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One for show, one for dough ?


mikeleng

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OK first post, its a long one so please bear with me .

It's took me three months, to acquire my collection of Leica film cameras and lenses, all secondhand, within that time I've bought and returned quite a few of them, and kept what I would term a perfect useful combination.

I say useful, but I wonder how many of you, have a camera for show, (hardly use it) and one for dough (slang for money) your workhorse.

Here are my two cameras and lenses, the mint M6 was bought first with the 35mm summicron, 90mm tele-elmarit and voigtlander 25mm F4 skopar. I'd got the bug, does it sound familiar, I couldn't stop looking at them, I've owned and used, within my 28 years as a professional, practically every camera make out there, they have all been a tool for work and play, but I can honestly say that none as impressed me more, to hold, to operate and just to look at, than these.

In my job I'd always had 24, 35, 50, and 85 primes, a range of lenses for every occasion. So I scouted round for one that was missing a 50mm.

It was there but he wouldn't sell it without the Leica M4, so I bought the kit thinking I could sell on the M4 and keep the 50mm summicron, to add to my collection.

I couldn't part with it, put the M6 and M4 side by side, for some reason I was always wanting to pick the M4 up and use it, not the M6, was it because I wanted to keep the M6 in its original pristine condition and put it on the shelf just to look at it and not use it. I don't know.

At long last getting back to the title of my post if you have two camera bodies do you have one for show and one for dough.

Cheers for now

Mike

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Somehow from your story I sense the bug (and hopefully the dough) ain't stopping at your two beautiful Ms. Whatever you decide now may be rendered obsolete by the imminent arrival of your future M3, M2, Barnack, etc. etc. etc. And clearly they can't all be for show!

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Mike, welcome to Leica ownership and the forum!

 

To be honest, I buy my cameras to use but try to look after them with considerate handling and storage, while not treating them primarily as objects ultimately to sell. That does not stop me taking out of my cupboard my original, rather less utilised camera, the M3 to inspire me on dull days! :)

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I used my hardware without much regard for wear and tear, but now that I'm hardly making a penny for my work I must admit being more sensitive to cosmetics. I don't cuss if a couple cameras bang together to get a ding or two, but I do notice whereas earlier I did not. But even having purchased three new Ms over the past three years, I think maybe one can be described as EX cosmetics - maybe.

 

A good start is to use one to the extreme and enjoy and see if it changes your attitude over another. Be honest with yourself. Is it not true that you can buy a new one every couple years?

 

Enjoy

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I buy all my gear to use, even the few rare/old items I own.

 

Unless you're a collector, and unless the M6 is very rare (it's not) or unboxed (it's not) then you really shouldn't be so precious about it IMHO. It's not truly mint either, as the strap is attached and there is likely to be some light marking from use, it makes it Mint- or EXC++ at best.

 

Use it and enjoy it, use is the best thing for any Leica. If you don't the chances are the shutter will go off speed and the electrics may die.

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Hi Guys

Thanks for your response, I will get out and use the M6, and possibly with all the other equipment I possess I will put the M4 up for sale, I didn't expect to have two bodies to play around with so it will have to go. Hope I can contribute to the forum in a more positive way. Cheers for now, you are a great bunch.

Mike

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Unless you need the money why sell the M4? It's in great condition, it works and you've got a lovely meter accessory too. With 2 lightweight bodies like those you can always take both out with a different lens/film combination and not worry about juggling in the field as it were.

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Hi Steve

Your right it would be the perfect set up, two camera bodies and some great Leica lenses.

I've been used to carrying just one body on my portraits and weddings, it suits my style . I try to discipline myself to one body and one lens sometimes on my personal work.

I bought and returned (meter problems) a Leica CL before the bug hit me, I found that small camera and 40mm lens was a great combination.

Thanks for your thoughts

Cheers

Mike

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