the leica m6 to me is just still going through the process of every popular camera these days. Like pentax 67, mamiya rz67, mamiya 7ii, hasselblad, people all get mad how how every single photographer is building the hype around them, and jacking up the price. But the truth is, hundreds of thousands of people uses them, simply because they are really good cameras. And for leica, even there are great alternatives, (maybe the canon eos film cameras, having superb lens quality), getting into leica is also about the heritage that comes with it, the first ever 35mm camera, and the history behind it. And sure theres a majority of people dont even care about these stories, but for me its the quality and heritage that made me bought it. If people wanted to get the best quality photo for their money spent, Leica is probably not for them. But then again, it never is with film photography. Its always what makes you feel.
As an amateur teenager photographer I don’t have an opinion on the M6, (I’ve never even used a film camera) but it’s very nice that Chris makes videos like this so I can understand how cameras work.
Jeez Laura, you must be the only person on the ENTIRE internet who doesn't give an opinion even though they don't know anything about the topic - kudos to you!!
I have been a photographer for more than 40 years. I still shoot film in all formats and digital. Yes I do have an M6 and a couple of other Leicas plus a Contax G2. The question is not the price tag nor the brand or even film photography. I can tell you that it is the rangefinder that is not for everyone. Compared to an SLR or a DSLR, rangefinders are difficult to work with. They are limited for certain application and totally unsuited to fast action photography. I like working with rangefinders, Leica or otherwise. The problem as I see it is these days a lot of people, in particular those who have been brought up in the age of digital use a Leica as a status symbol and a vehicle for gaining ' credibility ' by shooting an analogue Leica device.
Dude, the change in direction on the channel from digital to film is literally INSPIRING. I just got my first film camera last week and have been shooting and exploring and learning more and more. Make a video about your favorite film tho 😌
aw thank you so much!! I was very nervous starting this transition into film, but people like you help make the landing more comfortable! I will definitely make a video on my favorite film stocks
@@whoschrischu I think this transition has been great! I really loved your words about it being just a camera. I'm glad you talked about gatekeeping because that's what has kept me away from the Leica world in general. I saw you shot some Kodak Gold, maybe that's your favourite? Anywho, keep up the good work and thanks for uploading!
Another repair place that many swear by is Steves Camera in Culver City CA. They did an entire overhaul of my M6, CLA, fixed the stuck film advance gear, back door hinge fix, rangefinder alignment, light meter adjustment all for $600 and they are certified repair facility from Leica
sneaky loading tip: if you drop the film in and then put the base plate back on, the wheel inside the base plate aligns the film onto the sprocket holes for you. It's actually why its called a quick load system and even has it in the leica m6 manual lol. I see so many M6 owners loading how you did and you can actually squeeze an extra 2-3 shots out of a roll by doing it this way. I can usually get 26 on a 24 and 39 on a 36. Highly recommend! 😎
I had a Leica M6, I used it for 3 years and sold it. It was a dream camera for me before I bought it. But unfortunately all the pros for this camera is how it looks, how it feels. In terms of photo quality you can buy the same performance for 1/4 of the price, save your 3/4 and spend for a trip or a project that you imagined.
bullsh>t! In terms of photo quality it just tells me and anyone who knows and uses Leica and Leitz glass that you are ignorant! Ergonocs is the best because it is the very basics of photography! I bet you bought an Iphone and now you are a professional!
In my film days, I used a Leica M6 with 21/35/90mm lenses. When the digital age came, I decided to buy an M10. The black M10 I purchased in 2017 was defective. I had to return it to the Leica dealer. This year, I purchased a chrome M10. After using it for a few months it broke and I had to send it to Leica for repair. When Leica quoted me a repair price that was over $2000, I decided against the repair. I now have a totally useless digital camera.
I bought my first Leica from a Leica technician. He told me he made the screwdriver tips expressly for the screws. The screwdriver had to fit the screw heads perfectly or it will mar the screw. He ground the screwdrivers to fit the screw. This guy used to work at Wetzlar. The most honest guy I've ever met. I bought my 35 Summicron IV from him, a perfectly working specimen that I still have today.
You're so right. The M6, like the other Ms, can be an inspiration to go out there and shoot. But the price of film and developing? That's just crazy now.
