Simply put, It’s my opinion that the Leica M6 is the best of the film M bodies that you can hope to shoot with. How I came to realize this only took me a MP, a M3 and a M4 to show me just how good the M6 truly is.
Purchasing something like an M is a huge commitment, as well as a big chunk of change for most people. Things like clothes and shoes can be tried on or compared with similar products quite easily and most of all, returned for your money back if the product does not work to your liking. I am loath to buy a car because I cannot test drive it for a week under different driving conditions. Being able to have a chance to try out something for an extended period of time makes all the difference. However not many of us can go to a camera shop and ask to borrow a camera to see if we like it or not. You see it, you like it. You like it? You buy it. You use it, but you do not really like it. Now what?
“Now what?” That’s a question that I asked myself three different times, and came up with four different answers. This is the story of how I started to buy a M6, and how I eventually ended up with a M6. It only took me the other M cameras I tried to show me just how good the M6 truly is.
Starting with the Leica MP
My story starts with me wanting something more than my digital camera could offer. More often than not, it was found sitting on my shelf, not being used. When I did use it, of the many shots that I took, most would be deleted on camera and the few that remained were put into the computer, never to be accessed again. I found shooting with a camera fun, but I wanted something that would engage me more. I decided to give film a try, and began looking for a film camera. I wanted something that could be used daily, something robust, and I wanted full manual control over the camera. My research led me to Leica.
Specifically, an M6, and that is what I went looking for in Tokyo. (I live in Japan) I spent the better part of a day looking at countless shops, but aside from one shop, a black M6 was not to be found. Knowing that I could come back, I continued onwards and at the last shop of the day, I found a black paint MP. I was seduced by its heft, smooth feeling, lovely black paint and atmosphere. It was well out of my budget but lo and behold, out of the shop I came with the MP around my neck.
And it was great! I loved shooting with it, the feeling and aura that surrounded the camera was just too good. It is a camera that has its own well deserved following and is a pleasure to shoot with. Everything was going smooth until my camera’s shutter button began to start sticking. Not too much of a major problem, but still a problem nonetheless. Wanting to get the camera fixed, I began to reach out to various shops and asked about the repair for the MP. No place would touch it, not one. Any other film body and a repair job would be possible, only the MP could not be repaired. This was very alarming and I got in contact with a friend who shoots two MPs. He also told me that they were quite fickle and he had to send his cameras to Leica Germany for repairs numerous times. Not only was the repair bill close to a third of the cost of the camera, but he said the most difficult thing was being without his cameras for the better part of the year.
How could this be? What was so different about the MP verses any other film M? Needless to say, I did not have the extra cash lying about for what I thought would be a rather simple repair, nor the time.
The back up M3
During this time, I was advised to have a backup body which is a great idea if you shoot quite a lot. I again began to research about what camera to get, and settled on a M3. My reasoning for this was that it was the most like the MP as the MP was sort of regarded as a spiritual successor to the M3. So I took my time and located a M3 in great shooing condition. It was recently overhauled and had a one year warranty as well. I again went to Tokyo to get it and in no small order what had supposed to be my backup body. It quickly became my daily shooter, with the MP playing back up.
The M3 was loads of fun to shoot with. The M3 was better built, more smooth than the MP. There is just something about it that made me want to shoot more. People talk about the finder of the M3 as the best in any Leica, but for me, it was nothing special. I found that I could get along with either the MP or M3 finders. I was happy and content with my M3.
Then, one day, I brought it to my eye, there was something inside the finder obstructing the view. I shook it lightly, turned it upside down, tapped it a bit, but nothing seemed to help, so I called the shop where I had bought the camera and explained the problem. I had thought that the warranty would cover whatever happened to the M3, but I was in for a rude surprise; the warranty is only for the overhaul, not the camera. The shop owner said that most likely my camera had some sort of mirror separation and that it (the mirror separation) was not covered by the warranty at all. If I wanted it fixed, then I would need to buy another M3 and switch the parts.
I was floored by shock. The modern classic MP, the classic M3, both cameras whose reputations were legendary, both were causing me problems! A lot of money and time would fix these problems, both things that I was quite short of. I sent the M3 to the shop to be looked at and received it a week later. The problem? Some dust from inside the camera had landed on the mirror and after a simple cleaning, it was ok to use. Even though both the MP and M3 were still usable, I was left feeling like something worse was going to happen to either of them. Warranties were worthless, prestige was pointless. I was still searching for something that was eluding me.
