Trade in for a M6?

[Wburgess]

Today, I made the fatal mistake of fondling a Leica.

I recently purchased a Bessa R2a, which is immaculate. But I just love the viewfinder and feel of the M6 (I need a build in meter so no m4's etc).

I'm also starting to think about ditching all the MF gear as I never print larger than 12x8, and the results I get at that size from 35mm are perfect for me.

I currently own a:

Bessa r2a (immaculate)
Bronica ETRSi with Metered Prism II and Rapid Winder 80mm lens (all mint)
Rolleiflex T 3.5 (needs a shutter repair)
Olympus OM2-n + 3 lenses (as new, perfect) but would rather not get rid of.

Do you think it's possible to find somewhere to trade this all in for a M6?

There is one in good user for £600 locally...

Best,

Will

 

[Frank Petronio]

I doubt you could find an even swap but you could sell your current gear individually for cash.

 

[Wburgess]

Thought that might be the case!

Time to start saving.

I feel a bit of a hypocrite stating that the bessa was as well built and as good as a M. Guess it had just been a while since I had handled one.

 

[Frank Petronio]

Sell the other gear first, keep using the Bessa until you can afford a proper M6.... the pictures will be just as good, the Leica just "feels" better in your hand!

if you want to further economize, start practicing going meter less. Guesstimate your exposures then confirm... within a short time you'll get it down and not need a meter, which opens you up to the attractive older M bodies.

 

[Steve Bellayr]

FYI: With Leica lenses I print 11x14 with excellent results; don't worry about print size.

 

[crispy12]

I would keep the Bessa for now and focus on the glass first. If you are completely happy with the lenses then start selling the gear you don't need and buy the M6 in addition to the Bessa so you can compare side by side.

Having used both, I can say that the Bessa is a functionally better camera because of 1/2000 and flareless, pristine viewfinder. It also has a film window which is very useful. It's very plasticky but even my trashed around camera still worked flawless after 2 years of abuse. The film loading may be easier for some (it was for me initially but now I'm more proficient with the M6 and can load it very fast). However I disliked the shutter sound and sold it for the M6 eventually. I still miss the 1/2000 occasionally.

In the end the Leica is really just for eye candy and he only contribution to your photography is that you'll probably take more photos just cus it looks nicer.

I'd also caution against being tempted with a non-meter Leica unless you really can tolerate living without one. I'd buy a M2, 3 or 4 but only as my second film Leica. Because you might realise that you really want the meter and spend more to buy an M6.

 

[Wburgess]

Cheers Crispy,

Now I've sat and had a good think, the gas is quickly dissipating. The bessa is a great camera and serves me perfectly.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I wish my Bessa would be still immaculate after I purchased it like new.
But this is how it started to looks like after year of use without tossing it into the bag and bumping it around the corners. I kept it always in the case if not in use.

My family FED-2, which is older that I'm is in better condition...

I sold Bessa few weeks ago, my IIf is going to be for sale once it is back to my hands, sold bunch less expensive film cameras, sold some LTM lenses and going to sell more old LTM Leitz glass.

Keeping XA for shutter priority quick snapshots.

Could afford M6 if I sell more first, but don't want to deal with electronics from Leica, in long terms...

Ordered new light meter for incident light yesterday to replace vintage Sekonic model in order to be able to deal with meterless film M, which I hope to get into my hands at some time.

It feels quite nice to see how drawer's box goes empty after few weeks of gear selling. Liberating...

 

[Frank Petronio]

While Leica electronics may never inspire ultimate confidence, if a 25-year old M6 is still working then I wouldn't be concerned over it's reliability.

Compared to a M8 the M6 is rather simple electronically.

 

[crispy12]

My Bessa looked like that too. I used a sharpie to colour over the silver bits, it looks near brand new again. Haha. Hope this helps someone.

I heard some reports that the RF tends to get dislodged easily. Never had the problem in my Bessa, but happened a lot on my Rd-1. To be honest my M240 viewfinder went off alignment twice already within one year.