I bought the M6 in 1987 and several lenses. I have enjoyed using it a lot for my vacations and for portraits. Generally it is not for fast sports, but for portraits and handheld landscapes where you take the time to create your photo. When they used to have film processing at every pharmacy, I always got comments, like wow, those pictures were really nice. The colors are great. Great detail. If you need sports pictures you need to get an automatic everything camera just for that use. It seems that I may need to get it serviced as the light meter stopped working, but I may just get a hand held light meter instead or repairing the camera's meter. The medium format film cameras are the next step up in detail, but are also larger, heavier, and frequently require a tripod and filters for great results, so the M6 is easier to carry around. I have gotten so much negative vibes like why would you want to have a Leica, when you could use a cell phone camera, like I am such an idiot. So you have to actually learn to use this camera and see the amazing results for yourself.
Bought mine a couple of months into Covid. Paid $2000 for a black TTL and two Summicron lenses. 35 and 50mm. Everything was mint. Guy was rich and wanted to buy the “best/most expensive” camera in 2000. Used it for a year and put everything away. Will never get that lucky again. Youxin Ye in Boston has done my Leica CLAs and repairs. Guy is a legend with great prices! Super responsive and not too bad turn around.
Awesome, man, sounds like a great deal. I bought most of my tech secondhand and have had some amazing deals as well. Rich people who don't want to go through effort and sell it to someone who is nice is a great way to get good stuff. I've had a bunch of lucky deals that way. If you treat people well it goes a long way in my experience.
I bought my M6 about three years ago when i lived in Hong Kong for a while. It was a time when it was already expensive af but not as ludicrously expensive as nowadays. And i got it cheaper because it had some cosmetic flaws but i knew what i was getting into. Not the first time i bought an analog camera and not the first time i got screwed over (i knew what to look out for). I thought if it already had some scratches i’d be less hesitant to take it outside to shoot it. And i am not regretting it, it’s been my dream to own a Leica and it’s a Camera that keeps me motivated to go out. (and eventually that is what makes you a better photographer, being motivated to go out and shoot everything) But i fear the day i send it to Leica for repair, gonna be hella expensive. Luckily i live very close to Wetzlar so i can save on shipping costs XD
if you want a camera that feels like an extension of your body then the canon ql17 is also a great one for people who don't have the budget needed to own a leica
I have a leica m6. The meter is sensitve to light and giv good exposures. It is a feel to use this kind of camera. The lining of two image to be in focus. Discreet enough for street photography.
Just sold my m2 today after about 12 rolls, I just wanna put a few things out there: 1. make sure you are comfortable with the view finder. I wear prescription glasses so looking through the .72 mag viewfinder leaves me with just the 50mm frame lines. not a big deal usually. the focus patch is a bitch to see through though with my shitty eyes. 2. dont buy it for the clout. for the shots i make, which are typically at night, on a tripod, leica makes no sense. you can’t really see the focus patch at night. 3. perhaps the most important one: if you shoot predominantly through your left eye (which means you put any viewfinder straight up to your left eye), i suggest look elsewhere. its not a big deal if you do the hyper focus thing but that takes practice, and a bit of talent.
I have had many cameras in my years as a professional photographer. I generally favored Nikon for 35mm, and Mamiya for 6/4.5. But for my personal work and enjoyment, my Leica M6 with a 50mm Summicron lens was my go to camera. And I agree 100% with you, it’s not the camera, it’s the eyes and imagination behind it ! Thanks, Rick….. 📷
Hearing about Leica’s repair standards is honestly a plus rather than a negative for me. Like, yes, having a single issue fixed is one thing, but knowing the maker is willing to fix almost everything about your camera before sending it back to you is reassuring as a consumer. It’s honestly why I like Apple, because they will help diagnose additional issues you weren’t aware of and will repair it for you.
I actually think Leica’s pricing is about on par with other manufacturers. It cost me $950 to have the meter in my M7 replaced (it licked everything up unless I shot in its two manual speeds) and like yours, they replaced the leatherette (which had been in good condition, actually), and adjusted a bunch of stuff. About the same cost as getting my Fuji X-Pro2 repaired by Fuji ($900). The good thing is that I now have what is essentially al almost new Leica that is set to go for a long, long time. Only took nine weeks though, door to door to Leica USA.
oh okay! yeah I guess it's not that bad when you put it like that. 9 weeks sounds nice tho...I'm v confident this camera will last a long long time because of the CLA + Repairs
@@whoschrischu Crazy that they wouldn't return your camera without service. That has got to be illegal, lol. I hit Ocean Beach after watching one of your videos, nice place. Keep creating!
