Might dump digital,...

[WarriorJazz]

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OK! I might go back to film and sell my M8. I have had a streak of bad luck with this camera and my two year warranty is almost over. In this period I had to send it back a few times and some minor things. Mostly digital problems. Digital is quick and sometimes amazing results but I need to know that my camera works when I need it.

 

So I'm looking into a new cam. I'm thinking about getting a M6. I have read a bit about the different versions but I need some extra info:

 

- What is the best viewfinder? (I shoot mostly 35mm) I see allot of 0.72x on the market...

- Which viewfinder has problems with flaring?

- What is a reasonable price for a (near) mint chrome M6?

- Does anyone know a good dealer in the Netherlands/Germany/UK?

- Or maybe a M7?

 

Thanks!

[steinzeug]

OK! I might go back to film and sell my M8. I have had a streak of bad luck with this camera and my two year warranty is almost over. In this period I had to send it back a few times and some minor things. Mostly digital problems. Digital is quick and sometimes amazing results but I need to know that my camera works when I need it.

 

I think there are a lot of us who have had a similar experience to what you describe above.

 

 

In my opinion:

 

- Which viewfinder has problems with flaring?

The M6 can flare sometimes but i feel this is completely out-weighed by all the cameras strong points.

Trustworthy, beautiful, intuiative, well constructed, light meter etc.... if it bothers you it can be fixed, its never been a issue for me.

 

- What is a reasonable price for a (near) mint chrome M6?

For a late well kept Classic, around 700-900 pounds

 

- Does anyone know a good dealer in the Netherlands/Germany/UK?

see this post: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/film-forum/163438-recommended-uk-source-s-m4-m6.html

 

- Or maybe a M7?

M7 = electronics (might as well keep the M8)

 

There is of course another issue here : FILM.

Its different ...... not better, not worse,

it's just a completely different mind set and has different qualities.

I use both, Nikon for digital + Leica for film

(for me a perfect solution)

[WarriorJazz]

Thanks for your reply and advice Steinzeug.

 

I'm really surprised about the price-range you gave. Most of the local (Netherlands) online shops I found sell mint M6's for around 1600 euro's. I see allot of cheaper ones on Ebay but I have had some problems with stuff I bought online. I can always take a gamble and buy one and send it off for a CLA...

 

I stepped away from film because I wanted quicker results so I might learn quicker. Now I miss working with the chemicals and finding some sort of artistic fingerprint.

[too old to care]

I have owned my M6 for about 13 years. It is .85 magnification which works well with me. I have no experience with other Leicas, but plenty with digital. I too returned to film recently, not for the reasons you stated, but because it gets me more involved with taking photos.

 

I turned down an offer to trade for an M7 a couple of years ago. The M6 is well proven, no electronics, and I know how to set my own exposures.

 

My suggestion is to sample the various rangefinders and pick what works best with you. If you use wider lens than a 35, consider the .72. You may want the .72 anyway, especially if you wear glasses. As far as flair, I still have not had much problem, although others have.

 

Now the real question, which M6, classic, TTL, etc? Good luck.

[steinzeug]

Thanks for your reply and advice Steinzeug.

 

I'm really surprised about the price-range you gave. Most of the local (Netherlands) online shops I found sell mint M6's for around 1600 euro's. I see allot of cheaper ones on Ebay but I have had some problems with stuff I bought online. I can always take a gamble and buy one and send it off for a CLA...

 

I stepped away from film because I wanted quicker results so I might learn quicker. Now I miss working with the chemicals and finding some sort of artistic fingerprint.

 

For some more inspiration, see :

 

Regarding prices etc.. check the thread to the UK shops above. In a shop you will pay a little more but get a guarantee which you won´t get on ebay. I was offered a mint black M6 classic from a UK shop last year (including a guarantee) for 850 pounds. I ended up buying privately from a person i trusted for 750 pounds and its been perfect. Prices might have gone up a little, but there are enough M6:a out there if you are patient. Remember, there is considerably much less that can go wrong with a M6 compared to a digital. It's a 95% mechanical affair!

[WarriorJazz]

I have owned my M6 for about 13 years. It is .85 magnification which works well with me. I have no experience with other Leicas, but plenty with digital. I too returned to film recently, not for the reasons you stated, but because it gets me more involved with taking photos.

 

I turned down an offer to trade for an M7 a couple of years ago. The M6 is well proven, no electronics, and I know how to set my own exposures.

 

My suggestion is to sample the various rangefinders and pick what works best with you. If you use wider lens than a 35, consider the .72. You may want the .72 anyway, especially if you wear glasses. As far as flair, I still have not had much problem, although others have.

