MP vs M6

[marke]

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if you want another MP and can afford it, do. I bought the MP and quickly added a second. I wanted identical handling and feel and got just that. There is no need to justify a MP over a M6 in objective terms. 'wants' and 'I feel more comfortable with' need no such justification. I do not regret the additional expense over a used m6 one bit. If I get a third body it will be a 0.58 MP if at all possible.

 

I agree with everything you said here, batmobile. I have a 0.72 MP and a 0.58 M6TTL. I'd like to get rid of my M6TTL someday and replace it with a 0.58 MP.

[enboe]

The thread has done an excellent job detailing the objective differences, which are very small.

 

It seems your real reason for preferring the MP is the feel, or experience, of making images. To that end, I would say when the opportunity presents itself, pick up another MP. The M6 is a fine tool, and also enjoyable to use, as are the M1, M2, M3, M4, M4-2, M4-P, M-5, M6TTL, M7, M8, and M8.2.

 

You may relate to my personal, subjective observations on the MP. It feels solid, it feels smooth in operation, it has the best finder Leica produces, and it has a useful meter. M's are also classy and never get hassled by Disneyland, unlike a DSLR. So, as my friend and mentor Maurice Greeson once said, "there are cameras for taking pictures and cameras for enjoying the process of taking pictures."

 

I don't remember if you describe carrying both M's at the same time. If you do not need two cameras, keeping the M6 as backup is certainly viable. I do like Allan's idea of gift/loaning the M6 to a relative. I bought a backup MP at the original price so I would be assured of having a working MP even if one required repair. Maybe that will figure into the equation, although the only issue I have with mine is I finally have some dust in the viewfinder. I'll send it in for warranty cleaning next year, maybe.

 

Maybe one question to ask is, "if I could only have one film camera." My answer would be an MP/0.72. My reason is that it has the best combination of features and feeling. Additional cameras should be added as backup (identical copy) or because they have different attributes or feel differently, changing the imaging experience.

 

It also seems worthwhile to mention the M2. As a camera-carrying member of that group, it also is a functional tool with a great user feeling. I would rank it as the high point in its day, and the same experiences are relevant today: sturdy and smooth. The finder is not as bright as the MP, and you don't have a built-in meter. Otherwise, for a few hundred dollars it captures most of the same experience.

 

So, enjoy! They're both lovely tools and should serve you the rest of your life.

 

Eric

[phovsho]

I have M3, M6ttl, MP, M7 and M8.

 

M3 is my favourite and has best feel of all the cameras i have used, plus viewer to die for. MP is my other favourite, with meter and solid smooth construction.

 

But, I love the M6! It is a work horse. It is the camera I often take as back up and also the camera I take on assignments where it might get damaged. I have to admit that maintaining the "mint" condition of the M3 and MP are a consideration, as they are things of beauty and in the case of the MP very expensive to boot.

 

My M6 is a black model and covered with black tape - a serious tool that I don't mind exposing to some risk of physical damage. It is lighter and I love it for that fact that I am willing to take it anywhere with me - back country, fishing, out drinking etc.

 

I could easily live without the M7. M8 has been in the bag for the last few months as I go through a film only stage.

 

I could easily live with 2 x MP or 1 x MP + 1M6.

 

M

[chris_livsey]

The OP doesn't say the MP finder he owns or what he shoots - wide or 50+. Assuming a 0.72 then a choice for the next one is up or down depending on the lens mix. Although I would second the choice of an M2. The uncluttered frame lines will send you off to the the a la carte menu to configure the next MP. The same quality is there just the lack of a meter but megabucks less. In fact you could, I suspect, easily justify passing that M6 within the family and adding an M2 for so little outlay that unless you really wanted to go for a different viewfinder mag the decision is made

[KM-25]

I have an M6TTL .72 w/ MP R/F, MP-3 and two M3's, one chrome, one black.

 

The M6TTL is the most professionally usable in my opinion. The larger shutter speed dial has proven to be easier to use, the MP patch and 28mm frame lines make it the most versatile. The TTL with a SF20 are killer as well even if it is a meter battery hogging combo..

 

I love all the other M's I use, but the M6TTL is my go to camera.

[mdozier]

Thanks to everyone for the input and advice.

I just got my 2nd MP, matching my first one, and still haven't decided about keeping the M6.

The wife is moving on to an auto (she's leaning to the V-lux) so passing it on to her won't happen.

 

Frankly, my plans are most likely just to keep the M6 (I do love it so). I never intended to enter into the collector realm so I guess I'll just figure out how to use all 3! (Extravagant?) Now I clearly need to add another full time lens. Will it ever stop?

 

Thanks again for the assistance and information I do appreciate it.

 

Matt

[Adrian Lord]

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The thread has done an excellent job detailing the objective differences, which are very small.

 

It seems your real reason for preferring the MP is the feel, or experience, of making images. To that end, I would say when the opportunity presents itself, pick up another MP. The M6 is a fine tool, and also enjoyable to use, as are the M1, M2, M3, M4, M4-2, M4-P, M-5, M6TTL, M7, M8, and M8.2.

 

You may relate to my personal, subjective observations on the MP. It feels solid, it feels smooth in operation, it has the best finder Leica produces, and it has a useful meter. M's are also classy and never get hassled by Disneyland, unlike a DSLR. So, as my friend and mentor Maurice Greeson once said, "there are cameras for taking pictures and cameras for enjoying the process of taking pictures."

