too old to care Posted May 20, 2011 Share #41 Posted May 20, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Nice shots. Hope your lens problems are not too serious. Wayne. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted May 20, 2011 Posted May 20, 2011 Hi too old to care, Take a look here How Rugged/Tough is a Leica M6 TTL?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
dwrz Posted May 20, 2011 Author Share #42 Posted May 20, 2011 I am very happy with the combination! The black's won me over, I'm glad I got a TTL, and I love the Elmar-M's size. I'm just worried right now that I can get the lens cared for. :\ I think my concern with the ERC is that it would make it not fit in my cargo pocket. Basically there are two situations for the camera: garrison and field. In garrison I don't wear a flak jacket, so the camera has to go into the cargo pocket. In the field, I'd have the flak jacket, which would require a MOLLE tactical pouch. I had one for my E-P2, but it takes a good thirty seconds to take the M6 out of it (need something just about 3/4 inch bigger). I could still keep it in the cargo pocket, but the safest place is probably the flak. A belt wouldn't really work as the flak would ride over it. When I have funds I'll definitely look into some of the options listed here, but the Leica I think is great because it is a compromise between portability and quality. Yes, a point and shoot could fit in a chest or shoulder pocket (or an E-P2 in the hand pocket). On the other hand, the Leica give me great IQ and if it can withstand Nepal I'm sure it can withstand Quantico, Ft. Drum, or Afghanistan. Also, not having to worry about lithium rechargeable batteries is a bonus. After having shot in the rain, I am now a bit more worried about the Elmar, but I'm sure the body can take it. When I got home, the inside was dry, and I didn't see any issues with condensation with the view and rangefinder. Do you have the model of the Optech? I think a "skintight" neoprene would work best for the cargo pocket. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
giordano Posted May 20, 2011 Share #43 Posted May 20, 2011 I too would like to put in a word for the Rollei 35. It's much smaller and lighter than an M, and very tough once it's in a pocket or pouch with the lens collapsed. One advantage over the XAs is that you have full control over the exposure and aren't dependent on the battery. Also it's possible to fit a lens hood and/or filter, and there's a lovely big clear viewfinder. IMHO the versions with Sonnar lens show up very well alongside Leicas; the Tessar ones match or beat any of the XA series; but avoid the Triotar versions unless you're willing to compromise IQ. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted May 20, 2011 Share #44 Posted May 20, 2011 If you want a very small, compact, and high quality film camera, have a look at the Contax T3 Zeiss 35mm Sonnar f2.8-f16 Jewel of a lens! Rangefinder Full manual override. Silver, Black(actually very dark grey), titanium Adapter for 30.5mm filters & lens hood available. Excellent condition & unused still available on eBay, etc. Easily fits into the tiny LowePro Apex 20AW pouch Very tough & reliable in my experience. It as my favourite carry-around camera for years and was with me all the time. Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
too old to care Posted May 20, 2011 Share #45 Posted May 20, 2011 This may give you an idea of the size differences of the M6 vs Rollei. With the Rollei it also came with a nicely padded and very small case. I have had mine since new in the early 80s. If you do get one make sure that all the shutter speeds work well. If they are sluggish on the low end cleaning the regulator is something most people with a small screw driver can do. Mine got sluggish a few years ago and I removed the top and applied a little clock oil. All has been well since. Took about 30 minutes. Also, there are several versions of the Rollei 35, the SE uses batteries no longer available, but I found that three, #357 batteries with a small washer in between works well as a replacement. Just wrap the batteries with a piece of paper or plastic to form a tube for them. But as said earlier, the camera works ok without them. They only power the light meter. Wayne Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/151832-how-ruggedtough-is-a-leica-m6-ttl/?do=findComment&comment=1677668'>More sharing options...
