wondering about film

[jlindstrom]

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Yeah, the lenses + possible backup was my idea as well originally. And further yet, was thinking the mp because battery only affects the metering. But that's the case with M6 also. Correct?

 

I'm quite content with my lenses atm. I have the 35/2 biogon, 50 slux pre-asph (asph on the way) and the 90/2.8 elmarit latest model.

 

The should also work great on film, so lenses wouldn't definitely be a problem.

 

Also with reg. rf kameras, I think I might want to have the .85 VF. A M6 might be a good idea. Cheaper than mp, I could send it in for CLA & mp vf upgrade and have the vf modified for 35/50/90 frames only..which would be a dream!

 

I don't really know where I pulled out the SLR idea.. maybe it was the legend of R :-)

 

First and foremost I'd like to shoot film with fully manual camera. I currently have a high quality Rollei af35 film p&s and I find I hate the lack of control though it has manual focus possibility (zone focus only) and aperture priority.

 

//Juha

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[plasticman]

when I faced a similar choice I finally went for a film RF. As others said, unless you need it for specific purposes the SLR would force you to buy further lenses. With an M2 or an M3 (as in my specific case) you can use the lenses you already have. An added bonus is that by doing so you'd always have a backup body just in case...

 

When I first tried film this is the course I took. Very sensible advice.

 

However, as time goes on, I predict you will be enticed (as I have) by the wonderfully rich diversity of film formats and camera systems. I now shoot Pen half-frames, standard 35mm, and the simply awesome medium format cameras that give a totally different look. I wish I could justify an XPan too, but for the time being I bought a build-it-yourself panoramic pinhole! The choices are endless.

[Vivaldi]

My advice is to for you to buy an M6 to complement your current system.

 

I have an M3, M6, M9, and MP.

 

The MP is pretty much an M6 with some slight differences and higher price tag. For all practical purposes, I find the M6 and MP to be the same shooting experience in using each camera.

 

I often find myself traveling with both my M9 and M6 in the same ThinkTank hip pack. The M6 usually has the 21 or 28 lens on it and the M9 usually has the 50 lux. I can switch the lenses anytime on each camera. The M6 usually has black and white Trix film in it. This set up is not too heavy to carry around on a hip pack, but I often will leave one camera in the hotel room safe and just take one of the cameras with me for an afternoon outing, depending if I am in the mood for black and white film images with the M6 or color digital images with the M9.

 

If you really want to broaden your experience for ultimate satisfaction using film, you should set up a darkroom at your home. You can do this very economically and it will give you great control in film development and printing. It will open up a whole new world of fun.

 

I find myself using the M9 when I want quick results, such as sending images to friends from a party, etc.... But for my own very personal shots where turn around time is not a factor, I always prefer the M6 with film which I develop and print myself in my darkroom. This is what gives me the most pleasure, much more so than using the M9.

[NZDavid]

It definitely makes sense to have another M body so you can share lenses. It is very easy going from M9 to any film M. I'd aim for best value, perhaps M6 or M3.

[IkarusJohn]

HI Juha,

 

I was in a very similar position to you.

 

I have a film background, and when my kit was stolen, I switched to an M9 (my first digital) and acquired a handful of M lenses. With a good selection of lenses (21-28-35-50-75), I found myself speculating about getting a film M to get more use out of the lenses, and to keep a foot in the film camp.

 

I found an MP in excellent condition locally, with a 35 Summicron ASPH, for 3,2000 Euro. Sold the Summicron for 1,900 Euro, and felt pretty pleased. But then, I considered that I wasn't using it that much and having an MP sitting on the shelf started to bother me, so I sold it for 2,400 Euro.

 

I then bought an M3 for 500 Euro, had it CLA'd in Solms, and in the end, it cost me nothing!

 

My profiteering aside, the MP was a good buy, and I probably should have kept it. But I love my M3. I've had it fully serviced, flash plugs upgraded to DIN standard, cleaned and re-covered in vulcanite, and it's fantastic. I love the big bright viewfinder (I really only use my 50 Summilux ASPH on it), and it has no battery - totally manual. Focusing is a breeze, and it's small and discrete. People comment about it a lot.

