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So, I've done it....  I've ordered an M6!

After falling in Lust with the 50 0.95 Noctilux and now just fogging up the display glass...  Still a bit wery as the issue of the M11 is still at hand.  Someone please help, how did we get here.  A little background.

I have the:

Leica SL (love the simplification of buttons and menus

Leica SL2-S (sent back, buttons/lost the simplification)

Leica M9 (love the colors)

Canon R5C (mainly for video) buttons galore

M11 (???) should the M6 have been the M11

 

So I have been wanting to shoot film, yup that says it all (LOL).  But also M11.  I find that the M bodies slow me down  and I get better results and actually enjoy shooting this way better.  The SL to some extent does the same, but I enjoy looking through the rangefinder more until I need to magnify for critical focus.  Maybe the answer is to not be so critical...  The size and feel of the M line is just a joy for me.  

I'm finding that the M9 has a smaller window for me to shoot through, so to speak.  Those bright, harsh, mixed lighting situations take me out of the moment.  So if it's an M body and a larger window I'm looking for, Film then?  I have access to high Megapixels, I have the color that I love in the M9.  The SL more versatility and yet I'm looking for simple and beautiful color.

Maybe M6/M11 combo?  The thought of letting go of the M9 gives me pause...

The SL is a joy to look at as well as just to hold ; ) Is it a camera or the precious

No attachment or feels to the Mega button mirrorless body of the month 

 

Streamlining will make room for refinement and growth

 

What say you?

 

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With proper film and development, the M9 does not have advantages in “high-ISO capability”, lol. I shoot with Kodak Vision3 500T on my M3/M4 for nearly a month already. I usually rated the 500T at 800 and add 40s in development. Yes I process ECN-2 by myself at home. Pushing to 1600 barely shows any noticeable quality loss, in terms of grains, sharpness and colors. Just from my collections of information, M9 is a daylight machine, and the workable ISO is only 400 for color. So, if you love M9 primarily for its CCD color performance——which many users love it because it emulates the “film look”, then why bother with a “film camera” that could not load film above ISO400. Sure, the convenience of being digital is where M9 wins. For me, if one day I would buy an M9, the reasons would be: it is the last generation of digital Ms that preserve the lovely frame illumination window; it has the black-paint option (M9-P).

If you are in lust with 50 0.95 noctilux, I suggest you look for a 0.85x M6/MP, or just go to M3 for the best user experience with 50mm lens and highest rangefinder accuracy among M-families. I bet you would not resist the temptation of getting an M3 for your noctilux and then never want to part with the M3.

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It sounds more like you don't know what you want to photograph so are looking for a camera that inspires you. Why else even ask the question? Buying another camera to fill a void is never a good idea but everybody does it sooner or later, but taking the step to show some photos, on the forum, or open a Flickr account, etc. concentrates the mind because you have to develop some confidence in your opinions if other people are seeing your photos. And with opinions you don't have to ask questions about cameras. 

Maybe you already have a site where you show photos, add it to your signature and it will help people see why you may need an M6.

But down to practicalities, the M9 is still the best digital M and you'd be hard pressed to match the characterful images it can make compared with the increasingly bland offerings that came after. The preponderance of people using the M11 seem to be demonstrating the camera and are scared to deviate from this. So if you find something in the M9 that you like work out what it is over and above colours, a film camera may well scratch the same itch but do it in a way that opens up other worlds like B&W, different film stocks, not being held in the sway of sharpness and being able to enjoy grain. There are considerations in the camera you use over and above 'how big can I print?'.

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I'm on the path to learning what it boils down to.  I'd like the smallest kit, of similar build for muscle memory.  That's a big ask...  

I'm thinking M11/M6, now do I have the courage to pass on the M9 and SL???

I have done some side by side shots and tricked myself....  There is something there with the M9, its like a slight bit of magic....

 

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  • 3 weeks later...

UPDATE

 

So shooting with the M6 was great, shifting gears a bit was nice.  Getting a nice copy M6 has proven to be a PITA.  I purchased a Silver M6 That was in great mechanical shape but the body was marred, so that went back.  I was leaning more towards a Black body, I think they look better.  I found one that seemed to be in great shape.  It arrived and right away I can tell that the Finder needs cleaning, some early signs of pitting and after shooting a few rolls through, shutter lag.  So the Black M6 was sent back.

So being that I'm finding it difficult to find an M6 that is clean and in the $3K range I have shifted and decided to try an M11.  I have found a couple options, Leica M-P/M6 TTL but in the $4500/$5K range, both beautiful copies.  That price point gives me pause.... I think it's just a mental block, I have no issue paying that for a digital body.

For now I'll see how the M11 treats me and take it from there.   There is something about film though...

Edited by MDP7
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On 10/10/2023 at 10:13 AM, MDP7 said:

UPDATE

 

So shooting with the M6 was great, shifting gears a bit was nice.  Getting a nice copy M6 has proven to be a PITA.  I purchased a Silver M6 That was in great mechanical shape but the body was marred, so that went back.  I was leaning more towards a Black body, I think they look better.  I found one that seemed to be in great shape.  It arrived and right away I can tell that the Finder needs cleaning, some early signs of pitting and after shooting a few rolls through, shutter lag.  So the Black M6 was sent back.

So being that I'm finding it difficult to find an M6 that is clean and in the $3K range I have shifted and decided to try an M11.  I have found a couple options, Leica M-P/M6 TTL but in the $4500/$5K range, both beautiful copies.  That price point gives me pause.... I think it's just a mental block, I have no issue paying that for a digital body.

For now I'll see how the M11 treats me and take it from there.   There is something about film though...

M6TTL in the $4500K range is waaaaaay too much.  Used MP for $5K? Same.

This site is very good for used gear:

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/board/10

And camerawest.com often has good stuff too.  You just need to be patient.  Some people still think there is an M6 craze... there isn't.  The sales I have recently seen for decent M6s are in the $2500 range.

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