With near 'mint' M6's currently so cheap .. what are the pros and cons of the camera?

[Keith]

i like my m6s, i use them with a 1.25x leica magnifier and can use the 50 and 35 framelines with ease. the rf patch is not as contrasty and flares easier than the m3. the led meter display is quite intuitive and is pretty accurate for even slides.

maybe you can try limiting urself to the m3 and a 50mm for a month and see how that goes? maybe rfs aren't suited to ur photographic style? i was in a similar situation and ended up selling all my film slr and mf gear cause they don't fit my style.

It's funny ... I've been carrying my M2 with a 50mm Hex and a 35mm Hex in the Domke bag around for a week now ... and have yet to take a shot with it!

But I did manage to put a roll of Neopan through the OM-2 this morning! 😱

Perhaps I've just been taken over by the 'evil' force! 😛

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

I have the M2, M6 (and the M8). At one point I had the M3, but grudgingly let it go because of its 0.9x (or whatever it is) viewfinder; it screwed up how I visualized via the viewfinder, compared to the other Leica Ms. Other than that, the M3 is wonderful.

My M6 is a "classic" with a 0.75x (or whatever it is) "glare-free" viewfinder. I love using it. I love the M2, but I need to be in the mood and must be in the mindset to use it. So it's become mostly my "Diafine" camera.

With the M6 and M2 I can use my 90mm (Elmarit and Summicron) without a single issue; I occasionally use my Canon 135 f/3.5 on the M6, and when I do so, I do it without a single issue. But that's just me. I like to shoot wide open, as opposed to, apparently, most here on RFF who like to stop down considerably (and hence rangefinder hairline-dead-on accuracy is not a big deal), so perhaps that's why I don't have an issue using 50mm and longer focal lengths with them.

I'll only say that, if you are not comfortable with your equipment, your equipment is worthless, no matter how expensive or how cheap. Sure, most people would blame the equipment. Which I don't understand, because I don't think I've ever heard anybody complain that their apple pie didn't taste like grandma's meat loaf; but a lot complain that a Leica M isn't like their SLR. :angel:

 

[adrianzg]

😵

send ur om's in for a service! that way u'll have no choice but to use a rf.

 

[kermaier]

Keith, if your eyesight is no longer quite up to the job of focusing an OM, I have a disheartening suggestion (at least for folks like me who love the feel of classic all-metal cameras): Get an autofocus SLR! You can pick up film and digital bodies for the same lens system these day as well. E.g, Canon EOS 1v/5D or Nikon F6/D700. Then you're well outfitted for most of your photography, and you can keep the M8 and an M6 (TTL, I think, to match the M8's controls better) for the cases when you really want a manual focus RF. Dump all the rest of your RF bodies - they're an embarrassment of riches and an obstacle to simplicity.
My $0.02.
Ari

 

[sanmich]

Keith,

The M6 is a brilliant camera.
That being said:
If you really sell all your RF bodies, I think you can get an MP which is, fo rmy taste, even better (but this is highly personal).
If the only reason you don't reach for the Ikon is the VF problem, I would try to get an M7 with MP finder.

That's for the short answer.
Now... have you considered that, maybe, RF is not so much your thing?

Over the years I tried AF Nikons, nikon F, and settled on F3's
Then tried 6x6, 6x4.5, 4x5, nothing worked for me.

then I tried an M4 and that was it. My F3 is collecting dust, I am cursed by the RF spell. Seriously, even if I LOVE my F3hp, I know I need to sell it, because it's not "me" anymore.
You may be blessed: the SLR gear is durt cheap these days. you could just live with any OM camera you want, or buy the exotic OM3 without worrying about its price if you sell all that expensive RF gear.

Please consider the following:
IF you can live with the 35mm FL in your "low light" difficult focusing situation, I would say, get an Hexar AF.
It is a brilliant camera with a lens that will easily compete with a summicron.
The AF and AE does wonders in low light, and it's so silent that it makes my leicas sounds like shotguns.
This could be the perfect tool for these occasions, and you could live happilly ever after with the OM gear that suits you so much...

Good luck

Michael

 

[ferider]

I recommend a classic M6 with MP finder and newer meter (upgrade runs around US 300). It doesn't get better than this for an actual user. But, unless you need the cash, I would keep the M3 too. Like you said the R4 has no peer. The M3 even less so.

 

[Frank Petronio]

I'm sort of looking for another M6. The M2 I had was smoother mechanically and the finder was simpler, but I have to confess that the meter is awfully nice and even though the M6 has a simple one, it seems to work really well.

I like the 0.72 Classic for 35-40mm and the finder never bothered me. The only dream mod I'd like is to get the extra frame lines removed (keep 28-35-50).

