Roger S
Established
I'm contemplating upgrading from an M4 to an M6. Is there anything about the old camera I'm likely to miss?
upgrading M4 to M6?
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payasam
a.k.a. Mukul Dube
It's generally held that the M4 is better built. In particular, it has no meter to go bad.
ferider
Veteran
Not really.
In practice, the biggest difference is the size of the framelines. M6 has smaller 35/50mm framelines when compared to old Ms.
Cheers,
Roland.
thomasw_
Well-known
This is a huge can of worms. First, you will be gaining an in-camera light meter which depends on a battery. That is the only functional gain in the move to a M6. But it can be very useful in certain social situations; not having to stick a meter out makes one slightly more discreet.
But there are things you lose, too.
1. the aesthetic appearance of the M4 2. the brass gears, their smooth movements 3. the selftimer
Weigh out those things to see if they matter to you.
Regards, Thomas
But there are things you lose, too.
1. the aesthetic appearance of the M4 2. the brass gears, their smooth movements 3. the selftimer
Weigh out those things to see if they matter to you.
Regards, Thomas
SolaresLarrave
My M5s need red dots!
You won't miss a thing in practical terms. Now, when it comes to camera looks, the jury is still out on it. Personally, any Leica camera looks incredibly cool to me, and I have the M3, M4-2 and M6TTL to admire, use and enjoy.
So, back to your question, you won't miss a thing, in operative terms.
So, back to your question, you won't miss a thing, in operative terms.
Roger S
Established
The self timer on my M4 has never been used so I don't think I'll miss it. The meter is the driving factor behind the change. But what was that about the looks? If I go for an M6 classic then isn't the exterior effectively the same?
fbf
Well-known
I dont' think you will miss anything. build quality is not MY primary concern when choosing a camera though I'd admit the m4 is better built than m6.
I like the m6 onboard meter a lot mainly because I don't 100% rely on any meter.
I like the m6 onboard meter a lot mainly because I don't 100% rely on any meter.
sanmich
Veteran
The frames accuracy, for me, make the M4 to M6 something I wouldn't do.
I can live with my MP 0.58 just because the 35 FL precision seems quite ok (for 50 it's awfull), and the 0.58 vision is a pleasure to use with wides (And its such a beautfull piece of gear...).
Did you consider using a leica meter MR-4?
Very handy and sometimes more useful than on-board meter, because you can set everything before bringing the camera to your eye.
I can live with my MP 0.58 just because the 35 FL precision seems quite ok (for 50 it's awfull), and the 0.58 vision is a pleasure to use with wides (And its such a beautfull piece of gear...).
Did you consider using a leica meter MR-4?
Very handy and sometimes more useful than on-board meter, because you can set everything before bringing the camera to your eye.
WoolenMammoth
Well-known
I did a similar switch a while ago. The thing I missed most was having my pictures look like what I had composed in the viewfinder. Everyone on this forum will tell you its not a big deal and perhaps for them its not, but the M6 finder is nowhere NEAR as accurate as an M4 finder. If you dont compose with things on the edge of frame you'll NEVER see it, but if you do it may drive you crazy. I still have that M6, which I cant stand and its now my beater body to take into extreme conditions. Hate that camera. And no, its not broken, its designed that way... Also worth mentioning is that the M6 meter is nothing short of detestable for me and its again one of those things where Im the only person on this forum you'll hear knock it, so weigh that one as well.
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HuubL
hunter-gatherer
Reading this I'm almost glad I lost bidding on a beautiful M6 this morning...🙂
... Hear me well, Almost, I said...😉
... Hear me well, Almost, I said...😉
aniMal
Well-known
What I missed the most going from M2 to M6 was NOT having a meter...
By that I mean that I lost the edge on assessing light - something I am trying to get back to these days with NOT using the meter but rather the preview screen as I work...
Would love to have an M4 againg though, it is regarded as the best M by many!
By that I mean that I lost the edge on assessing light - something I am trying to get back to these days with NOT using the meter but rather the preview screen as I work...
Would love to have an M4 againg though, it is regarded as the best M by many!
Bill Blackwell
Leica M Shooter
Aesthetically, the M6 has no engraving (excepting the original Wetzlar M6) and the camera covering is just a standard leatherette (the vulcanite in the M4 is much nicer).
