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

[Huss]

I have looked though Leica .58 viewfinder. You definitely need to get the magnifying diopter to be able to make out anything.

eh? I use a .58 and don't need that. No issues, even with 50mm lenses wide open. Perfect for 28 and 35s. What is it that you can't make out?

Think about it. If the .58 was unusable, then why would Leica make it? If you have to use a magnifier, then you would not be able to see the frame lines for the 28 and possibly 35.
The .58 is ok for 28, 35 and 50. The .72 is ok for 35, 50, 75, 90. The .85 is ok for 50 through 135.

 

[brbo]

Probably a joke. A 1.25x magnifier on 0.58 to bring it to... 0.72?

 

[Radost]

Exactly. The Konica Hexar RF has a .60 finder I think. But that is a really dodgy purchase right now. CLEs are great with 28s, but I've had two that failed and no parts available.
Voigtlader Bessas can be had with wide finders - I think the R4M/A has a .52 finder that can show 21mm frame lines. Those are about $1700.

If you are price conscious, Leica isn't the choice.

I had the HexarRF and while the shutter speed did make my shooting easier and the meter was amazing It was really bulky and heavy.
I have 2 Leica CL and 3 Minolta CLE "only 2 CLR working one got a sticky shutter now". Ideally, I am stacking on CLE because of the viewfinder and the compactness.

 

[Radost]

I have looked though Leica .58 viewfinder. You definitely need to get the magnifying diopter to be able to make out anything.

I shoot 28mm Elmarit 88% of the time and 40 sumicron 12% of the time

 

[mshchem]

Lithium cells have 10 year shelf life. Digital cameras are the King of "bring plenty of spare batteries". I am more afraid of long term serviceability with electronic shutter cameras like the M7. As long as there's spares and people that can repair that's great.

I tried to buy a Mint, and it is a Mint M7 from a very nice fellow in Japan. Like new in the box, was over $4,000.00 with tax. The electronics were screwy. The DX coder worked perfectly but A , automatic aperture priority didn't function. The dealer was so sorry, gave me full refund plus the $325.00 for DHL to fly it back to him.

Next time I try to get a M7 I will go to a shop.

I have one of these new cameras, the new M6 on order. I simply want one. I am so pleased that Leica is still alive and well!

 

[Huss]

I shoot 28mm Elmarit 88% of the time and 40 sumicron 12% of the time

The .58 MP is fantastic for that. A 28mm lens is my primary with that camera. But you missed the boat on it if you were hoping to get one on the cheap.

 

[Huss]

I had the HexarRF and while the shutter speed did make my shooting easier and the meter was amazing It was really bulky and heavy.

You do know the really bulky and heavy Konica weighs the same as a Leica M6, right?

 

[Radost]

You do know the really bulky and heavy Konica weighs the same as a Leica M6, right?

Seriously??? I taught m6 is the smallest M leica apart from CL?

 

[Radost]

The .58 MP is fantastic for that. A 28mm lens is my primary with that camera. But you missed the boat on it if you were hoping to get one on the cheap.

WIll just keep getting CLE. Plenty out there to get me through my life.

 

[Europan]

Website says handmade. What a joke, these are CNC machined like most everything today.

 

[BradS]

Website says handmade. What a joke, these are CNC machined like most everything today.

but certainly all those CNC machined parts are hand assembled.

 

[NB23]

I find the adamant rejection of battery dependent cameras kinda bizarre. You can carry 10 rolls of film and a few lenses, a spare body, a speedlight and countless other accessories but can't be bothered to carry a couple of spare button cells? really strange.

You got it wrong. Nobody is complaining about “carrying”’batteries lol.

The matter is totally something else.

 

[NB23]

I have looked though Leica .58 viewfinder. You definitely need to get the magnifying diopter to be able to make out anything.

I’m so glad I own three 0.58 Leicas. The real deal for 35mm

 

[faberryman]

I’m so glad I own three 0.58 Leicas. The real deal for 35mm

I own four...well, four of something, so I'm the best..

