M6J

[lct]

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4 minutes ago, andrew01 said:

Regardless of whether you prefer the M4 stile angled rewind crank or the classic M3 knob, It’s a pity that having made a great effort to replicate the aesthetics of the M3 on the M6J they then dropped the ball for the rewind crank.

You mean raised the ball i guess  . I bought the M6J to take pics and i much prefer its M4-like crank compared to my M3 DS. YMMV. 

[Matlock]

10 minutes ago, lct said:

You mean raised the ball i guess  . I bought the M6J to take pics and i much prefer its M4-like crank compared to my M3 DS. YMMV. 

Fully agree. The original rewind may be aesthetically pleasing but it is a bind to use. It is the only fault I find with my M-A (I can put up with it on my MP3 for obvious reasons). Sadly my near mint M3 DS is now unrepairable so the problem no longer arises on that.

[lct]

12 minutes ago, Matlock said:

Sadly my near mint M3 DS is now unrepairable

Do you mean Leica don't support it anymore?

[Matlock]

2 minutes ago, lct said:

Do you mean Leica don't support it anymore?

DS M3s with shutter faults are no longer repairable it seems ( SS M3s are fine)

[lct]

Just now, Matlock said:

DS M3s with shutter faults are no longer repairable it seems ( SS M3s are fine)

Ah i did not know sorry.

[grahamc]

Thanks for all the help and info 

I’m happy with the rewind on the M6 TTL I have so guess that means M6J could be ‘good enough’ for me 🤔

This is generally a very positive thread. Not doing much at all to cure the gas .... 

I’m really leaning to the M6J despite having thought my next camera would be my previous dream camera (BP TTL).  Strangely now it’s gotten closer to choosing time (the acid test I guess) the J is edging ahead significantly on the following logic.  (Noting of course I feel extremely greatful even to have this choice):

- M6J copy I have opportunity on is cheaper than black paint TTL options I’ve seen / beeen offered recently . Also comes with lens obviously 

- I already have a TTL (I thought this would be a reason to pair with another TTL but now I’m thinking  variety is more ineteresting 

- M6J already has light battle scars and I plan to use it. For some reason I don’t mind buying a chrome camera with imperfections but if I was buying a millennium I think I’d want it perfect 

- I’ve loved my experience using the ‘dull’ TTL titan finish  because I don’t baby it (obviously still do a bit) .  I think I’d feel similar with the chrome J whereas the prettier millennium I think naturally I’d baby even though I like brassing  I think it would be a psychological thing because it’s such a prettier finish

- M6J just seems  a bit more modest to carry frequently, for my tastes at least, and I don’t think I’d give it much second thought in-use. But millennium perhaps looks a little expensive in the field (“maybe”)

- As the light meter / electronics is M6 based I would be more confident to have it as somewhat of a ‘forever camera’ versus having 2x TTL which some say will be harder to support. I don’t really buy into the “all TTL meters are going to fail and be impossible to support” but equally it may not be a great idea to have 2 very expensive TTL examples as my only cameras 

- the copy is my birth year. Realistically only 4 numbers on the serial but unlikely to come again, or when it does I may be in more sensible years and won’t want to buy it. I’m still pretty irresponsible so could get it while I feel the urge

- related point, millenniums will come up again, birth year J Probably not  

- curious to try 0.85 although have to be honest this could be an issue I’m a glasses wearer and like 35. However the lens that comes with it could live on it as I also really like 50

- considering the birth year and chrome finish, I could really see this as a camera im not tempted to baby at all since the whole logic of buying birth year would be it’s unlikely to be sold, or at least not for a long time. Battle scars wouldn’t worry me at all I don’t think considering the birth year connection  

- millenniums I’ve looked at seems to be 3x the price there were just 2 or 3 years ago which I don’t think would make for a happy buyer for me . The J will cost me similar (albeit cheaper ) price now in terms of what I pay, but is also much much closer to what the J’s were going for a few years ago.   For me personally that would make me feel like I’ve bought at a reasonably sensible price rather than paid a crazy price (never a nice feeling) 

- I had previously thought I wanted consistent light-meter / shutter-dial “directions” to my digi M and film M’s. But now that’s less of a consideration especially referring to point about future serviceability and also variety in choices when picking a camera off the shelf.    
 

It’s looking like a pretty strong case  

let’s see how long I can resist haha. One things for sure if I get it the GAS is gonna have to be held at bay for a long time.  

 

Edited August 25, 2021 by grahamc

[grahamc]

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Ridiculous justifications of GAS point #186: this camera will make a great heirloom (despite the fact I don’t have kids 😂)

[a.noctilux]

Graham, go for it...

 

or

 

later you would regret 🤢

[andrew01]

If the M6J is at a similar price to a black paint M6TTL I would snap it up before someone else on this forum does!

The ones I have seen have been about £5k.  

[andrew01]

Here is a nice one for $23k USD!!!

https://www.ebay.ie/itm/284386555051?hash=item4236c274ab:g:tboAAOSwrIpg~7rG

[andrew01]

On 8/25/2021 at 2:15 PM, Matlock said:

Fully agree. The original rewind may be aesthetically pleasing but it is a bind to use. It is the only fault I find with my M-A (I can put up with it on my MP3 for obvious reasons). Sadly my near mint M3 DS is now unrepairable so the problem no longer arises on that.