You mentioned they changed the circuit board on your Leica m6 . They still do repairs on m6’s?! I was under the impression that you’d have to go third party and also if the light meter dies that it’s down forever ! That’s great to know they still do repairs
I have the M6 classic and I love using it. My current obsession is with medium format though, and I find I reach for the Rolleiflex or Hasselblad now more than the M6.
Funny, for me it's the opposite. I have a Hasselblad 500 C/M with four lenses, but it's all too big and cumbersome to just take it with me on a walk. I'm definitely not planing on selling my gear and love shooting with the 500 C/M and I definitely recommend getting one, but right now I'm saving up for a Leica MP or M6 to have something to shoot with on walks, for street photography and for travelling.
The M6 is by far my "dream camera". And I always wanted a rangefinder camera. But when I started film photography in early 2021, it was way too expensive! So I bought a Voigtlander Bessa R2 for about 500€ (which should be about 600$) and I love it! I wanted an M mount because I will have an M6 in the future! Not sure when, but it will happen.
Ahh... If you're drooling over a M6, it's only because you haven't come across the Mamiya 7. The biggest difference is that the Mamiya 7 is a 120 roll film camera shooting 6x7. It's a different universe of goodness.
"Barfed in my brain," thats funny. Those expensive repairs, not frequent innovation is what keeps them in business. First a very expensive body, then a over-priced hostage situation repair. But yea, I gadda get one!
Frog wallet! As a Naruto fan, this took me immediately. Yet, as a Kai (DigitalRevTv) fan since 2011 when I was looking for a camera to supplant a DSLR with something smaller such as a Fuji X-Pro 1 reviews, I was doubly taken. Moving from the M3 with Fuji X Pro cams, and finally the Leica M11, this was a refreshing vid. Well done in tying the review to the slim part of cam pop culture that I can identify with, well done. 🙂
I have a Leica M6 and a Rollei 35S. I love them both.I do mainly landscapes and zone focus with both of them.The M6 is brilliant and the Summicron 35mm is super sharp which suits some photos but not others.. Some of my best photos were taken with the Rollei - much more grainy and moody which with B+W can be a real advantage.M6 is so easy to use- the light meter is perfect- so I guess in that regard I do take better photos with it. Forget the Gatekeepers - No one ever regretted buying quality and who cares what others thing anyway?
I had an M6 and didn't really enjoy it, BUT I bought a Leica M3 and I love it! There's something about the M3...classic feel and for some reason I use it more than any of my film cameras. The M6 IS a great camera but try the M3...ain't bad.
I had to send my Summilux 28mm to Germany for a calibration and shift focusing, it took 9 months. Crazy long..... But I can agree with you that YYE is super cool. He repair my Leica MP in a week. Superfast !
Bruhhh. That's unprofessional of Leica to force you to getting a whole package repair and wouldn't give your camera back if you didn't. The camera itself is already crazy expensive, now they're just extorting money out if you at this point 😩.
In your great video you say the “camera doesn’t do anything for the outcome of the image “ I must be a fool I course but me as an owner of a Fuji x100v and xpro camera and Sony bodies, I never ever thought about this. There is no sensor of course so also no “certain look”? Please help me out here ? Did you mean that if you would put the same filmroll in a canon or whatever analog camera that the outcome of the pictures would be the same ? So look of the image depends on : - film type - settings exposure triangle - the guy that develops your film roll ? Please I am in the dark here.