 

I don't remember if you describe carrying both M's at the same time. If you do not need two cameras, keeping the M6 as backup is certainly viable. I do like Allan's idea of gift/loaning the M6 to a relative. I bought a backup MP at the original price so I would be assured of having a working MP even if one required repair. Maybe that will figure into the equation, although the only issue I have with mine is I finally have some dust in the viewfinder. I'll send it in for warranty cleaning next year, maybe.

 

Maybe one question to ask is, "if I could only have one film camera." My answer would be an MP/0.72. My reason is that it has the best combination of features and feeling. Additional cameras should be added as backup (identical copy) or because they have different attributes or feel differently, changing the imaging experience.

 

It also seems worthwhile to mention the M2. As a camera-carrying member of that group, it also is a functional tool with a great user feeling. I would rank it as the high point in its day, and the same experiences are relevant today: sturdy and smooth. The finder is not as bright as the MP, and you don't have a built-in meter. Otherwise, for a few hundred dollars it captures most of the same experience.

 

So, enjoy! They're both lovely tools and should serve you the rest of your life.

 

Eric

 

Couldn't agree with you more - as my equipment list testifies!

[abrewer]

Thanks to everyone for the input and advice.

I just got my 2nd MP, matching my first one, and still haven't decided about keeping the M6.

 

Frankly, my plans are most likely just to keep the M6 (I do love it so). I never intended to enter into the collector realm so I guess I'll just figure out how to use all 3!

 

Matt

 

No one was ever sorry that did not sell a Leica

[Guest DuquesneG]

I never intended to enter into the collector realm so I guess I'll just figure out how to use all 3!

 

One for each eye, and shoot from the hip with the 3rd?

[Guest nafpie]

Is there any need to own two M's?

 

My first (and only) Leica is a M6 I bought new in 1995. It is still working like the very first day.

 

Yes, I would prefer a black painted MP today, but I would NEVER sell my first Leica. And since I cannot see any reason to have two of them, I decided to continue shooting and to have fun with my M6.

 

Cheers,

Stefan

 

---

welcome to photomeeting

[rsh]

You might want to look at an M5.

[batmobile]

I have carried two MPs on a number of occassions, either with one with a strap and the second in the shoulder bag, or with both slung diagonally over my neck and under the arm, one left and one right. kinda look a bit 1960s western bandit, but with a jacket over the top and a nice slippery strap (not with the grippy suede underside) and with the strap long enough, you can slide which ever one you want straight up to your eye. V handy when shooting fairly quickly and chopping and changing FLs, say 28-50 or 21-28/35.

[JBA]

You might want to look at an M5.

 

I must admit to being intrigued by the M5, but it really is a different beast from the M6 or MP in a few significant ways. For example, it won't take a Leicavit or motor and won't accept any of the old lenses with goggles, in case any of those things are important to you. It's also rather large and heavy. Then there are considerations like whether to get the 2 or 3 lug configuration and the relative complexity of the metering system, potential maintenance costs and the inability to use certain wide-angles that protrude into the body, whether to use Wien cells or a battery converter, etc.

 

That said, the build quality and feel of the M5 are amazing and it's the only M to display the shutter speeds in the viewfinder. I continue to toy with the idea of getting one myself just for a different shooting experience or to lend to friends who want to try shooting with a rangefinder.

[Guest volkerm]

Is there any need to own two M's?

 

One for b/w film, one for color

One for slow ISO 100 film, one for fast ISO 400 film

[Guest nafpie]

One for b/w film, one for color

 

I may only speak for myself, but I am *not* able to work in B/W and in color at the same time.

 

One for slow ISO 100 film, one for fast ISO 400 film

 

That is a valid point indeed.

 

One big advantage using a Leica M camera is to be inconspicuous. With two cameras it is harder *not* to look like a pro.

[enboe]

One for Tri-X

One for Plux-X or Panatomic-X

One for XP-2

One for B&W slides

One for Ektar 100

One for Vericolor UC 400

One for 800 print film

One for Kodachrome

One for Ektachrome 100

One for Ektachrome 400

One for Reala

One for Fuji 100

One for Fuji 400

One for Fuji 800

One for Superia

Oh, and an M8 for high shutter speed digital and an M8.2 for quiet digital operation

 

Multiply times 11 to have all focal lengths + macro ready to grab.

 

So, one could justify 187 bodies to one's spouse, right?

 

Merry Christmas

[JBA]

I always use two bodies now; MP and M6 in order of preference. Many advantages to it, not least of all easy lens changes between bodies.

 

Sometimes the same film in both, sometimes different ASA sometimes the same, sometimes B&W in one and color in the other.

 

Don't understand the concern about looking like a pro or not. Don't understand the concept. What does a "pro" look like?

[Guest nafpie]

What does a "pro" look like?

 

Using more than one camera.

[peter_n]

I use two MPs, a 0.72x mag for lenses < 35mm, and a 0.85x mag for use with lenses > 50mm. Always identical B&W film in both. Highly recommended.

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[redbaron]

Stefan, looking like a pro, whether we are or not, can actually have its advantages. It's been my experience that when people I'm photographing think I'm an amateur they wonder why I'm taking their picture, but if I look like I'm working they ignore me. Think of an incident in a public place which would attract attention. Most people will ignore the police, ambo's and press photographers, but an "amateur" will attract attention.

 

Back to topic: Keep the M6!