Guest PhotoWebb.co.uk Posted December 16, 2008 Share #1 Posted December 16, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have come to Leica via the M8 and am adding a film body to my gear. I currently own the current versions of the 28 elmar, 35 summicron and 50 summilux so think if I am going to shoot film at all a Leica M is the way forward. I want a camera with metering - which Ms have this? I can get a used M6 for £700 or an M7 for £1200. Is the 7 worth the extra spend for what will essentially be a second camera? Thanks Daniel Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted December 16, 2008 Posted December 16, 2008 Hi Guest PhotoWebb.co.uk, Take a look here First Leica film camera - advice sought. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
tgray Posted December 16, 2008 Share #2 Posted December 16, 2008 I'd go for the M6. It's a good camera and you should be able to sell it for close to what you bought it for if you get a good price for yours. I bought mine 3 years ago for right around $900 US. I recently bought an M7. I like it more than the M6. The M6 is now my second camera. I would whole heartedly recommend the M7, but it seems like a lot of camera to buy for a 2nd one that you might not end up using that much. I'm sure some will say that the M7 also has AE and the same shutter dial that your M8 has. While this is true, I don't find it confusing at all to switch between the M7 and the M6, which would be similar to switching between an M8 and an M6. If you have the money to burn and know you'll actually be shooting a fair amount with the camera, get the M7. If you are just trying out film, then get the M6 - you might get frustrated with it and want to sell it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
semrich Posted December 16, 2008 Share #3 Posted December 16, 2008 Or you might fall in love with anyone of them and find yourself shooting more film than digital. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
atufte Posted December 16, 2008 Share #4 Posted December 16, 2008 Or you might fall in love with anyone of them and find yourself shooting more film than digital. I did exactly that, and believe me the M7 is the right choice for anyone coming from the M8, it's a hard habit to break with aperture mode... Now M8 serves me like a very expensive "Polaback" for my M7, and get some use for color from time to time, but there is no doubt which camera is my favorite :-) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest PhotoWebb.co.uk Posted December 16, 2008 Share #5 Posted December 16, 2008 I did exactly that, and believe me the M7 is the right choice for anyone comingfrom the M8, it's a hard habit to break with aperture mode... I use aperture priority on the M8 pretty much all of the time, which is the only reason I was considering an M7. Perhaps I'll just wait a few more weeks and get the M7 then. As has been said already, it really is like money in the bank as far as residual value is concerned. I have a chrome M8 so a black M7 feels like the choice! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted December 16, 2008 Share #6 Posted December 16, 2008 The M7 is the way to go. Just make sure it's had its DX reader changed to the optical one if it's an early model. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andym911 Posted December 16, 2008 Share #7 Posted December 16, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) M7...no contest IMO Good luck andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenneth Posted December 17, 2008 Share #8 Posted December 17, 2008 M6 Classic non ttl, no question. I liked it so much I bought another body- I have never had two camera bodies before from any manufacturer. It is a classic and an icon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
abrewer Posted December 18, 2008 Share #9 Posted December 18, 2008 I love every minute with my MP, but coming from digital and AE/AF you will be happier with an M7 Having said that, if you ever can slow down and 'smell the roses' there is no more loving mistress than the sweet, steady and steadfast MP Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomasw_ Posted December 18, 2008 Share #10 Posted December 18, 2008 ...... you will be happier with an M7...... if you ever can slow down and 'smell the roses' there is no more loving mistress than the sweet, steady and steadfast MP I agree, for how you shoot the M7 fits. The MP is a beauty, but in some ways I still prefer my M2 and M3. There is something to be said for no LEDS in the VF. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBA Posted December 18, 2008 Share #11 Posted December 18, 2008 I agree, for how you shoot the M7 fits. The MP is a beauty, but in some ways I still prefer my M2 and M3. There is something to be said for no LEDS in the VF. You could always just take out the batteries. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