Just wait for new “cheap” film camera from leica (there’s rumour they will release it this year). Maybe around $3000-4000 i guess😅. But at least its brand new 😂. I dont know about US prices for leica m6, but here in my country its around $3000 now. But if u want an MP just get it, smoother than m6 & all metal + high precision engineering + brand new. But only if u willing to say goodbye to your hard earned money.
the absurd thing about the M6 is that it’s getting so expensive that it’s gonna rival the MP soon. i hope Leica’s new “affordable” film camera gonna stabilize the market a little bit
Like your video, and very interesting to hear your opinions. My dad bought me a Leica 3f screw mount camera in 1971. Also a great camera. Later on I got a M3, then over the decades, a M6 and M9. Took a long, long time to afford those later cameras and. the lenses. Sure, they’re mega expensive. But I like the compactness, and they’re a lot lighter than, say, Nikon SLRs (which I also have, and used for some specialist work I was involved in, related to my job). The Leicas are really personal interest. There’s quite a lot of hype about Leicas and there are Leica snobs around, I’m afraid - but in my opinion they’re a good tool for the kind of photography I do. Not many people recognise them, and they don’t look ‘serious camera’ to most folk, so if you’re photographing people, the camera fades into the background and (at least in my opinion) you get a more ‘natural’ effect than if you use a big SLR and lens. My favourite lens for the Leica is the 35mm f1.4, but I also use the 75mm and sometimes 28 & 24mm. I do have a 21mm, but haven’t used it as much as I thought I would. That’s a lot of lenses - but it took me 35 years to pull all that together 😂. I’ve been lucky with repairs - only sensor replacement on the M9, and Leica did it for free. Are they worth it? I’d say yes, but if I was starting out on my photo journey again, I’m not sure if I’d choose Leica. I’ve sure spent a lot on that kit: I try not to think about how much!
Nice perspective. I sympathise with the hassle of sending away for repair. I sent my $3000 lens to YYE for a minor issue and it went missing on there way back.... he was really uncooperative/would not file an insurance claim with shipping company... said it was not his problem! He shipped it in one of those plastic mailing envelopes. Never again. I will now only repair with someone who is local.
Same thing goes for all manufacturers and repairs. They will always want to fix everything and send the product to the customer in A grade quality. So it’s definitely not a bad thing.
The attitudes of today's gatekeepers as you've described them, and much of the negative attitude towards Leica products in general, can largely be chalked up to Leica transforming themselves into a lifestyle brand years ago. To Leica's credit, had they not managed to pull off such a transformation, they surely wouldn't be in business at this point.
Exactly, to be viable as a niche camera manufacturer, you need all the doctors and bougy people to buy your products. just like Lamborghini or other niche car manufacturers need them to stay in business. But even tho it comes with a hefty price tag, it keeps the cameras on the market for us enthusiasts. And with every doctor buying a Leica and selling it after 3years of not using it, it makes it a little more affordable for us normal people to own a Leica 😅
With prices being what they presently are now you’re much better off chipping in a few more $$ and getting a brand new Leica MP. The Leica MP and the MA (MA is w/o a meter) are the only film bodies being made now however their quite a waitlist for the MP. The MP, IMO, is a much better camera.
I tried an m10 and I loved how it worked, the fact that it was all down to the bare minimums, i would love an MP since it has a light meter, but when I am go out and shooting, I find film cameras more enjoyable than digital cameras, I have a Canon 70d, cool camera but it's a nightmare to use, it is so distrustful and uninspiring to me that sometimes I got so angry that I throw up blood.
Always too broke to buy the camera tbh. Its clarity is unmatched to other SLRs, it’s like shooting medium format. However, I really can’t afford a Leica rn but when I can I’m copping one. I really want either an M6 or an MP. For now, still saving up for a Yashica Mat 124 G.
I had the R2a! It was Sooooo fast to reload!! Plus 1/2000 shutter came in CLUTCH sometimes! I prefer the light meter on the Ra series but dude when that battery dies, it’s the most defeating feeling ever
@@whoschrischu Yeah, I never understood what was different between the A/M lines besides the shutter being manual on the M. Maybe that's it? M for "Manual", A for "Aww shit my battery died" ?
I’ve used analogue Leicas for decades - most of the time I used Kodak Tri-X (400 asa)but also Ilford FP4 (125 asa). Suggest you google, to see what might suit you best. ‘Everday’ shooting, I’d go for 400 asa, Kodak or equivalent from another manufacturer
I would have to disagree with you about the Leica M6 value or price skyrocketing since COVID-19. It’s gone up slightly but actually has come down slightly since the cost of film has actually skyrocketed.
Chris, good video. I have the same setup with off-camera flash for fill-in flash on sunny days. On a digital camera there is room for trial and error, but not on the M6. How do you set the flash for this?