Aesthetics aside, there are a number of differences you may or may not care about -
M4 vs M6
1. four framelines vs six (add 75 and 28)
2. self timer vs built-in meter
3. brass topcover vs zinc alloy
4. brass gears (smoother operation) vs steel
5. No motor-winder capability vs motor-winder connection
6. Flair resistant/more complicated finder vs simpler "right or replace" finder with some flair resistant optics removed (can be put back for less than $200).
I would first buy the M6 and use it for awhile before selling the M4 – you may decide with some of the posters above that you don’t like it (or you may want to keep two bodies around for a back-up).
rlouzan
Well-known
And M4 Vertical alignment is done with a flathead screwdriver🙂 vs M6 special tool😡.
chikne
Well-known
I'll buy your M4 since you're in England!
kipkeston
Well-known
The frameline issue is flatout silly. The older Ms have framelines at infinity, so at close focus you end up cropping. It's a trade off now matter how you look at it unless the framelines adjust with focus distance, which they don't. The issue is very very simple, learn your lens.
Build is another moot point, who cares?
The meter is on the other hand...handy.
Build is another moot point, who cares?
The meter is on the other hand...handy.
sliceoflight
Newbie
Some have already mentioned these, but here's my 2 (ok, maybe 3.5) cents:
- The M4 has a less-cluttered VF, with fewer framelines. I like this when I'm composing my shots. I don't miss the 28mm framelines, which are pretty hard to see on the M6 anyway (not to mention less than accurate along with the other framelines). On the M4, I just use the entire VF image when composing for 28mm.
- Unless you get the MP upgrade, the tendency for the RF patch to flare and washout on the M6 can be annoying.
- It's nice to know you have a built-in meter on the M6, especially if you want to just grab and go and not deal with a grabbing a separate meter. However, the M6 meter takes some getting used to--it's more of a large spot meter, and if you're not careful you can make erroneous readings. I find that I'm more used these days to carrying around a small handheld meter which I'm quite familiar with, and I only use it occasionally, eg under new lighting conditions, or when conditions change. The rest of the time it stays out of the way of my shooting. With my M6, I often have to second-guess the readings with every shot. And red LEDs in the VF can be distracting.
- My M4 has that nice balance of smoothness and solidness of operation, more so than my M6. The shutter release is much smoother and quieter.
There have been a few CLA'd M6s with MP VF upgrades on sale lately, so this might be the way to go if you're really set on a built-in meter (which you can always disable by removing the batteries). A little spendier than a stock user M6, but not quite as spendy as an M7 or MP.
Ming
- The M4 has a less-cluttered VF, with fewer framelines. I like this when I'm composing my shots. I don't miss the 28mm framelines, which are pretty hard to see on the M6 anyway (not to mention less than accurate along with the other framelines). On the M4, I just use the entire VF image when composing for 28mm.
- Unless you get the MP upgrade, the tendency for the RF patch to flare and washout on the M6 can be annoying.
- It's nice to know you have a built-in meter on the M6, especially if you want to just grab and go and not deal with a grabbing a separate meter. However, the M6 meter takes some getting used to--it's more of a large spot meter, and if you're not careful you can make erroneous readings. I find that I'm more used these days to carrying around a small handheld meter which I'm quite familiar with, and I only use it occasionally, eg under new lighting conditions, or when conditions change. The rest of the time it stays out of the way of my shooting. With my M6, I often have to second-guess the readings with every shot. And red LEDs in the VF can be distracting.
- My M4 has that nice balance of smoothness and solidness of operation, more so than my M6. The shutter release is much smoother and quieter.
There have been a few CLA'd M6s with MP VF upgrades on sale lately, so this might be the way to go if you're really set on a built-in meter (which you can always disable by removing the batteries). A little spendier than a stock user M6, but not quite as spendy as an M7 or MP.
Ming
kipkeston
Well-known
While you're getting the VF upgraded you can get framelines removed. like the 135 and 75.
Roger S
Established
You guys have some convincing arguments. I think I need to get my hands on an M6 and try it out before I decide. I certainly wouldn't want to lose the smoothness of the M4 that I've got used to.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Rafael
Mandlerian
I used an M6 side by side with my M4 for quite a while. They make a great pair.😀
Joop van Heijgen
Established
See also about the M4, M4-P, M 6 in 'extreme' conditions: http://rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=66594
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