Should exchange it?

[will_woodford]

Hi -

 

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So here's a question. My wife just got me a brand new silver M6TTL 0.72 at the official price with the Passport warranty and - $200 rebate.

 

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Yes, my wife bought that for me, crazy as it seems.

 

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I am competent amateur (Canon Elan and Nikon S1), and am looking for recommendations: do I keep the M6 or return it and get an M7 instead?

 

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Note: I intend to sell my Canon and Nikon for a new Nikon FM3a.

 

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Cheers!

 

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Will

[will_woodford]

Oops. The title should read "Should I exchange it?"

[andrew1]

No. Keep the camera, shoot with it, and enjoy it. A recent post

indicates one of the best new features of the M7 is a real on/off

switch. Whoopie.

[vic_.]

Your statement that you're getting a Nikon FM3a implies that you are

comfortable with using a fully manual camera, which the M6TTL 0.72

also is, as opposed to the M7, which is not. So my vote would be to

keep the M6TTL. The M6TTL appears to be the last manual Leica, the

end of an era and a philosophy.

 

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What kind of lens(es) do you have for the M6? This will also

generate tons of advice from this great forum, I can assure you!

 

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Best wishes,

[geddert]

"don't look a gift horse in the mouth" (I know ones says this in

german and think it may be used in english). This is especially true

with a troughbreed horse like a Leica M6. I would recommend keeping

the M6, and making sure your wife knows your love it (and don't

mention that you were thinking of exchanging it)... also say it was a

great decision and drop hints so you can get a 34 Lux ASPH =)

 

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I see no reason to upgrade other then the fact that you feel like you

might be missing something... and i like the on/of switch on the M6

TTL anyways, it keeps the number of "buttons" and switches down...

which is one of the great things about Leica's.

[richard_brown1]

She Love you Willy.Your wife bought it for you. Keep the M6.

The FM3a Very nice. Regards,Richard

[paul_chefurka1]

Keep it!!!!! Your wife bought it for you - not only is the M6 one of

the world's great cameras, you have one of the world's great wives.

Do NOT insult her by exchanging it. As the author of the "on/off

switch" comment, I say keep the M6.

[jerry_pfile]

Will,

 

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I am printing your note (largest type possible) for posting on our

refrigerator.

 

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Best,

 

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Jerry

[tom5]

My wife bought me a lovely Sekonic meter a couple of years ago.

 

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Some of us are very lucky to have such significant others.

[will_woodford]

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to keep it.

 

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As for lenses, I don't have one yet. I rented an M6 with a 50mm Cron

for a few days last year, shooting Kodachrome, Ilford Delta and Kodak

color print film. Results were wonderful, so I'm going to start out

with a 50mm Cron.

 

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Other focal lengths on my wish list are 24, 35 and 90. I think the

135 frame seems a little tricky for focusing and composing, but who

knows. There are some very cheap 135 Hektors out there. Also, I

might determine that the 24 and 35 are too close and wind up going

for a 21.

 

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In any case, I'll most likely get the wide angle lens after securing

the "triumvirate" first.

 

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I'll leave longer focal length duties to my SLR.

 

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Cheers!

 

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Will

[jay_.]

I would definitely return the M6TTL, either for an exchange on an M7

or a full refund, then go out and buy a mint M6TTL (as there are

scads of them being sold now for much less than your wife paid) or

wait a few weeks/months as dealers offer closeout price reductions on

remaining new M6TTLs.

 

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BTW, the FM3a has an electronic shutter with stepless AE *and* fully

mechanical batteryless operation *at all speeds*--not to mention TTL

flash with 1/250 sync (and the flash fires without batteries). The

best of all things M6 and M7, and then some.

[pat_dunsworth]

Wil, maybe you should ask your wife if she would like to use the

camera upon occation and, if so, if she would prefer an M6ttl or M7.

Then she could be a part of the decision-making process. Ah...true

love!

 

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Cheers, Pat.

[scott evans]

YOUR wife rocks!!!!! Keep the M6TTL and enjoy. Happy

Day----------> Scott

[allison_reese]

Will,

 

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You better keep the gift, you know how women are. Consider yourself

lucky! Don't you dare ask her why she didn't buy a lens too.

 

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Now you have the excuse to gear up! It sounds like you're already on

the track.

 

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Other posts would suggest a new 35 1.4 asph. I would suggest a used

50 2.0 cheap to keep on her good side for your cheap hector (good

attitude, I envy you both).

[john_chan2]

Someday, I want a wife like yours. Keep the camera... trading it for

an M7 will shave 10 years off your marriage or buy you the equivalent

of 10 years of animosity. Either way its no good for the

bloodpressure and gallstones>

 

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Salút

[george_b1]

Will -

 

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Most of the others above have a *very* good viewpoint: (a) She loves you; (b) she bought it for you; and © if you return it, she'll

probably thing twice before she buys you a Noctilux or the 90 Asph. Remember the three most important phrases in any marriage,

viz., "Yes, Dear," "I love you, Dear, " and most important, "Thank You, Dear!"

 

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Enjoy your Leica!!

[david enzel]

I agree you are a lucky man to have such a thoughtful wife. I have

two M6TTLs and don't have a desire to buy an M7. There is something

about a fully mechanical camera that appeals to me. The M7 leaves me

pretty cold. It has an electronic shutter and aperture priority.

These are very modest advances in my opinion that detract from the

pleasure of using a mechanical tool. Leica automated in a very

modest way but to me it would have made more sense either to stay

with the M6 or really automate by having matrix metering and a faster

speed for the TTL flash. That is my point of view. So If I were you

I would keep and enjoy the M6. I am not convinced the M7 will be a

success. After the initial sales, I expect a decline in sales and in

price.

[fred_sun1]

Start by practicing in front of the bathroom mirror. Say this without stammering - "Honey, you know I love you and the M6 is just great. Do you think we should get a less complicated camera like the M7 so we can ask people in the street to take our picture during our holiday to Mazatlan next month?<p> You're a lucky man Will.

[david enzel]

The person in the street will still need to focus.

[mark-j]

Will:

I would keep the M6 TTL so as not to upset the apple cart. Maybe

she would like to use it. Ask her what choice(s) of lens she thinks

would work with it. My wife loves my M's because of their size and

doesn't complain much when I purchase a lens. The 50 is a good

starter choice, but look at what you use with your other gear and

maybe lean in that direction for a first lens. Many others use the

35 for a standard lens. Possible start with a 35 and a 90 and see if

you need the 50 to fill in.

Enjoy the gear and keep your wife.

 

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FWIW

[kristian dowling]

I think that getting the M7 may be a better idea for the long-term

investment. Why?> Because if you are used to using AE

cameras, and you want to use the AE's and leica together, you'll

wan to pick up the AE's more often, considering you like using

the Aperture priority. At least with the M7, you have a choice, and

you can always pick up a M6 later second hand for less $$ if you

like as a second body.

[kristian dowling]

Maybe I should get my fiance to have a chat with your wife.

TOPIC: "Taking care of your significant other and showing the

required appreciation through tender loving (tecnical) care".

 

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OR....

 

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.....Maybe the transition from fiance to wife might do it!

 

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What do you think James?

[kristian dowling]

But then if you do exchange it, it might all fall apart....."What?!!!!

You don't appreciate my gift...now you want something better?!!!!"

 

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Just be cautious...when you have such a good thing happening,

you don't want to rock the boat too much!

[msitaraman]

True love, Will. 'swonderful!! :-)

 

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Don't second guess it.

[david_killick]

You wouldn't want to exchange your wife?

Seriously, I hope you both enjoy this fantastic camera.