dwrz Posted May 20, 2011 Author Share #46 Posted May 20, 2011 I like it. I'll definitely have to look it up when I have some cash. I've only gotten a response from the official Leica repair service in NJ. Has anyone used them before? How much should I expect them to charge? I think I will send the lens out on Monday. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulus Posted May 20, 2011 Share #47 Posted May 20, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) I think a pouch is a good idea. Is there something like a neoprene sleeve available? As for getting down, it's something that happens pretty frequently in training. I'm not Combat Camera, and really any chance I get to photograph is a privilege extended to me by superiors. The Leica M works great because of the size (and better IQ than the m4/3), but as it has been a significant investment for me, I feel a bit more hesitant to risk damaging it. Hopefully I'll be able to take and post some shots in the future. Here's a short video I took with the m4/3, back when I was still in training at the School of Infantry: . Take a pellicase. I used it in "survival training" surroundings. Worked great! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MPerson Posted May 21, 2011 Share #48 Posted May 21, 2011 Film Ms are a lot tougher than some would have you believe. My M2 was made in 1963 and is mated with a collapsible 1959 Elmar 50/2.8. The original owner was a US photo-journalist covering Vietnam. I won it off him in Raffles Hotel, Singapore in 1969 whilst he was on R&R and we became firm friends. Since then it has been all over the world with me and survived annual artic warfare & survival training in the winters of Norway. Seen active service in Northern Ireland, Belize, Falklands and both Gulf wars. Peacekeeping in Africa and Kosovo. It has been drowned, frozen, bombed, dropped, blasted a distance of 200+ yards, covered in sand or mud, suffered desert heat and jungle humidity and it just kept going. When I retired from the service in 2006, after 40 years, I treated it to its first CLA and some refurbishment. My eldest son followed me in to the Marines and has an M6 mated with the newer version of the collapsible Elmar. The Elmar makes it more pocketable with combats. He has it wrapped in a microfire cloth and is kept in a ziplock bag with several silica gel packets inside. So far it has done several tours of Iraq and Afghanistan, winter training in Norway and jungle warfare school in the tropics. It has suffered what you would expect under those conditions and no mechanical problems in the six years he has been using it. However, the main problems he has had in the field is with batteries - sometimes you don't have time to switch off! Some useful advice here. Just make sure you have spare batteries and silica gel for field conditions and enjoy using it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbretteville Posted May 21, 2011 Share #49 Posted May 21, 2011 Thanks Andy, very useful. Cheers, Carl Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwrz Posted May 25, 2011 Author Share #50 Posted May 25, 2011 Andy, thank you for that information. It helps lay many concerns to rest. I'll definitely have to try the cloth/ziploc/silica combination. Just out of curiosity, is the training in Norway Battle Griffin/Cold Response? Marines from my unit have been there pretty often. Update: The lens is now with Gus Lazzari. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted May 25, 2011 Share #51 Posted May 25, 2011 On the point of batteries, of course the great thing with an M6 is that you don't have to worry about how much charge is left, or have you recharged the battery before taking the camera out with you. The batteries only power the light meter. If you haven't yet done so, read up on the 'Sunny 16' technique for calculating exposure, and then you won't have to worry even if you meter batteries pack up! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunny_16_rule Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwrz Posted May 26, 2011 Author Share #52 Posted May 26, 2011 I am familiar with the rule, but I haven't really experimented shooting without a light meter. Is there anything else worth reading so as to get good at it? Also, any opinions on this: http://leicarumors.com/2011/05/25/new-ms-super-triplet-perar-3-535-mark-ii-lens-now-available-for-sale.aspx/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+LeicaRumors+%28LeicaRumors.com%29 ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobYIL Posted May 26, 2011 Share #53 Posted May 26, 2011 I am familiar with the rule, but I haven't really experimented shooting without a light meter. Is there anything else worth reading so as to get good at it? Also, any opinions on this: New MS Super Triplet Perar 3.5/35 Mark II lens announced | Leica News & Rumors ? Do you have (or borrow) any digital with Manual mode allowing aperture and shutter settings? Then use it by disregarding the inherent exposure meter, shoot hundreds of pictures until you master it. This is the cheapest exercise. (If you can master it with digital than you can do better with film, for film has better latitude..) Regarding the lens, I would rather be looking for a 3.5 Summaron for a couple of hundred dollars... (Using it since decades..) Bob Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerryharwood Posted May 26, 2011 Share #54 Posted May 26, 2011 Hi, I have an M6ttl, and before that, a standard M6, and before that, a leica 3G. All had a very hard life; the first two were used in the paras. The ttl 10 tough years as an accident investigator- all conditions, sand water mud, fog pouring rain and snow. No problems. What I did do was make a padded neoprene case for them which fitted snugly. With that, I was pretty confident, despite many untoward manoevres ! So, If you want one tough camera- get it and don't worry. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MPerson Posted May 27, 2011 Share #55 Posted May 27, 2011 Andy, thank you for that information. It helps lay many concerns to rest. I'll definitely have to try the cloth/ziploc/silica combination. Just out of curiosity, is the training in Norway Battle Griffin/Cold Response? Marines from my unit have been there pretty often. David - last (obvious) point. Never pack it in a pocket on the outside of your Bergen. You know how they get thrown around! Yep, Norway training = Battle Griffin/Cold Response. Trained quite a few of your predecessors. We went every winter. I also did a 2 year stint at Camp Pendleton as part of an exchange with the amphibious boys. I was with the SBS at the time. Damn that camp is big - spent the whole time asking where places were. The only places I could remember were the main gate and the PX! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwrz Posted May 27, 2011 Author Share #56 Posted May 27, 2011 Sorry, but what's a Bergen? I've not heard that term before. As for the rest-- very cool. That is an impressive career! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted May 27, 2011 Share #57 Posted May 27, 2011 It's sort of like a huge photo backpack... Royal Marines carry small armoured vehicles in theirs Regards, Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MPerson Posted May 28, 2011 Share #58 Posted May 28, 2011 It's sort of like a huge photo backpack... Royal Marines carry small armoured vehicles in theirs Regards, Bill ..... and lots of Tri-X. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbretteville Posted June 1, 2011 Share #59 Posted June 1, 2011 Sorry, but what's a Bergen? I've not heard that term before. Bergen is a city on the west coast of Norway where it rains a lot. On average they get precipitation 240 days a year. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwrz Posted June 1, 2011 Author Share #60 Posted June 1, 2011 I was aware of that-- but not that it was also used as a name for their pack, too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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