JBA Posted November 6, 2007 Author Share #21 Posted November 6, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Thanks. I've found all the advice very helpful. There's a Leica showroom and gallery nearby where I can check out the cameras. I was in there this past weekend and was able to handle the M7, MP, M8 and R9. One of the Ms had a 35 and the other a 28. I really had to look around inside the finder to see the lines with the 28. Ultimately, I would be shooting that wide and wider. I've just done an interesting experiment. I configured an a la carte MP priced for Japan and for the US. The Japanese base price starts out $100 more expensive (at the current exchange rate) than my finished configuration in US$. And the base price has gone up $1100 since I did the same exercise last week. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 6, 2007 Posted November 6, 2007 Hi JBA, Take a look here Which Leica?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
earleygallery Posted November 6, 2007 Share #22 Posted November 6, 2007 Welcome. May I suggest, if you're happy with SLR's to look at one of the R models. I would suggest the R6 R6.2 if you want a mechanical/manual camera (as opposed to the SL). If you want auto features then yes and R8/9 would be superb. The R lenses in particular are very good value right now. Choice of M comes down to budget, lens (framelines) choice and whether you want a built in meter (M5/6/7) and auto exposure (M7). If you're tempted to try the M, I would suggest going for a good s/h example. If you find you don't get on with it you will be able to sell it pretty much for what you pay. FWIW I use LTM, M and R Leica's - they all have their place and purpose. Good luck! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBA Posted November 7, 2007 Author Share #23 Posted November 7, 2007 In a combination of coincidence, timing and luck, I have just won a very decent black M6 classic with 0.58 viewfinder on Ebay. Thanks for the excellent advice. I've been researching the possibilities and watching the auctions for over a month, and your advice helped me go forward with the decision. Again, thanks. Now, it's time to shop for lenses. I'm going on the advice about the 35 asph and would prefer the 1.4. I'm also going to go on the advice to master the camera with one lens first before branching out. Of course, it may be a while before I'm willing to drop more money on lenses. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_newell Posted November 7, 2007 Share #24 Posted November 7, 2007 In a combination of coincidence, timing and luck, I have just won a very decent black M6 classic with 0.58 viewfinder on Ebay. Several of us were watching that with interest - if it's the same auction I'm thinking of - because the .58x finder would have been an aftermarket modification for an M6 classic. Let us know how the camera is when you get it? The M6 classic is IMO the best user M body - enjoy! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBA Posted November 8, 2007 Author Share #25 Posted November 8, 2007 I've just done an interesting experiment. I configured an a la carte MP priced for Japan and for the US. The Japanese base price starts out $100 more expensive (at the current exchange rate) than my finished configuration in US$. And the base price has gone up $1100 since I did the same exercise last week. Looking back over this post, I realize I left off a zero. Japanese prices for a la carte Leicas are a full $1000 higher than the US prices. I assume a similar ratio applies for all new Leica equipment here. Well, now I know that if I like the M system enough to order an MP, I know where I'm not going to buy it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest darkstar2004 Posted November 8, 2007 Share #26 Posted November 8, 2007 JBA, as no one has yet proferred the words... Welcome! to the Forum! You mention control in your original post. The MP is "control". Get a proper lens e.g. 35mmf2ASPH and start shooting. Expand to a 50mmf1.4ASPH or maybe a 28mmf2ASPH once you find your rangefinding skills (which will come with shooting, trust me). Finally, consider LASIK. It's cheap ($900) anymore and you can shed those specs permanently. Thanks. Allan JBA, I pretty much agree with Allan. IMHO, get a standard black MP and put the money you save by not buying an a la carte MP toward lenses. I have an MP 0.72 and love it - I use it more than any of my other cameras. To me, the MP is the only choice. The 0.72 viewfinder seems to be a good all-around choice (for me, anyway). I have 28mm, 50mm and 90mm lenses and 0.72 works well for that focal length range. Regarding lenses, I chose 28mm for my wide lens because it is the widest optic that does not require the use of an external viewfinder. I seem to use my 50mm the most, and the 90mm comes in handy frequently (I seem to use the 28 & 90 about equally). 35mm, 50mm and 75mm would also be a great lens set. I really like the 75/2 ASPH lens - it is a better choice for hand held work and possibly a better choice for people photography than the 90mm, IMHO. The 90 may be a better choice for landscape & travel work though, which I do a lot of. I too wear glasses and I will frequently use my glasses for critical focusing and then take them off to compose and make the exposure so I can get my eye right into the viewfinder - it works for me. I just don't trust Lasik surgery. If it is so safe and has been "perfected," why do you have to sign a legal wavier beforehand saying that if your eyes are injured or damaged in any way or you end up blind as a result, you have no legal rights and cannot hold them legally responsible and/or sue for damages? That's a red flag in my book. And welcome to the forum! