Review 2 of 93
Price Paid:
$2000.00
from eBay Summary:Over 50 years of photographing, I worked my way up From a gift Exa to a Rollei 35, Nikonos, EM and then bought a Minolta CLE just before a month's assignment to the Exxon Valdez cleanup. The 6 rolls of Fuji slide film I shot in Alaska was the catalyst that made the remainder of my career. After the CLE the only camera I wanted was a Leica M, but did not want to give up the metering feature. One Sunday morning I caught my M6 with 50mm Summicron and grip on eBay, like new with boxes for $2K and have never been disappointed.
I can't understand the fuss about loading film - because I borrowed a Leica IIIf once during a CLE breakdown and those are HARD to load.
Once the film is in the M6 the camera is a dream to use. With in-finder metering and finger-tab focusing, I was finally able to concentrate on seeing EVERYTHING in the viewfinder, breathing and squeezing off the shot. The lenses are fantastic. The best roll of film I ever shot was one afternoon in NY with the 50mm mounted and the 90mm in my pocket and the evening sun making magic. The heft and balance of the camera give confidence. The nearly inaudible shutter and no motor drive enable stealth. The metering is so accurate there is little need for bracketing.
I was in London and had the evening off. I wanted to re-shoot a picture that I had shot with an Olympus SP and planned to enter in the state fair, but lost (the house knew better and was hiding it). I lurked in a corner opposite the Liverpool Station main stairway and waited for someone wearing red to enter the frame, meanwhile calculating whether to shoot at 1/15 or 1/30 to get the desired sense of motion. Finally a redhead walked by in a pink coat. The photo took first place in the next state fair.
That's just an example of the kind of cinfidence this camera gives you. Forget the plastics, computers, flapping mirrors and obnioxious motor drives. If you want the essence of photography you want an M6. Strengths:1) Wide selection of highest quality lenses - both vintage and modern. And there is a huge variety of other LTM lenses you can try for nostalgia. I occasionally use a Russian Jupiter 12 with M adapter with excellent results - total investment $90.
2) No mirror slap to shake the camera or noise to attract attention. With a Leitz 50mm finder mounted on top, you have 1:1 viewing and can shoot with both eyes open - seeing what is outside the frame (but about to enter it), not just what is inside the frame.
3) Compactness - I have an Elmar f2.8 that collapses into the camera and I can then drop it into my coat pocket. Try that with an SLR! I carry 2 bodies, 3 lenses, filters, film, flash, bottom lens mount, and a small tripod in a small Tenba shoulder bag.
4) Reliability - I have a CL as backup, but have never needed it. Change batteries on your birthday and it will never let you down.
5) Service and parts - some of the best repairers in the business are the Leica fixers - Sherry Krauter is mine. Yes, it isn't cheap, but my Rolex costs more to service than my Leica. Great parts support from Leica - for example, my 50-year old Elmar was bought with a pitted front element (common), but John vanStelten ( www.focalpointlens.com ), had no trouble getting a replacement element and putting th elens in like new condition. Weaknesses:Cost.
No self timer.
Zoom with your feet. (Every time I lift the camera to ny eye I can hear my father saying "Get closer!") Similar Products Used:Minolta CLE - the only thing that comes close to an M6 + it has auto exposure!
Leica CL.
Olympus SP
Leica M2
Stereo Realist (a different world) Customer Service:I have never dealt with Leica, but love the support they give the independent service experts I use.
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