jss273nyc
Member
Three weeks back I tried to shoot with my Bessa R3a but to no avail. I took it back to Adorama where they offered a store credit. I eagerly awaited a replacement R3a when I spied a pair of Leica M4 s. I was being slowly lured to the dark side. After a week, I stopped by Adorama to see if any R3as had arrived. No luck. The pair of Leicas were still behind the case. I loved the solidity of the M4 but was somehow drawn to the M4-2. It was in much better condition than the M4 and slightly cheaper.
I was a little worried about quality issues with the M4-2 but it felt so solid and was assured by so many people that I thought it would be a good purchase. As I was ready to seal the deal, the salesman told me that the camera was on reserve so I actually couldn't buy it. Another person was scheduled to come into the store and pick it up the next day.
My hopes dashed, I asked if there were any other Leicas available because I wasn't crazy about the condition of the M4. By chance, he said that there was one M6. After about ten minutes of searching, he came back to me with an E- Condition late production (1998, not .85) M6 in the original box complete with the Instruction Manual. It was in perfect condition. The price was $1100....I bought it paying the difference I received as store credit for the Bessa R3a.
I love it. I thought I would feel guilty about the purchase, but I don't. It is a beautifully made camera. It is more work than the Bessa R3a with AE, but I appreciate the effort. I also am glad that since I'm fairly new to RF's, I have the assurance of a light meter. Maybe someday soon, I won't need it any more.
Am I dissappointed with Voigtlander? No, I don't think so. I just happened to get an early production lemon, that's all. It led me to the Leica sooner than I had expected, but it was, I still believe, a great camera as well. I'm still using my single coated VC Nokton 40/1.4 with my Leica M6. Ironic that I'm using a lens that doesn't work with any of the six framelines provided, but it seems to work ok even though composition is a bit of a crap shoot.
Anyway, take a look at my gallery. I've posted pics I've taken with the Leica M6 and VC Nokton 40/1.4. S.C. Excuse the spotty metering...I've got a lot more learning to do.
Jim
I was a little worried about quality issues with the M4-2 but it felt so solid and was assured by so many people that I thought it would be a good purchase. As I was ready to seal the deal, the salesman told me that the camera was on reserve so I actually couldn't buy it. Another person was scheduled to come into the store and pick it up the next day.
My hopes dashed, I asked if there were any other Leicas available because I wasn't crazy about the condition of the M4. By chance, he said that there was one M6. After about ten minutes of searching, he came back to me with an E- Condition late production (1998, not .85) M6 in the original box complete with the Instruction Manual. It was in perfect condition. The price was $1100....I bought it paying the difference I received as store credit for the Bessa R3a.
I love it. I thought I would feel guilty about the purchase, but I don't. It is a beautifully made camera. It is more work than the Bessa R3a with AE, but I appreciate the effort. I also am glad that since I'm fairly new to RF's, I have the assurance of a light meter. Maybe someday soon, I won't need it any more.
Am I dissappointed with Voigtlander? No, I don't think so. I just happened to get an early production lemon, that's all. It led me to the Leica sooner than I had expected, but it was, I still believe, a great camera as well. I'm still using my single coated VC Nokton 40/1.4 with my Leica M6. Ironic that I'm using a lens that doesn't work with any of the six framelines provided, but it seems to work ok even though composition is a bit of a crap shoot.
Anyway, take a look at my gallery. I've posted pics I've taken with the Leica M6 and VC Nokton 40/1.4. S.C. Excuse the spotty metering...I've got a lot more learning to do.
Jim
