david_watts

Fred, I had the same trouble until I fitted the hood for the 50mm Elmar - #12550 - to my Summicron. It stays on all the time and the lens cap fits it as well. There appears to be no vignetting wide open with the hood mounted on a filter. Just doesn't look as tidy

Michael, thanks for the comment. You've confirmed what I suspected. I found the meter almost unusable in sunlight.

Thanks, Andrea. Yes, new batteries were put in last week and I've turned the shutter dial to B after each session.

I have just taken delivery of my first Leica, a Wetzlar built M6. I

bought it from my favourite dealer and sent it straight off to

Melbourne (Aust) for a CLA and to have the exposure meter fixed as the

deltas wouldn't light up. It was returned to me last week but during

our one day of sunshine last weekend (it's winter here) I found that

if I stood in the sunshine I could only faintly see the deltas when at

their full brightness. It didn't matter where the sun was with

respect to the camera. As soon as I stood in the shade or covered the

viewfinder the deltas were bright and easy to see. I also tried

different eye positions but to no effect.

 

I have only used one other Leica with a built-in exposure meter

before: an MP which was lent to me whilst the M6 was being repaired.

The problem didn't appear in that body, and although I am aware that

the viewfinder in the MP has been improved, I have only seen

references to the improvement relating to the rangefinder.

 

Is this a normal problem with the M6 or should I expect to be able to

see the deltas as I did in the MP?

Travis, I agree with both Jorge and Trevor. Great changes are upon you although they (children) are fairly portable for the first year. Mine (now 26 and 24) made enormous changes to my life, including loss of my MF gear to pay for OM-2n so my wife could photograph them anytime - couldn't afford a new camera and new children. You'll find time to walk the streets and also find that the children as they grow, open other photographic opportunities. Great experience having kids.

Jonathan, I've been using a Sekonic L-398M. Doesn't use batteries and not too big. Accurate incident readings and easy to use.

59 and using Leicas for 6 months.

Tom, I await the result(s) with interest.

Cheers,

David

My first camera in the mid 1950's was a Box Brownie which, like Kerry's, had two viewfinders. It also had a lever as a shutter release which operated in both directions. This then 10 year old knew that all shutter releases had to return to the start point so the first roll of film was a collection of double exposures. At age 14, I coverted my aunt's then new Voitglander Vito B (large v/f) but several years later bought a Practika SLR which lasted nearly 10 years, including 12 months bouncing around in my M113 in Vietnam. Don't know what my brother ended up doing with it. Then into MF with a C330 (2nd tour in Vietnam) followed by a Bronica S2A until babies arrived and 35mm was ordered - OM2n and then through the OM series to the 4Ti Black. Now an M6, when it comes back from a CLA.

 

Trevor, by chance last week, my wife also found my Instamatic 133-X which used to be attached to the canopy of the glider to photograph turning points in competitions. Near mint - less than a 100 cartridges through it and then only 3 or 4 shots out of each. Memories!!

Patrick,

 

I have a current version 50 Summicron with a UVa attached normally and it flares if I try to shoot within about 45 degrees of the sun. If you're talking about the 50mm, there is a thread in the archives that recommends using the 12550 hood for the Elmar which has an E39 thread fitting. I haven't been able to find one here (Australia) yet so don't know how effective it is.

I agree with all the above comments Eric. It's a great collection and I hope you add to it

Bill, I have used the 54 MZ3 on both the Bessa R2 (54 in auto) and an Oly C5050 in TTL - the 5050 for about 12 months and the R2 only for about 3 months. I agree that for bounce you need as much power as possible. Also with the 54 you have the option of using the small forward flash (15% of output) for additional direct light, although I have found that it is best to use the diffuser panel with that as it can wash out close subjects. Although it looks cumbersome, I find with both the R2 and the 5050 that it doesn't make the cameras feel unbalanced as most of the weight is over the hot shoe, and the greater weight of the M6 is likely to make the combination even more stable.

Patrick, I'm new to Leicas, but I have just acquired a Bessa R2 and a current build 50 Summicron. I find that when playing with that set up at night I am able to get the viewfinder to resolve objects across two rooms (35 feet) lit only by a 40 watt globe in the second room. Haven't taken any photos in that situation, but I have had no trouble getting a sharp immage in the patch. Will your retailer let you borrow a body to try?

I'm using a 50 summicron on the R2 at present. Great results and the 1/2000 gives another stop. Only problem is the R2 is not a Leica! Can't comment on the 35mm.

There's a 12585H for sale on ebay.com.au for about US$57. 3 days to run.