[Leica] Re: Expectant proud new M6 owner

[Simon Lamb <s_lamb@compuserve.com>]

John Coan wrote:

>
>
> Simon,
> I am feeling much the same as you.  Yesterday I purchased a 1991-made M6 on
> ebay, and from another guy, a fairly newish Summicron 35 asph.  I'll keep my
> 8008s too, until I upgrade to perhaps an F100.  I also have a Contax 645,
> which I'll keep too.  I've always wanted a Leica rangefinder though... as
> you say, it will do things the others won't.  I an eager to get my stuff and
> go at it!
>
> One  unfortunate thing ... I have no instruction book.  I'll figure it out I
> guess and seek out a book from somewhere.
>
> I'm wondering if the first roll I shoot ought to be black and white.  The
> Leica just seems like it will do wonders in available light ... and with B&W
> I won't have to worry about color temperature problems.  I really don't want
> to carry around a flash with it.  Heck, the flashes are  too big and if I
> wanted a big rig I could use the Contax/Metz or Nikon/SB-28.  I think I want
> to live with the limitations of available light and the 35mm lens for a
> while.
>
> Anyway, Simon, congratulations on your purchase.  I know you will enjoy it.
> And one thing... the folks on this list were very helpful to me when I asked
> a question yesterday.  I think I will enjoy hanging around here for a while
> and getting to know folks.
>
> John

John

Thanks for your welcome.  If you upgrade to the F100 I am sure you will
like it, it is a great camera.  I also considered a medium format camera
but I decided that,
for the 10x8s that I usually do, I can get close enough to the quality
of the MF cameras without needing a third body.  I think (hope!) that
the M6 and the F5 will
cover all of my photography needs, and provide me with some 10x8s worthy
of some wall space.

I am very much looking forward to available light photography.  It is
interesting that you said it was a limitation that you will live with,
whereas I am thinking it
will open up a whole new sphere of photography for me.  I think my
subjects will be more relaxed, or completely uaware of my picture
taking, and I will get some
excellent candid shots/poses as a result.

Simon


> Simon Lamb wrote:
>
> > Hello everyone
> >
> > Another lurker surfaces and faces the inevitable!  I have phoned the
> > camera shop and will be picking up my chrome M6 .85, 90mm f/2 APO ASPH
> > and Tri-Elmar 28-50mm f/4 on 2 May.  Just by way of introduction, I am a
> > Nikon user (F5, 80-200mm f/2.8 AFS, 85mm f/1.8 AF-D, TC20-E etc. etc.).
> > I love two types of photography, wildlife and portraits (particularly of
> > my two girls ages five and two - they are the subjects for the portraits
> > although sometimes the wildlife!).  I really wanted a camera that would
> > enable me to take protraits with more creative control and in a less
> > stressful way for the children.  The F5 with SB28 flash and big 85mm
> > lens can be very overpowering for children and it is difficult to take
> > candid portraits with such a big camera, even when using it handheld.  I
> > have followed the newsgroup and believe that the M6 will be the ideal
> > camera for portrait work, especially with the 90mm f/2 in available
> > light.  I did consider the new Nikon S3 2000 rangefinder but it is very
> > much priced for the collectors market and did not make financial sense.
> > I also believe that the 90mm APO ASPH lens will be better than the 50mm
> > that Nikon will initially offer with the camera.
> >
> > I will keep the F5 as I do not believe that the M6 will be able to catch
> > the action wildlife shots that the Nikon makes possible.  The F5 is an
> > amazing camera, as is the M6, and I believe that each can offer me some
> > major benefts in the type of photography that interests me.
> >
> > One thing is for sure.  I have seen all the posts from new users and I
> > hope I have learnt many lessons, especially how to savour opening the
> > boxes and loading the first roll of film.
> >
> > I will, as appears customary, let you all know how my first days go with
> > my camera and hopefully become an active member of the newsgroup.  One
> > immediate question.  I take most of my portraits with Kodak Portra 160
> > NC.  Does the ISO dial on the back of the M6 allow 160 to be set?  I
> > notice some small increments between 100 and 200 and assume that these
> > are increments of 20, so that I can set the dial at three increments
> > past the 100 mark.  Is this a correct assumption?
> >
> > That's all for now.  Sorry it ended up so long.
> >
> > Simon