Notions Unsought and Other M6 Miscellania
“These things give you notions unsought.”
Nothing organized here, just some wandering observations:
- The RF patch on the M6TTL is slighter bigger and sharper edged than that of the Hexar RF. If it’s easier to focus, it seems mostly down to the higher magnification.
- Because of the higher magnification, for a left eye dominant glasses wearer the 35mm framelines on the M6TTL are not as comfortable to use as those on the Hexar. I’m not sure what this implies long term, but at the moment, I’m finding that I use the 50 a lot more than previously.
- The ease of using the 50 on the M6TTL has me thinking that this might be a one lens camera for me, which makes me wonder what I should do with the 28, the two 35s and the 90.
- While I’d hoped that the higher magnification would make using the 90 easier, it doesn’t. Focusing is easier, but those vestigial corner-less framelines are just as hopeless as ever. Oh well.
- The M6TTL is a calmer camera than the Hexar. It’s slower in use and fussier in loading, but I suspect the source of that serenity is that big, bright rangefinder, which is just a tad warmer in tone than the Hexars. You just keep wanting to look through it.
- That slower pace has got me thinking about what I want to do with my photography. As that’s an incredibly difficult question to answer, I’m deferring it by thinking about gear. Maybe a medium or large format camera is in the works for me. An old Linhoff or a press camera might be a good place to start.
- Can such a tiny camera lead to a 4×5 behemoth? Or does the Leica just mark the high water for 35mm, the point at which all other emendations are just the polishing of turds? The next logical step can only be a bigger negative.
- If you ask Leica customer service nicely, they will send you a black dot to replace the M6TTL’s standard red dot. The black dot is ever so much more discrete . . . and it just looks cooler.
Given your general preference for Rangefinders, you might want to look at a Mamiya 7 or a Fuji GW series rangefinder. Nice big MF negs in a form you already know you can work with.
“The next logical step can only be a bigger negative.”
I went that path. Started it autumn 2003 with a Rollei SL66. From there I went to an Arca-Swiss 6×9 in Spring 2005. In Autumn 2007, the downsizing started and I went to the Canon 5D with TSE lenses. TSE’s not being all that great (just an opinion!) the reason to get and keep the 5D disappeared. Replaced it with an E-3 that’s better for me in every way.
But I just ordered film and chemicals to load my M6. No other camera I tried is as great to use.
I went full circle. It has been an expensive circle. I learned loads of technique and produced a reasonable number of shots I am happy about.
I think we have phases, especially when we have not tried that many things, which was my case in 2003. But it is never ending. I have looked at some medium format stuff on eBay recently…
Well, you may find in time that the M6 is faster at making useful exposures than the Hexar. I did.
As for M6 -> 4×5. Beware! Maddness lies this way!
In particular, the curse in which no matter how many cameras you have access to, and no matter which one you are using, you will wish you had some other one with you. (Carrying the M6 will cause scenes ripe for 4×5 to appear, carrying the 4×5 will cause scenes ripe for the M6 to appear…)
Hi, Matt!
You wrote:
> Can such a tiny camera lead to a 4×5 behemoth? Or does the Leica just mark the high water for 35mm, the point at which all other emendations are just the polishing of turds? The next logical step can only be a bigger negative.
Let me assure you that it can, and did for me, right up to 8×10 and Pt/Pl prints.
It needn’t be so expensive if you leave out the digital gear, my 8×10 cost less than some Leica lenshoods.
The latest fad with me is going back to Rangefinders but not changing the large format. Thusly. Granted, it’s a different kind of rangefinder, quite a bit larger and heavier than the Leica, best shot resting on one shoulder like a bazooka. And the rangefinder can b adjusted with a pocket knife! Fun, though!
Best regards, Christoph
I’ve thought about a Mamiya 7, but I’m afraid it might not be quite big enough! I think I’d like to try out sheet film. I might be at that point with B&W that zone like controls are in order.
‘Carrying the M6 will cause scenes ripe for 4×5 to appear, carrying the 4×5 will cause scenes ripe for the M6 to appear…’
Hmm, that already happens whenever I carry the 35; it’s all just 50mm shots. Reverse happens when I carry the 50. I’ve always assumed it was because they are too alike, so getting something really different would solve the dilemma. Perhaps wishful thinking.
Christoph, I’ve looked at the razzles, but I fear the demise of Polaroid film might have numbered their days. An old Graphic is pretty cheap though, and not to distant in concept.
We shall see. This is all just tangential to the actual picture taking, but I find gear can lead you to unexpected places.
Hey Matt,
I was wondering what you thought about shooting aperture priority with the Hexar vs manual exposure on the M6. Do you miss the option? (Assuming you ever shot with AE)
Just found what looks to be a nice deal on a Hexar…
I nearly always used the AE on the hexar. It works exactly as expected for a camera with center weighted metering, so it shouldn’t give you any trouble.
I occasionally miss having the AE and the auto advance, but I’m not often in that much of a hurry that either make a real difference.
….I went “8×10″ around 1991,had a custom RH phillips 8×10, 3 lenses
polaroid system. I loved the camera but soon learned what I gained in resolution…was over-shadowed by images that got away because I was under a dark cloth. I get the shots and the resolution between the ‘blad,xpan and Leica camera to keep me going.