 

Now the real question, which M6, classic, TTL, etc? Good luck.

 

Thanks for your advice! I know what you mean by getting involved with taking pictures.

Digital photography can do strange things to you. ;-)

 

I never use a flash (don't even know how to use one properly) so I guess I'll go and look for a Classic. Are there any other big differences?

[steinzeug]

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Thanks for your advice! I know what you mean by getting involved with taking pictures.

Digital photography can do strange things to you. ;-)

 

I never use a flash (don't even know how to use one properly) so I guess I'll go and look for a Classic. Are there any other big differences?

 

The Classic is smaller!

[WarriorJazz]

For some more inspiration, see : Storytelling Series: Daniel Milnor on Vimeo

 

 

Thanks for the link! Great video.

[AbbeyFoto]

OK! ...I have had a streak of bad luck with this camera and my two year warranty is almost over...

 

- What is the best viewfinder? (I shoot mostly 35mm) I see allot of 0.72x on the market...

- Which viewfinder has problems with flaring?

- What is a reasonable price for a (near) mint chrome M6?

- Does anyone know a good dealer in the Netherlands/Germany/UK?

- Or maybe a M7?

 

Thanks!

 

Sorry your M8 has given you headaches. My M8.2 has been fine but two M7s have been real headaches.

 

Given your questions and that you may be trading in a M8 I have to ask why not a MP? As to viewfinder given a focus on 35mm - how about a .58?

 

cHRIS

[tobey bilek]

.72 was the most common and works well with 35/50/90.

 

.58 i s better for eyeglass wearers who use wide lenses, but the image is smaller making it not so good for longer lenses.

 

.85 is close to M3 and works for 50/90/135.

 

The bigger the magnification, the the more the widest frames are put close the edge making them difficult to see. Eye glasses make it worse.

 

Late M4 P and M6 models have a cheapened VF and the is occasional flare and the RF patch disappears making focusing impossible. You can bring the vf up to modern or the original standards for money. You can focus under these rare conditions if you rotate the camera, focus, recompose.

 

How long film is viable is anybodys guess. Film sales keeps going down.

[Nikkor AIS]

Have no worry film is not going anywhere.

The great thing thing about getting a Leica film camera is the wide varity of camera's availible on the used market.

Perhaps I have been lucky but in my experience, the Leica film M have been completly and %100 reliable.

However people are catching on and I have noticed that many that have dumped there film M for the M8/M9 , have re-bought there Lecia Film M. I don't see the prices going down any time soon.

 

I have had four Leica Film and the M6 was the only one I have sold/traded. It just want for me.

it wasnt the view finder I just prefer the M3/M7/MP.

 

You said you prefered the 35 mm on your M8 so you might consider looking at the 50 mm for film.

 

Best of luck

 

Gregory

[tgray]

I'd get an M7 or an M6. Find a good M7 and you'll love it. I love mine - have had no problems with it. Do send it in for the DX upgrade. I also have an M6 - great camera, but a second fiddle to the M7.

 

If you have the cash, get an MP. Just remember that ALL of these cameras can have problems... Get one with a warrantee from a trusted store.

[LeicaStan]

Good question and good feedback about viewfinder magnification. This topic seems to come up often. There may doubtless be some difference of opinion but the 0.58 gives good results with the wider angle lenses and that was the intent. This is what Erwin Puts had to say in 2001.

 

"My testing of this body [0.58] shows a very easy to use finder, that is very clear, has excellently clear and crisp framelines and a very clean rangefinder spot. While not completely flarefree under bad conditions, it is improved when compared to the 0.72 and 0.85 versions. The new finder allows for quite relaxed viewing...If you wish to buy only one body and do not envisage the use of the redoubtable 135, and you are inclined to use primarily the wide angle lenses, buy the 0.58. If you prefer the focal lengths from 28 to 90 and have occasional need of the 135, the 0.72 may be the best choice. If you need the highest accuracy in focusing and you do use the 75 to 135 frequently, buy the 0.85)"

 

The 0.58 is also good for one wearing glasses and is better in this respect than the 0.72 as the 35 mm frame is easily seen. The 0.58 works well with the 28-35-50 Tri-Elma or the prime lenses. In practice, I've found the M4 better for a rarely used 90 and almost-never-used 135.

 

You would probably learn to be equally comfortable with the 0.58 or 0.72 with your favorite 35 mm lens.

[tobey bilek]

Kodak reports lower sales , significantly lower, for 2010. Might be the economy and temporary, but the bean counters will not a loss continue for whatever reason.