 

That hasn't stopped me from playing with the a la carte configuration tool on the Leica website (silver chrome with british racing green leather ), but that has little to do with photography ... pure porn!

 

Cheers

John

[jlindstrom]

Just to get this out of my system, thanks to all so far who have commented. I've appreciated each and every comment. This is what I love about this forum

 

But to get back to the topic, I think of the more recent models M6 ttl might make the most sense. Just because the operation of shutter speed vs. metering is the same as the M9. And the big shutter speed dial..

 

If I go older, then I think M4-p or M6 classic. As I've understood the M4-p really is M6 sans meter.

 

As to why these, the film loading is said to be a lot easier than M3 etc.

 

I think I'll look aroind for M6 & M6 TTL and see what I comeup with.

 

And yeah, the MP or M6 TTL BP millenium are both pure porn. Wish I could justify the money for those.. they'd be right up my alley. In fact, I could probably spend days just looking at them :-)

 

--Juha

[philipus]

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Hi Juha

 

I see you're in Finland. Check Meister Camera Hamburg. They have three M6TTLs in stock, including two Millennium, one of which is really =21&tx_commerce_pi1[showUid]=0&tx_commerce_pi1[pointer]=3"]comparably inexpensive (compare with the one in the Buy and Sell here, which I'm sure is also very nice btw). They also have =21&tx_commerce_pi1[showUid]=0&tx_commerce_pi1[pointer]=2"]good-priced M6s in stock (just thought I should mention it).

 

The MP in black paint is - afaik - much more expensive than the Millennium.

 

I have a Millennium myself and it is absolutely wonderful. The large shutter dial is such a joy, that it and the aperture ring turn according to the arrows in the VF makes the camera very easy to use (I guess that's how the M9 is, too).

 

The M3 film advance lever and rewind knob are important to me. I previously used an M3 and wanted these features; I never took to the M4 film advance, just doesn't feel right for me.

 

Before I had tried it, I wasn't sure about the 0,72x VF since I was used to the M3 VF, but I found 0,72x to be perfect for my needs. I've used it extensively with 135mm without any focusing problems and I see the 28mm framelines well, too.

 

The film loading is easier than on the M3. I personally didn't find the M3 much of a hassle, however being able to just pop the roll in the camera and place the leader in the take-up spool is really very user-friendly. It hasn't failed once for me.

 

So if you want these features, get the Millennium. You get the future brassing for free Otherwise, get the M6TTL and you'll still have a very nice, user-friendly photographic tool which in operation reminds of the M9 that you're used to.

 

Just my thoughts

Philip

[DaveO]

Zeiss Ikon still makes a film rangefinder that supposedly has a better viewfinder than the Leicas. It is more expensive than the Bessa, but probably better built. I believe both have the M mount.

[jlindstrom]

Dave: you're absolutely right about the M-mount on both.

 

As to other aspects, I'm starting to think that preferences to different viewfinders are highly personal. People like different magnifications and there's a whole boat load of discussions as to which is brightest etc etc..

 

I'm currently wondering mostly about budget and how much I want to invest in this.. going all out would definitely be M6 TTL Millennium. But it's a lot of money for something I'm not 100% sure about.. maybe I'm starting to make some sense in this GAS attack after all!

 

Anyway, I've added to the list of possible Leica choices a Bessa R3A/M also.

I think the Zeiss is out, but not because it's a bad camera but because it's price is pretty much equal to 2nd hand Leicas.

 

--Juha

[Austinite]

2 cameras come to mind other than a film M. The above mentioned F3 and a Minolta XE-7. I won't get into the F3 as most know it's good qualities. The Minolta is a gem that based a Leica R. Build rivals that of the Nikon. It's reasonably quiet and has the smoothest film advance I have ever experienced. I use it for one reason. The 24 2.8. It's said Leica had a hand in it's design and I wouldn't doubt that claim looking at the photos this combo produces. Anyway food for thought.