[Leica] let me count the ways... (was: NEW Photo Newsletter...)

[shino@ubspainewebber.com]

an enumerative if not bombastic analysis:

part of the m6's charm is its distillation of size and features to
minimalism.   case in point, the m6 has exactly 11 controls:
1) shutter speed dial 2) shutter release 3) aperture ring 4) focus ring
5) film advance lever 6) rewind knob 7) rewind lever 8) lens release button
9) viewfinder frame selector 10) ISO meter setting 11) bottom removal key.
of these 11 controls, only the first 4 determine the quality of the
specific image.

- -rei

p.s. i don't know if "exactly 11" is exactly right: should be removal key
     count as a "control?" does "B" count as merely another shutter speed,
     or is it a "mode"?  and doesn't mounting a tri-elmar bring the
     number of controls to 12?  how many controls can fit on the head of
     a pin?  :-) :-) :-)


> From: "Mark E Davison" <dmark8@qwest.net>
> 
> Actually in the Nov/Dec 2000 issue of Photo Techniques, Mike J listed 2
> Leicas in his article "25 Best Cameras". Number 2. was the LHSA black-paint
> M6, and Number 7. was the Leica M6 "Classic".  He had this to say about the
> M6 classic:
> 
> "In an era when a leading AF SLR may have sixty controls and a more powerful
> CPU than an eraly personal computer, there is something to be said for
> simplicity and directness. You always know where you stand with an M6; it is
> supremely unconfusing. Each control is mechanical, and each knob, button or
> lever is given only one unambiguous function. The M6 never second-guesses
> you, never thinks on its own, and never obstructs or gets in the way. You
> know exactly what it's doing, and it does exactly what you tell it to--no
> more, no less--very quietly and quickly."
> 
> For all of his imputed faults, he certainly is an excellent advocate for the
> m6 design philosophy.
> 
> Mark Davison