. After drying or being home for a while, the squeak disappeared.

As for your kitn being heavy... all Leicas are heavy. To me, the silver lens I have doesn't weigh any more than any of the black lenses I have too. In other words, it's going to be heavy, silver or black. The difference between them is, to me at least, negligible.

It won't break your back, though... but can't say anything about your bank account. Welcome to rangefinder photography! 🙂

 

[borismach]

Welcome equalizer,

Don't worry too much. Try it out yourself. You will find how amazing it is. Leica camera and lens just balance well. I had the same worry when I bought the 50 lux for my M6 classic. I'm now very happy with the well-balanced combo.

Enjoy your new camera and lens, and happy shooting.

Cheerz,
🙂 bm

 

[.JL.]

Welcome equalizer,

My main body is a M6 TTL. I have used the camera under rain and blizzard without a problem. In extreme cold temperature, I think the camera will still operate for several hours, if not days, after I freeze to death. Stress-testing a Leica is fun, but I always end up stress-testing my own physical limits.

I wouldn't use the camera in heavy rain without a rain jacket though; the water will get to the electronics.

Your setup won't be a 'heavy' one since the 50 summicron is a compact lens to begin with; so don't worry about it. Do chrome lenses have better build-quality? I don't know, but they sure look nice.

 

[peter_n]

The silver chrome lenses are heavier because they have brass barrels and rings. They do feel different (the silver chrome focusing ring in particular seems a little more heavily damped). There should be no difference in the build quality of a modern silver chrome or black lens.

 

[emraphoto]

the m6ttl

the m6ttl

i personally have shot in pouring rain, very, very hot and humid, well below freezing (like -35F) and no problems (with an m6ttl). the meter get's a little "wonky" in the real cold (like -35F) after a half hour or so but by then all the metering is pretty much committed to memory. the other thing to worry about in the REAL cold is that the film get's a wee bit (understatement) brittle.
i have used it in 45F and works like a charm.
pouring rain for two hours... no problemo!
that's pretty much why i'm completely commited to the m's... oh! and the glass... well you know that already.