A trial with a Leica M4
I was beginning to become a little nervous to shoot with my cameras. My MP was too expensive to deal with, and my M3 seemed to be rendered useless at any time. There were also other little quirks about both the cameras as well that I did not notice beforehand, but after shooting with them, those little quirks became bigger pains. For example, the film rewind knob on both the MP and M3 are quite slow and sort of difficult to use. It takes a bit of time to rewind the film back with them. The take up spool on the M3 also makes for slower shooting, especially if you are trying to shoot your kid doing something funny. These are things that you would only find out if they bothered you after you had used the camera for a while. The leatherette on my M3 also fell apart and was replaced with a newer version, but the grippiness had changed. The sharkskin grip on the MP was also something that after using, I found that I did not really like. This all might sound rather nitpicky, but for what I had paid, and for how I was using the cameras, I was expecting more.
I made another decision and traded in my MP and M3 for a M4. And this time, I knew the right questions to ask. What would the warranty cover? How extensive was the overhaul? How is the condition inside the camera? How can I make sure the camera is working in tip-top shape? (The answer to that is by using it! I was told that since the camera is a mechanical device, it benefits from use. That makes sense when you think about shelf queens whose insides quickly go out of mechanical shape.) Even to this day, the swap for the M4 is a decision that I do not regret. The M4 was an absolute dream to shoot with, and for a while I finally felt that I had found a camera that really grooved with me.
It was also during this time that I began to piece together the necessary items for a darkroom. Up until now I was sending my self-developed film in for scanning, and was really anxious to begin printing my own work. As a direct result of this, I began to notice that my negs were either over or under exposed, and that makes for difficult printing to say the least. Dealing with an external light meter is a pain in the neck that until now I had not really noticed, at least for an extended period of time. The internal meter in the MP was very handy, and the VC-II meter on top of the M3 and later M4, while handy, is another step between shooing.
Sadly, the M4 had to go. Whereas trading in the MP and M3 was done without any regret, I still lament getting rid of my M4. I cannot really put that reason into words, but letting it go was difficult. Perhaps when I become better with the Sunny 16 rule and learn to read different lighting situations better, I can find another M4 to use.
Finally to the Leica M6
MP to M3 to M4. That is a lot of cameras, and still I had yet to find one that I truly bonded with. Thanks to Instagram I was tuned into a great little lens shop in Tokyo. The owner of that shop had put up a M6 that was for sale and I immediately called. The M6 was recently overhauled by the best repairman in Japan. I then had to talk to the wife, and more importantly, with myself. If I was unable to bond with this camera, then perhaps I should think about another hobby. Back to Tokyo I went and to the shop.
The M4 was parted with, and I had in my hands the camera that was supposed to start it all, the M6. It looked like new, and was overhauled to the point of what a new camera would have been like. It was a dream come true. All the right boxes were clicked; light meter, wonderful finder, black chrome, M4 style film advance, (I prefer it to the MP/M3 style one) and awesome Leica quality. But even then I was weary, what problems would arise? What if this camera was not up to the job? A lot of doubts where hanging over me about this camera, was it going to live up to what I hoped?
My Leica M6 Review
I picked up the M6 in January of this year, and have used it daily, to the point that the black chrome is beginning to wear through. The once white paint is fading into cream. It has the usual scratches and signs of being used.
Perhaps the best thing I can say about the M6 is nothing. There is nothing to say about it whatsoever, simply because I am using the hell out of it. It is out around my neck starting in the morning, and even worn during my classes at my schools. Quick runs to the store or out for a walk with my son, the camera is there, being used. I have gone through seven 100 foot rolls of film, which is the most ever that I have used, with the M6. It has even come with me to the States for work and a vacation to see the family, with absolutely no problems. There is nothing that stands out about it at all, which is a huge complement. I can simply shoot, worry free.
It has been so good to me, that I bought a second body from the same lens shop. This one is new old stock, and after a quick look over by the same repairman, I received it in August of this year. Two bodies and two lenses, total happiness.
And after using the MP, the M3, the M4 and the M6 I have concluded that the M6 stands above the rest as a camera. You will hear phases like best bang for the buck, or the M6 as an entry level camera to the world of Leica, but I feel those phrases are quite rude to what is to my experience is a superior camera. You also find things written about it saying that it is inferior to previous bodies, lack of brass, lower quality gears, and a slew of other gripes. Funny enough, I have not felt any problems whatsoever with the two of mine. I think that this boils down the quality of the camera and overhaul, but mostly due to rumors. Both of the M6s feel better than the MP ever felt, and I am certain that the M3s overhaul was lacking in too many areas to be counted. The M4 was the smoothest body I handled until I got my M6s. About the only real difference between bodies that I can say is the shutter sound, the M6 has a distinct shutter sound that I really notice, and like.
