Voitlander R3M or used M6?

Zodiac said:
I don't like loading the M6, I know I'm not expert on the body, but it is a pain to load.
Click to expand...

Probably you've already tried and still disliked it, but if you haven't, you might be surprised how easy and quick M6 style loading is. It's completely different animal from infamous Barnack (screw mount) Leica's bottom loading, and newer Ms have very quick loading mechanism compared to older M3 and M2.

Bottom loading is, at least for me, a lot easier and quicker to do when you are standing or even walking around. I choose M6's bottom loading over Bessa's every single time. Just a thought.
 
Zodiac said:
I don't like loading the M6, I know I'm not expert on the body, but it is a pain to load.
Click to expand...

I was a little worried about loading the M6, coming from more typical swing-back cameras. However, in practice, it isn't difficult at all. I have no doubt that an experienced Leica shooter can load a modern M faster than I can load a Bessa Rxx or a Nikon FM2n.
 
coelacanth said:
Probably you've already tried and still disliked it, but if you haven't, you might be surprised how easy and quick M6 style loading is. It's completely different animal from infamous Barnack (screw mount) Leica's bottom loading, and newer Ms have very quick loading mechanism compared to older M3 and M2.

Bottom loading is, at least for me, a lot easier and quicker to do when you are standing or even walking around. I choose M6's bottom loading over Bessa's every single time. Just a thought.
Click to expand...

Ok, Maybe you can explain it to me - why is it easier to load a camera, where you have to actually take a part off (bottom plate), have to hold it, make sure that spool doesnt fall out, put film in, replace bottom plate (that you were holding in your teeth or third hand 😉 ) , while all you have to do with a Bessa is open a swing door, put film in, and close the door.?
I used and still use Leicas and like them for some features - LOADING cameras with film is NOT one of them.!
 
hello
I went for the (used) R3A instead of M6 because of:
1. Price
2. 1:1 viewfinder is great with all normal and short tele lenses
3. 90mm frames are actually big enough to be useable on the r3a finder.

edit: And i have an old m2 for using wider and "just to have a leica" 😀
 
Last edited:
I can't imagine it easier than back door loading either... I load a back door roll in 5 seconds... But I just saw a youtube video of Tom A. loading an M6 and he's real fast!

The 1/2000 is another thing: I shoot my ISO100 B&W film at 1/2000 f/1.4 under direct sun with yellow filter... Anyway, I think an ND filter makes it on Ms... Finally, I'm amazed at how strong I feel my new R3A: even after three previous mechanical and tough Bessas, I was expecting an electronic one would feel different... Not at all! And It woks great! And the finish is so beautiful...

Cheers,

Juan
 
OK, one negative thing i can think of about the r3a (might NOT be an issue with the mech shutter r3m) is that it eats batteries pretty fast. I dont know why, but it just consumes battery power within a few months no matter how many rolls i shoot with it.
The konica hexar af, whch has autofocus motor AND film winding, takes ages to consume a battery, and the bessa is just swoosh!
(true, the konica battery is much larger)
 
Juan Valdenebro said:
I can't imagine it easier than back door loading either... I load a back door roll in 5 seconds... But I just saw a youtube video of Tom A. loading an M6 and he's real fast!
Click to expand...

Yea. But he's using a table to put the bottom on! Some other guys use their knee to put the bottom on, out in the field...see the russian m6 loading video there...
everybody needs some makeshift support
and then there is "what to do with the film" issue when you are not loading but REloading...
and so on
so
thanks, but no thanks- loading a bottom loader is a load of trouble.
Of course with lots of practice you can get it routine and get faster-but that holds for the Bessa loading too!
 
For that price you should order them online: they're cheap when you buy lots of them... I think the last time (two years ago) I ordered 100 of them (ebay, Maxell) they cost a lot less than $1 each... I use two of them on eight different cameras I shoot constantly...

