Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2004/02/16
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]
The height of the top plate? I can't tell the difference unless the two
different cameras are side by side and I look very close, and then I still
don't see why the outcry over the tiny difference. I guess I'm not
artistically inclined. ;-)
Gene
John Collier
<jbcollier@shaw.ca> To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
Sent by: cc:
owner-leica-users@mejac.palo Subject: Re: [Leica] My newest favorite Leica
-alto.ca.us
02/16/2004 11:07 AM
Please respond to
leica-users
I had the opportunity of buying several M6 cameras but always let them
go. I did not like the matching diode metering system. A built in meter
should be quick and intuitive to operate. Having to compare the
relative brightness of two diodes just did not work well for me. With
the TTL's three diode system, when the center diode illuminates, bingo.
No fuss, no muss and no stretch marks. I concentrate on what the meter
is pointing at rather than the meter itself. I like the TTL's larger
shutter speed dial and TTL flash metering but the make or break for me
is the three diode display.
I do not care for the higher top plate. It ruins one of the most
beautiful camera designs ever. It turns a work or art into a slightly
odd looking tool. However what my photography needs is a tool, slightly
odd looking or not, not a work of art. So both of my main cameras are
TTLs and any new additions are likely to be M7s. The MP sure is
beautiful to look at but a rewind knob?! As someone who pumps a fair
amount of film though his cameras, and who's first M camera was an M2,
I AM NOT GOING BACK TO KNOB REWIND.
John Collier
On Feb 16, 2004, at 8:18 AM, frank.dernie@btinternet.com wrote:
> I suspect that as in the case of most tools it is a question of
> familiarity. When the M camera first arrived in the 50s there was no
> little meter led to direct the turning of any dial. Those of us who
> have got used to Ms then therefore find the standard M shutterspeed
> dial, which has not changed for about 45 years to be normal. The
> choice made to orientate the leds for the M6 with the aperture dial
> obviously meant the shutter speed dial turned the other direction (at
> the front :-) not the back of the dial). It did not seem abnormal to
> me - in fact it never occured to me until it was touted as an
> improvement in the M6ttl. I have never used an M6ttl so have no
> feeling for whether I would get used to it or not, but I suspect for
> the Leica diehards who have used Leicas for decades the M6ttl reversed
> shutter speed dial caused some frustration. Anyway both alternatives
> are now available. I am so happy with my 1986 M6 I am not considering
> any change until a digital M arrives.
>
>
>> grduprey@rockwellcollins.com wrote:
>>
>> Glad to see I am not the only one with this opinion. As far as I am
>> concerned, the MP shutter dial is backwards. I have not made the
>> finder
>> conversion yet as my shooting/travel schedule has not allowed that.
>> I hope
>> to send my M6TTL in late in March for the upgrade. What was the time
>> required to make the change?
>>
>>
>> kip@mac.com wrote:
>>
>>> I've followed the recurring thread of "this Leica model vs. that
>>> Leica
>>> model" for over a year, and have chosen now to share my own opinion.
>>> (I
>>> also have some extra time on my hands since I've decided not to do a
>>> PAW for 2004!)
>>>
>>> We must all admit that by being in this group, we're suckers for the
>>> mystique, industrial design, and quality of Leica cameras. Because
>>> Leica has tried so many ways through so many models to broadly appeal
>>> to this odd group, we must also admit there is no universally
>>> "perfect"
>>> iteration. That's what makes it so fun, really. In any event, I
>>> wanted
>>> to explain my choice... the M6 TTL, equipped with the MP finder
>>> upgrade
>>> (newly installed for me at Leica USA in New Jersey for $262.50). Why
>>> is
>>> this the perfect Leica for me?
>>>
>>> 1) It retains the simple beauty of a completely manual camera that
>>> can
>>> operate with no battery
>>> 2) When the battery works, the LED display of the meter logically
>>> reflects the direction one needs to turn the lens aperture ring or
>>> the
>>> (wonderfully large and comfortable!) shutter speed dial. Of course,
>>> one
>>> of the most overstated "mystiques" of the Leica M camera is that when
>>> moving the shutter speed dial in this logical direction, it is called
>>> "the wrong way." Hmmph!
>>> 3) With the new MP finder optical elements installed, the view is
>>> truly
>>> a joy, with absolutely no rangefinder patch flare. This upgrade
>>> removed
>>> any envy I held for the MP, with all its attendant design quirks that
>>> the M6 TTL had, in my opinion, successfully addressed.
>>>
>>> I realize by sharing this opinion, reactions will vary from "here
>>> here"
>>> to "that's heretical!" Again, that's what makes this group so fun.
>>> For
>>> those who might agree with my opinion, know that the $262.50 I had to
>>> spend to upgrade the finder was the best Leica camera choice I've
>>> ever
>>> made.
- --
To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html
- --
To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html