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBA Posted November 8, 2007 Author Share #27 Posted November 8, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Several of us were watching that with interest - if it's the same auction I'm thinking of - because the .58x finder would have been an aftermarket modification for an M6 classic. Let us know how the camera is when you get it? The M6 classic is IMO the best user M body - enjoy! Here's one of the pics from the auction. The seller later said that it might be a 0.72 after all. He was unsure. If an aftermarket modification is possible, I wonder if that might be something worth looking into -- if it really makes that much difference. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! JBA, I pretty much agree with Allan. IMHO, get a standard black MP and put the money you save by not buying an a la carte MP toward lenses. I have an MP 0.72 and love it - I use it more than any of my other cameras. To me, the MP is the only choice. The 0.72 viewfinder seems to be a good all-around choice (for me, anyway). I have 28mm, 50mm and 90mm lenses and 0.72 works well for that focal length range. Regarding lenses, I chose 28mm for my wide lens because it is the widest optic that does not require the use of an external viewfinder. I seem to use my 50mm the most, and the 90mm comes in handy frequently (I seem to use the 28 & 90 about equally). 35mm, 50mm and 75mm would also be a great lens set. I really like the 75/2 ASPH lens - it is a better choice for hand held work and possibly a better choice for people photography than the 90mm, IMHO. The 90 may be a better choice for landscape & travel work though, which I do a lot of. I too wear glasses and I will frequently use my glasses for critical focusing and then take them off to compose and make the exposure so I can get my eye right into the viewfinder - it works for me. I just don't trust Lasik surgery. If it is so safe and has been "perfected," why do you have to sign a legal wavier beforehand saying that if your eyes are injured or damaged in any way or you end up blind as a result, you have no legal rights and cannot hold them legally responsible and/or sue for damages? That's a red flag in my book. And welcome to the forum! Thanks. I anticipate going far wider than 28 eventually; Tokyo can be a pretty cramped city. Somehow, the 21 appeals to me. I get the feeling I'd use that a lot. In any case, I'll start out with the 35 asph. During the course of over a decade of shooting with a Nikon F2, I found a 50 next to useless, but for some reason I get the feeling that I would use it a lot with the M. The MP is the camera that appeals to me most, having handled one. I'll learn on the M6 first. Incidentally, everyone has specified the asph lenses in their recommendations. I recall a side-by-side comparison where the difference was pretty dramatic. Having the latest would also, not doubt affect potential resale value. Lasik also gives me pause. I've been considering contacts, which would skirt the glasses issue. I need to update my prescription anyway. Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Thanks. I anticipate going far wider than 28 eventually; Tokyo can be a pretty cramped city. Somehow, the 21 appeals to me. I get the feeling I'd use that a lot. In any case, I'll start out with the 35 asph. During the course of over a decade of shooting with a Nikon F2, I found a 50 next to useless, but for some reason I get the feeling that I would use it a lot with the M. The MP is the camera that appeals to me most, having handled one. I'll learn on the M6 first. Incidentally, everyone has specified the asph lenses in their recommendations. I recall a side-by-side comparison where the difference was pretty dramatic. Having the latest would also, not doubt affect potential resale value. Lasik also gives me pause. I've been considering contacts, which would skirt the glasses issue. I need to update my prescription anyway. ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/37419-which-leica/?do=findComment&comment=397479'>More sharing options...
JBA Posted November 12, 2007 Author Share #28 Posted November 12, 2007 The M6 is on the way and will probably be here by the end of the week or early next week. The anticipation is delicious. Meanwhile, I went shopping for a 35 at a local shop dealing almost exclusively in used Leica equipment. I'd been in the previous week to look at a Leicaflex SL2. The same gentleman showed me a Canadian and somewhat more expensive German lens (with a tab control for the aperture that would drive me insane in short order). Then he brought out an unopened silver box marked 35 Summicron ASPH priced just more than double the Canadian lens. With the thought that there's an MP in my future, I went for it. Later the same day, I went into the Leica showroom across town and tried an identical lens that happened to be mounted on an MP on display. I got talking with the sales rep, and he also let me try the lens on a 0.58 camera. The difference is quite noticeable but nothing contacts won't remedy. My initial difficulty in focusing vanished when I realized that my eye had been fooled by diagonal lines in perspective; different segments of the line can be brought progressively into focus within the rangefinder square. Lesson 1 on the learning curve. Two rolls of forum-recommended B&W film in the fridge awaiting the arrival of the camera . . . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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