M Monochrom CCD or M6

[cesc]

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Hey everyone! I've got a photography dilemma and I need your input. So, I recently got myself an M Monochrom CCD (new sensor) to relive that old film photography magic. It's awesome because it slows things down and gives me that sweet nostalgia of shooting with film. But here's the kicker - now I'm thinking about going all the way and picking up an M6 for that authentic film experience.

Now, I know it's a personal choice, but I'd love to hear what you'd do in my shoes.

Would you sell the M Monochrom to fully dive into film with the M6? Or should I keep it around for the endless black and white potential and use film for special moments?

Or, here's a wild idea: should I say goodbye to the M Monochrom, snag the M6, and also have a digital M for color and all-around photography? That way, I'm not stuck doing black and white only with digital.

I really appreciate your advice! I'll spill the beans – I seriously miss the whole film process, from developing and scanning to the nail-biting wait for the results. The entire film experience is calling me back

 

Also, is the M Monochrom CCD something I should keep it because it's so unique? or that's more "internet" marketing than a real thing...

[geotrupede]

MM is more practical, a bit dated but still working and good for great photos. But you need to like Capture1 or Lightroom to edit with curves etc. Once you get a grip on those the results are very much like film. And cost of development is nothing, and you can print to a nice canon prograf 300/1000 and results are stunning. 

My advice? you have time and cash, get a good printer. 

If you go M6 it will be a very expensive route both for time and cost of supplies.

G.

[leitna]

vor 2 Stunden schrieb cesc:

but I'd love to hear what you'd do in my shoes.

i own a M6 but not a monochrom ccd ...i would keep the Monochrom and would buy a good slr for film (Nikon FM2, Olympus OM-1, etc.). This are good cameras, my negatives from my Nikon FM2 are equally good oder bad as from the M6 

After some time you will know if film fotographie is what you want ... then you can sell your monochrom and buy a M6 

[sometimesmaybe]

7 hours ago, leitna said:

After some time you will know if film fotographie is what you want ... then you can sell your monochrom and buy a M6 

strongly agree with this

@cesc see if you like film, before investing M money in a body. both olympus and canon have RF film bodies with fixed lens (canon has RF in LTM too)

[cesc]

Hey there, thanks for your thoughts! Just to give you a bit of my background, I used to shoot exclusively on film with cameras like the MP, M2, and M3. But lately, I've been missing the whole film experience – the shooting, the development, and everything that goes with it.

So, here's the deal: I'm thinking of going back to film, and I'm wondering if any of you have been in the same boat. Have you ever sold a digital camera (like my M9M) to fully dive back into film? I'm still unsure about it, and hearing your stories and advice would be a big help in making my decision. Thanks!

[250swb]

@leitna has already said it, keep the M Monochrom and buy a film Nikon and see if you still like film photography but without the cost of an M6. There is always space for a good SLR with anybody who uses film so it's not a waste, and then add to it with an M6 later. The CCD sensor of the MM is special when you get used to post processing the images (they can be very flat straight out of the camera). I made the mistake of selling mine thinking the M246 would be better, but it definitely wasn't, something I still regret.

[dbeids]

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I’m spoiled by the instant results of digital. I have an M10M, an M10-r and a refurbished M5. I almost never grab the film camera walking out the door because I want to see my results right away. I used to have an M6 classic and an M3. I love all the film cameras but if I’m honest, I reach for digital. I agree with the comments above…get a good printer, Lightroom and a BW program you are comfortable with.

[newtoleica]

I can see the logic for the other way round....

I ditched digital (MM and M9) to go completely with film (a return to the Olympus OM system which I had used before) 4 bodies (OM4ti and 3Ti) and about a dozen 'top' lenses. It suited me really well and I added a home darkroom to print in 2020, having lost access to my rental darkroom in the pandemic. I also used a Sony A7Rii as a digital body with an adaptor if I needed quick results. This year I got an M7 and an M10-P + 3 M lenses to give me a more seamless film/digital experience and to go back to Leica lenses.

My problem is I have a very busy job that often has me working late and at weekends on stuff and an 8yr old. I haven't used the darkroom in 2 years and I use the M10-P almost exclusively as I'm able to fit it in around my other commitments. I like using film but to be honest looking at the current pigment printers I think they are as good as a silver print. So thinking of selling the M7 and Focomat V35 and putting the money into another M lens. Film is a bit of a labour of love and if you don't have the time to spare what's the point?

[sometimesmaybe]

14 hours ago, cesc said:

I used to shoot exclusively on film with cameras like the MP, M2, and M3. But lately, I've been missing the whole film experience – the shooting, the development, and everything that goes with it.

if you miss the process, i reckon you gotta go back to film

but before you do so, you better check:

1. your preferred film is readily in stock 
2. youre ok with the prices of the film that are in stock

i can still remember (around 2 months ago) fighting just to get some rolls of ColorPlus for $14AUD ($9USD) 💸

[Jeff S]

As you write, a personal choice.  Mine was easy, with no regrets.  Short story: shot film from 1974 until 2009; built 4 B&W darkrooms along the way; then fully transitioned to digital.  The constant throughout has been making my own prints (and matting/ framing, etc).  Different workflows, obviously, but still the same kinds of pleasure from shot to final output. Most often used current camera is the M10M, but an M(9)M still gets occasional use. The M10-R and SL2 serve infrequent,  complementary needs.  

