GaryBrighton Posted April 17, 2009 Share #1 Posted April 17, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Dear All This is my first posting so go easy on me! I have just been offered an M6TTL with a Summicron f2 35mm ASPH lens and .72 viewfinder. It is all in excellent condition and in the original boxes. Black finish. The seller wants £900 UK sterling for the lot and I am very tempted. Having never owned a Leica before I'm a little nervous about what is, for me, a large cash investment. My questions are; 1. Is this a fair price for body and lens - looking at used prices it seems to be? 2. Is the M6TTL and 35mm lens a good starting point with the M series? Any advice very welcome. Thanks Gary Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted April 17, 2009 Posted April 17, 2009 Hi GaryBrighton, Take a look here Buying my First Leica - advice on M6 please. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
wizard Posted April 17, 2009 Share #2 Posted April 17, 2009 Gary, welcome to this forum. To answer your questions, 1.) with 900 pounds nowadays being worth not a great deal more than 900 Euro, yes this is GREAT price in my view, provided the items are in excellent condition and fully functional. 2.) Another yes, this is indeed a very good combo to start with. 35mm has always been THE classic focal length for a rangefinder camera, and the Summicron 2/35asph. is undoubtly one of the very best, if not the best lens of its kind. So go for it and have fun! Andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcoombs Posted April 17, 2009 Share #3 Posted April 17, 2009 My sense is that it's a very fair price for the kit, assuming it's in good condition. My only question is - do you know you really want a rangefinder camera? The technique and style is different from SLRs, and you need to be ready to accept that. If the answer is yes, then go for it! Doug Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest flatfour Posted April 17, 2009 Share #4 Posted April 17, 2009 Gary - I know you have had other advice elsewhere but I would not use a 35mm Summicron on an M6 as I think you will find it too restricting. The classic lens for all 35mm cameras is 50mm and I would sell the 35mm and get a 50mm. 35mm is a wideangle lens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted April 17, 2009 Share #5 Posted April 17, 2009 Going to have to disagree with Tony, I'm afraid. 50mm might be the classic lens for an SLR, but a 35mm is the perfect lens for an M. And that's the perfect combination to get started. At £900, including an M6, it's a bargain. The lens is worth a hundred more than that on its own, if it's in decent condition. You are a lucky man - bite the seller's arm off. And, welcome to the forum, and post lots of shots when you collect Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Bernd Banken Posted April 17, 2009 Share #6 Posted April 17, 2009 Gary, in contrary to the above posting from Tony I recommend strongly the use of a 35mm wide angle lens. Depending on your photographic background it's easy to adapt your visual behavior to this length. I'ts more easy when you concentrate on the use of just one lens. A 50mm will "cut out" more but this you can do later with 35mm shots until you are trained. Two years ago I got a M with different lenses but my 35 Cron pre-a. is the best lens to match my style of photography as street and landscape...: Café Slavia on Flickr - Photo Sharing! Oceanview on Flickr - Photo Sharing! Leica lover in the dark on Flickr - Photo Sharing! .. on Flickr - Photo Sharing! As a young guy 28mm was the bodycap of my NikonF but as an older guy it's to close now...... Cheers Bernd Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted April 17, 2009 Share #7 Posted April 17, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Jump on it. It is a steal and an ideal set.The 50 mm does not stand on its own as a standard lens, the 35 is used far more often for that purpose. It is an ideal focal length on a rangefinder. If you don't take it, provide the adress of the seller in this forum, there will be a scramble to get this combo - me included. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted April 17, 2009 Share #8 Posted April 17, 2009 Me too. I'd sell the lens for £900 and keep the body Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted April 17, 2009 Share #9 Posted April 17, 2009 Gary, the price is excellent - as has been pointed out above the lens itself would sell for more than that at a dealer. Of course that's provided that the glass isn't scratched or it has any mechanical problems - aperture blades don't move smoothly, focus is very stiff - that kind of thing. As for 35mm being a good lens, I used a 35mm ASPG Summicron most of the time on my M6, using it for thousands of frames a year. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
russell c. greenberg Posted April 17, 2009 Share #10 Posted April 17, 2009 Gary, Absolutely, go for it! Try this combo and see if 1) everything works.2) You can adapt yourself to the "rangefinder style of taking photos". If everything works, you have a great combo at a fantastic price. If you can't adapt to the "rangefinder way", you will always recoup your investment, possibly ,even make money on the resale. Russell Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted April 17, 2009 Share #11 Posted April 17, 2009 I can only agree with what others have said: go for it! The M6 is an excellent camera and a delight to use; the 35 ASPH is a stunningly sharp lens. I like the 50, too, but the 35 excels at travel and "environmental" portraits showing people in their settings. In short, it's a very versatile lens. Do try a variety of film, including slide film to get the very best out of your Leica. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pop Posted April 18, 2009 Share #12 Posted April 18, 2009 Run, do not walk, and fetch the M6 with lens. 35mm vs 50mm is a very old debate and can only be answered by the individual. In any event, an excellent 35mm (such as the one being offered) is far superior to a mediocre 50mm one. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
k_g_wolf ✝ Posted April 18, 2009 Share #13 Posted April 18, 2009 Looks a bit like a misunderstanding to me. The price was perhaps meant to be for one of the items only. Unlless, the seller is a widow which only knows the >>official<< $$, told by the former owner ... Best Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GaryBrighton Posted April 18, 2009 Author Share #14 Posted April 18, 2009 I can assure you that the price is for both lens and camera. Given the responses so far I'll definitely be buying it! The seller has a load of other lenses and filters and the motor drive for sale too, so perhaps I'll buy the other stuff too. I dare not tell you what he wants for that... Watch this space. Gary Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted April 18, 2009 Share #15 Posted April 18, 2009 Gary Some might pay that just for the lens, so it's a bargain and I'd go for it. 35mm is an ideal lens to start with on film (and the M8 come to that), Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest flatfour Posted April 18, 2009 Share #16 Posted April 18, 2009 I agree that the 35mm lens is an easier lens to employ but whatever you photograph with it there will be an element of distortion. If that's acceptable then use it, but focal lengths are only foot steps. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted April 18, 2009 Share #17 Posted April 18, 2009 I agree that the 35mm lens is an easier lens to employ but whatever you photograph with it there will be an element of distortion Can't say it's ever bothered me - or that I've ever noticed it for that matter. 35mm ASPH, M6. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/82458-buying-my-first-leica-advice-on-m6-please/?do=findComment&comment=874915'>More sharing options...
budrichard Posted April 18, 2009 Share #18 Posted April 18, 2009 I agree that the 35mm lens is an easier lens to employ but whatever you photograph with it there will be an element of distortion. If that's acceptable then use it, but focal lengths are only foot steps. News to me and a LOT of other M users! 85% of my pictures are with the 35mm Lux ASPH with my M's. No problems. Never ever use my 50mm lenses anymore.-Dick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcoombs Posted April 18, 2009 Share #19 Posted April 18, 2009 I agree that the 35mm lens is an easier lens to employ but whatever you photograph with it there will be an element of distortion. If that's acceptable then use it, but focal lengths are only foot steps. Maybe you were thinking of the old 35mm Lux? His is the chron ASPH. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest flatfour Posted April 22, 2009 Share #20 Posted April 22, 2009 Stunsworth - You can see the distortion in your picture quite clearly. It can be doctored in Photoshop to some degree as per attached Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/82458-buying-my-first-leica-advice-on-m6-please/?do=findComment&comment=878857'>More sharing options...
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