Re: [Leica] Advice for a New M6 TTL Owner

[Guy Bennett <guybnt@idt.net>]

dan,

welcome aboard!

everything you say sounds right and fine to my ear and eye, in fact, the
rig you describe is virtually the same set up i chose when i first got
involved with the big L. i use the ttl version of the m6, with the .72 vf
(i wear glasses and favor short focal lengths), prefer the summicron 50, 35
asph (and 24, though you apparently haven't been bitten by that bug yet),
and will be adding a 90 soon, though it'll probably be the elmarit, not the
summicron. i've got the chrome body + lenses (like the weight) and shoot
only b + w (delta 400/3200 + hp5plus) in available light w/o flash. i
personally can't imagine a better camera/lens for this type of work, and
bet you'll feel the same way once you get it and go.

as for sites to visit, check out erwin putz' 'leica papers' for technical info:

http://www.imx.nl/photosite/leica/leicahome.html

and stephen gandy's site for user/collector info:

http://www.cameraquest.com/

and hans pahlen's site for m info:

http://www.komvux.skola.mark.se/hp635.htm

there are many others that folks will suggest now and then, sites that have
been divised to help you  know distinguish your PLOOT from your TOODY, and
generally part you from whatever funds you may have left once you've bought
your stuff. on that note, i'd like to reiterate the appropriate leica
greeting put forth by john brownlow: pull your now empty pockets out of
your pants to indicate your new financial status.

what ho!

guy



>Greetings Leicaphiles:
>(Martin, is this the correct Leica salute? :))
>
>I'm new to the LUG, and I'm about to order my very first M6 TTL.  I'd
>welcome any advice you might have for someone just starting out--from buying
>advice, accessory suggestions, things to check when I first get the camera,
>reading material or web links, and so on.
>
>I'm planning on using the M6 for street photography and candid portraits,
>using mostly (but not exclusively) black and white (TriX and TMax) print
>negatives, in available light (I disdain flash).  Since I like to shoot
>close-ups, I'm going to start out with the 50/2 Summicron and plan to get
>the 90/2 APO Summicron as my second lens (it's severely back-ordered anyway,
>so it will be a few months).  After that, I'll likely get the 35/2 ASPH.
>
>I still haven't decided on the finder mag. yet, but am inclined towards the
>.72x since I am planning on getting a 35 mm lens at some point, and I'm an
>eyeglass wearer (the 35 framelines on the higher mag. viewer are therefore
>tough to see).  On the other hand, I plan to shoot the 90/2 APO _a lot_,
>wide open and at close distances, so that's a compelling reason to choose
>the .85x.  Anybody have experience (good or bad) shooting the 90 APO this
>way with a .72 finder?
>
>Of course, a no-compromise solution would be to buy _both_ bodies (or the
>.72 M6 for the 35 and an M3 for the 50 and 90), but I'd really rather save
>the money for glass if possible.
>
>Finally, I've decided on the silver chrome body and black lenses.  That's my
>compromise between an aesthetic love for chrome and the weight savings of
>the black aluminum lens casings.
>
>It's good to be part of the LUG, and I'm extremely excited about becoming a
>Leica user.  Many thanks in advance for any suggestions you might have.
>
>Regards,
>Dan Honemann