But this should have no relevance to your situation.  I don’t miss darkroom work, even though a silver print can sometimes be special. 
 

Jeff

 

[jonnyboy]

The MM is an outstanding camera but it won't satisfy your itch to shoot some film. M6 is a great choice, compact lightweight is just fantastic to shoot (and it will hold a good value).
As it's been pointed out, double check the price of film.

Also, if you want to keep the MM but still indulge in film, you could consider an M4, M3 or M2 and  use one of those slick hot shoes light meter? TTartisan has a nice one. M2 prices have fallen a bit...you can get one for £900 if you lucky!

[cesc]

 

6 minutes ago, jonnyboy said:

The MM is an outstanding camera but it won't satisfy your itch to shoot some film. M6 is a great choice, compact lightweight is just fantastic to shoot (and it will hold a good value).
As it's been pointed out, double check the price of film.

Also, if you want to keep the MM but still indulge in film, you could consider an M4, M3 or M2 and  use one of those slick hot shoes light meter? TTartisan has a nice one. M2 prices have fallen a bit...you can get one for £900 if you lucky!

When I was shooting film, my favorite camera body was the M2. However, now I find it challenging to locate well-preserved examples with clean viewfinders and no issues. After reading your comment, I'm inclined to follow your suggestion: I'll continue to use the MM for my daily shooting and consider adding a more budget-friendly body, such as an M2, to satisfy my film photography itch. It's frustrating to look back at my old film photos and not be able to continue capturing moments in the same way.

[jonnyboy]

Yes M2 is definitely a great entry (well, more like a comeback in your case 😉) which is slightly more accessible than an M6.
Unless you have some trusted person who can make repairs/CLA I would suggest to source 1 in great conditions or recently cla'd. Leica charge a fortune for CLA and they replace the leatherette every time (crazy costs and lower quality leatherette, if you ask me).
There are some recently serviced M2's on the market, I'm sure you will find one.
And you can pair it with a nice TTArtisan Light Meter II (or any other models, there are a bunch of companies these days making compact light meters)...it will be a sleek setup guaranteed!

[IkarusJohn]

On 10/22/2023 at 7:29 PM, cesc said:

Hey there, thanks for your thoughts! Just to give you a bit of my background, I used to shoot exclusively on film with cameras like the MP, M2, and M3. But lately, I've been missing the whole film experience – the shooting, the development, and everything that goes with it.

So, here's the deal: I'm thinking of going back to film, and I'm wondering if any of you have been in the same boat. Have you ever sold a digital camera (like my M9M) to fully dive back into film? I'm still unsure about it, and hearing your stories and advice would be a big help in making my decision. Thanks!

I was sort of in your position.

I shot film as a kid in the 1960s, had a darkroom, printed with my father and brothers etc, then ultimately got into Kodachrome.  Digital interested me, but I was pretty heavily hooked on film - started with a bellows rangefinder, then Canonet, a variety of FE/FM cameras and a Hasselblad; then had my F5 and lenses nicked.  It seemed time to give digital a go - looked at the Canon 5DII and hated its plasticky feel and gameboy operation with switches and buttons all over the place; then I heard about the new M9.

After a bit of use, I found myself reminiscing about film.  Lost confidence in Leica’s quality control and long term commitment to what are expensive cameras with the M9 cover glass issues and decided to go back to film with an M-A (no electronics to fail, and the pleasure of everything manual and mechanical).  I have a brick of Tri-X in the freezer and a variety of films in the fridge - some colour, some black & white.  I love the contemplative use of this camera with some of my older lenses.

So, my M system comprises my M-A, M9 Monochrom and M10-D with 10 M lenses ranging from 21 to 75 mm and 1948 (LTM) to 2022 in age.  The Monochrom is fantastic, and I love the simplicity of the M10D for colour.  The M-A has the benefit of being colour or black & white (negative and transparency), fast or slow.

In reality, I stopped developing my own film when I moved house a few years ago.  I just haven’t got around to setting things up (busy).  So I stack up processed films and when I’m going past the laboratory I drop them in for developing.  I now have a larger stack of negatives and slides for scanning (including slides going back to the late 1970s & 80s, much to my partner’s disgust at the boxes under my desk.

Once I really get my head around scanning (I only wish to do once), I will then scan this lot and print some of the best, or put them into a book along with my journals from backpacking through Asia and Africa in the 1980s.  Just thinking about it gets overwhelming!

Sorry, back on topic.  Yep, I’ve kept the Momochrom - it’s a keeper.  Yes, I’ll keep the M-A and will keep shooting film.  Eventually, I’ll develop the B&W negatives myself and I’ll scan and print some of it.  However, when it comes to printing, I will be very selective - I see no virtue in burying myself in photographic prints.  No point, compared to a moment’s pleasure of looking on screen or sharing images with friends online.

A print, for me, is something done with care and then framed.  I have only so much wall space … and patience!