First Leica help... M6 + 35mm Summicron f2

brucegill

brucegill

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Bruce Gill
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Hi guys

I've been looking all over the web for info and thought I'd ask here as I've had good help in the past...

Looking to come back to film after a very very long time (https://www.talkphotography.co.uk/threads/want-to-shoot-film-and-ditch-the-digital.602832/)

I've always wanted a Leica and love the 35mm f2 Summicron.

Prices seem to vary soon much! M6 from £600-£1200, 35mm f2 from £899 for a v2 to £1190-1299 for a v4

Any help or advice would be great! I do know I'd prefer pre ASPH on the lens. No idea what to look for on the M6 though... Harrison have a m6 for £600, if I go into london theres a few for 899 etc...

Cheers
Bruce
 
I used to own an M6,as for pricing with Leica its more often to do with con weather it has its box etc,but main things to check are focusing,the film back plate,light proofing,metering,and wind on are all ok,after that it how much of the condition of the body you will be happy with i:e paint loss, the little knock or dent,no box etc :)

Oh and check the curtain shutter,and shutter speeds
 
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Somewhere I read the suggestion to buy a rangefinder from a shop with technical skills and a warranty (says the guy with two in the classifieds :( )...

Edit: meant to add, some of the variation might be caused by the "TTL" variants; IIRC TTL refers to flash rather than normal metering, so I definitely wouldn't pay extra for it. But you are fighting selers' expectations that you are a rich dentist with more money than sense, so keep looking in reputable places...
 
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I'd go for ChrisR voigtlander bessa r3a and save a good chunk of change! ☺
 
Thanks guys.

Yeah, I have to admit the Leica thing does seem odd. And f'ing dear! I am worried it's a little style over substance but I'm also worried that if I don't scratch the itch, I will do at some later date. I know what I'm like lol.

Those that say get the Bessa, have you both owned a Leica to compare?

Thanks guys. Much appreciated!
 
brucegill said:
Those that say get the Bessa, have you both owned a Leica to compare?
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I have to be honest, no.

It's possible I'd spend 10minutes with a Leica and suddenly understand.

I just can't get past the cost. For the price of body and lens you're talking about I could get a whole range of different Nikon bodies and a shed load of Nikkor lenses.
 
I know I suggested the voigtlander but you really should get a leica if that's what you have your heart set on.
You'll only wonder what if further down the line.
I've always had my heart set on an r4a so that's what I bought. Cost a shed load for a new one from the states but that's what I had my heart set on so thought why not.
Just need to raise funds for the glass to go with it now!
 
simon ess said:
I have to be honest, no.

It's possible I'd spend 10minutes with a Leica and suddenly understand.

I just can't get past the cost. For the price of body and lens you're talking about I could get a whole range of different Nikon bodies and a shed load of Nikkor lenses.
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Yeah, I'm with you on that! It is insane! I love that lens though.... Difficult one. I'm kind of thinking I'm best to do it now as I can always sell it and move onto other things. They seem to keep their prices well.... Hopefully lol
 
I must admit my use of the Leica didn't last long,it was a few years ago for some reason i just could get on with rangefinder style of focusing :(
 
allicio said:
I know I suggested the voigtlander but you really should get a leica if that's what you have your heart set on.
You'll only wonder what if further down the line.
I've always had my heart set on an r4a so that's what I bought. Cost a shed load for a new one from the states but that's what I had my heart set on so thought why not.
Just need to raise funds for the glass to go with it now!
Click to expand...

Thanks Andrew. I'm thinking that too.... damn that itch!
 
I haven't mate no. I had it recommended to me whilst discussing voigtlander glass
I noticed it whilst browsing and thought it a good price
 
I used them a couple of weeks ago for a waist level finder on my hasselblad. I'd not heard of them either but the price and condition looked too good not to try. Have to say they were great and I'd use them again in a heart beat; item was exactly as described, arrived quickly and was well packaged. Their reply times via email were really good too which is always reassuring.

That was a WLF for £59 not a Leica for £829 though so you might want to check them out a bit more first :)
 
Have you seen Steven Gandy's site on buying a Leica? I read it several times before I got my M3 as there is loads of info on the different models. I loved the feel of the M3, but found I wasn't really using it and sold it.
https://www.cameraquest.com/mguide.htm
 
Carl Hall said:
I used them a couple of weeks ago for a waist level finder on my hasselblad. I'd not heard of them either but the price and condition looked too good not to try. Have to say they were great and I'd use them again in a heart beat; item was exactly as described, arrived quickly and was well packaged. Their reply times via email were really good too which is always reassuring.

