Re: [Leica] Help with a Nikon F/F2 to Leica M transition

["dan states" <dstate1@hotmail.com>]

John, as a primarily black and white shooter who rarely uses slide 
film I am probably not the one to ask about metering...Usually a guess 
based on experience is within a half a stop of the metered setting, 
and well within the tolerance of most modern print films.  If you 
don't shoot slide film often, don't let the metering become an issue.

Instead I would recommend the M6 for both age issues and the convience  
of the wider angle viewfinder..Go with the M6 .85 if you want a larger 
view, and you will still have a built in 35mm frame.  The M3 will 
require either an accessory viewfinder witch will cost a mint, or the 
"bug eye" 35's which are cumbersome to use and very rare in anything 
but the f 2.8 summaron.  
Also, dont forget that the M3 will be a 35+ year old camera, with all 
the possible repairs that entails, and its price is inflated by 
moneyed collectors whos look at cameras more than use them.

As for lenses I would skip the non aspheric 35 F1.4.  I learned from 
sad experience that this lens is a poor performer at F 1.4-f2.0.  Tons 
of flare and coma make any bright spot in the frame look like an 
atomic blast...
Save some money and go with the older Summicron, whos F2.0 performance 
is at least as good as the Summilux, and is marginally better at all 
other settings.  Finally, go with the newest series lens you can find.  
Despite what you hear from some corners the newest lenses ARE the best  
and will help you avoid the hidden damage that can come with years of 
use.  Good luck on your search, and happy holidays.   Dan  







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>Date: Thu, 24 Dec 1998 11:52:58 -0800
>From: "The Beal's" <jbeal@bendnet.com>
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>To: Leica Users Group <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
>Subject: [Leica] Help with a Nikon F/F2 to Leica M transition
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>Dear LUG'gers,
>   I've been lurking in this mail for a couple of years, absorbing 
all
>words of wisdom I can to make a successful transition to the world of
>Leica.  The latest Nikon F/F2 posting seemed relevant enough for me 
to
>make a posting.
>   I have used a Nikon F Photomic (flag meter) for 21 years.  I'm an
>amateur photographer drawn to candid, available light, star trail, 
and
>occasional landscape and black & white photography.  Candids are out
>because of the loud mirror slap, and dim viewfinders and minimum
>handheld speeds of 1/60 make available light difficult.  The above
>reasons and Leitz glass tell me I might be happier and more 
productive
>with a Leica M.  With your kind assistance (particularly from
>former/current Nikon F users), I have a few questions for the group.
>   In looking for an M body, I'm torn between metering convenience 
and
>focusing practicalities.  The M6 is attractive because of the TTL
>metering, which is familiar to me via Nikon, and the prices have 
really
>come down.  It is also newer with a potentially longer service life. 
>However, being burdened with eyeglasses, the M3 appeals to be because 
of
>greater focusing accuracy and I have yet to hear much negative about 
the
>M3 in this group.  My only hang-up about an M3 seems to be the 
process
>of metering: is it that much more involved than a TTL system?  Is
>metering an M3 with black & white filters more of a chore than with 
the
>M6?  What does an M body undergo in a CLA, and how much sway should 
it
>have over a similar M without it?
>   I intend to use a Summilux-M 35mm/1.4 (not flush enough for an 
ASPH)
>and eventually acquire a Summicron 90mm/2.0.  Are there any 
particular
>traits or Achilles heels with these lenses (fungus, element 
separation,
>etc.) for which I should be on the look out?
>   Any help on any of these questions is much appreciated.  
>
>Thanks and Happy Holidays to al

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