JohnSchoie@aol.com Posted February 17, 2011 Share #1 Posted February 17, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) I sold all my Contax in order to buy the much promised digital Leica. Along came the 8 and so I waited and some kind friends bought me a Canon digital to fill the gap. Not being ungrateful but I hate it, no soul and does not get me involved. So please guys which one, there is an RPS M6 at £2750 with the 50mm Summmicron or do I buy new the M7? Well able to cope with technics after many years with Contax or do I go electronic with the 7? Would love your opinions as you all seem extremely learned? Thank you John. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 17, 2011 Posted February 17, 2011 Hi JohnSchoie@aol.com, Take a look here Back to film but which M?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Guest reiver Posted February 17, 2011 Share #2 Posted February 17, 2011 The M6 is fine and not too expensive. A good choice for the step to film. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnSchoie@aol.com Posted February 17, 2011 Author Share #3 Posted February 17, 2011 Thank you, would you go for the 35mm rather than the attached 50mm if I can persuade them to deal? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nhabedi Posted February 17, 2011 Share #4 Posted February 17, 2011 Thank you, would you go for the 35mm rather than the attached 50mm if I can persuade them to deal? That's a matter of preference, isn't it? I prefer 35mm, but I don't know about you. One thing to note is that if you're wearing glasses, the 35mm frame might be a tad too wide. At least that has been my experience. In that case you might want to look for a Leica with 0.58 magnification - that would be M6 TTL, M7, or MP. (But try it first!) A used M6 is definitely a good choice, but £2750 seems too expensive to me. This must be a collector's price because of the imprinted "RPS" which you certainly won't need for shooting. I just paid approximately £1150 for an M6 TTL 0.58 (without a lens) including a one year warranty. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnSchoie@aol.com Posted February 17, 2011 Author Share #5 Posted February 17, 2011 Again thank you for all that, I take on board what you are saying about the viewfinder and will have a test run. I also think it is expensive and am worried that a shutter not activated for fifteen years, (they say it has never had a film through), may be loath to start a working life. I am not buying it to rest in the wooden case so what else could go bust? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted February 17, 2011 Share #6 Posted February 17, 2011 Hi, Don't buy that RPS edition, waste of money if you are buying a camera to use. Also it would need a CLA after that length of time unused (i.e. another few hundred on top of the purchase price). Any M model will do. I love my M2, it's uncluttered viewfinder and smooth feel and ultra simplicity. If you want a meter built in go for the M6 (the M6TTL means it has TTL flash metering, but all M6's are TTL - confusing eh!). The M7 has an electronic shutter whereas all the others are fully mechanical. If you favour auto exposure then the M7 is the one for you. The lens choice you need to make for yourself. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnSchoie@aol.com Posted February 17, 2011 Author Share #7 Posted February 17, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Thank you James, I owe you one, you have made the decision for me. I will broaden my focus and look at what is about. Think I would favour the all mechanical approach and yes the TTL is designed to confuse eh? I have always aspired to a Leica but this aversion of mine to digital floored me but now I will go forward! Thank you again, John. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
aesop Posted February 17, 2011 Share #8 Posted February 17, 2011 ...GBP 2750.00 for an M6 + 50/2, John? Really? Way way too expensive, RPS or not. There are significant functional differences between the M6 and the M7 to warrant a test drive (incidentally, both are fantastic cameras). You will need to determine which camera suits your shooting style more - no one can do that for you. The same philosophy applies to the 35mm and 50mm lenses. Some people are 35mm people and others are 50mm people. What are you? And then there's the viewfinder, as mentioned above. I assume you are new to the M system, and based on this, I would *strongly* recommend trying out both cameras and lenses before coming to a decision. Let us know how you get on. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnSchoie@aol.com Posted February 17, 2011 Author Share #9 Posted February 17, 2011 Thanks Aesop, will do, could be several interesting visits. Yes I am new to the M system have always been a Contax man but that lost the Zeiss integrity and there we go. Will try both and try not to fall for too many lenses until I have worn whichever 6 or 7 in. Will get back to you and thank you again, the support of you guys is great for a mere ex-Contax man. Regards, John. Where do the 'Fables' come in? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
aesop Posted February 17, 2011 Share #10 Posted February 17, 2011 Thanks Aesop, will do, could be several interesting visits. Yes I am new to the M system have always been a Contax man but that lost the Zeiss integrity and there we go. Will try both and try not to fall for too many lenses until I have worn whichever 6 or 7 in. Will get back to you and thank you again, the support of you guys is great for a mere ex-Contax man. Regards, John. Where do the 'Fables' come in? ...do all necessary visits and you will be rewarded long-term, John. There is a place for instant gratification, and it is definitely not here. We love film, and it sounds like you fully recognise the value of a more measured approach towards photography, so hang on and enjoy the ride. Re: "Fables", stay tuned, and all will be revealed. Just so you know, the forum is nothing without the support (and angst) we give each other - everyone brings something to this feast, although, admittedly, some of it may clash with your palate. Your knowledge, photographic and otherwise, has found a (crowded) home. Share. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
myshkine Posted February 17, 2011 Share #11 Posted February 17, 2011 Apart from an annoying problem (not related to the camera, see an ongoing thread on this forum) I really enjoy my M6TTL, a beautiful piece of mechanics and also a work of art, in my opinion. I bought it a year ago and hesitated between M6 and M7. In the end I decided for the fully manual M6, because after years of digital point and shoot I reallyI wanted to go back to the basics. And I knew that the Auto feature of the M7 would have been too strong a temptation. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
