Re: [Leica] M6 or R6.2?

[FIGLIO4CAP@aol.com]

In a message dated 98-09-18 02:46:40 EDT, you write:

<< Hey, I learned to make my first pictures on a Praktica >>
Me, too, although I lusted after a Praktina when I was a kid.
Your point about  size and weight is on target. I have owned and used the
Pentax 67, RB67 and Mamiya 645. The 645 came closest to 35mm in portability
but at the time there was not the flexibility that I have with 35mm SLR's. (I
also used 4X5 and 5X7- even had a Durst 138S Laborator for the large format
stuff).

After being in and out of Leica equipment for over 30 years (also Nikon and
Pentax) I have finally decided that for most of my work (chromes and up to
11X14 prints), the Leica M and R systems are the most fun in the feedback they
give one and the results that they produce.

Some have argued that Leicas are elitist cameras and perhaps the newest top
end lenses are. But a good, serviceable Leica system can be built very
economically.
For example, here is a high performance combination that can be bought very
reasonably and which will produce most of what has been called the "Leica
look."

1). R3 body - very serviceable and cheap ( I have two, on of which I bought
new - never a service problem with either).
2). 50mm Summicron, any vintage with three cams - a wonderful lens.
3). 35mm Elamarit R - again any vintage
4). 90mm Elmarit R- amazingly sharp, I think that it may be the same as the M
version but at a fraction of the price. The 90mm M lens is the darling of the
M folks and they big bicks for it even used. The R users have had it for years
and it relatively cheap.
5). 135mm Elmarit R - a true sleeper. Tremendously under appreciated lens-
extremely brilliant, high performance lens. I have had several of these from
the first one out years ago. They are uniformly terrific yet are available
dirt cheap.
Of course there are lens combos possible and other bodies but I wanted to add
my comments here because this outfit (which I recently gave to my daughter and
a friend) can be bought for lees than the price of an M6 body! That truly is a
high performance/cost ratio.

BTW, I also have a fairly complete M system which stays in my brief case for
travel. For many years it seemed to me that the R lenses often outperformed
the M versions.
I have no axe to grind here, but it sure seemed that way except for the 50mm.

Bob Figlio