That was a WLF for £59 not a Leica for £829 though so you might want to check them out a bit more first :)
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haha. thanks Carl. At least someone has used them :)
 
Peter B said:
Have you seen Steven Gandy's site on buying a Leica? I read it several times before I got my M3 as there is loads of info on the different models. I loved the feel of the M3, but found I wasn't really using it and sold it.
https://www.cameraquest.com/mguide.htm
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Great! Thanks Peter. I'll take a look now. I do love the M2 (want 35mm frame lines), but really not sure about going without a meter!
 
I had an urge for an M6 a while ago but baulked at the price and decided to try something a bit cheaper to see if a fully manual rangefinder was really for me. I bought a good condition Canon P and long story short, I now have 3 lenses for it and it's one of my favourite cameras. :)



ETA: It also cured my M6 urge, which was the point I forgot to include :oops: :$
 
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simonblue said:
I must admit my use of the Leica didn't last long,it was a few years ago for some reason i just could get on with rangefinder style of focusing :(
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I was very happy with the rangefinder focussing, in fact going back to my SLRs I sometimes find focussing much harder (although rangefinder focussing on a tripod with off-centre subject is a PITA). The thing that got me was the viewfinder. Lovely and clear... but no hint at depth of field, and stick a longer lens on and... the viewfinder stays the same but there's this tiny box in the middle which is the frame! Now when I change lenses, I see what I'll see (IYSWIM).
 
Hiya,

I've owned a Voigtlander Bessa R, a Leica CL, and currently own the M6 Classic.

The best 35mm rangefinder camera for the money is the Bessa R series:

Pros:
FANTASTIC viewfinder. Brighter and bigger than my M6 (which is very bright btw).
Great build quality - for the price
Good ergonomics (subject to personal opinion)
Lighter than other rangefinders (could be a good or bad thing)

Cons:
Not a Leica. By that I don't mean the red dot. The build quality of the Leica M's are just wonderful, nothing like it imho. Ergonomics are so perfect - everything you need just at your fingertips. The 'feeling' when you hold it is for me second to none.
Not much else.


If you haven't had a rangefinder before, I personally would go for a Bessa. A total bargain - even new at less than £700 (limited stock, but available). Keep it, use it, learn it for a year. If all is good - carry on using it. If you are happy with the rangefinder experience, and want to 'trade up' then look for a CLA'd Leica body. Cosmetic condition isn't the most important. Aligned rangefinder, sound mechanics are (hence CLA'd. ) M6 Classic is superb (I wouldn't pay the extra for the TTL). M7 if you want aperture priority. M4 (any of them) if you don't need a meter. You can keep the Bessa R for a backup, or sell it on for someone else to try the RF experience.


I personally will never not have a Leica film M. At some point I will either have a new M7 or a new (meterless) M-A. I'm 42 years old, perhaps I will treat myself for my 50th. However, like I said - if you've never had a rangefinder, get a Bessa R (pick your favourite focal lengths and choose the model that suits). You won't regret it.


Lenses-wise. I have owned a Voigltander 40mm Ultron f/1.4 - I loved it. Great for B/W, nice colour rendering too. Currently, I have the 50mm Elmar-M f/2.8 and the Summarit 35mm f/2.5 - I've used a 50mm 'cron, never a 35mm. For my usage (mostly daylight street shooting) these 'cheaper' Leica lenses are more than fine. In fact they are blinking amazing. The 50mm Elmar-M is a neglected classic. I don't miss f/2.0. If need be I'll push the film slightly. Your usage obviously will vary and the f/2.0 might well be essential.

Leica bodies and lenses can cost A LOT. But they hold their value, and can be a good investment. BUT don't neglect Voigtlander and Zeiss. Great bodies, great lenses - superb price.

Hope this helps in some way.

Ta,
Shane :)
 
I've always wanted a Leica, probably an M2 or M3. I'm not sure why, but it's not the cachet associated with the brand. I think it's got more to do with the history, build quality and simplicity that goes with them, which is sufficient reason to buy one, but I doubt if I ever will. They're far out of reach for me and I doubt if that will change, but it's good to dream!

