andyedward Posted August 29, 2012 Share #1 Posted August 29, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) I currently have an M6 on loan whilst I wait for my MP, but was wondering how big a difference there is in rangefinder performance between the MP and M6. The M6 rangefinder patch works well 90% of the time for me, but doesn't fair well with low contrast subjects and temporarily turns red on occasion. I'm considering the purchase of a second M, but if there is little difference between MP and M6 rangefinders, I may choose the M6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 29, 2012 Posted August 29, 2012 Hi andyedward, Take a look here Differences between MP and M6 rangefinder performance?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
batmobile Posted August 29, 2012 Share #2 Posted August 29, 2012 there are lots of threads on this topic, but I have both and would say this: in 0.85 variant, it is big. I have had severe flare issues with the 0.85 M6 when shooting inside buildings in dark interiors where there is a point light source, like a window. The MP is worlds better. in 0.72, far less of an issue. pretty well not an issue, but the MP finder always seems a touch nicer, with more contrast and resultant colour richness. It does not matter tho and I shoot both very happily. the 0.72 can flare, but much less disastrously than the 0.85. I would personally not bother upgrading the 0.72, but the 0.85 will get done if it needs an CLA in the future. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
philipus Posted August 29, 2012 Share #3 Posted August 29, 2012 (edited) and temporarily turns red on occasion My 0.72x TTL "flares" as in the patch goes bright white and loses all contrast, making it impossible to focus (it goes pink if I put my finger near the relevant front window, but I suspect that is not what you mean). Usually this happens when a light source is from an oblique angle though it all depends. http://www.nemeng.com/leica/020b.shtml Of course, my M4 doesn't flare much at all and the same was the case with the M3 I had before. I will have the MP finder upgrade (the addition of a condenser lens apparently) to reduce the flare, just haven't decided where I'll have it done. Edited August 29, 2012 by philipus 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
M9reno Posted August 29, 2012 Share #4 Posted August 29, 2012 Is that the Millenium, Philipus? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
philipus Posted August 29, 2012 Share #5 Posted August 29, 2012 (edited) Yep it's the Millennium. Unfortunately Leica didn't upgrade the VF when they designed it. Edited August 29, 2012 by philipus Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
M9reno Posted August 29, 2012 Share #6 Posted August 29, 2012 Please let me know eventually how you end up going about the upgrade. I have two TTLs for the upgrade (one .85, one Millenium) and am keen to avoid Solms now, in so far as I can. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalArts 99 Posted August 29, 2012 Share #7 Posted August 29, 2012 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) fwiw, I've had the MP finder upgrade done on both my M6 bodies now (the classic but non-Wetzlar later versions) It's worthwhile, imho. Plus it's not that expensive. For me it was better than the money I would have to now spend on the MP (which I did once own when it first came out but ended up selling.) Most good techs can do it. Here in the US, there are several: DAG, Golden Touch, Stephen Choi, Gus Lazzari. I did one with Don (DAG) and one with Steve Choi. I also had the 75mm frame line masked out on one of them (makes using the 50mm more pleasant, imho.) EDIT: to answer the OP's question, I've had both the MP and the M6 (the later classic and non-Wetzlar versions.) While the MP is quite nice, in real world usage I can't say that there is any difference. Plus I really disliked the sandpaper/sharkskin covering of the MP (although that can always be changed.) The MP feels good psychologically (the 'last a lifetime' marketing thing) but there's not a whole lot of difference when making images. The prices for good later version M6 bodies is affordable and you can even get two for the price of one MP. Just my opinion, of course. Edited August 29, 2012 by CalArts 99 additional info 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalArts 99 Posted August 29, 2012 Share #8 Posted August 29, 2012 Just to add: if you (Andy) are thinking of the M6 to go along with the MP, then remember that the later M6 bodies (the TTL and Millenium) have the larger shutter speed dials. They turn in the opposite direction than the MP and the classic M6. This will drive you insane if you use both (or at the very least slow you way, way down since turning it one way will be so ingrained.) 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramosa Posted August 30, 2012 Share #9 Posted August 30, 2012 As Calarts noted, you can make up for the biggest difference by getting an MP viewfinder modification on your M6. I think they cost a bit more than $300. I just got an M6 and plan to have it done. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
