Leica M2 or M6???

cambsno

cambsno

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So, currently suffering from GAS... and looking at M6's.

Currently have a Leica M2, had around 6 months and its a lovely example. Not used it as much as I would have liked but do plan to use it more. I did have an M2 4 or 5 years ago but sold to fund other stuff. Missed the Leica so got this one (as i can't afford a new one!!!). Toying with the idea of selling this and getting an M6, as I would find it easier to have the meter. I am pretty fussy with looks!!! Don't like the look of M4 or M5, and prefer the M2 to the M3. The M2 is a real classic and feels nice. I mean, they are both pretty much the same, just the M6 will tell me if it under or over exposed which i would find easier than either using a digital camera or iPhone app.

And no, the option is not there for both!!!
 
Can you "borrow" an M6 for a day's shooting? Maybe a shop with one in stock would let you take one on a day's approval. Or see if Mifsuds have one, they do a 10 day approval period IIRC.
 
I'd convinced myself I was going to buy (trigger warning: digital cameras) an XE-2 to replace my X100 and D90, because I thought it would lead to me taking more photos. Coincidentally, at around the same time, I was introduced to the concept of Hedonic Adaptation[1], and realised that after the novelty wore off, I'd be taking exactly the same number of photos as I'm taking now, and instead I resolved to take more photos with what I have.

So, if you need the meter and have the cash, go for it, but it probably won't make you take more photos.

(Bit serious, that, sorry)

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedonic_treadmill
 
Think I would more as sometimes would like to go out with just the camera. If I take x100 out too I will often stuck with that.

Head says m6 for the meter, heart says m2 as it is a real classic but then again I have a rolleicord for the classic camera!
 
Do you use black and white or colour? Colour slide film does need you to be accurate in your exposure, but black and white has a lot of latitude. You can get away with the "sunny 16" rule very well; and with a small amount of practice you can learn to judge exposures pretty well - the old timers with their heavy plates had to rely on their experience to get the exposure right, after all.

I could estimate exposure to within a half stop of my meter after I'd practiced. Until the early 1960s, black and white film had a one stop margin built in; removing it doubled film speeds overnight. Minimum exposure will increase sharpness and reduce grain, but you have good scope to get it wrong and still get good results.
 
abdoujaparov said:
I'd convinced myself I was going to buy (trigger warning: digital cameras) an XE-2 to replace my X100 and D90, because I thought it would lead to me taking more photos. Coincidentally, at around the same time, I was introduced to the concept of Hedonic Adaptation[1], and realised that after the novelty wore off, I'd be taking exactly the same number of photos as I'm taking now, and instead I resolved to take more photos with what I have.

So, if you need the meter and have the cash, go for it, but it probably won't make you take more photos.

(Bit serious, that, sorry)

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedonic_treadmill
Click to expand...

I read about hedonic adaption a couple months ago on the Mr Money Mustache blog, and I found it fascinating. Now when I buy anything (not just cameras) I try and imagine what difference it would make if it did/did not buy something. It's saved me from wasting quite a bit of money over the last few months, and I'm just as happy as I would have been if I'd bought it :D
 
cambsno said:
So, currently suffering from GAS... and looking at M6's.

Currently have a Leica M2, had around 6 months and its a lovely example. Not used it as much as I would have liked but do plan to use it more. I did have an M2 4 or 5 years ago but sold to fund other stuff. Missed the Leica so got this one (as i can't afford a new one!!!). Toying with the idea of selling this and getting an M6, as I would find it easier to have the meter. I am pretty fussy with looks!!! Don't like the look of M4 or M5, and prefer the M2 to the M3. The M2 is a real classic and feels nice. I mean, they are both pretty much the same, just the M6 will tell me if it under or over exposed which i would find easier than either using a digital camera or iPhone app.

And no, the option is not there for both!!!
Click to expand...

Funny thing to say considering an M6 looks identical!

I had the same idea as you, switching to an M6 (from my M4). I decided to shoot my FM2n for a bit instead of my M4 and I found that I ended up spending more time getting the LED to read 'O' than just taking out my Sekonic and getting a ballpark exposure to work from. So if I were you I'd invest in a nice incident meter and perhaps and a take up spool for the M2 so you can load rolls faster.
 
cambsno said:
Think I would more as sometimes would like to go out with just the camera. If I take x100 out too I will often stuck with that.