 

[NB23]

I own four...well, four of something, so I'm the best..

I am sure you’re the best. But are you better than my three 0.58’s?

 

[faberryman]

I am sure you’re the best. But are you better than my three 0.58’s?

You sort of sound like The Count on Sesame Street. "One little Leica, two little Leicas, three little Leicas. Bwahahaha", and then the thunder and lightning go off in the background.

 

[NB23]

You sort of sound like The Count on Sesame Street. "One little Leica, two little Leicas, three little Leicas. Bwahahaha", and then the thunder and lightning go off in the background.

What NB23 elicits in other people’s minds is none of NB23’s business.
I’m glad to awaken your grumpiness with a good dose of Sesame street. There’s still hope for you.

Things could be worse. There’s an old dentist dude from germany who seems to be mistaking me for a Tom of Finland character. Hopeless.

 

[faberryman]

What NB23 elicits in other people’s minds is none of NB23’s business.
I’m glad to awaken your grumpiness with a good dose of Sesame street. There’s still hope for you.

Things could be worse. There’s an old dentist dude from germany who seems to be mistaking me for a Tom of Finland character. Hopeless.

Whoo! Talking about yourself in the third person. I'm impressed.

And I never understood why that guy called himself Tom of Finland. Tom isn't really a Finnish name.

 

[mshchem]

.85/.58.....Weird I wonder if a .85 is just a .58 with the lenses switched

I bet as time goes by there will be different varieties. Leica is the only game in town.

 

[NB23]

Whoo! Talking about yourself in the third person. I'm impressed.

And I never understood why that guy called himself Tom of Finland. Tom isn't really a Finnish name.

American Flavourisation

 

[brbo]

-In an interview session I asked what the re-release of the M6 means for M repairs. He said it absolutely ensures production of new parts that can be used for older cameras. (He also said that when the M6 was announced internally, Leica's service center staff rejoiced because the resurgence in film has meant an increase in older bodies sent in to be brought back up to spec.)
This includes the M6 light meter. Actually, Jesko said that one of the difficulties in bringing the M6 back was sourcing similar parts for the meter's electronics. Great news for anyone with a currently-meterless M6.

Just got word back from an unofficial repair service that got official response from Wetzlar. New M6 circuit boards can’t be used for the old M6 or M6 TTLs.

Maybe that’s just Leica saying that they still don’t want to supply electronic parts to unoffical repairers… So, it’s either mothership Wetzlar (I was quoted 1.100+ EUR five years ago so I wouldn’t be surprised it was now closer to 2.000 EUR) or Leica partnered service (circuit board 250 EUR plus typically 500 EUR for mandatory CLA if you want the board replaced (all prices without VAT)).

I don’t miss the meter in my M6. In fact I only figured that my meter might be dying when I upgraded to M2 and was prepairing to sell my M6. Was a mistake to not get the circuit board replaced then at the unofficial service for 150 (part)+ 300 (CLA), but I never figured M6 would be so sought after. Might as well do it now for close to 1.000 EUR and sell my M6 when Leica adjusts their new M6 to a more sustainable price of 6.999 EUR.

 

[Radost]

I am sure Leica will move to Canada or USA and give us better prices. You need energy to manufacture.

 

[cmacd123]

I am sure Leica will move to Canada or USA and give us better prices. You need energy to manufacture.

They did have a branch in Midland Ontario, mostly to make it easier to sell to the pentagon. that business is now owned by a defense contractor. I would be cool to have a Leica marked "Made in Canada" but I can't - and never could afford one.

 

[GregY]

They did have a branch in Midland Ontario, mostly to make it easier to sell to the pentagon. that business is now owned by a defense contractor. I would be cool to have a Leica marked "Made in Canada" but I can't - and never could afford one.

And lots of Canadians are happy to own Wetzlar Leicas.....

 

[mshchem]

I have a 90mm Summicron from Midland. It is a wonderful lens, and absolutely gorgeous. Chrome alloy from the 60's - 70's.