So I will say it again, for a film body Leica (or perhaps any Leica??) it’s my opinion that you cannot go wrong with the M6!
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Comments
ecdy on Leica M6 – In Praise of the Classic- by Hokari57
Comment posted: 14/12/2016
Also, I'd be curious to know the Japanese dealer who sold the author his M3. It was probably not Lemon, the big Leica, etc. store in Ginza, and I'd want to keep away from it. The M3 has no mirrors to separate, although there is silvering on the prisms.
Finally, my experience is that sticking parts on cameras can be fixed by letting them sit out in the sun for a while; that warms up the lubricants inside, whereupon the sticking part--usually a shutter release or, with a Compur shutter, the cocking lever--can be exercised many times to distribute the lubricant. If all else fails a tiny drop of penetrating oil applied to the sticking part (or some interface on the camera body which connects with it--e.g., the gap between the shutter release and the surround), left to work for a day, might be tried. (I wouldn't use penetrating oil on the rangefinder optics, though; the closest I got once dared to get was to free up a Canon 7 RF frameline selector knob).
Comment posted: 14/12/2016
Jem on Leica M6 – In Praise of the Classic- by Hokari57
Comment posted: 14/12/2016
Comment posted: 14/12/2016
Comment posted: 14/12/2016
Comment posted: 14/12/2016
Comment posted: 14/12/2016
Comment posted: 14/12/2016
Dan Castelli on Leica M6 – In Praise of the Classic- by Hokari57
Comment posted: 14/12/2016
Thanks for the post. I'm glad you took the time to outline your 'journey' leading up to the M6. It's a great camera, minor quirks, and will be passed onto your children [funny, we never pass them onto our wives...)
I, too, took a similar 'journey.' A venerable M2 serves as my M-style back-up, a CL (out for a rangefinder adjustment) serves as my local walkabout camera, but I sold my M6 for an M7. Over the course of decades, I had two M3's and two M4's. I got my M6 from a friend who needed $$$ to fix a transmission on his car (he had 2).
The auto exposure on the M7 seems a logical design choice for a camera that has built its reputation on stealth and non-intrusiveness. Simply compose, focus & shoot. I found that I was a bit too slow to adjust exposure w/an M6 when on the street or traveling. This was my personal problem...it in no way implies there is a flaw w/the M6. The M6 & M7 are good choices when with a group of friends or when quick handling is required...when I want to work alone, and I can devote some serious time to wandering & looking, I'll grab the M2 and a hand-held meter.
The M6 will not cease to work if the batteries give out, my M7 restricts me to 1/60 or 1/125 if the batteries fail (I carry a back-up set).
Like you, I use the 50mm lens and I process my film in my own darkroom.
The M6 is a great tool and will go on forever. Wishing you great photo opportunities!
Comment posted: 14/12/2016
S on Leica M6 – In Praise of the Classic- by Hokari57
Comment posted: 14/12/2016
Comment posted: 14/12/2016
rollbahn on Leica M6 – In Praise of the Classic- by Hokari57
Comment posted: 14/12/2016
I agree the M6 really is the perfect camera in theory for me but I have found that in certain situations I just like quickly moving the frame to the shadows, holding down the shutter button to get the speed (and most importantly knowing what the speed is), reframing and taking the picture. I found with the M6 that having to check the top dial for shutter speed and then not knowing whether I was 1 stop or 3 stops over was a bit of a hassle.
If I am out shooting around the suburbs on long walks, as I love doing, then I always take the M4-2, set the lens at f8 and I have plenty of time to use the Sunny 16 as the light isn't changing much across the afternoon. I always get the right exposure especially with the latitude of Portra.
I love how the M7 can be a fully automated TTL flash automated monster for when I am shooting an important family event but can just as easily come back to being a fully manual camera and even work at some speeds without batteries - best of both worlds and a beautiful coated viewfinder that doesn't flare either.
Comment posted: 14/12/2016
ed on Leica M6 – In Praise of the Classic- by Hokari57
Comment posted: 15/12/2016
Having used an m2, m3, m4 & mp, my favorites by far are the m2 & m3. I use them daily, prefer the film loading spools, slower rewind knobs & simplicity of their viewfinders.
What I love about your process however, is that you found out what works best for YOU. And I'm glad you did. Too many get caught up in other people's idea of whats "right."
Cheers,
m3 & 50summicron allday :)
ig: @ntirie
Comment posted: 15/12/2016
Dan Castelli on Leica M6 – In Praise of the Classic- by Hokari57
Comment posted: 15/12/2016
@S: I'm a bit confused. I had an M6 and could you please clarify the statement "... I didn’t like the knobs..." what knobs are you referring to? Not a criticism, just curious. The M6 & M7 are almost identical. I do like my M7 (It was my retirement gift to myself.)
