Evening tale to kill some time: M6, M7, real findings...

[italy74]

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So, today I paid a visit to the local Leica store and that's what I found (aside the fact a guy from Milan who had his gf in Parma purchased an M6 TTL and a Summi 35 - I guess from the '70s given its s/n) for 1900 € having had the opportunity to "play" a bit with the M6 and the M7 (and the M2 as well) - Note he was there with his girlfriend which was as interested, supporting an participating as him. She said "Eventually I could get one myself" and he replied "Sure, honey, will be my pleasure if you do". No idea who's going to pay, though... The whole thing lasted almost 1h and half - I was scared local police could give me a fine for expired parking time....

 

- I realized the matter about the framelines, and remember I do wear glasses. While the 35 on the M7 (and the M6 of course) were effectively barely visible, 28 were totally useless, just because even with my thin glasses I couldn't glimpse an external area to the 35 framelines without moving my eye, it means capturing only a portion of the image itself. Thus also meant that - at least with Ms, a 28 in my case would be useless.

 

- second, just about the 28, the salesman had an Elmarit with hood and mounted on the M7. Now, probably there are bigger lenses, however even the modest 28 entered the viewfinder quite noticeably (at least it was my impression that with hood on it stole about 1/4 of the whole view). Furthermore, I couldn't really focus with it. The focus ring was too back and the tab placed awkwardly for my fingers. Very shortly I didn't like it neither the view nor the use. The M7 looked great, though, and its price is really interesting.

 

Then I played a bit with the M2 (whose framelines were better and without anything else disturbing and the patch was still there although I realized it was a camera from the early '60s (s/n 10xx...) I hadn't any lens mounted on it and the thing I was trying to accept was the different shutter sound compared to any SLR.

 

Finally, I tried the M6 TTL with the 35 summicron on top. Well, the guy had really a good luck to afford it. First, differently from the 28, both the framelines ( I know same magnification ), the lens size AND a tab better displaced for my fingers made it a real pleasure to focus. He also liked it a lot and then purchased the whole combo.

 

Then came time for diving into that kind of pleasant talk typical of such things, partly technical, partly commercial, partly historical... Not by chance we remained there so long. This was the second time I tried a summi 35 although the first time was on a Hexar RF in Modena, two or three years ago. Also then imagery achieved by a good scan was a quantum leap forward anything else I had tried so far for FILM. Despite my leaning toward the Biogon Zeiss, both the size and the positive impression are now leaning on the summi 35 side.

 

Now, as soon as funds permit, I have to keep tracked that store where it's easier to purchase (but forget to sell there, it's better, more convenient, doing it in Milan) an M6 TTL or the M7 if - just by chance - they will have there for a while again. Aside the purchase, what I really envied to the guy was his girlfriend's behaviour, SO rare in our halves when it comes to spend so much money. It was clear she was almost as involved as he did; admittedly he brainwashed her talking about M6 for months...

Also the summi is on the list, given that a wider lens would be however useless.

 

On a side note, I touched the Zeiss vs Leica topic with the salesman (which of course is interested to place the M7) and he said "Forget Zeiss because its value will drop as you get it, while a Leica is always a Leica"

The guy wanted also to get a neoprene case but we succeeded to forget about it, since he wanted it to use OUTSIDE, when of course you can't keep it on the camera when shooting as you do with - for example - a Leica or Luigi half case. The only thing that surprised me was the fact that - once loaded with Tri-X (well, I know it's heresy but just outside the shop there was a custom-built chromed and colourful Harley which could have been the beautiful beginning of many film rolls with it) he put camera and lens INTO THEIR BOXES and went out. How can he go back to Milan without using it to me is a mystery.

 

That's all folks ! Nice to have had your attention for a few minutes, I hope you're enjoying a nice summer evening as I do. See you all there later !

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[italy74]

About the 28, I realized it was an old one, with 49mm filter thread - I see the new one is pretty similar to the 35 summicron in size !

[Double Negative]

A Zeiss might be a Zeiss and "lose value" but at least it doesn't cost a fortune in the first place! Buy one used and you'll really be ahead. You could buy four ZMs for the price of a single (more upscale) Leica lens.

 

There are even some of us that prefer the Zeiss look.

[pico]

You might consider a camera with a .58 finder. I find it perfect with the 35mm pre-asph summilux and you might be more comfortable with the 28mm and .58 finder.

[italy74]

Well. actually I'm not much into the wide angle side. On Leica's I might be interested in the .72x or .85x while Zeiss has only one so ok, if I can use a 28 mm fine, otherwise I can do less. Of course prices are on the Zeiss side as well, he looked like a Leica fan, but the truth is that he's scared to have another film camera (Zeiss) which locally would be much more difficult to place once I'd (eventually) return him, while he has all the interest to place the used M7 he has already available.

[pes084k1]

Leica bodies and lenses are surely wonderful, but I believe that no serious amateur would return a new Zeiss Ikon made for shooting to get an used Leica. He/she probably will keep both for the foreseable film live (film is still the winnner with good hybrid printing or direct slide projection at 12-100 ISO).