I have one of each type and I prefer the M3 style. A little bit slower for sure, but beautifully engineered. 

I also like the M3 film loading, but lets not go there:)

[grahamc]

I don't disagree guys - I think this would make a lovely purchase 

Thanks for all the feedback and encouragement it's been unanimously positive - which I'm extremely happy about .   

All set to go just being a little patient and will keep you informed 

 

Edited August 27, 2021 by grahamc

[grahamc]

Thanks to those who have advice on this one, and particularly to those who advised to buy one - things escalated pretty quickly and I took delivery of the camera today.  

I’m  smitten with it and very happy that I bought something different rather than a second TTL - I absolutely love the form factor of the M6J (being slightly smaller) and I’m sure it’s going to be a joy to use and treasure for many years. 
 

Now to bed down into these purchases I’ve made recently, and really get to know them. 

[a.noctilux]

I'm almost certain that this M6J would NOT be the last M 😉.

Graham, you DO have some margins, these M are tempting, even if selling later can be an option.

[wizard]

Am 25.8.2021 um 15:15 schrieb Matlock:

Sadly my near mint M3 DS is now unrepairable

I would be surprised if that were true.

 

Am 25.8.2021 um 15:33 schrieb Matlock:

DS M3s with shutter faults are no longer repairable it seems ( SS M3s are fine)

DS M3s could always be converted into SS M3s. So a repair of your DS M3 may involve converting it to SS, but that seems to be a much better option than using it as a mere paperweight.

 

vor 6 Stunden schrieb grahamc:

things escalated pretty quickly and I took delivery of the camera today.  

Congratulation, the M6J is a very fine camera. Enjoy!

[Matlock]

48 minutes ago, wizard said:

I would be surprised if that were true.

DS M3s could always be converted into SS M3s. So a repair of your DS M3 may involve converting it to SS, but that seems to be a much better option than using it as a mere paperweight.

 

From what I have been told it is nothing to do with the ability to convert from DS to SS but is due to the mechanics of the shutter itself as fitted to the early DS. It has been covered several times on this forum. I would be delighted if this could be disproved.

[earleygallery]

23 minutes ago, Matlock said:

From what I have been told it is nothing to do with the ability to convert from DS to SS but is due to the mechanics of the shutter itself as fitted to the early DS. It has been covered several times on this forum. I would be delighted if this could be disproved.

There's another thread (recent) where somene said they'd contacted Don (USA tech) about this and he apparently responded with some sarcastic type of comment (the poster didn't state exactly what he said) but I read it that he thought it was internet nonsence!

[wizard]

vor 57 Minuten schrieb Matlock:

From what I have been told it is nothing to do with the ability to convert from DS to SS but is due to the mechanics of the shutter itself as fitted to the early DS.

There may have been changes to the shutter mechanism, but I doubt those changes prevent even an early DS M3 shutter from being repaired. If need be, one could always replace the entire shutter mechanism. To be sure, you should ask a competent Leica repair person.

 

vor 34 Minuten schrieb earleygallery:

There's another thread (recent) where somene said they'd contacted Don (USA tech) about this and he apparently responded with some sarcastic type of comment (the poster didn't state exactly what he said) but I read it that he thought it was internet nonsence!

I tend to agree. 

[Matlock]

It would seem, according to Cameraworks UK, if the fault lies within the winding block on a DS the only way to repair it would be to obtain a new block from a donor SS, probably not a viable option. Obviously if the fault is not with the winding block then there should be no problem.

 

 

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[grahamc]

On 8/25/2021 at 7:57 AM, lct said:

The TTL version you own is a 0.72x version i guess. Compared to it, a 0.85x will feel like a different camera. 

You weren’t wrong.  I’ve taken delivery of the M6-J and am astounded by how different it feels in many ways versus the TTL.   
I’ll try not to be too gushing since there is always a rush when trying a new camera. 

But my immediate observations are that the shorter size really does make a difference, the J feels super compact and perhaps better “balanced” internally. 
I also prefer the m3 advance lever on this versus my TTL. 

The shutter button, when pressed seems also to feel different , a bit ‘snappier’ perhaps - although may be psychological since the overall experience of the camera for me is just that little bit more compact and tighter than my ttl.   Perhaps the m3 styling has an effect on that also.   

I really like the viewfinder - the 50 frame lines seem just a little easier to use with glasses than the 35s on my 0.72, but both are absolutely fine. Anything wider probably means taking my glasses off to use effectively (35 on 0.85 and 28 on 0.72) but that’s no issue at all for the way i shoot. 

Overall extremely impressed and I wonder if these perceived differences (particularly size/balance, snappier shutter button) carry across to the M6 classic versus TTL also, since of course the classic is shorter. 

In conclusion I’m hesitant to use the word but so far the TTL feels just a bit ‘sloppy’ compared to the J .  The TTL is also off for some work because the shutter curtain needs adjusting.  Will see how it all feels when back . 

Can’t really complain though   

 

Edited September 1, 2021 by grahamc