 

You can burry your head and I hate to see it because I still have a significant investment in film M and R cameras, but it a fact.

[marcusperkins]

Have no worry film is not going anywhere.

The great thing thing about getting a Leica film camera is the wide varity of camera's availible on the used market.

Perhaps I have been lucky but in my experience, the Leica film M have been completly and %100 reliable.

However people are catching on and I have noticed that many that have dumped there film M for the M8/M9 , have re-bought there Lecia Film M. I don't see the prices going down any time soon.

 

I have had four Leica Film and the M6 was the only one I have sold/traded. It just want for me.

it wasnt the view finder I just prefer the M3/M7/MP.

 

You said you prefered the 35 mm on your M8 so you might consider looking at the 50 mm for film.

 

Best of luck

 

Gregory

 

Yo Gregory, I haven't been around for a while - what have you been shooting recently. Always find your work fascinating.

[Nikkor AIS]

Fact are the enemy of truth somtimes. Kodak isnt the only one selling film.

 

And since they seem to not want to stock there film at my local store, I quit buying it from them locally.

They want 14 dollar for a Tri-X:rolleyes:

 

I have found a suitibal replacement from a company in the US that shipped fast and cheap. No duty. Life is good.

 

Repeating the mantra film is dead is getting tired.

 

It's like chicken little yapping about the sky is falling. Enough already.

 

 

 

 

 

Recent film purchase

 

Gregory

[plasticman]

Kodak reports lower sales , significantly lower, for 2010. Might be the economy and temporary, but the bean counters will not a loss continue for whatever reason.

 

You can burry your head and I hate to see it because I still have a significant investment in film M and R cameras, but it a fact.

 

Goodness me what is the MATTER with you, man?????????? Seriously. WHY ON EARTH do you feel you have to repeat this - usually MULTIPLE TIMES in EACH AND EVERY THREAD on the film forum???

 

Here is yet another person asking advice about film after using digital (just like me and many others recently), and you feel you have to repeat and repeat and repeat your 'film is dead' mantra AGAIN.

 

My ignore list grows again - so I won't have to see it - but I pity all the many, many people returning to film after a few years with digital that are gonna have to suffer your trolling on this forum for all eternity.

[Nikkor AIS]

Hey Marcus, How have you been:), thanks for the kind words about my work.

 

I have been shooting tons of stuff, Check out the Nikon cafe Lens lust section and the Fm forum Nikon manual foucs thread.

 

And of course I still working the Leica's M's on a daily bases.

Iv got a big pile of negs to scan and about 30 rolls to soup.

It nice to have them latent images just a waiting for me to bring them to life:D

 

 

I don't post much here anymore. Got tired of of stalker Bill, and moderators deleting my post:p.

 

I have got a couple of my Nikon buddies that are really getting into the Leica and it's very cool to still banging the film monkey. One of my good pals has my Leica M7 right now and havnt seen in month. If he wasnt out of town I would say he was avoiding me.

 

Iv seen a real interest in manual focus in the Nikon world and more than a couple are crossing over into the Leica M film and a couple with deep pockets also have the M9.

 

I still don't got one:rolleyes:.

 

Gregory

[marcusperkins]

You are an inspiration Gregory - you should be on the circuit as a motivational speaker for film use. I'll have a look at the other forums for your magic.

 

How do you get on with the Arista?

 

To keep things on topic: the larger the viewfinder magnification the more it is prone to flaring. But despite the M6 being more prone to flaring than the M3, MP, and later M7's, (and the M6 does occasionally flare under certain circumstances), it was never really a big problem for me, and I used it across a wide range of environments.

 

I mostly shoot with an MP now, but I was always fond of the M6 - probably because it was my first Leica, it travelled a lot with me and was super reliable.

 

And to give film a gentle lift - my assistant helps out in the fashion world and reports on continued heavy film use, and for good reason - beautiful results.

 

Edit: I just got back from looking at your pictures on the Nikon Cafe - I've always shot film on Leica's, but now I'm inspired to shoot film with the Canon - should be fun. OK, off to work now.

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[plasticman]

Hey Marcus, How have you been:), thanks for the kind words about my work.

 

I have been shooting tons of stuff, Check out the Nikon cafe Lens lust section and the Fm forum Nikon manual foucs thread.

 

Hi Gregory - I also miss your images here and when I search the Nikon café the images you post are often digital Nothing beats your Leica film images with the Noctilux - I'm sure you can find some excuse to inspire us with some images here again sometime!