gadge

<p>Hi Emrehan,<br> The ML is a far better camera than the Olympus XA (IMHO) and I have owned both. <br> I still have an ML. It has loads of great features inc backlight compensation, and exposure lock. It does not though have a rangefinder which is a pretty needless feature anyway on this wide a lens. Mine is a late serial number and has been 100% reliable to date. I do keep it in a Minox leather case which keeps the dust and lint out of it but otherwise take no special care of it. <br> The ML does indeed go up to 1600ASA and if you don't believe me then take a look at this review where you will see proof of the ASA settings when he films the base. So put it back on your list. <br> Reliability - read Charles Watkins on this thread re serial numbers :<br> http://www.photo.net/minox-camera-forum/00VcHr?start=10<br> General Info :-<br> http://www.submin.com/35mm/collection/minox/35mm_serial.htm<br> http://www.submin.com/35mm/collection/minox/cameras/ml.htm</p> <p>My views on ML as previously expressed<br> http://www.photo.net/minox-camera-forum/008iST?start=0<br> http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=66990</p> <p>Kind regards<br> Gadge</p> <p> </p>

<p>Just rediscovered this old thread. Should have mentioned at the time that the big advantage of ML versus Rollei was lighter weight. <br> Not such an issue if you are using a bag but in the picket the ML really wins out. <br> The lens quality on the T2 was the best though. <br> I still own the ML but sold the Contax T2 and my Rollei 35. I suppose that sums the best choice for me overall!<br> I now mostly use a Canon Ixus which is a great tiny camera. I use a 12MP black version which was the last one they made which also had a viewfinder. The Canon is way smaller and probably lighter so the ML is not seeing as much action these days but I will never sell it. </p>

<p>This forum was a really great place to hang out in Al's era and earlier. I learned a lot from the very experienced contributors, including Al, that were to be found here in abundance then. There was a lot of emotion flying around too. I liked to think of it as passion for the subject. Fun times!</p>

<p>The LTM Leica's seem real jewels of beautiful engineering. I would love to have a play with one but can't justify any real need to buy another camera :-)</p> The lenses may be old but there are plenty of modern choices to screw on. <p>I would love to try out a modern Voigtlander Ultron 35 1.7 on a LTM body.<br />I can't see any reason why that wouldn't give identical results to an M6 apart from better metering.<br />In fact, without that M bayonet adapter, it may even be better ;-)</p> <p> </p>

<p>This looks really helpful ...</p> <p>

<p>The mode to pick on this camera is manual. It doesn't have any other though so that will be simple.<br> But there is no meter so you need to guess settings or have an external meter to work it out for you.<br> If you want to guess it this may help ...<br> http://naturephotographyblog.squarespace.com/journal/2010/1/12/basic-exposure-theory-the-sunny-f16-rule-explained.html<br> And it is film, of course. But it will not load film either until you cut the leader to a new shape.<br />You will need to read the Leica manual to fathom loading this camera up. Or watch these ..<br> And you will need to understand some basic photography stuff like aperture, shutter speeds and their effect on the outcome because the camera won;t do any of that for you. <br> So you may need to read up on that too.<br> http://learnbasicphotography.com/exposure-aperture<br> http://learnbasicphotography.com/exposure-shutter-speed</p> <p>Old school eh? <br> Could be fun though if you want to learn about photography.<br />Well.... do ya?</p> <p> </p>

<p>Well worth a look and many I had not seen before...<br> http://pulptastic.com/40-rare-historical-photographs-must-see/</p>

<p>I agree with Leica.<br> A 40mm F2 plus 90m F4 Elmar-C is a great travel combo but fancy an M7 to use them on</p>

<p>Maybe I am the only one reading this thread and agreeing with almost every answer!<br> Going, "oh yes that's the one". "or maybe that one". "Oh no...that is the one". "On the other hand that combo DOES sound good"<br> GAS...You gotta love it. No?<br> I use a M6-TTL and normally a Minolta 40mm.<br> It's a good combo but I think that I would enjoy using AV leaving me free to concentrate on composition and focussing. Framing thoughts on the 40mm sometimes get in my way too.<br> So in an ideal world, I would love to try a M7 with a Summicron 35mm type 3 (no plastic like type IV and not so contrasty as an Asph) or maybe a Zeiss 35mm F2 (love the sample pics that I have seen and always liked the Zeiss lenses that I have used previously. <br> Gadge</p> <p> </p>

<p>I can tell you one thing Bill. If you've been shooting film since 1951 and you want to take a digital RF ride. Best jump onto that bus today whether "Leica's there or not".<br> Get down that camera shop tomorrow and fondle yourself an M240. <br />You will know right away, if it is for you or not. <br> Why not take that unused M6 along with you and maybe trade it in?</p>

<p>What!.....Oh, I see what you mean. <br> I just meant....Oh, never mind :-)</p>

<p>OH YES! I had forgotten but your half case reminds me. I also use a Leica leather Ever Ready Case (ERC) which certainly adds to my film loading, hands needed count up.<br> On the other hand, my ERC keeps my M6-TTL chrome beauty, looking young, scratch free and gorgeous.<br> Actually, perhaps I would benefit from using an ERC on me ;-)<br> Gadge</p>

<p>Mukul<br> <br /> Thanks heavens this has only happened to you once ;-)<br> <br /> Minor jams or load fails happen to me about 1 in 4 times but I assume there is a knack to avoiding it. I don't really shoot enough film to find out.<br> <br /> I have only ever owned one Leica so little things like which way the shutter speed dial turns or which loading system works better have never been issues for me.<br> <br /> I like using my M6-TTL but loading it seems more troublesome than any other camera that I have owned, requires three hands, a couple of spare pockets and often my teeth too :-)<br> <br /> I am not fussy or shooting professionally so tend to use Fuji Superior (cheapskate colour negative) mostly these days. <br> I wonder if different brands of film may load better with an M6?<br> Gadge</p> <p> </p>

<p>Not to say that the M3 is a camera that needs to be babied but in addition to the excellent advice re protecting the lens with a UV filter, not cleaning it yourself unless you know what you are doing (and you don't or you wouldn't be posting asking) and the need to be careful of the vulcanite when loading film but many of these cameras get damaged on the top plate by people trying to wrench on/off the light meter.<br /> As a courtesy, I just looked the correct method up for you and believe this is it ...(no guarantees though so be careful)</p> <p>"There is a line on the side of the meter that looks like a an inverted L<br /> Line up the red(?) marker on the meter's control dial with that line and pull up and then rotate in the direction of the horizontal line to unlock it. Then it should slide back from the shoe normally."</p>

<p>" I have used a modern cron-M 50 and was disappointed by its heavy contrast killing mid tones; never thought it could be that bad. Wonder if at f4 this rigid will behave similarly,,,"<br> I doubt that will prove to be the case.<br />The Rigid is lower in contrast than more modern versions.<br> Most people like the way it draws in BW.<br> Mine shoots colour in slightly low key "pastel" shades to give a pleasant but vintage effect.<br> Gadge</p> <p> </p>