orphaned M6TTL & Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 ASPH?

[plgplg]

I have a black M6TTL 0.72 and a Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 ASPH (11874). I love this combo. I have been shooting with it for almost 20 years. I love it. I want to keep it. The lens is spectacular. The body is a joy to use.

but

Dealing with film has finally become too much of a hassle for me. I live in a smaller city in Canada and there are simply no options in town and the options for mail-in processing & scanning turn out to be ridiculous in terms of expense and delay. Processing my own film in-house is not an option.

Anyway I was looking at the used prices for the M6TTL and the Summilux and it occurred to me that perhaps, maybe, I would come out about even if I sold them both and bought one of the new Leica Q2 fixed lens digital cameras. The fixed lens won't bother me in fact 28mm (with options to crop) sounds good to me.

Is this realistic? Coming out even in terms of $$?

On the other hand I hold that Summilux and I think, what am I crazy? Never sell this lens. Never ever.

thanks for comments/feedback/thoughts,

 

[Huss]

You can develop your film in daylight with one self contained and small unit like this

https://www.freestylephoto.biz/192897-ARS-IMAGO-LAB-BOX-135-Orange

You can scan it yourself using any digicam and macro lens. See the thread on that.

 

[Rob-F]

Or you could change the M6 for an M9 and continue shooting the Summilux.

 

[plgplg]

I’m pretty sure I would still have to put in several thousand dollars above what I would get for an M6TTL body, in order to get into a digital M body no? Even the M9? I would love to go for the 262 but again $$$$

 

[Beemermark]

Used M6 ~ $1600
Used M9 ~ $2700 with new sensor & CLA by Leitz

 

[a.noctilux]

Digital M would be a solution to continue your Leica M experience.
M9 can be bought cheaper but the sensor can be expensive to replace if (maybe one day) corroded.


M262 may be better choice if you can live with a bit fatter body.
My suggestion is to trade your M6 + Summilux 35 for M262 (or M240) plus Summarit-M 2.5/35mm as opposed to film M, 1600 or 3200 ISO can be used without inconvenience on M240 family.
(if you don't need the f/1.4 for thin dof ...)

 

[james.liam]

The Q2 doesn't sound like a bad idea.

My 2¢:
-Failed meters on the M6TTL can no longer be repaired so you'll be out of luck if/when it fails. Sell it now as film cameras are fetching a premium.
-Your 35 is the pre-FLE and noticeably focus-shifts. Nice lens but the shift issue is exacerbated on digital, which will become very apparent on an M9, M240 or M262.

 

[Stephen G]

You have 2 great options

1)
Q2 is great camera, you should easily be able to sell your m6+lux and buy a new Q2 with the cash.
Do make sure you have adequate computing power as the high resolution can take some processing power compared to a 16-24mp camera.

2)
You can also trade the M6+lux for an M240 and less expensive 35mm lens... and come out even or get cash back.
Unless you like f1.4 for purely aesthetic reasons, the ISO advantage of modern CMOS sensors versus 35mm film is astounding.
You can shoot f2.8 @ ISO 3200 on an M240 and it will look better than f1.4 on ISO 800 film ever did.

Depends on your shooting style & subjects.

I love the Q2 for travel and event photo. If I am doing anything where photo is not the primary focus, or size/weight is important, Q2 is perfect. And it's a fun camera in its own right.


Prices for reference

eBay prices
M6 TTL - $2200 - 2700
Summilux 35mm 11874 - $3000-3400
M 240 - $2300-2700

And then for retail
New Q2 - $5000

 

[kshapero]

I vote the Q2.

 

[Archiver]

Even a nice condition secondhand Q classic would be a great camera, and might be in the price bracket for a straight sell-buy situation.

 

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

I have a black M6TTL 0.72 and a Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 ASPH (11874). I love this combo. I have been shooting with it for almost 20 years. I love it. I want to keep it. The lens is spectacular. The body is a joy to use.

but

Dealing with film has finally become too much of a hassle for me. I live in a smaller city in Canada and there are simply no options in town and the options for mail-in processing & scanning turn out to be ridiculous in terms of expense and delay. Processing my own film in-house is not an option.

Anyway I was looking at the used prices for the M6TTL and the Summilux and it occurred to me that perhaps, maybe, I would come out about even if I sold them both and bought one of the new Leica Q2 fixed lens digital cameras. The fixed lens won't bother me in fact 28mm (with options to crop) sounds good to me.

Is this realistic? Coming out even in terms of $$?

On the other hand I hold that Summilux and I think, what am I crazy? Never sell this lens. Never ever.

thanks for comments/feedback/thoughts,

Is there a particular reason you can't develop and scan or print yourself? You've made it pretty clear you love the kit you already have. If that's the case don't give up so easily—find a way to make it work. If you want to badly enough, you can.

 

[ZivcoPhoto]

I would have a difficult time parting with either my M6TTL or 35mm ASPH Summilux (silver)....especially the Lux. I was fortunate to buy a Nikon Coolscan V brand new a year before they quit making them and it still works well. Please consider scanning with a DSLR as others have suggested before selling this beautiful equipment you already own.

 

[santino]

Never sell a lens you love !
IMO there is no substitution for a RF. Keep the M6 and scan the negs by yourself or get a digiM.