You busted the Leica ceiling…. Or basement at least. The Leica film cameras at least do not suffer from digital rot as their digital cameras. Thx for sharing!
I had a chance to buy a black M6 TTL camera last year, for about $2500 CAD (It was near mint). I had a M2 already, but really wanted an M6 just to have the option of a built in light meter. Ended up passing on it since I couldn't really afford it, even though I could just sell the M2. Now though... I'd have to pay $3500 to $4500 CAD for one lol... I should have just sucked it up and bought it. Also, I agree, Leica service for repair is brutal, never had my camera held hostage with them, but the turn around time always sucked... 4 to 6 months is what I come to expect from them... :-/
Hey man I've been looking for someone to review the 28mm ultron II lens but haven't found anyone. Is it in your plans to review it? Would be cool to see, cheers.
One of the few non wack Leica videos. The gatekeepers are second only to the audiophile scene who believe $20,000 silver coated wires make their music sound better or that placing power amps on stone makes the music warmer. Props man.
dude anybody who's in the thick of any technicals or -isms of art are gonna be the most snobby folks. I respect their passion for it, but they're the ones who are lost in the sauce. thanks for stopping by!
Dude, look at your left thumb when loading the film at 7:17 in the video. Be very careful that you don't apply pressure against the shutter curtain. It can be easily damaged.
nice video, the quality of the pictures comes from the lens, no from the camera. The M2, M4, M5 … has the same quality, with the same lens. 7Artisans is option for me. Pure quality lens mounted on a M6, no way.
Even though Leica official is expensive, the majority of “Leica repair” people do not even have the necessary machines to check the shutter speeds. Which means they can’t actually give a CLA, but take money and tinker away. They should not have upsold you arguably non essential things like finder cleaning though.
The intro film loading was super fast but you, unfortunately, wasted 2 frames. 😅 If the film sits correctly in its position you can close the camera and pull on the film lever just once. I don't want to be grouchy but film is expensive these days and it would be a pity if you wasted some frames. 😄 Yeah, it was a really big mistake to send the camera to Leica itself. They really try their best to rip you off. ( They estimated 1000€ for a repair that cost 250€ on a non-leica professional repair shop. ) They are just greedy a**holes. I think the Leica gatekeepers are just an annoying bunch of people with too much free time on their hands. 😄
@@yasinsk4211 Also if loaded the right way, you can create beautiful „first of the rolls“ with your first frames on the m6. The instagram channel f1rstoftheroll collects these. you should really try it. it’s frames you would waste anyway but you could create super unique images no digital photographer could ever do
Thank you for this. Just put my crib for sale and cashed out my life savings to get one. Can't wait 😍
I don't think street photographer means a photographer that lives on the streets...or maybe it does...
You've already got a very capable M camera in the CLE.
@@whoschrischu 🤣🤣🤣🤣im about to be
the leica m6 to me is just still going through the process of every popular camera these days. Like pentax 67, mamiya rz67, mamiya 7ii, hasselblad, people all get mad how how every single photographer is building the hype around them, and jacking up the price. But the truth is, hundreds of thousands of people uses them, simply because they are really good cameras. And for leica, even there are great alternatives, (maybe the canon eos film cameras, having superb lens quality), getting into leica is also about the heritage that comes with it, the first ever 35mm camera, and the history behind it. And sure theres a majority of people dont even care about these stories, but for me its the quality and heritage that made me bought it.
If people wanted to get the best quality photo for their money spent, Leica is probably not for them. But then again, it never is with film photography. Its always what makes you feel.
agree with this 100%
@@whoschrischu kloohrqq Tu hiii ohio kisi
As an amateur teenager photographer I don’t have an opinion on the M6, (I’ve never even used a film camera) but it’s very nice that Chris makes videos like this so I can understand how cameras work.
aw thank you! I will make introductory videos to film photography
Jeez Laura, you must be the only person on the ENTIRE internet who doesn't give an opinion even though they don't know anything about the topic - kudos to you!!
