Leica M suggestion

[jacopastorius]

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Hi all. I have Leica M10 and SL typ 601. Wanted to start shooting some film and was looking forward to M6. I have these lenses: voigtlander 35 ultron, Leica sunmicron 50 and voigtlander 21 (which I think I can’t use on M6).

can you suggest the better viewfinder magnification for my setup and which model of M6 suits better my needs?

many thanks

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[FrozenInTime]

The x0.72 is fine, best place to start for 35 and 50; other magnifications are rare and expensive, and not typically necessary.

Get an optical viewfinder for the hot-shoe to see the 21mm field of view.

[250swb]

I agree the .72 is the way to go, you need an accessory viewfinder for the 21mm anyway, and the 35mm and 50mm frames will be nice and big. I think the .58 is only a valid idea if you have a 28mm permanently on the camera, and for other lenses it makes the scene look a long, long way away.

[TomB_tx]

Agree with the .72 finder, but you might also consider an M7. I’ve used M6 since 1985, but find the M7 as the ideal companion to the M10. Identical controls including on/off switch and shutter speed dial, and use as manual exposure or auto shutter speed same as M10.

[Don Flynn]

Define which model of M6 you mean? If you're talking about the viewfinder then as others have mentioned the .72 will do you fine and if you're buying a new production M6 the only one offered.

If you're talking about getting a used M6 then you need to ask yourself if you want to use a 28mm wide angle. If you don't or can't see the 28mm frame lines in the .72 finder (eyeglass wearers like myself speaking) then if buying used I would look at getting a .85 model viewfinder if you see 1 at a price you like.

IMO the slightly larger finder on the .85 might be worth it if the widest frame lines you plan on using are the 35mm. I have the .72 "Classic" myself and I'm thinking of getting a .85 model for that reason if I have the funds when I see 1 for sale.

As to models of used M6's. I would get the "Classic" over the TTL model mainly because Amsterdam Camera Repair developed a replacement circuit board for that model if you ever need that fixed. Leica no longer offers one. 

The TTL model also has no meter board replacements offered by Leica and I don't know of any 3rd party sources developing a replacement. 

[jacopastorius]

Many thanks for replies. Can you suggest a good optical viewfinder which I can also use with M10?

also, didnt consider the M7 actually.. I’ll give it a look!

formthe question of magnification, I think the 0.72 will be my choice just because the M10 is 0.73 and I feel comfortable with it

[otto.f]

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2 hours ago, TomB_tx said:

Agree with the .72 finder, but you might also consider an M7. I’ve used M6 since 1985, but find the M7 as the ideal companion to the M10. Identical controls including on/off switch and shutter speed dial, and use as manual exposure or auto shutter speed same as M10.

Can't agree more, I'am also working with these two (just the M10-R instead).

[250swb]

2 hours ago, jacopastorius said:

Many thanks for replies. Can you suggest a good optical viewfinder which I can also use with M10?

also, didnt consider the M7 actually.. I’ll give it a look!

formthe question of magnification, I think the 0.72 will be my choice just because the M10 is 0.73 and I feel comfortable with it

The ordinary plastic Voigtlander 21mm finder is great, brighter than a Leica or Zeiss finder and a better broad view to show outside the frame.

Regarding the 28mm frame of the .72 M6, even as a glasses wearer you get used to scanning around the edges quickly to see what’s going to be in the photo, if you don’t wear glasses there isn’t a problem.