RE: [Leica] M6 improvements?

["Lee, Ken" <ken.lee@hbc.com>]

I find this discussion most reassuring.  There are times when I look at a
contact sheet that I find I do some one way and some the other.  I find it
very difficult to focus in the "portrait" position, so I tend to focus first
and then rotate the camera.  As a rule, I turn the camera so the shutter
release is a the top, since that is the way I have always done it with every
35mm camera I have owned (also a Bronica with winder).  Since I now have a
soft release on both my M6s, I'll have to try your method.  Without a rapid
winder, advancing the film must be more awkward though.

Ken

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Jim Brick [SMTP:jim@brick.org]
> Sent:	Tuesday, September 29, 1998 2:27 AM
> To:	leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
> Subject:	Re: [Leica] M6 improvements?
> 
> With an Abrahamsson soft release under the middle of your thumb, the end
> of
> your thumb resting on the shutter speed dial/hot shoe edge, the end of the
> M6 basically resting in the palm of your hand, your left hand steading the
> other end of the camera with what ever finger you choose on that WONDERFUL
> focus lever that Leica preserved on the 35mm lenses, the M6 works just as
> easily vertically as it does horizontally. Perhaps easier as the entire
> camera is cradled in your right hand.
> 
> Jim
> 
> 
> At 02:58 PM 9/29/98 +1100, you wrote:
> >     Has anyone any suggestions on how to make an M6 easier to use in 
> >     'portrait' format? This is one handling area where I find the M6 is 
> >     not even close to perfect.  If I hold it with the viewfinder at the 
> >     top I find myself using my thumb to fire the shutter as my wrist is 
> >     not designed like a Stroboframe.  Holding it with the viewfinder at 
> >     the bottom and my fist gets in the way of focussing.  The only 
> >     solution seems to be to focus in 'landscape' format, then turn the 
> >     camera to shoot. Not very satisfactory. 
> >     
> >     Iain Dawson
> >