The New Leitz - Wetzlar Leica M6 (and the dreaded film scratching issue)

[Steven Lee]

Starting with the M4 it has been the same camera with an optional meter. That is the impression of a normal person getting into Leicas for the first time. The tiny minutiae differences between models become visible (and grow) only as you spend more and more time on the Leica forums After a year you begin to have a strong preference for the shape of the frame lines, on year two you join one of the crank-vs-knob camps, year three is when you realize that only a painted Leica makes sense, and - this depends on a person - somewhere between years 4 and 6 you begin to develop the unreasonable attachment to all things brass. That's when the transformation is complete and M4, M6 and MP stop being the same thing and become different cameras.

 

[mshchem]

M4 is probably the prettiest M, chrome with the Leica engravings. I love these cameras, not so much the miniature negative, but the nearly soundless shutter and the way one can blend in.

Remarkable cameras and lenses. I would rather have a couple Leicas than a sports car that rusts away. Now a nice motorcycle, nothing huge, something classic

 

[Huss]

Maybe the fact that the red dot will get you robbed at gun point is why it is cheaper. (;
No but seriously the Germans “especially leica” dont just shave $400

Marketing. In other countries it is more expensive. In England the M6 is 100 GBP more expensive than the MP.

 

[mshchem]

Marketing. In other countries it is more expensive. In England the M6 is 100 GBP more expensive than the MP.

Thanks to You, Mr Huss I got my MP through the UK connection. Due to the crazy exchange rate and tax policies I saved $1500.00 . I love my new MP. Even though it's clearly a luxury item, (I never got into fancy watches or cars), I really feel like it's money well spent.

 

[KerrKid]

Hmmmm. Would I like to have 400 rolls of Tri-X film, or a camera? You know, this is really not a hard decision!

This.

 

[mshchem]

This.

I have 400 rolls of film Cameras don't take up much space and don't require refrigeration.

 

[Huss]

Hmmmm. Would I like to have 400 rolls of Tri-X film, or a camera? You know, this is really not a hard decision!

I went for that and the camera. I mean, what was I going to do with all that film?

 

[Huss]

 

[MattKing]

I mean, what was I going to do with all that film?

I think we on Photrio have a decent idea what you would do with all that film.
At the risk of appearing to mimic, "Dude, you leave evidence!"

 

[Don_ih]

I got my MP through the UK connection

Well, you can get an MP in Canada, too. The backbenchers just sleep all the time, though.

 

[mshchem]

Well, you can get an MP in Canada, too. The backbenchers just sleep all the time, though.

View attachment 327829

Ha! Beats the US system, that's for sure and certain.

 

[mshchem]

So you got your new M6 back?

 

[KerrKid]

I have 400 rolls of film Cameras don't take up much space and don't require refrigeration.

I sure would like that space and refrigeration issue!

 

[KerrKid]

The M6 is drop dead gorgeous. I’d be proud to own one.

 

[mshchem]

I sure would like that space and refrigeration issue!

I used to work for a company that makes refrigerators, so I got them for free (engineering field test). Money well spent by the company to find out the bugs in a new design. Next time I will have to buy a new one.
At one time I had 3 refrigerators, a furnace, washer and dryer, microwave, freezer, halogen cook by light oven (this was totally crazy) I think that was it.
All in all I prefer to buy my own, and the less gizmos the more reliable

 

[KerrKid]

I used to work for a company that makes refrigerators, so I got them for free (engineering field test). Money well spent by the company to find out the bugs in a new design. Next time I will have to buy a new one.
At one time I had 3 refrigerators, a furnace, washer and dryer, microwave, freezer, halogen cook by light oven (this was totally crazy) I think that was it.
All in all I prefer to buy my own, and the less gizmos the more reliable

Like cameras. Simplicity has its rewards.

 

[Huss]

So you got your new M6 back?

Yup, checking the film as we speak to see if they fixed the scratching issue…

 

[Radost]

Yup, checking the film as we speak to see if they fixed the scratching issue…

Was it scratching film?

 

[Huss]

Was it scratching film?

Yes and it still is after they sent it back claiming they fixed it.

 

[logan2z]

Yes and it still is after they sent it back claiming they fixed it.

You're kidding

 

[mshchem]

Yes and it still is after they sent it back claiming they fixed it.

Oh no! What the heck is going on???

 

[Radost]

Oh no! What the heck is going on???

Buy a minolta. Or an old Leica.
Germany is not what it use to be.

 

[Huss]

Buy a minolta. Or an old Leica.
Germany is not what it use to be.

Already got those.

 

[Huss]

Oh no! What the heck is going on???

The way I see it, same as what is going on when they make them. Don't give a ...

 

[ph]

After Leitz turned into a fashion house they even put their label on a watch (Dior, Chanel and Leica washing-up-liquid next?) they have also given up on servicing their old reflex cameras and sold all spare parts to a reliable independent repair shop.

I presume this is necessary to survive in a business where fllogging new merchadize to naive buyers is more important than mechanical excdellence.

The robustness and longevity of the M-series and its brisk second hand market does nothing for new sales of Ms (except that people hold on to their optics and where possible use it on mirrorless cameras, so new M-glass has a market)

p.