Re: [Leica] Re: M5and a M6, getting along well together

[MicroGrid@aol.com]

I agonized (on this group) over my second meter body purchase for months. 
I've had and loved my M5 for years. I used this for transp, and an M4 for 
B&W. I wanted another meter body, and an M5 seemed natural. Tom A's 
Rapidwinder, and my daughter's activities, sports and performing arts, 
provoked my consideration of an M6. I talked with that M5 lover, Sherry and 
she said most of the same things you did Michael. Only stonger. Sherry warned 
me that an M5 and an M6 are not very compatible.
I bought a used M6 a couple of months ago, because I figured I could always 
sell it at minimal loss if I didn't like it. I love the 6 and the winder is 
great as well. 

I just returned from our vacation to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, and 
Washington, DC. The 5 was always loaded with high speed transparency film, 
the 6 with E100X. I was pleasantly surprised to find this worked well. The 
M5's much smaller meter angle and its sensitivity is suited for contrasty 
indoor light, I was at first concerned about the two shutter speed dials 
incompatibility, My 6 is a TTL. I was able to switch back and forth with 
minimal confusion. The different shape of the 5, and the differences in low 
light interior shooting from exterior subjects helped set me up for the 
different situation. Because I was always short of light I was almost always 
wide open, and adjusting the speed dial. This helped too. (Prompts a question 
though, where are the intermediate speeds on the M series? Anywhere but 
between 1/30 and 1/60?) I found the 5's release is soft enough for me, so I 
took the softie off.

Soo. My first impressions are favorable on the compatibility of these two 
cameras for quick shooting. Shot about 20 rolls, am processing now, will post 
some soon.

Bruce Bowman
Killingworth CT


In a message dated 7/6/00 6:45:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
meb@goodphotos.com writes:

<< 
 I've only had my M5 for a few months, but I like it because it has a built 
 in great 8* spot meter that uses very little power, isn't distracting and 
 tells me plainly how many stops I'm over/under at a glance (on the other 
 hand, it's a bit harder to see in really low light.) It has a self timer, 
 hot shoe and X and M synchs. One point that I thought I wouldn't like 
 because I find it less visually appealing is the shutter speed dial that I 
 can operate easily with an index finger AND see in the VF. Using it I can 
 make adjustments without taking my eye from the VF/subject. The ONLY things 
 I would change is I would rather the M5 have an M3 style advance lever, a 
 bit faster flash synch (1/90 would even be ok) and all Ms should come stock 
 with Tom A's soft release.
 
 It's boxier shape and heft has grown on me. I don't mind the black chrome, 
 but a nice brass/black paint M5 might have had it better received by users 
 of it's day. I added a 'reviled' red dot to mine just joking around and 
 ended up leaving it there because I think it muchly improves the beauty 
 (and would make it much easier to spot in a crowd, should we ever get 
 separated.) Muggings in Maine (where I try to stay to make photographs) are 
 very rare because "would be thieves" know that we are all heavily armed and 
 a bit mad. :-) Anyone dumb enough to chance it wouldn't know a Leica from a 
 Lubitel so the small bit of vanity is safe from acerebral troglodytes. >>