@Marty: I never noticed the M7 s/speed dial direction until you mentioned it. Son of a gun! I hope the ghost of Oskar doesn't come and take my M7 away because I never paid attention to it. However, in my defense, I do notice when my wife gets her hair done...or my daughter gets a new tat...
I like the set of B&W pics you included in your review....tough to pick a favorite, but the shadow against the wheat (?) is nice & abstract.
As for supplying a reason to your better half, maybe the point should be made that you could buy golf clubs and then ruin a good afternoon chasing a little white ball (while not in the company of your loved ones) while with the spare camera, you'd be documenting precious and fleeting moments of your family life. It sorta works for me...
Anyhow, good article, good responses and the best takeaway: everyone finds that particular piece of equipment that works for them.
Shawn Brezny on Leica M6 – In Praise of the Classic- by Hokari57
Comment posted: 15/12/2016
Loved to hear about your journey. I agree with the other commenters also, there is not one Leica M that is perfect for all, but instead it's a journey to find the "one" M that works best for you and your style/prefs.
I actually started with the M6 TTL and it was just ok for me, didn't care for the chipping paint down to the chrome. Also I didnt care for the film advance lever. I eventually sold it after a year and migrated to an M3 and a Zeiss 50mm and forced myself to learn sunny 16. I really liked the M3 viewfinder and the smooth gearing and brass of the M3. At that time I was fine shooting street with 50mm, but over a year of use I eventually wanted to go wider and moved to an M2 black repaint acquired from JCH/Kanto. It's my dream camera that I plan to keep forever. I mostly shoot street and my family using a voigtlander 35mm and the M2 is perfect for me. I may be lucky, but never had any issues or mechanical problems with all three M cameras. Five years ago I would have thought it woukd be crazy to only meter with sunny 16 but it's actually not that hard to learn, and for me it has really forced me to learn how to see light. Thanks again and take care!
Comment posted: 15/12/2016
Jason Howe on Leica M6 – In Praise of the Classic- by Hokari57
Comment posted: 15/12/2016
This gave me a chuckle, for me the M6 is also the ultimate film Leica. My journey was actually the reverse of your's as the M6 was my first film Leica. I was so impresses that I felt compelled to try more M's!!!! Surely I'm not the first person that has felt that urge....
I suppose I was thinking that perhaps I'd find an even better model. I have tried and still own them all, M2, M3, M4, M5, M7, MP, whilst other M's have certain redeeming qualities it's always the M6 I gravitate back to because it feels like a little bit of "magic" in my hands. Anyone that's shot these cameras will understand that the rationale for shooting them my not always be based on logic :-) It also has a fabulous meter!!
Regards, Jason.
Comment posted: 15/12/2016
Pierre Pichot on Leica M6 – In Praise of the Classic- by Hokari57
Comment posted: 15/12/2016
As I'm currently looking for an MP, I'm a bit puzzled by the "do not repair" thing. Did they told you why they don't want to repair the MPs? I would have expected the camera to do not be that more complicated than an M6...
Comment posted: 15/12/2016
Comment posted: 15/12/2016
George Appletree on Leica M6 – In Praise of the Classic- by Hokari57
Comment posted: 15/12/2016
Nothing much else to add.
Fortunately I got finally de-idiotized from Leica and use the M7 and M8 with joy.
By the way, is possible to get back to the original M8 firmware? I made the mistake to upgrading to 2.024 and it seems the reason the camera literally devoured a great bunch of photographs a couple of times.
Comment posted: 15/12/2016
jeremy north on Leica M6 – In Praise of the Classic- by Hokari57
Comment posted: 15/12/2016
I was for years a Leica skeptic because of the fan boys who buy them as a status symbol and don't take photos (it's no wonder that so many old Leicas are in perfect condition). Then a pal of mine got an M2 , within seconds of getting my mitts on it I understood the appeal.
I like having a separate light meter, so the M2 was the one I got. The only thing I don't like is the loading even though it has the later 'quick loading' take up spool.
Were I to be exclusively a Leica user, I'd go for the M-A as it returned to the build quality of the M3 & M2 and is in current manufacture.
The comments about leaving a camera out in the sun seem like nonsense to me. Under normal conditions the lubricants should function correctly, the temperature range is quite wide.
Next time why not go to JCH, he seems to have a good reputation.