aesop Posted February 17, 2011 Share #12 Posted February 17, 2011 ...<snip> I knew that the Auto feature of the M7 would have been too strong a temptation. ...to my mind, the auto feature on the M7 is grossly over-rated if you understand and shoot negative film only, particularly black and white. It also stunts your photographic development (cerebrally, that is). Great camera, though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnSchoie@aol.com Posted February 17, 2011 Author Share #13 Posted February 17, 2011 As a result of these conversations I am going to enjoy the seeking for the 'golden fleece' as well as the result, I already feel that I am back in my film days, there is something hugely different to the electronic miracles. I will be back to ask again. Regards and thanks, John. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kivis Posted February 18, 2011 Share #14 Posted February 18, 2011 I, for one, say go for an M2 or M3. The best of the best. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
menos I M6 Posted February 18, 2011 Share #15 Posted February 18, 2011 John, this might be more academic to a heavy shooter, but in my opinion makes a difference to people, "enjoying themselves", using simple mechanic cameras: The M7 has the modern, bigger shutter dial, which turns 360º without stop, making it more difficult, to choose a shutter speed without checking the dial. The M6 classic has the old style shutter speed dial, which stops at either end (B or 1/1000), making shutter speed settings blindly very straight forward - just turn the dial to 1/1000 and count from there … 1/500 … 1/250 … 1/125 … 1/60 … 1/50 … 1/30 …… The M7 really is made, to shoot in AE - it is simple enough, to switch over to manual exposure by a flinch. One very important difference for me is, that the finder of the M7 is better (less flare), than the finder of the M6. Also interesting is the difference in easy long time exposures, if you should happen, to use the camera on a tripod once in a while. Once, you shoot the M7 in B, it counts the seconds for you clearly visible in the finder - very convenient for tripod use. With the M6, you still have to do this by yourself. The M6 classic uses 2 cells for the meter, the M7 uses 4 cells for the meter and shutter + it wears them out quicker, if you use the camera heavy. I still run the same batteries, I put in my M6 classic fresh, when I bought it second hand, but have already used two sets of batteries in the M7 in about 1/3 the time with about the same usage of both cameras. I always carry 4 spare batteries in all of my bags - this is simple enough. I do not buy peoples arguments of mechanic vs electronic regarding robustness and battery dependency, BUT, there is one convenience with the M6, the M7 doesn't give you: if you run out of juice with either camera in the middle of shooting, you can just continue with the M6. With the M7, you either have to change batteries immediately (more fiddle, than changing film btw) or revert to shoot in the two manual speeds available (sometimes works, often a stretch, especially in low light, where 1/8 or 1/15 are frequently used). Some people comment negatively about Leica having changed the old screw in battery cap of the M6 to the new plastic bayonet type of the M7 (material, quality, bla, bla…) - I find the M7 battery cap a lot more convenient and secure enough in actual use. Shooting both cameras parallel, one can feel a slight difference in weight and size - the M6 classic feels more sleek, which I like about it. Mine also has a slightly more silky advance than the my M7 - it feels more refined/ smooth, but I guess, that is a thing between different, used camera samples, or maybe not ;-) There is a price difference between the M6 classic, M6 TTL and M7, the M6 classic being the most affordable one. As others have written, the price difference between the M6 classic and M6TTL can only be excused for people, who a) need to use TTL flash metering or/and want the modern, big endless shutter speed dial of the M6TTL/ M7, to match their digital Leica M. I consider the M6 classic the best buy for a metered Leica M. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted February 18, 2011 Share #16 Posted February 18, 2011 Not quite sure what RPS is (I'm guessing Royal Photographic Society special edition) but it does sound pricey for an M6. The first, or classic M6 plus either 35 or 50 'cron is the perfect choice for a film Leica M. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomasis7 Posted February 18, 2011 Share #17 Posted February 18, 2011 I, for one, say go for an M2 or M3. The best of the best. this.. superb VF.... and meterless makes you better photog Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBA Posted February 18, 2011 Share #18 Posted February 18, 2011 For that money, get an MP. This is going to be my standard recommendation from now on. But I also agree that using a meterless camera (and incident metering with a hand-held meter) teaches you more about light and makes you a better photographer. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beta Photography Posted February 18, 2011 Share #19 Posted February 18, 2011 For me personally it really depends on my shooting style that I wish on the day I go for a photo walk. I mean when I am relax mood like shooting still images/landscape/cityscape, so I have tendency to bring my meterless camera like an M3,M2 or M4 (I like the process of meter, focus and compose). When I wanna go for a fast street shooting photography, I think the built in meter like in M5,CL,M6, M7, MP afterwards help alot so I just need to think of focus and compose. This is based on my personal experience though :D:D Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nhabedi Posted February 18, 2011 Share #20 Posted February 18, 2011 As others have written, the price difference between the M6 classic and M6TTL can only be excused for people, who a) need to use TTL flash metering or/and want the modern, big endless shutter speed dial of the M6TTL/ M7, to match their digital Leica M. That's not true. First, the M6 TTL has the big shutter dial (which I personally find more convenient than the small one), but it's not "endless". Second, an important difference you forgot to mention is that the M6 TTL was available with 0.58 and 0.85 viewfinders while the classic M6 was not (to my knowledge). If you're looking for a used M with a non-0.72 viewfinder, the M6 TTL is very likely the cheapest one you can get. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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