semrich Posted December 18, 2008 Share #12 Posted December 18, 2008 I use aperture priority on the M8 pretty much all of the time, which is the only reason I was considering an M7. Perhaps I'll just wait a few more weeks and get the M7 then. As has been said already, it really is like money in the bank as far as residual value is concerned. I have a chrome M8 so a black M7 feels like the choice! I came from digital with the Chrome M8 shooting aperture priority then bought a black paint MP. To bad for the M8, I thoroughly enjoy the whole process of shooting film, slowing down, taking fewer shots, not knowing what I have, developing my own B&W film, and even scanning. Like others have also mentioned, I like it so much that now I have an M2 & M3 and have camera days where I go out with one camera and one lens. There may come a day when I take some lessons for wet printing and figure out some way to have my own darkroom. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MPJMP Posted December 18, 2008 Share #13 Posted December 18, 2008 I'd say for ease in transition between film and digital bodies go with the M7. If you think you're just going to use it as an occasional back-up to the M8 or "fun" camera when you want to experiment with some film, the best bang for your buck would be an M6TTL. I'd recommend the TTL over the Classic for you due to the shutter speed knob rotating in the same direction as the M8 (again, an ease of transition issue). Get the MP if you decide that film is your medium of choice and the M8 is will be your back-up. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
innerimager Posted December 19, 2008 Share #14 Posted December 19, 2008 My path to film was as yours, via the M8. And I agree with Alexander, the M7 is a great match with the M8. They share the same AE, the speed dial moves in the same direction, so they make a great 2 camera shooting kit. I went so far as to add a winder to the M7 in part so that I can move between the 2 bodies and not forget to rewind the M7. I also got an M5 which I use for a more manual experience, and it is a great camera. But, for reasons I can't quite explain, the M7 is my favorite camera. good luck and post images! best...Peter Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest PhotoWebb.co.uk Posted December 20, 2008 Share #15 Posted December 20, 2008 Having shopped around a bit a decent used M7 is going to cost me around £1200. I have just secured a black M6 TTL for £550. It has obvious signs of use but comes with a 12 months warranty and is in perfect working condition. If I really enjoy working with film then I will perhaps get an M7 at a later date. Thank you all for your help so far. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
innerimager Posted December 20, 2008 Share #16 Posted December 20, 2008 That's a great deal the M6, congratulations and good shooting. best...Peter Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomasw_ Posted December 21, 2008 Share #17 Posted December 21, 2008 You could always just take out the batteries. No, this wouldn't work for my MP use. I want the classic M feel, and the convenience of having a meter in the majority of situations that I use my MP -- mostly social situations where the light is tricky and pointing a hand held light meter at someone would kill the mood of the shot. But the LEDs are the price to pay for this advantage. Thus when I do want to use my MP, I want the stealthy metering. Accordingly I have to live with those red lights in my VF. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
harrisfoto Posted December 21, 2008 Share #18 Posted December 21, 2008 Try an M3 and the 50mm 1.4, and start shooting film. Get a light meter like the Voitlander or a Grossen Digisix. I suggest this, because that way you can set the aperture and shutter speed, before you bring the camera up to your face. Then all you have to do is focus and take the shot. The longer you have the camera up, so a subject can see it, the more the camera influences the shot. I just keep the light meter around my neck. I also suggest this, because it is the least cost way to go, and you can find out if you really like film or not. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBA Posted December 22, 2008 Share #19 Posted December 22, 2008 No, this wouldn't work for my MP use. I want the classic M feel, and the convenience of having a meter in the majority of situations that I use my MP -- mostly social situations where the light is tricky and pointing a hand held light meter at someone would kill the mood of the shot. But the LEDs are the price to pay for this advantage. Thus when I do want to use my MP, I want the stealthy metering. Accordingly I have to live with those red lights in my VF. So, you want the built-in meter but your real objection is to the LEDs? What would you prefer? If you want match-needle, there's always the M5. Considering the amount of low-light shooting I do with ASA 3200 film, those LEDs are a godsend. My M6 and MP are the only cameras I've used with LED meter indicators and these have never detracted from my shooting experience. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theodor Heinrichsohn Posted December 22, 2008 Share #20 Posted December 22, 2008 Here is one vote for the M5. The advantage of seeing the shutter time in the viewfinder is important for me. I set the aperture for the effect I want and adjust the time by hand. The M5 shows me what shutter speed is set for the correct exposure and I can decide, whether I can hand hold at that speed. The two crossing lines that show exact exposure, under and over exposure is also easier for me to interpret than the brighter or darker triangles in the M6 (which I also have). The CdS meter of the M5 is not as fast as the silicon meters of more modern Leicas, however, has given me thousands of accurate exposures with slide films. Teddy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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