Cheers,

Juan
 
I just bought the R4A and 21mm Zeiss f/2.8. I also have an MP and 35mm, 50mm and 90mm lenses. Plan to use the 21 and 35 on the R4A since it has a nice .52x VF and I don't want to have an external VF.

My advice - you can get the R3 and R4 new for the price of a used M6. Get both!

Secondary advice - if you want one body - the M6 at .72 x is really nice. I got a 1.25x magnifier for use with the 90mm and it turns it into a .9x - (close enough of 1:1?). I put the mag on for the 90 and 5mm and take it off for the 35mm since the framelines are too hard to see with it on.

Anyway, best of luck!
 
I didn't read all the comments, so maybe this has been suggested, but you could keep your eyes open for a .85 M6 TTL (or classic). I have seen .85 Classics, even though they are rare, sell for 1300-1400 on the bay. a .85 TTL might be the same or a little less if you keep looking. I know it is not 1:1, but .85 is pretty close. You could always add a .58 or a .72 later for the wider lenses.

Jeremy
 
Juan Valdenebro said:
I think this is about building a system... One day you'll use two different bodies for wide and short tele lenses... As you have a 35, there are two options: get the camera for that lens and wider: R2 or R4, and in the future get a second body for longer, faster lenses... (This option leaves you without the 1:1, and this is what happened to me when I decided my first body...): now I have two T's and an R4M and an R3A for different lenses and films... The other option is getting the R3M now and enjoy the 1:1 finder you want, and use the 35 with the whole finder, and maybe in a near future -instead of a wider body- first get a longer portrait lens that works great on your R3M... I would take this second option, because the R3M is good for both kinds of lenses: a 35 and a 75/90, and you would feel complete with a single body...

Cheers,

Juan
Click to expand...
R3M w/ 40/1.4 and 90/3.5 sweet rig.
 
coelacanth said:
Probably you've already tried and still disliked it, but if you haven't, you might be surprised how easy and quick M6 style loading is. It's completely different animal from infamous Barnack (screw mount) Leica's bottom loading, and newer Ms have very quick loading mechanism compared to older M3 and M2.

Bottom loading is, at least for me, a lot easier and quicker to do when you are standing or even walking around. I choose M6's bottom loading over Bessa's every single time. Just a thought.
Click to expand...

I respectfully disagree. The backdoor loading is way much easier to load.

Although there is no doubt one can do bottom loading fast with lots of practice but backdoor loading is still easier and more convenient. So I would choose the bessa loading style over the M6.

But one point to note, if I use vintage Leica cameras, I prefer to take things slow and easy. Enjoy the fiddling around of levers and knobs and occasionally goofing with the loading spool and bottom plate. It is all part of the fun.
 
Hi all and Hi Zodiac (I'm new here as well)

I agree with what rdeleskie said: you have to listen to your heart, because that's where you're going to end up anyway. I'm in the same situation of getting my first rangefinder and balancing between a Bessa and an M6, and this thread made me realize that for me, the Bessa would be the choice of my head and the M6 the choice of my heart. And since I learned in the past that only the heart can really make you happy, I decided to go for the M6.

Because if I go with the Bessa and find I like the rangefinder experience, I know I will want to upgrade to a Leica anyway, and if I turn out not to like it, there's a good chance I can sell the M6 at a minimal loss if I treat it well. So next weekend I am going to check out a 1995 chrome .72 M6 in B+ condition. Yummie! 🙂

It will hurt my wallet though 😱
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

T
M2 Fixed Mirror
Replies
5
Views
545
Tabosko
T
P
Zorki 4 arrived and has shutter issues
Replies
15
Views
860
seany65
S
Bololoco
Parts for a Voigtlander Perkeo ii
Replies
3
Views
180
Bololoco
Bololoco
Dogman
Just need to vent. Our lives are now overly secure!
Replies
14
Views
640
JeffS7444
JeffS7444
A
LTM lens aperture ring/focus interplay question
Replies
6
Views
662
jc031699
J
Back
Top Bottom