New Leica M6 black

[RezaLoghme]

Dear members

Today my new M6 arrived. In black, in very good condition. A dry run gave all the correct results. Now I am taking it on a 4 day trip for a road test.

This could be the foundation of my two camera./ three lens setup.

 

[mshchem]

Great camera. Enjoy every moment

 

[RezaLoghme]

She is "it", while everything else is somehow not "it", in one way or another.

 

[loccdor]

two camera./ three lens setup.

Reminds me of an investing forum I follow. They call it the "three fund portfolio." The philosophy for both is the same: KISS (keep it simple, stupid). Enjoy the photography.

 

[RezaLoghme]

I might even toy with the idea to nix the R kit....but I wont.

 

[RezaLoghme]

I have already cleaned the body and whitened the Leica logo and engravings. This is going to be good.

 

[RezaLoghme]

It is the essence of simplicity. Yes, it has an exposure meter. But even that does not have any external controls. The camera does not have a waist level finder, no exchangeable film backs, no self timer. No bragging rights becaue it is some obscure micro brand or in any way rare. But is on point, as on point as a product can be.

Yes, some Japanese or even Sovjiet camera from the 1960s will be much more impressive at the local camera collector gettogether. This one is likely to solicit adverse reactions. So owners need to be strong. Be prepared for the "XXX is as good as yours, but cheaper", "you are only paying for the brand" and so on.

I am fine with that.

 

[cliveh]

I have never used an M6. Is it any better than an M2?

 

[250swb]

I have never used an M6. Is it any better than an M2?

Yes because it has six not two three.

 

[David R Williams]

Yes because it has six not two three.

My M4 only has 4 (2 surgically removed by DAG, so it really is an "M 4" now - well, with the exception of the MP finder), so does that align correctly?

It's soooo nice not having 135 and 75 framelines to interfere with 35 and 50, and the addition of a 28!

 

[RezaLoghme]

Ms are easy to modify by Leica if needed.

 

[mshchem]

I have never used an M6. Is it any better than an M2?

Sure easier to load (I mean faster to load) no trimming of the film leader. M2 is a magnificent camera!

 

[RezaLoghme]

Easierto load, younger, exposure meter...red dot...

 

[GregY]

Sure easier to load (I mean faster to load) no trimming of the film leader. M2 is a magnificent camera!

I have never used an M6. Is it any better than an M2?

No....not really.

 

[mshchem]

No....not really.

M2 will use Leica cassettes

 

[GregY]

M2 will use Leica cassettes

IMO unlike other major manufacturers, in the big picture no real major changes have been made in
Leica film cameras since the M3/M2.... The body size is the same, same lensmount ..... a slanted rewind, a meter, a few more framelines.
The M2 or M3 (depending on your lens of choice) is the quintessential camera.... with nothing extra.
Who needs more?
When i look back on it, I've owned every one of the rangefinders except the M7.
The M2 was my hands down favourite & though i no longer own an M2....my black paint M4 is pretty darn close!

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Dear members

Today my new M6 arrived. In black, in very good condition. A dry run gave all the correct results. Now I am taking it on a 4 day trip for a road test.

This could be the foundation of my two camera./ three lens setup.

Now you lost all excuses.

 

[mshchem]

A Leica is a thing of immense satisfaction. Just about any version of a Leica rangefinder.

I know that there are so many less expensive outfits that can do everything. Still ......

 

[logan2z]

Sure easier to load (I mean faster to load) no trimming of the film leader. M2 is a magnificent camera!

There's no need to trim the leader when loading film in an M2 (or an M3).

 

[rulnacco]

M2 will use Leica cassettes

So will my M6! My late, lamented dealer in London one time had a black chrome baseplate with the cassette operating plate, in very good condition. (I suppose it could have come from any earlier film body that came in black chrome, but it fit my M6). I traded him my standard M6 baseplate and some cash for that rare piece of kit, and have used the Leica cassettes in my M6 ever since.

 

[mshchem]

There's no need to trim the leader when loading film in an M2 (or an M3).

Absolutely correct

 

[GregY]

Absolutely correct

Not really significant if you're buying rolls and not rolling your own.....although you likely still have a pair of scissors....

 

[chuckroast]

IMO unlike other major manufacturers, in the big picture no real major changes have been made in
Leica film cameras since the M3/M2.... The body size is the same, same lensmount ..... a slanted rewind, a meter, a few more framelines.
The M2 or M3 (depending on your lens of choice) is the quintessential camera.... with nothing extra.
Who needs more?
When i look back on it, I've owned every one of the rangefinders except the M7.
The M2 was my hands down favourite & though i no longer own an M2....my black paint M4 is pretty darn close!

me too... well me M2

 

[RezaLoghme]

M2 is indeed the essence of essence (I love the removed frames around the viewfinder windows).
M4 has all framelines and easier loading,
M6 has the exposure meter, on top of everything mentioned before.

But there is a difference of decades between them and the M6 (not its reissue) seems to be the best buy, looking at all parameters. It is possible to buy a reasonably used M6 for 30% more than a good M4. At Leica Classic, they are sometimes even on same level. M2 are somewhat (but not substantially) cheaper.

Yes, older cameras do not neccessarily weaker than younger ones. Unlike cars, the lives of cameras are more difficult to track (with the exception digital cameras), and it is probably quite unusual to open a camera body to look inside before buying. So there is a valid assumption that a younger camera is in a better condition.

 

[mshchem]

M2 is indeed the essence of essence (I love the removed frames around the viewfinder windows).
M4 has all framelines and easier loading,
M6 has the exposure meter, on top of everything mentioned before.

But there is a difference of decades between them and the M6 (not its reissue) seems to be the best buy, looking at all parameters. It is possible to buy a reasonably used M6 for 30% more than a good M4. At Leica Classic, they are sometimes even on same level. M2 are somewhat (but not substantially) cheaper.

Yes, older cameras do not neccessarily weaker than younger ones. Unlike cars, the lives of cameras are more difficult to track (with the exception digital cameras), and it is probably quite unusual to open a camera body to look inside before buying. So there is a valid assumption that a younger camera is in a better condition.

Sounds like you got a great camera. Used means taking some risk, but so does new. A brand new Leica M6 or MP has things that can go wrong a bit out of warranty. When New M6 came out there were issues that took too long to fix.

Now think about the person who paid thousands for the latest digital camera 10 years ago . Yikes!

You've done well!