FWIW, I'd also like a pre-war 12 bore sidelock from one of the top London gunmakers, and a WW1 Luger with all matching numbers, but they're even more expensive...
 
I went through a similar digital to film transition 18 months ago. I also had a Fuji X100 that I really loved, so I tried to find a film camera that was as close to it in terms of form factor and features as possible. After a lot of research I ended up with a Konica Hexar AF, which I have to say, is excellent and handles in a very similar way to the X100 (AF and AE, rangefinder style, similar lens length etc). I suspect the Hexar was used as 'inspiration' by the X100 designers.

So you could start there and see how you get on with film development, scanning and/or printing. It would be a heck of a lot cheaper than the M6 + Summicron.
 
SlimShaney said:
Hiya,

I've owned a Voigtlander Bessa R, a Leica CL, and currently own the M6 Classic.

The best 35mm rangefinder camera for the money is the Bessa R series:

Pros:
FANTASTIC viewfinder. Brighter and bigger than my M6 (which is very bright btw).
Great build quality - for the price
Good ergonomics (subject to personal opinion)
Lighter than other rangefinders (could be a good or bad thing)

Cons:
Not a Leica. By that I don't mean the red dot. The build quality of the Leica M's are just wonderful, nothing like it imho. Ergonomics are so perfect - everything you need just at your fingertips. The 'feeling' when you hold it is for me second to none.
Not much else.


If you haven't had a rangefinder before, I personally would go for a Bessa. A total bargain - even new at less than £700 (limited stock, but available). Keep it, use it, learn it for a year. If all is good - carry on using it. If you are happy with the rangefinder experience, and want to 'trade up' then look for a CLA'd Leica body. Cosmetic condition isn't the most important. Aligned rangefinder, sound mechanics are (hence CLA'd. ) M6 Classic is superb (I wouldn't pay the extra for the TTL). M7 if you want aperture priority. M4 (any of them) if you don't need a meter. You can keep the Bessa R for a backup, or sell it on for someone else to try the RF experience.


I personally will never not have a Leica film M. At some point I will either have a new M7 or a new (meterless) M-A. I'm 42 years old, perhaps I will treat myself for my 50th. However, like I said - if you've never had a rangefinder, get a Bessa R (pick your favourite focal lengths and choose the model that suits). You won't regret it.


Lenses-wise. I have owned a Voigltander 40mm Ultron f/1.4 - I loved it. Great for B/W, nice colour rendering too. Currently, I have the 50mm Elmar-M f/2.8 and the Summarit 35mm f/2.5 - I've used a 50mm 'cron, never a 35mm. For my usage (mostly daylight street shooting) these 'cheaper' Leica lenses are more than fine. In fact they are blinking amazing. The 50mm Elmar-M is a neglected classic. I don't miss f/2.0. If need be I'll push the film slightly. Your usage obviously will vary and the f/2.0 might well be essential.

Leica bodies and lenses can cost A LOT. But they hold their value, and can be a good investment. BUT don't neglect Voigtlander and Zeiss. Great bodies, great lenses - superb price.

Hope this helps in some way.

Ta,
Shane :)
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Hi Shane

Many thanks mate, great help and info. Really helped my trip to London today :wideyed:
 
Pics or it didn't happen, that's the rule here, Bruce! Good choice, by the way... :)
 
Congratulations, that looks like a lovely example. I'm impressed at your resolve; ask a few relevant question, listen to the advice given and go do it. I'd still be prevaricating and procrastinating several months from now!

Looking forward to seeing your results :)
 
brucegill said:
View attachment 46777

Not the best shot, but Kids have been up since 5am and we're all shattered..... Desperate to get out with this!

Thanks Shane... I've never bothered before, but you are right! Will call up the household insurance first. Or are there any recommendations?
Click to expand...

Just stop posting pictures like this. Stop it now….b****r…b****r..
 
brucegill said:
View attachment 46777

Not the best shot, but Kids have been up since 5am and we're all shattered..... Desperate to get out with this!

Thanks Shane... I've never bothered before, but you are right! Will call up the household insurance first. Or are there any recommendations?
Click to expand...



Yep - check whether your household insurance would cover it.

I use Photoguard, personally. :)
 
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