p.3 #1 · Of course you knew it would happen eventually
chiron wrote:
The quality of the Valoi was equal to other methods, including the full copy stand? The parralleisn of the camera to the negative was as good?
I can’t say I ever compared. My frustration with the older scanners was such that I wasn’t interested in using those. I’m happy with my MF setup using the copy stand, but it requires paying attention to the setup each time I do set it up. The Valoi is much simpler: I just screw the setup onto my Canon 100mm macro on my R5 and once you’ve figured out the correct setup, you’re basically good to go. I never take the Valoi setup apart, so it’s consistent.
p.3 #4 · Of course you knew it would happen eventually
It adds an option between the digital Leicas and the IIIF. Much faster to use than the Barnack but still with the restrictions of film.
Now you can choose between slow and deliberate, somewhat deliberate and really glad ISO 25,000 is available.
p.3 #5 · Of course you knew it would happen eventually
The M6 will be the only camera I take out with me today. Film loading is a piece of cake as Huss said. Put a roll of Kodak Tri-X 400 in the camera for the test.
I will shoot only my two LTM lenses today. I am operating on the theory that it is the lenses and the film that along with the subject and photographer that provide character to the image. The camera is just a box to facilitate that. I am expecting the M6 to be a more effecient box.
p.3 #6 · Of course you knew it would happen eventually
Back home. My Wife had us spending our day looking for another part time/vacation homes in Italy. She is shopping different areas. This time the beautiful Lake Maggiore town of Stresa. Stunning, but no time to take a lot of images testing my "new to me" M6. So, I only managed to fire off about 10 frames, and many of these are just brackets of each other because I want to learn the metering and the film. So I will go out in Parma tomorrow and try to finish bot the M6 and the IIIf rolls so I can get them developed. Below are my initial impressions of the M6.
I think I really now know what made the M cameras so famous and sought after in the film days. The ergonomics, handling , and workflow of this camera is pure engineering genius. It is so well made it is art. (Yeah, Huss I know the 1994 edition didn't have the optional film scratch upgrade yet. I will have to just live with that.)
Loading film is straightforward, easy, and gives me confidence. Hugely improved over the IIf loading experience.
The built in LIght Meter is simple and straightforward. Again such a confidence builder.
The hinged winder lever stays out of the way. Ye is super fast and comfortable to use when shooting.
Once set, the ISO wheel is finished and out of mind. One less variable to manage when shooting.
Using the Shutter Speed Dial to dial in the Light Meter Arrows is fast and simple. I found it a bit small at first, but quickly adjusted. I won't miss much by losing the ability to float the ISO.
Setting the f/stop and focusing is really more of a matter of the ergonomics of the lens, not the camera body. My old LTM 35mm and 50mm are not nearly as fast and easy to manage as my current generation M lenses. But I don't think that will cause me to be less accurate, or miss more shots overall. The previous owned must have been using modern M lenses. I found that the beautiful Ostrich half case interferes with the focus tabs on the adapted LTM lenses. So I removed it and shot without it. Simple fix.
Beyond those things there is really nothing else to manage. The m6 will be an accurate high productivity film camera probably close to match that of my M11. Still more simple the my M11.
The Leica IIf will be for when I ant a real legacy shooting experience. The M6 my film productivity machine. My choice between the two will depend on my mood I guess. I believe the images produced will be very similar using the sme film and lenses.
Interestingly, I find my position on the Leica M11-D style cameras moderating a little bit. The m6 is such a pure and enjoyable shooting experience.
All for today. Gotta get used to waiting to see my images. That may take some getting used to...
p.3 #7 · Of course you knew it would happen eventually
One thing you 'may' want to change, is replace the hinged wind on lever with a solid metal one. The one from the MP or M-A is a direct fit. I find it to be a much more pleasurable and solid feel.
I have replaced them on my M7s and M6. The hinged lever is known to break with severe use, which is why you can find spare parts for the plastic end piece sold for them!
I was not worried about it breaking, I just prefer the much more positive, solid feel.
It takes maybe two minutes to replace, and you can buy the lever from DAG or I'm sure a Leica store can order it.
p.3 #11 · Of course you knew it would happen eventually
Desmolicious wrote:
One thing you 'may' want to change, is replace the hinged wind on lever with a solid metal one. The one from the MP or M-A is a direct fit. I find it to be a much more pleasurable and solid feel.
I have replaced them on my M7s and M6. The hinged lever is known to break with severe use, which is why you can find spare parts for the plastic end piece sold for them!
I was not worried about it breaking, I just prefer the much more positive, solid feel.
It takes maybe two minutes to replace, and you can buy the lever from DAG or I'm sure a Leica store can order it.
I started looking for one to replace the articulated one on the M4 and I’m not having much luck. DAG camera Parts no longer list them and fishing in the ‘Bay is either over priced black paint or knock offs from a third party supplier,
p.3 #12 · Of course you knew it would happen eventually
madNbad wrote:
I started looking for one to replace the articulated one on the M4 and I’m not having much luck. DAG camera Parts no longer list them and fishing in the ‘Bay is either over priced black paint or knock offs from a third party supplier,
Contact Leica customer service directly and ask if they can provide one for a Leica M-A. It will have the same finish.