menos I M6 Posted August 30, 2012 Share #10 Posted August 30, 2012 My very first Leica has been a very late M6 classic. the very only two things, that would make this camera perfect in my opinion would be the MP finder upgrade and the change from Leica's classic leatherette to the later M8.2 Vulcanite style, which I like better. The finder difference between my 0.72 M6 and 0.72 MP is immense, once you have certain bright lights shining against the camera front (for me basically in most low light situations). Once my M6 needs some other work, I will have those two things done. My first choice would be Sherry Krauter (Golden Touch) - very nice to deal with. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
philipus Posted August 30, 2012 Share #11 Posted August 30, 2012 the very only two things, that would make this camera perfect in my opinion would be the MP finder upgrade and the change from Leica's classic leatherette to the later M8.2 Vulcanite style, which I like better. I fully agree with this - I also want to have the coarser covering of the M8.2. I guess one can change that oneself. As for where to do the MP VF upgrade, I'm in a quandry. I'd prefer here in Europe to prevent having to ship the camera intercontinentally. I would be inclined to send to Solms because I want to have the rear door tuned, too (Al, why avoid Solms?). The rear door on the TTL suffers from the "Millennium door bug" - the top right corner near the hinge "gives" a little when one presses on it (even by just holding the camer). It doesn't have any effect on the photos but just doesn't feel as solid as, for instance, my M4. Perhaps these are things that Wil van Manen, Ton Scherpenburg, CRR and Taylor can fix too? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
M9reno Posted August 30, 2012 Share #12 Posted August 30, 2012 The back door issue exists on both of my TTLs. No effect on the .85, but definitely on the Millenium, until the seller had it fixed: pushing on and off the door with your thumb in the course of normal shooting affected the meter reading by one stop or so. I don't know if this was a normal consequence of the door issue combined with the lengthy period of shelf-sitting experienced by the Millenium since 2000. Anyway, meter issue solved. I would be happier to do my upgrades in the UK. Not only less expensive, but also more reliable outcomes, in my experience, as you read in my post on another thread. I will ask Malcolm Taylor next time I have a chance and see. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
koray Posted August 30, 2012 Share #13 Posted August 30, 2012 I currently have an M6 on loan whilst I wait for my MP, but was wondering how big a difference there is in rangefinder performance between the MP and M6. The M6 rangefinder patch works well 90% of the time for me, but doesn't fair well with low contrast subjects and temporarily turns red on occasion. I'm considering the purchase of a second M, but if there is little difference between MP and M6 rangefinders, I may choose the M6 ...could well be your index finger. K. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
philipus Posted August 30, 2012 Share #14 Posted August 30, 2012 ...could well be your index finger. K. Which is what I sort of said, too Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
useless generation Posted August 31, 2012 Share #15 Posted August 31, 2012 I have a M6TTL 0.72 and recently got the upgrade kit installed by you in youxin ye a month ago and I'm dissapointed with the difference. I find the rangefinder patch less contrasty than I remember and the flare is still there. The M3 finder is incredible, if only it had a 35mm frameline Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
koray Posted August 31, 2012 Share #16 Posted August 31, 2012 Which is what I sort of said, too I was too lazy to search for "finger" in the thread. K. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
philipus Posted September 1, 2012 Share #17 Posted September 1, 2012 less contrasty than I remember and the flare is still there. Really? I have only heard good things about the MP VF upgrade. Does the quality of the job depend on who does it (for instance Solms vs others)? I would personally not have thought so since the operation seems fairly straightforward (installing a condenser lens). cheers philip Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalArts 99 Posted September 1, 2012 Share #18 Posted September 1, 2012 With my upgrade the finder patch has no more flare and the contrast is excellent. I was very happy with the result. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joop van Heijgen Posted September 1, 2012 Share #19 Posted September 1, 2012 Really? I have only heard good things about the MP VF upgrade. Does the quality of the job depend on who does it (for instance Solms vs others)? I would personally not have thought so since the operation seems fairly straightforward (installing a condenser lens). cheers philip The answer: "A condenser lens was removed from the frame masking mechanism, making the framelines and RF patch slightly brighter and contrastier (compare any M6 to any well-maintained M2 or M4 and you'll notice the difference. Not dramatic, but there.)." My M4-P have indeed a more brighter and contrastier RF patch than my M4. You can solve the flare problem with you M6 by moving your camera a little bit to the right or left side on your face in order to get away the 'flare'. Mostly this is sufficient. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey62 Posted September 2, 2012 Share #20 Posted September 2, 2012 I had an M6 Classic and an MP. I sold the M6. Between the two it was the odd man out. It had nothing on the MP other than it cost less. I LOVE the MP. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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