I have been a photographer for more than 40 years. I still shoot film in all formats and digital. Yes I do have an M6 and a couple of other Leicas plus a Contax G2. The question is not the price tag nor the brand or even film photography. I can tell you that it is the rangefinder that is not for everyone. Compared to an SLR or a DSLR, rangefinders are difficult to work with. They are limited for certain application and totally unsuited to fast action photography. I like working with rangefinders, Leica or otherwise. The problem as I see it is these days a lot of people, in particular those who have been brought up in the age of digital use a Leica as a status symbol and a vehicle for gaining ' credibility ' by shooting an analogue Leica device.
Dude, the change in direction on the channel from digital to film is literally INSPIRING. I just got my first film camera last week and have been shooting and exploring and learning more and more. Make a video about your favorite film tho 😌
aw thank you so much!! I was very nervous starting this transition into film, but people like you help make the landing more comfortable! I will definitely make a video on my favorite film stocks
@@whoschrischu I think this transition has been great! I really loved your words about it being just a camera. I'm glad you talked about gatekeeping because that's what has kept me away from the Leica world in general. I saw you shot some Kodak Gold, maybe that's your favourite? Anywho, keep up the good work and thanks for uploading!
Another repair place that many swear by is Steves Camera in Culver City CA. They did an entire overhaul of my M6, CLA, fixed the stuck film advance gear, back door hinge fix, rangefinder alignment, light meter adjustment all for $600 and they are certified repair facility from Leica
I used him to for a CLA overhaul.
sneaky loading tip: if you drop the film in and then put the base plate back on, the wheel inside the base plate aligns the film onto the sprocket holes for you. It's actually why its called a quick load system and even has it in the leica m6 manual lol. I see so many M6 owners loading how you did and you can actually squeeze an extra 2-3 shots out of a roll by doing it this way. I can usually get 26 on a 24 and 39 on a 36. Highly recommend! 😎
dude this is life-changing advice. thank you
I have no leica yet I'm grateful for this advice ^^
I had a Leica M6, I used it for 3 years and sold it. It was a dream camera for me before I bought it. But unfortunately all the pros for this camera is how it looks, how it feels. In terms of photo quality you can buy the same performance for 1/4 of the price, save your 3/4 and spend for a trip or a project that you imagined.
Appreciate the comment, what did you end up switching to?
Agree
bullsh>t! In terms of photo quality it just tells me and anyone who knows and uses Leica and Leitz glass that you are ignorant! Ergonocs is the best because it is the very basics of photography! I bet you bought an Iphone and now you are a professional!
what did you expect lol
In my film days, I used a Leica M6 with 21/35/90mm lenses.
When the digital age came, I decided to buy an M10. The black M10 I purchased in 2017 was defective. I had to return it to the Leica dealer.
This year, I purchased a chrome M10. After using it for a few months it broke and I had to send it to Leica for repair. When Leica quoted me a repair price that was over $2000, I decided against the repair. I now have a totally useless digital camera.
Man, that’s just sad!
I bought my first Leica from a Leica technician. He told me he made the screwdriver tips expressly for the screws. The screwdriver had to fit the screw heads perfectly or it will mar the screw. He ground the screwdrivers to fit the screw. This guy used to work at Wetzlar. The most honest guy I've ever met. I bought my 35 Summicron IV from him, a perfectly working specimen that I still have today.
You're so right. The M6, like the other Ms, can be an inspiration to go out there and shoot. But the price of film and developing? That's just crazy now.
I bought the M6 in 1987 and several lenses. I have enjoyed using it a lot for my vacations and for portraits. Generally it is not for fast sports, but for portraits and handheld landscapes where you take the time to create your photo. When they used to have film processing at every pharmacy, I always got comments, like wow, those pictures were really nice. The colors are great. Great detail. If you need sports pictures you need to get an automatic everything camera just for that use. It seems that I may need to get it serviced as the light meter stopped working, but I may just get a hand held light meter instead or repairing the camera's meter. The medium format film cameras are the next step up in detail, but are also larger, heavier, and frequently require a tripod and filters for great results, so the M6 is easier to carry around. I have gotten so much negative vibes like why would you want to have a Leica, when you could use a cell phone camera, like I am such an idiot. So you have to actually learn to use this camera and see the amazing results for yourself.
Bought mine a couple of months into Covid. Paid $2000 for a black TTL and two Summicron lenses. 35 and 50mm. Everything was mint. Guy was rich and wanted to buy the “best/most expensive” camera in 2000. Used it for a year and put everything away. Will never get that lucky again.
