Interested in color slide film

[Csacwp]

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I’m very interested in getting a film camera and shooting slide film. What color reversal films are still around, and would I be better off getting an M7 or MP as far as metering goes? I’d like the camera I buy to last me for th rest of my life, and I’m concerned about the longevity of the M7.

[a.noctilux]

Fujifilm still offer Fujichrome Velvia 50/100 and Provia 100F/400X:

http://www.fujifilm.com/products/professional_films/color_reversalfilms/velvia_50/

 

Just test them one by one if one can suite you.

Other reversal films on sale, but Agfa Precisa 100 may be fine:

http://www.ag-photographic.co.uk/agfa-colour-reversal-slide-film-386-c.asp

 

MP or M7 ?

 

I'd choose M-A with external (why not Spot Meter for fun) meter, "for "life-time-M",  look : https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/236926-i-love-my-m-a/

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[TomB_tx]

Kodak also claims to be re-introducing Ektachrome at ISO100 for general sale next year, and FimFerrania still plans to make slide film, but the startup process is slow.

I would think the MP may last better than an M7. The MP is essentially a modernized M6, and the M6 has held up well. (The M6 I bought in 1985 is still doing fine.)

[a.noctilux]

For pleasure of using film M camera, my best experience is with M-A.

I do use/used other M from different periods,  M4s/M5/M6/MP/MDa/etc.

 

The M-A's viewfinder is something else, even compared to MP's.

Frames are complete "4 lines".

Brightness and contrast help in framing and composing, not only to judge focus.

 

The shutter release in "one stage" is something lost with my older M4 .

Pleasure not to have that LED in finder is something else.

And so on ...

 

If one has never use M-A, those small things may not appear.

[Csacwp]

Is there a shoe mount meter that works as accurately as the built in MP meter? I hate carrying around an external meter, hence why the MP is appealing. I didn’t know that the MA had a better finder though. By the way, I do have an M4 but want a film M with the .85 finder.

Edited November 3, 2017 by Csacwp

[mikemgb]

Is there a shoe mount meter that works as accurately as the built in MP meter? I hate carrying around an external meter, hence why the MP is appealing. I didn’t know that the MA had a better finder though. By the way, I do have an M4 but want a film M with the .85 finder.

 

This is probably what you need: https://www.adorama.com/vtvcm2.html

[Csacwp]

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Silly question, but will the black chrome M-A brass with age and wear?

 

I’ve used one of those voightlander meters before and they are slow... I’d prefer a ttl meter shown in the finder so that I only have to set the shutter speed.

[Csacwp]

Looks like you might not be able to get the M-A with a 0.85 finder.

[a.noctilux]

 

 

I don't know how M-A would brass,

till now they are like new

better than black paint (if not so appealing) in my view

 

Just compared finders:

- M4 has some "lack of contrast" because they're old now even if CLAed recently

but 50 frame is complete and only one that's nice for 50mm users

- M-A far more contrast to nail focus with confidence even with Noctilux, and 75mm "4 corners" is almost invisible.

 

As a side note:

with M-A using 75mm may not be practical, Leica had shrunk the framelines to 4-corners only.

For my Summilux-M 75mm I sometime use magnifier x1.25 or even x1.4 to "replace my MP 0.85 (that I don't have anymore)

Edited November 3, 2017 by a.noctilux

[Csacwp]

I mainly shoot 50mm, 75mm, and 90mm. I use 90mm a lot.

[a.noctilux]

Just an idea:

Why not just keep your M4 (very nice body if not the best), then use a meter like VCMeter II (or another) and some slide films to try all that.

Eventually with x1.25 or x1.4 for your 75/90 lenses.

[Csacwp]

I tried the 1.4x magnifier and found that it reduced the contrast too much.

[TomB_tx]

I agree magnifiers (or other accessory VF optics) affect the image too much for me. Even with my old eyes I prefer the .72 finder as I wear glasses full time, and use a 35 lens a lot.

I do use M2, 3, & 4 with either an MR or VCII meter a lot, but my M6 meter is a lot more convenient, and since I had the VF upgraded is as good as any M I have tried.

Go for an MP, or an M6.

[Csacwp]

I too wear glasses, +3 is my prescription. I never will use a lens wider than 50mm... should I still go with the .85 finder or would the .72 be better with glasses? I use a 90mm almost daily and also use a 75 lux.

[a.noctilux]

I too wear glasses, +3 is my prescription. I never will use a lens wider than 50mm... should I still go with the .85 finder or would the .72 be better with glasses? I use a 90mm almost daily and also use a 75 lux.

 

Which M is your daily use, now ?

Are you happy with it's viewfinder ?

[Csacwp]

I have used M240s and the M246... sold both to fund lenses and an SL. I’ve been looking for a new M since. I found the M240 finder to be fine for 50mm but very, very difficult for 75mm and 90mm.

[a.noctilux]

Well, it's time for you to find a good deal MP 0.85.

 

0.85  finder is great for 75/90mm lenses.

 

I had very goodtime for years using it's 0.85 finder with my ex MP.

Now I just regret it when I use sometimes (less than M-A ! ) my only 0.85 finder Classic M6 (finder that flare in contre-jour, but I don't want to upgrade to MP finder by now).

[Csacwp]

Yeah, I think the 0.85 MP is the way to go. I just wish I could find a black one! I don’t want to pay $5300 to get one new a la carte.

[a.noctilux]

I forgot that only silver chrome 0.85 MP was/is available as standard but not in black paint.

I don't understand why only BP 0.85 MP available only à la carte.

 

Maybe in second hand, by chance...

 

Mine: silver 0.85 MP and BP 0.72 MP.

I didn't care, I love them in silver or black chrome/BP.

They're only tools to create photos in my view.

Edited November 3, 2017 by a.noctilux

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[Csacwp]

I could buy a black 0.72 and send it in to have the finder swapped, but I’d have to wait a few months to get it back.