Comment posted: 15/12/2016
Lars on Leica M6 – In Praise of the Classic- by Hokari57
Comment posted: 16/12/2016
Comment posted: 16/12/2016
Dan Castelli on Leica M6 – In Praise of the Classic- by Hokari57
Comment posted: 16/12/2016
I carry a small moleskin notebook with my gear. Inside the front cover I've pasted a copy of an exposure guide used by the LIFE magazine photogs back in the day. If the meter fails, I've got access to a guide that has about a 90% accuracy. You can always bracket.
An old newspaper photographer who used M2 & M3's gave me this tip (which I do use): get a couple of spare take-up spools and have film threaded onto them; keep them in your bag. When it's time to change out a roll, you just pop a new film/spool into the camera. I used the Leica 'quick-load' modification kit on my M2 and I found the pre-load spools are faster. When you find the need to reload the spools, it's usually time for a coffee of a beer anyways, so reload, jot down some notes in the aforementioned moleskin and recharge.
I have thought from time to time that the M7 really should have been badged as a M6E or M6.2. There is a re-designed shutter, but the M6 & 7 are virtually identical in size.
I just today took possession of a Minolta Rokkor-M 40mm f/2.0 lens. I find the 50mm a bit too tight for my style of photography, and it seems everyone & their brother uses the 35mm wide-angle/M combination. Also, the Rokkor mounted on the M is a lighter unit. I've got a chronic back injury due to a nasty accident, and every little bit of weight I can save helps out my back. I won't butcher the lens or jam the finder selection lever to bring up the 35mm frame lines; I'll just compose as usual, and know I've got a bit more. A couple of rolls and I'll be used to it. Then, if Sherry ever gets around to fixing my CL, I've got a lens ready for it. BTW, I got the Rokkor from JCH - nice guy, good service and quick mailing from Japan to the US.
Merry Christmas and/or Happy Holidays to all!
Regards,
Dan
Comment posted: 16/12/2016
Mike Edwards on Leica M6 – In Praise of the Classic- by Hokari57
Comment posted: 18/12/2016
Anyway ,great page
Mike
Comment posted: 18/12/2016
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Comment posted: 18/12/2016
Terry B on Leica M6 – In Praise of the Classic- by Hokari57
Comment posted: 18/12/2016
http://pentax-manuals.com/repairs.htm
Paul Hunter on Leica M6 – In Praise of the Classic- by Hokari57
Comment posted: 20/12/2016
In terms of returning an MP to Leica for service, several people have mentioned that the top tier third party people actually do a better job than Leica.
Comment posted: 20/12/2016
Mitch on Leica M6 – In Praise of the Classic- by Hokari57
Comment posted: 23/12/2016
I'll stick with my old M3 and IIIf, thank you very much.
Comment posted: 23/12/2016
Comment posted: 23/12/2016
Martijn on Leica M6 – In Praise of the Classic- by Hokari57
Comment posted: 31/12/2016
Happy shooting!
Comment posted: 31/12/2016
Guy W on Leica M6 – In Praise of the Classic- by Hokari57
Comment posted: 01/01/2017
I'd like to try an M7 and also an MP. Don't really like the look of the plastic ISO dial on the M7, but that would not be a deal breaker for me (nor are brass covers etc.) - it's really the reliability and results that matter most (to me). To date my M6 has been rock solid, aside from above, and that was a pretty quick fix.
Comment posted: 01/01/2017
Comment posted: 01/01/2017
Comment posted: 01/01/2017
dcastelli on Leica M6 – In Praise of the Classic- by Hokari57
Comment posted: 01/01/2017
Happy New Year to all!
It's funny that Guy mentioned the rewind knob...when I had my M6, I also had to have the rewind knob repaired. I checked my camera files, and I found the invoice from Sherry Krauter (Golden Touch Camera Repair) replacing the knob. It was about 5 years ago. If I remember, it virtually unscrewed from the shaft and fell off. Totally unexpected, but fixable.
I've got the M7. Honestly, the plastic ISO knob is a non-issue. The M7 is tough...I tripped & fell onto my M7 hanging around my chest. Got a hellava a bruise, and shattered my right elbow when I put out my arm to break my fall. The surgeon (who fitted the implants & other parts to repair my arm) looked at me funny when I told him what happened, and said 'no camera is worth it.' I replied: 'but, it's a Leica.' He looked at my wife, and she said to him, you need to use them to understand. The camera still works fine. I'm still married. Arm works ok, I can still take photos w/out any difficulty.
Comment posted: 01/01/2017
James Howard on Leica M6 – In Praise of the Classic- by Hokari57
Comment posted: 26/05/2017
Ryan on Leica M6 – In Praise of the Classic- by Hokari57
Comment posted: 03/10/2017