Hi all,

This is just a quick off topic story :-)

I just get (finally !) my Leica 'M' (M6ttl & 50 Summicron, bought new..) two days ago, and It definitely change the way I take photographs, I miss some shoots off course, since I'm not really fast with a all manual camera :-) but It's a REAL pleasure to use it, it's such a perfect tool for me ! Honestly, It change my photographic life :-)

Thanks you very much, Mr. Oscar Barnak !

Best regards,

-- Simon (s_alibert@mac.com), June 06, 2002

Answers

Congrats! Keep on practicing! Cheers,

-- pat (modlabs@yahoo.com), June 06, 2002.

Welcome to the mad world of Leica! Im sure you will be amazed by the results of your new purchase.

-- Karl Yik (karl.yik@dk.com), June 06, 2002.

"Off topic", Simon?

I think your post is about as ON Topic as one can get here.

Enjoy your new Leica!!!!

www.stevehoffman.tv

-- Steve Hoffman (shoffman2@socal.rr.com), June 06, 2002.

Thanks !

I don't want to start a war again, but I bought several camera before (and I also tried some RF's, the Konica RF and the Contax G1..), and NO OF THEM make me happy as my Leica M did ! (I know I have one since 2 days :-) My only complains is the film loading, but I need some practice, it'll be all right soon, I'm sure !

Btw, How long a M6 should work ? I heard somewhere on the web, about 11000 rolls of films !! is it true ?

Thanks again, and I'm happy now, I can talk (approximately, my English is bad..) about something I own & Use :-)

-- Simon (s_alibert@mac.com), June 06, 2002.

Congrats to you. I sometimes get wrapped up as we all do in too- rational discussions about the various merits of one camera over another. Others take an unflinching "it's the photographer not the camera" stance. These are valid viewpoints with most brands of camera, but it is impossible to dismiss the intangible effect a Leica has on people--myself included. It just seems to possess an aura of its own that energizes the photographer. Strange but true.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), June 06, 2002.

Simon, I have read that the M6 shutter is really overengineered and incredibly understressed in use, and the lifetime is something ridiculous, This is a proven fact given the large numbers of M3 and M2s still on the market now. To get full use I recommend taking 10 rolls everyday for the rest of your life! ;)

-- Karl Yik (karl.yik@dk.com), June 06, 2002.

Simon welcome to the club! and I agree fully with Jay's observation. This Leica M camera re-energize you, heck I never stop smiling whenever I see my images taken with this petite camera. I must also admit i did possess some AF & manual Nikon, Yashica & Olympus Camera but nothing elates me by using the M . Oh yesss baby this one's for keep.

-- edgaddi (edgaddi@msn.com), June 06, 2002.

Simon, Way to go! Here are some tips to increase speed when using a manual camera: always reset the focusing ring to infinity. Most shots will require very little rotation to snap into focus. Instead of "hunting" back and forth, you will always be turning the focus ring the same way until it is habit. ( a photojournalist taught me that tip). if you're using negative film, just meter something in the mid grey tones ( like grass) and leave the aperature ring alone after that unless the light significantly changes. Loading: place the bottom plate firmly in your arm pit and clamp down on it. This keeps you from searching for a place to sit it, and leaves both hands free to load even while moving toward the next shot ( another tip from a photojournalist ). Finally, learn about using Hyper Focal Distance for focusing in brighter conditions. Use these tips and you'll miss far fewer shots. Hope they are of some small help. Happy hunting...

-- Marc Williams (mwilliams111313MI@comcast.net), June 06, 2002.

I enjoy my change from Canon 1N and 28-70L zoom to my M6 TTL and 35 and 75 luxes quite a bit. It has changed my photography as well, I think mine has become better. The only time I'll maybe miss a shot it's due to focusing on a fast moving subject, and usually because I need a wider open aperture. Leica is indeed a fine tool, sort of analagous to a driver's car- only we're shooting a photog's camera. : )

-- James (snodoggydogg@hotmail.com), June 06, 2002.

Hi Simon,

Glad to know you're so pleased with your Leica. Two days is a very short length of time in which to become familiar with any new camera, particularly an all manual one. Don't rush it, smoothness and speed of operation come with practice.

You've already got some great advice in other people's responses. You can see more information, including an excellent film loading guide, at http://www.nemeng.com/leica/index.shtml

I agree that having an excellent camera that you love using can improve your photography. In my case, it has made me become much more careful. Having great faith in the capability of my Leica, I don't want to spoil anything through my own poor judgment or technique.

-- Ray Moth (ray_moth@yahoo.com), June 06, 2002.

Simon:

Welcome aboard.

The secret to fast film loading for me was to make sure the leader was just inside the three prongs then-- make sure at least one sproket tooth is engaged in one hole in the film. Then advance the lever once, then put the bottom back, then 2 more cranks, while watching the rewind lever. It has always worked for me.

I used to try watching until the leader was picked up by the three prongs and neglected the tooth in the hole.

Cheers

-- RICHARD ILOMAKI (richardjx@hotmail.com), June 07, 2002.