The right Film SLR next to Leica M6ttl. R6 or FM2/FM3a

[B-9]

I am definitely partial to the chrome R6 Gorgeous camera.

 

[analoged]

Just to add to your temptation! A favorite combo of mine...

 

[analoged]

I find the mini soft release I'm using helps with my R6.2

 

[Fraser]

Or you could just carry a spare battery for the Eos 3, sounds like the R4 was faulty if you could feel shutter lag that much. If you want the the aperture and focus to move the same way then go Canon maybe even FD something like a new F1. Having used a lot of slrs I've never had any problems with shutter lag.
Good luck.

 

[zuiko85]

Or you could just carry a spare battery for the Eos 3, sounds like the R4 was faulty if you could feel shutter lag that much. If you want the the aperture and focus to move the same way then go Canon maybe even FD something like a new F1. Having used a lot of slrs I've never had any problems with shutter lag.
Good luck.

I believe a lot of regular 35mm SLR users, after a while, compensate, either consciously or unconsciously for the delay and brief finder blackout. After getting and using my M4-2 I came to realize that I really preferred SLR viewing and focusing. We each choose the configuration that works best for us. My 35mm platform is OM, again just a personal preference because I value small size and low weight.

 

[Beemermark]

If you want an R series mechanical Leica then it is only the R6(2). The rest have electronic shutters. Maybe the older SL series would be another option.

Get the SL /SL2. There is a reason they usually sell for more than the R6 🙄

 

[ZivcoPhoto]

Though I converted 50R Cron, 90R Elmarit and 35r very late model Elmarit with Leitax converters, I did put the original Leica mounts back on them and bought a nice Leicaflex SL
Using these lenses on NIKON film bodies and also D700 was terrific, results wise but using them was too cumbersome regarding stopping them down constantly - wound up using them wide open.b

 

[Pioneer]

I carry my LX with my M6.

Great Pentax glass to complement great Leica glass. Nice, compact lenses for both systems.

Both cameras have awesome viewfinders.

Very little shutter lag on the LX.

Both cameras are complementary. 135mm and tighter for Pentax, 90mm and wider for the Leica.

All my Nikons are much bigger then the Leica and work backwards. They are great cameras in their own right but don't play well with others. Nikons provide a VERY different shooting experience to the Leica. But the F6 does have a very quiet and very fast shutter.

If you don't like the Pentax then pick the Olympus. At least the cameras are complementary.

 

[Larry Cloetta]

Using these lenses on NIKON film bodies and also D700 was terrific, results wise but using them was too cumbersome regarding stopping them down constantly - wound up using them wide open.b

My experience exactly.
You can get a decent SL for the cost of a set of Leitax conversions, and it's just better to use.

 

[Fraser]

I carry my LX with my M6.

Great Pentax glass to complement great Leica glass. Nice, compact lenses for both systems.

Both cameras have awesome viewfinders.

Very little shutter lag on the LX.

Both cameras are complementary. 135mm and tighter for Pentax, 90mm and wider for the Leica.

All my Nikons are much bigger then the Leica and work backwards. They are great cameras in their own right but don't play well with others. Nikons provide a VERY different shooting experience to the Leica. But the F6 does have a very quiet and very fast shutter.

If you don't like the Pentax then pick the Olympus. At least the cameras are complementary.

The problem with getting into Olympus slrs is you may never go back to Leica as they are practically the same size as a rf, have amazing viewfinders and are great value.🙂

 

[Roel]

I started shooting with a Pentax Super/Program A with the 50mm 1.4 in 1986. Sold it to fund my M6ttl but always had a sweet spot. Stil have some Pentax Glass and a ME Super. Don't like the pushbuttons but have been thinking about the LX...

Since i shoot D700 and M9 for weddings i have some Nikon glass so thats why a Nikon SLR is maybe more logic but even that basic Pentax 50mm 1.7 (which i still have) is a nice lens. The LX is an option that I maybe skipped too quickly.

So would that Pentax glass keep up or match with the 50mm summicron v3 and the 35mm summicron v4?

I carry my LX with my M6.

Great Pentax glass to complement great Leica glass. Nice, compact lenses for both systems.

Both cameras have awesome viewfinders.

Very little shutter lag on the LX.

Both cameras are complementary. 135mm and tighter for Pentax, 90mm and wider for the Leica.

All my Nikons are much bigger then the Leica and work backwards. They are great cameras in their own right but don't play well with others. Nikons provide a VERY different shooting experience to the Leica. But the F6 does have a very quiet and very fast shutter.

If you don't like the Pentax then pick the Olympus. At least the cameras are complementary.

 

[Roel]

The problem with getting into Olympus slrs is you may never go back to Leica as they are practically the same size as a rf, have amazing viewfinders and are great value.🙂

I always liked the Olympus system but have no glass Olympus whatsoever so that would be another system. The viewfinder however is huge and i like the feeling of the glass. Mechanical would mean Olympus OM1 right?

Overall i lIked the idea that the FM3a was the newest Mechanical slr i could get and at least 10 to 20 years younger than most of the alternatives we are talking about.

 

[aizan]

if you’re looking for a fancy slr kit, consider a nikon with zeiss zf and voigtlander glass.

 

[narsuitus]

I am looking for mechanical SLR to use next to my Leica M film bodies.

The Nikon F2 is the manual/mechanical SLR I prefer to use next to my manual/mechanical Leica M6.


Leica M6 & Nikon F2 by Narsuitus, on Flickr

 

[Uncle Bill]

The R glass isn't really much better than Nikon glass. If I were you, I'd go with FM2 and AI-S lenses. Killer combo!

I agree Leica R glass has become silly expensive. My other suggestion if you want something really sturdy, get a F2AS, or if you can live with an electronic shutter, the F3HP. If it were my cash, I'd go with the F3 and pristine AiS glass.

 

[Archlich]

Do not get the FM3a. It will spoil you.

I have 3 now.

 

[J enea]

fm3a is, in my mind, the best and most user friendly manual focus camera they nade,

 

[splitimageview]

(a) choose the glass (b) pick the appropriate native body for that glass

Leitax conversions are useful for digital but I wouldn't bother for film. Heck, many of the bodies cost much less than a Leitax bayonet. 🙂

There are sooooo many insanely good 135 manual focus SLRs.

 

[Rob-F]

fm3a is, in my mind, the best and most user friendly manual focus camera they nade,

I do like mine. Used in manual mode, the shutter is mechanical and not battery dependent. Plus, as long as the battery is ok you can use it in aperture priority with no worries! So I think you should get another FM3a, which is also my choice for an SLR to use alongside my M6. (For a non-battery dependent Leica to use alongside an M6, my choice is an M2 and an M4-P.)

 

[BillBingham2]

....All my Nikons are much bigger then the Leica and work backwards. They are great cameras in their own right but don't play well with others. Nikons provide a VERY different shooting experience to the Leica. But the F6 does have a very quiet and very fast shutter......

......Since i shoot D700 and M9 for weddings i have some Nikon glass so thats why a Nikon SLR is maybe more logic....

+1 on the different direction issue, I solved it differently, I switched to Nikon RFs.

As it sounds like you have AF Nikkors this might not be that big a problem for you. But then you still have the apertures running the wrong way. I can't speak to shutter delay on any AF ready Nikon SLRs, never used one other than my wife's 2020 (don't go there).

B2 (;->