 

[jjovin]

Hi Keith,
I used to shoot exclusively with Contax SLRs. At one point I had 4 cameras and 9 lenses (from 21mm to 500mm). Looking back I can definitely say now I had too much gear to choose from. This may be the case with you, you may have too many choices. I my case, I sold just about everything (I left an S2b and a 50/1.4 for sentimental reasons which I do not use anymore) and got an Ikon with 35/2, 50/1.5, 90/2.8. I was lucky enough to have an M6 and an Ikon at the same time for several day before I decided which one of the two cameras to get. I was initially annoyed with the disappearing patch on the Ikon. But on the third day I decided that Ikon is a better camera and chose an Ikon over an M6. The path never disappears any more (it was just the matter of getting used to it) and I carry the camera with me wherever I go. From your email you seem to prefer similar focal lengths (35, 50, 90). Someone earlier suggested the box method. I would also agree with that. Try putting away everything but an Ikon and 3 of your favorite lenses for a while. I think you will get used to the patch on the Ikon and you may find out that those 3 lenses you choose will cover all of your photographic needs.
Good luck,

 

[maddoc]

After having tried all of them (and some repeatedly, M4-P, M3, M4, M6), I have settled on the M4-P and M7. The M7 is fool-proof and the easiest to use in AE mode and the M4-P with external meter is as fast and reliable as an M6 to use. Sure, TTL metering (M6, M6TTL, MP) is nice (e.g. when using a filter) but only the design of the M5 or CL is really convenient to set the shutter-speed at a given aperture with the camera at eye-level, IMHO.

 

[hans voralberg]

Cant help myself, I have to say this, Keith if you're thinking about selling the M2 let me know 😀

 

[FrankS]

Pros and cons of M6: M6 has a meter that the M2 doesn't have, the M2 viewfinder is less cluttered and has better framelines than M6.

 

[35mmdelux]

Hey Keith,

With the M6 Leica got it dead on. Its an outstanding platform to shoot from. You said 35mm lens, so you'd want to consider the .72 standard Classic. Its hard to beat the prices considering the integrated metering and usual low milage. Heck I bought another today to backup my M7.

 

[Turtle]

flare is an issue with the M6 0.85 finder, though only some of the time. The 0.72 I cannot speak for. Less refined than the MP, but still a fantastic camera that is in no way second best from a shooter perspective (finder aside). your decision is between a 0.85 and a 0.72, but if you shoot a lot of 50mm I would lean towards the higher mag. Mainly 35 and the 0.72 is superior IMHO.

 

[TWoK]

What Ikon VF problems?

 

[Keith]

What Ikon VF problems?

Easy question to answer TWok.

The Ikon viewfinder as we all know is enormous ... it also has an RF patch that is very sensitive to eye position ... a milimeter or so either way from that ideal position has a dramatic effect on the contrast of the patch. You can lose it totally in fact!

Use the camera every day as your prime shooter and it's not a problem ... your eye seems to develop an instinct of where it needs to be and the problem becomes minor!

Because I'm using a rangefinder quite rarely it affects me this way.

 

[snausages]

Keith, I have a small OM kit and an M6ttl. I favor the M6 because the focus and metering is more reliable for me in low light. And because I find it easier to load film. When I use medium format I'm indecisive which camera to grab. When I shoot 35 it's always the M6. If you have a chance to play with one for a weekend you should try it out.

 

[mojobebop]

cheaper?

cheaper?

i've been following prices on 2 sites for over a year, and they have not changed.
tamarkin:
Leica M6 TTL .72 Black #249xxxx, near Mint $1,595
Leica M6 TTL .72 Black #288xxxx, near Mint $1,549
Leica M6 TTL .85 Black #248xxxx, near Mint $1,495
Leica M6 .72 "Classic" Titanium #191xxxx, near Mint $1,695
Leica M6 .72 "Classic" with Leicavit-M Winder, Ex+ $1,695
Leica M6 .72 "Classic" Black #199xxxx, Ex $1,199
Leica M6 .72 "Classic" Black #206xxxx, near Mint $1,395

keh. m6 ex+ black/72xfinder-1,539.00
ex 1429.00
(another ex+: 1,539.00

 

[Pablito]

Pros and cons of M6: M6 has a meter that the M2 doesn't have, the M2 viewfinder is less cluttered and has better framelines than M6.

Also, M6 much easier loading and rewind, at least for me. MUCH faster. Not to mention age and probability that the older camera may need work.

 

[35mmdelux]

i've been following prices on 2 sites for over a year, and they have not changed.
tamarkin:
Leica M6 TTL .72 Black #249xxxx, near Mint $1,595
Leica M6 TTL .72 Black #288xxxx, near Mint $1,549
Leica M6 TTL .85 Black #248xxxx, near Mint $1,495
Leica M6 .72 "Classic" Titanium #191xxxx, near Mint $1,695
Leica M6 .72 "Classic" with Leicavit-M Winder, Ex+ $1,695
Leica M6 .72 "Classic" Black #199xxxx, Ex $1,199
Leica M6 .72 "Classic" Black #206xxxx, near Mint $1,395

keh. m6 ex+ black/72xfinder-1,539.00
ex 1429.00
(another ex+: 1,539.00

Funny, I snag Classics often for ~$1000-1100. [nice ones]

 

[Keith]

There's been several sub $1000.00 M6's go through the classifieds recently ... not mint admittedly but good users. That seems like exceptional value to me!