M6 M7 and Beginning Film Photograpy

[sanyasi]

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I am a digital photographer, but want to try my hand at film. I have purchased a number of Leica lenses for my M9 and don't see much point in buying a Canon or Nikon film camera because I have all those nice lenses already.

 

I am thinking about a used M6 or M7 as an entry point into film. At a minimum, it would be an M6 TTL. I have not ruled out going outside the Leica line and buying a lens adaptor.

 

Can someone briefly explain the differences between the M6 and M7 and any other relevant considerations?

 

Thanks

 

Jack Siegel

October 26, 2010

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[stunsworth]

The M7 has aperture priority auto exposure, and has a more accurate electronically controlled shutter. To be honest I'd expect you to be happy with either. If you are happy with manual exposure then the cheaper M6 TTL would be a good choice.

 

There's no camera that I'm aware of that can use M lenses with an adaptor. There are cheaper 'M' cameras made by Voigtlander and Zeiss (actually made by Cosina), but I'd personally pay the extra and but the Leica

[kivis]

I prefer the classic M6 not the TTL. The TTL sucks batteries. But if you need some automation then the M7 is the way to go. In my experience the M6 is more reliable in the long term and cheaper to buy.

[andybarton]

You can still buy an M7 new if you wish and if you use the M9's auto exposure option regularly, you will probably miss it if you buy an M6. Small things like the shutter dial rotating in the opposite direction can also be a pain in the neck if you use manual exposure (the M6 rotates in the opposite direction the the M9 while the M7 runs the same way).

 

I'd opt for a decent, clean M7.

[martin]

I would prefer the M7 because of the wonderful automatic function,

but you can use both manual and automatic mode,

so for a quick and dirty street photography it's a little bit faster.

Also the M7 has a quite good user interface of 3 LEDs in manual mode

and a realtime exposing-time display in the viewfinder using automatic mode.

[juergen]

Small things like the shutter dial rotating in the opposite direction can also be a pain in the neck if you use manual exposure (the M6 rotates in the opposite direction the the M9 while the M7 runs the same way).

 

This is only true for the M6. The shutter dial of the M6-TTL rotates the same way as the M7.

 

Juergen

[Xmas]

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Hi

 

An M2 is cheaper, simpler, and easy to use with 'oldy worldy' mono film or if you are nervous use the C41 mono like Ilford XP2.

 

Loading is slower but if you are a deliberate shooter you only have to do it every 36 frames.

 

The long scale mono films allow high lights and shadows to be captured in a way not possible with digital, printing the ensemble is more difficult.

 

Noel

[Tim B]

I prefer the classic M6 not the TTL. The TTL sucks batteries.

 

I love the M6ttl and it is one of my favourite 'M's. I have never found battery life to be a problem; mine last many many months, even years, so don't let this put you off if you turn out to prefer the ttl capability of the M6. Nothing against the M6 'classic' - a lovely camera too, but really, don't worry about battery life.

 

Tim

[too old to care]

I love the M6ttl and it is one of my favourite 'M's. I have never found battery life to be a problem; mine last many many months, even years, so don't let this put you off if you turn out to prefer the ttl capability of the M6. Nothing against the M6 'classic' - a lovely camera too, but really, don't worry about battery life.

 

Tim

 

I agree, I change my batteries every 6 months to be safe and I can get them in almost any drugstore. However, if they do go bad, I go back to my training from the 60s and do everything by guessing. This has only happened once or twice in 12 years using the M6.

[cheewai_m6]

i have an m6, good thing about that is it works without any batteries. and seeing how the lightmeter is buggered, i just take the batteries out and use it as is.

 

i like how the m6's shutter dial turns the proper way, and the camera itself is a little smaller when compared to m6 ttl and m7.

[hamey]

If you already have the M9, I go for the M7.

 

The M7 has a superb meter, it's AUTO mode is quite accurate but compered to my Leica R I find focusing the M system is Slower and I certainly don't want to stuff around matching dots to get the right exposure.

 

GO FOR BEST LEICA M............M7.

 

 

Ken.

 

Ps Personally I find loading film in an M camera, a pain in the backside, thats probably why M lovers Love the Digital M's even though they still need to remove the bottom plate to change cards or batteries

(so called Tradition) it's much easier then changing film, as you need to place the bottom plate in your pocket or mouth then with one hand hold the camera, then with your other hand F#*% Around with loading the film, but for all this you will love the results.

Of course most M users will not admit it like me.....Lol.

[stunsworth]

If you are using an M on a neck strap, flip it upside down and you can use both hands to load the film. I find it quicker than with a camera with a hinged back.

[bill]

I never have a problem with my baseplate. My Man acts as my loader and is always at my elbow with a freshly loaded M in order that I do not miss a shot.

 

Regards,

 

Bill

[Stealth3kpl]

Personally I find loading film in an M camera, a pain in the backside,

 

I find it's fun.

Pete

[tobey bilek]

Why do you want to try film? The image quality is at best equal to the M8 files let alone the M9.

 

If you want grain, buy photoshop. You can make sharp or soft grain, monochrome or colored, roll off the grain in highlights and shadow using the blend if option, and change the curve shape from straight line like T Max to a curve like triX and every thing in between.

 

Or just buy Nik plug in for black and white. It does all this automatically.

 

Still want to try, then the M6 non TTL is the best deal. M7 if you want auto exposure.

 

Old film Leicas are made beautifully, but are old enough to have age related maintenance issues ( read expensive) that need repair. I have spent lots of money on mine.

 

Then you get into scanning film if you do not have a darkroom. Cheap i hour scanning is not adequate. Affordable decent home scanners are gone.

 

You already have the best 35mm digital camera made. Be happy.

[bill]

Tobey, you really are getting tedious.

 

If you can't understand why someone would want to use film, if you truly cannot comprehend the difference between the process of making a film image and a digital file faffed around with in Photoshop, you have my deepest sympathy.

 

I would ask you, instead of questioning the OP's motives and judging from your tone, sanity, to leave this sort of thread in future to those who do "get it".

[juergen]

You already have the best 35mm digital camera made. Be happy.

 

When you say that you mean the best 35mm digital rangefinder camera I assume.

 

Juergen

[sanyasi]

Why do you want to try film?

 

It might be fun.

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[bill]

Jack, coming back on track, I have, or have owned M2, 4, 6, 7 and MP. Given where you are coming from, I would endorse the advice for an M7. It is the most "highly developed" of the film line and handles extremely well. You can, as has already been said, shift from auto to manual exposure with ease, giving you the best of both worlds. Ignore the nay-sayers, have some fun!

 

Regards,

 

Bill

[alun]

Jack, Either the M6TTL or the M7 will be great. Those on this forum who like the M7 tend to be strong advocates for it. I love mine (eventually) but have been less lucky and have had numerous problems with the electrics. I think I struck unlucky. My M6 on the other hand has always performed flawlessly.

 

But that said, the M7 is a beautiful camera and of course has the brass top plate, if such things interest or concern you.

 

Whichever you choose, enjoy. If I was doing it again I suspect I would probably buy a clean and well-treated M6TTL, which is what I did after I'd had the M7 for about nine months and decided I needed a back-up body.