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7 hours ago, hansvons said:

a new M6 is almost double the price

Plus the chance that it needs a rangefinder adjustment, which is pretty commonplace at least with new digital M’s and takes a (nice btw) visit at Wetzlar, or, when you send it 8 weeks at least. 

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18 hours ago, otto.f said:

You mean they are the first that operate in the right direction: for both time and exposure it is clockwise: more light, anticlockwise less light

No, that is not what I mean.  This is a Leica discussion and those are the only two models in the film M’s that adjust in that direction (really don’t know about an M-5, but so few use that model I am ignoring (ignorant)).  The M6TTL was created 40+ years after the first direction was created on an M3.  Note that Nikon lenses mount in the opposite direction of Leica lenses.  Note that Nikon lenses focus in the opposite direction from Leica cameras.  On a Nikon discussion site, that makes Leica cameras backwards.  On a Leica site, that makes Nikon cameras backwards.

It is all from your point of view and what you are used to.

As an aside, I love the Nikon F2, but I have a crazy time setting shutter speeds and mounting lenses.  It is not intuitive after using Leica cameras for 20 years.

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20 hours ago, Huss said:

M6 seem to be now going in the $2500 range from what I have seen on local sites including fredmiranda.com.  Some people on ebay still think they are worth $3500...

But my advice would be to get the best condition M for the money - whichever M that is.

M6’s come in many varieties.  In general, with today’s prices (USD) an M6 that is $2,500 probably needs a CLA or has some issues - potentially aging cloth shutter, poor contacts on the back, dents, bubbling zinc, etc.  A $3,000 M6 with a recent CLA is a good used body. Note that there are some brass topped M6 bodies, but they are expensive.

However, $1,500-$2,000 can get a really good used M3 with a recent CLA and $1,800 to $2,500 can get a great M-4 series with a recent CLA.  50-70 year old cameras can work for a long time to come, but the slow and high shutter speeds will likely be incorrect.  I have the CLA set the 1/1000 to around 1/900 and it stays up to spec longer.

If you are exploring and not sure you want an M film camera - buy one that works really well (has been tuned) and is older and probably scuffed up some.  If you love it, you can invest in one that is newer, nicer and has a built in light meter (or not).

Just my opinion.

Note, my first Leica was an M4, chrome with a DAG CLA.  I used it for 3 years before getting an M6.  This was the year 2000.  I have images of my kids at young ages on the wall from those cameras.  My first lenses were a summicron 50 V and summicron 35 ASPH.  Still two of my favorite film lenses.

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Condition Condition Condition. Get one in the top condition. Then any Leica 35mm or 50mm lens.  Shot until your fingers hurt. The re-evaluate. trading Leicas is easy and done a thousand times daily.

You already have the Leica addiction. SO get one and shoot hundreds of rolls before you really decide.

 

Above all Have Fun !!!

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On 8/9/2023 at 5:02 PM, Kwesi said:

Get the M7. 
you are already used to working with a modern M i.e the way the metering works, the aperture priority mode, the Center weighted metering,  the the direction to turn the shutter to use the meter, etc. this way you are basically swapping a sensor for film in your workflow. 

Absolutely this! Anyone coming from a digital M that wants the same haptics should get an M7.

- you're already used to having some spare batteries so won't be scared of running out of power.

- the rangefinder is better than an M6 as the condenser is back.

- the shutter speed dial works in a logical direction with a finger (and the same direction as your digital M) if you want to go full manual.

- Your exposures with be much more accurate as the shutter is stepless.

trust me, I've used Olympus OM film cameras for 40 years and a digital M (of various kinds). I tried an M6 and absolutely hated it for all of the above reasons. Love my M7 and its a seamless companion with my M10-P.

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As all the recommendations for the 'best camera' only include the one the individual owns perhaps it would help the OP if the bar was set higher and votes are taken for the most photogenic Leica sitting next to a steaming cup of coffee? It will transition the discussion away from silly considerations about which way a knob turns and undoubtedly be an important factor in forum activity going forward. 

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2 hours ago, 250swb said:

As all the recommendations for the 'best camera' only include the one the individual owns perhaps it would help the OP if the bar was set higher and votes are taken for the most photogenic Leica sitting next to a steaming cup of coffee? It will transition the discussion away from silly considerations about which way a knob turns and undoubtedly be an important factor in forum activity going forward. 

Any black paint over brass M that shows an acceptable level of brassing suggesting professional but sympathetic use.

A camera that itself tells a story so you don’t actually need to do anything pedestrian like take pictures with it.  Just of it.

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1 hour ago, Huss said:

Any black paint over brass M that shows an acceptable level of brassing suggesting professional but sympathetic use.

A camera that itself tells a story so you don’t actually need to do anything pedestrian like take pictures with it.  Just of it.

Not a Leica M but this is my favourite finish, grey paint IIIc, I could look at it all day (but I do take pictures with it too)

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Many thanks for all the answers. Although my mind was set on a Leica M4 or Leica M4-P, I found this Leica M6, mint in box for 1900 euros from a respected dealer. Could not be more happy. Perhaps I will make an addition to my collection with an M4 in the future, time will tell. 

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8 hours ago, Borna said:

Although

Seems the right choice, given its price in the current market where the M4’s you mention are skyhigh. Looks very nice! Good light with it!

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If you're happy to use the sunny-16 rule or a hand-held exposure meter, go for a good M4 if you can find one. I have a 1967 M4 and a 2003 MP. Both are great. The M4 has no built-in lightmeter, no hot shoe for flash, and fewer frame lines in the viewfinder, but apart from that, they are identical in use. And the results are indistinguishable. BTW I have a pdf of Roy Moss' seminal article 'The Leica M4 - the last of the truly great Leicas'. I will attach it here.

leicaM4-last of the truly great leicas.pdf

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Agree a good choice: I have both M4 (bought 1968) and M6 (bought 1985) and have used the M6 most ever since then - I find it equal to an M4, but love the meter. Just use and enjoy it, and stay away from camera forum opinions and you'll be happy with it the rest of your life.

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20 hours ago, Borna said:

Many thanks for all the answers. Although my mind was set on a Leica M4 or Leica M4-P, I found this Leica M6, mint in box for 1900 euros from a respected dealer. Could not be more happy. Perhaps I will make an addition to my collection with an M4 in the future, time will tell. 

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Super price and congrats!  Like I had mentioned earlier, the days of $3000+ M6 are over apart from the dreamers on ebay.

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On 8/13/2023 at 8:39 PM, Lux50 said:

Good choice. Enjoy your M6. Did you keep your M-P 240?

I still have it :) It is a nice camera, but I am not sure how much I will shoot with it. I am also using my M8 which gives me very beautiful pictures.  

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