Head says m6 for the meter, heart says m2 as it is a real classic but then again I have a rolleicord for the classic camera!
Click to expand...

Maybe just combine the two and get an M8. :D
 
Well, I think my mind is made up, on the hunt for an M6!

I shoot mainly Portra so good exposure is key, and the issue I have is often taking the X100 out as well, so tend to use that as I can expose but then end up taking more pictures with the X100. Would like to just go out with the Leica at times, really do believe I can take out an M6 and be happy just to have that and not keep worrying about over/under exposure. The beauty of Leica is that you can buy, use for a bit and sell for a similar amount to what you paid so shouldn't see any massive loss.
 
I haven't shot a lot of Portra (although I've got a roll in my Mamiya kit at the moment) but I thought it was quite forgiving with exposure like most negative film?
 
stevelmx5 said:
I haven't shot a lot of Portra (although I've got a roll in my Mamiya kit at the moment) but I thought it was quite forgiving with exposure like most negative film?
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This. It has great exposure latitude as I think @skyshark has proved in a post before. Lean towards overexposure and you won't go far wrong. Before I got a light meter I just winged it for a little bit.
 
gazmorton2000 said:
This. It has great exposure latitude as I think @skyshark has proved in a post before. Lean towards overexposure and you won't go far wrong. Before I got a light meter I just winged it for a little bit.
Click to expand...

I have to agree here too. I've found you can easily expose by a couple of stops on Porta 400 at 35mm. More so on medium format. I will always rate 400 @ 200 and meter for shadows.
Tri-X I've toyed with overexposing too and have had good results.

I would also consider a Voigtlander VC Meter II which goes on the hotshoe. Understandably yes it adds a bit of bulk but I've found it very accurate.
Having used an M6, I personably preferred the feel of the M2 / M3. Don't get me wrong however, the M6 is a classic in many ways and if you want a built in meter then it's the best value Leica in the range.
 
Ruffmeister said:
I would also consider a Voigtlander VC Meter II which goes on the hotshoe. Understandably yes it adds a bit of bulk but I've found it very accurate.
Having used an M6, I personably preferred the feel of the M2 / M3. Don't get me wrong however, the M6 is a classic in many ways and if you want a built in meter then it's the best value Leica in the range.
Click to expand...

Fully agree with Dan about the Voigtlander meter as I used one with my M3 when I had it. Obviously it's a bit of a clunky arrangement compared to a built-in meter, but they pretty much hold their value I think, so easy to move on if you don't like using it. It was far superior to the Leica meter, but you can get one of them for £35 or less at Ffordes. http://www.ffordes.com/product/16021818003531
 
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Cambosno
I was in the same predicament last week and decided on a mint M6 ttl with a 35mm lux. I also got a 50mm Elmar M also in mint condition off eBay for a real bargain.
As of writing I haven't seen the results of 5 rolls of film shot, but dropped them off today and will hopefully get them back in 5 days time.
The first roll was a mistake as I managed to shoot 36 pictures on the first frame. Lesson learned make sure you load the film correctly
 
ndwgolf said:
Cambosno
I was in the same predicament last week and decided on a mint M6 ttl with a 35mm lux. I also got a 50mm Elmar M also in mint condition off eBay for a real bargain.
As of writing I haven't seen the results of 5 rolls of film shot, but dropped them off today and will hopefully get them back in 5 days time.
The first roll was a mistake as I managed to shoot 36 pictures on the first frame. Lesson learned make sure you load the film correctly
Click to expand...

I too ended up with an M6 TTL. So now selling my M2. I did find the loading of film harder (or just different) to the M2, hopefully the roll i am using now is working fine! Luckily i don't think the wife has noticed the difference between the m6 and m2!!

Really enjoying it, nice having the meter.
 
cambsno said:
I too ended up with an M6 TTL. So now selling my M2. I did find the loading of film harder (or just different) to the M2, hopefully the roll i am using now is working fine! Luckily i don't think the wife has noticed the difference between the m6 and m2!!

Really enjoying it, nice having the meter.
Click to expand...
Fantastic mate
Im looking forward to seeing your pictures :)
 
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