unenviable position? (M6 vs M2)

[szekiat]

I have in my possession an M6 (n/ttl, late serial) and an M2 and am forced to chose between the 2 as one will definitely not get used enough if at all. I'm just wondering which to let go. I started all my RF work with the M2 and recently got the MR meter to match. I've also heard great things about the M6, it being a dream camera since i first started photography. Are the 2 cameras equally matched in terms of noise level, viewfinder, etc. I'm slightly biased towards the M2 due to nostalgia and the simplicity of just 3 frame lines, but the M6 does have the 28mm and 75mm that i normally use on my third body the hexar RF!!! And before anyone says anything, i ain't selling the hexar ever. As much as i love my leicas, i love my hexar 100x more! The AE and motor drive has gotten me shots that i would never have gotten otherwise!
So what are the differences b/w the 2 and which should i sell?

 

[rover]

I definitely think you should enter into a detailed period of comparison. Handle both in all situations that you come across, multiple times. Mount and unmount all of your lenses over and again. After a few years of this testing, make a decision about selling one.

😀

 

[back alley]

i'm with rover.
these things just cannot be rushed.

 

[sf]

Oh, I don't know, I think I'd call that a very enviable position.

I wish I had too many Leica cameras so I had to sell one.

😀

 

[Michiel Fokkema]

Hi,

If you like your Hexar 100X more than your Leica's, sell them both and buy another Hexar.
If I had to choose between a M6 and a M2 I'd let go the M2 immediately The M6 is so much more versatile. And if you talk about fast, the M6 is much faster then a M2 with MR meter.

Cheers,

Michiel Fokkema

 

[celluloidprop]

Sell both, buy an M7. (rimshot please)

In all seriousness, I'm not one for the fetishism of old bodies. I'll take the relative convenience in loading and metering of an M6/7 or Hexar over an M2/3.

 

[aizan]

if the hexar rf is all you need for taking pictures, then the m2 will do better for fondling. but if you need a metered body for longer lenses, keep the m6.

well, that was easy. my work here is done. 😀

 

[mad_boy]

szekiat,

I've got the perfect solution.
Send me the M6 to have it temporarily parked, I'll take care of it
(making sure the grease does not get sticky by using it.).
As such you can try for a year or so if you miss it or not.
If you miss it, I'll send it back in exchange for the M2 which we wil see then for a year if you would miss that one.
If you did not miss is sell it (I'll mail it to the buyer, honestly)

Always glad to be of help

Mad_boy

 

[szekiat]

haha...nice solutions all round. In all honesty though, its probably going to be the M6 that goes. I think i can survive with the M2 and MR metering.

 

[kvanderlaag]

I dig my M2.

But then, I've never had the chance to use an M6.

In fact, I'm off to develop the first roll through the M2.

Exciting.

 

[matt fury]

Sounds like you're getting rid of the M6, which would probably me what I would do in your situation, too. The M6 is closer to the Hexar than the M2 is, if nothing else.

 

[sf]

Matt makes a good point - the M6 and Hexar are closest . . . though still miles apart, given that the Hexar as AE and motor drive.

But then the M2 is lightyears away from the Hexar.

 

[Kim Coxon]

If as you say you regularly use a 28, it might be better to keep the M6 as it has the 28 lines.

Kim

 

[Doug]

During your extanded "fondling period" you might run a few rolls of film through both the M2 and M6 to help you decide which you prefer. 🙂

 

[FrankS]

Since you have both cameras, why are you asking anyone but yourself? Who would be in a better position to decide this for you, but you? Some times I'm dense, I guess.

 

[szekiat]

frank, its a funny situation i'm in, honest! I'm in london at the moment and the M6 was bought on my behalf in a moment of GAS 2 months ago in singapore and is still there. That was also before i acquired the MR meter for the M2. Now that i have recovered, i realize that one of them must go (just look at the bank balance!!!) so i'm having a hard time deciding which to let go...