Youxin Ye in Boston has done my Leica CLAs and repairs. Guy is a legend with great prices! Super responsive and not too bad turn around.
Awesome, man, sounds like a great deal. I bought most of my tech secondhand and have had some amazing deals as well. Rich people who don't want to go through effort and sell it to someone who is nice is a great way to get good stuff. I've had a bunch of lucky deals that way. If you treat people well it goes a long way in my experience.
Your honest form of storytelling is really refreshing. Spectacular content!
Yo I totally get the gatekeeper feeling thank you for making me feel more better about buying the m6
some people really think they're so special and have the right to control who has what x.x buncha fools
I bought my M6 about three years ago when i lived in Hong Kong for a while. It was a time when it was already expensive af but not as ludicrously expensive as nowadays. And i got it cheaper because it had some cosmetic flaws but i knew what i was getting into. Not the first time i bought an analog camera and not the first time i got screwed over (i knew what to look out for). I thought if it already had some scratches i’d be less hesitant to take it outside to shoot it.
And i am not regretting it, it’s been my dream to own a Leica and it’s a Camera that keeps me motivated to go out. (and eventually that is what makes you a better photographer, being motivated to go out and shoot everything)
But i fear the day i send it to Leica for repair, gonna be hella expensive. Luckily i live very close to Wetzlar so i can save on shipping costs XD
if you want a camera that feels like an extension of your body then the canon ql17 is also a great one for people who don't have the budget needed to own a leica
I have a leica m6. The meter is sensitve to light and giv good exposures. It is a feel to use this kind of camera. The lining of two image to be in focus. Discreet enough for street photography.
Respect your straight forward direct word. Great review.
The satisfying sound at the beginning👏🏾
Just some good ASMR
Just sold my m2 today after about 12 rolls, I just wanna put a few things out there:
1. make sure you are comfortable with the view finder. I wear prescription glasses so looking through the .72 mag viewfinder leaves me with just the 50mm frame lines. not a big deal usually. the focus patch is a bitch to see through though with my shitty eyes.
2. dont buy it for the clout. for the shots i make, which are typically at night, on a tripod, leica makes no sense. you can’t really see the focus patch at night.
3. perhaps the most important one: if you shoot predominantly through your left eye (which means you put any viewfinder straight up to your left eye), i suggest look elsewhere. its not a big deal if you do the hyper focus thing but that takes practice, and a bit of talent.
I have had many cameras in my years as a professional photographer. I generally favored Nikon for 35mm, and Mamiya for 6/4.5. But for my personal work and enjoyment, my Leica M6 with a 50mm Summicron lens was my go to camera. And I agree 100% with you, it’s not the camera, it’s the eyes and imagination behind it ! Thanks, Rick….. 📷
Hearing about Leica’s repair standards is honestly a plus rather than a negative for me. Like, yes, having a single issue fixed is one thing, but knowing the maker is willing to fix almost everything about your camera before sending it back to you is reassuring as a consumer. It’s honestly why I like Apple, because they will help diagnose additional issues you weren’t aware of and will repair it for you.
I actually think Leica’s pricing is about on par with other manufacturers. It cost me $950 to have the meter in my M7 replaced (it licked everything up unless I shot in its two manual speeds) and like yours, they replaced the leatherette (which had been in good condition, actually), and adjusted a bunch of stuff. About the same cost as getting my Fuji X-Pro2 repaired by Fuji ($900).
The good thing is that I now have what is essentially al almost new Leica that is set to go for a long, long time. Only took nine weeks though, door to door to Leica USA.
oh okay! yeah I guess it's not that bad when you put it like that. 9 weeks sounds nice tho...I'm v confident this camera will last a long long time because of the CLA + Repairs
@@whoschrischu Crazy that they wouldn't return your camera without service. That has got to be illegal, lol. I hit Ocean Beach after watching one of your videos, nice place. Keep creating!
I have a Leica M6 and 35 and 50mm Summicrons and I think your video perfectly "nails" it. Thanks so much for sharing.
I can never understand why people do the M6 over the MP…I’ve had my MP for 8 months now and I love it!
Love your videos. I am a beginner to film photography and you explain things really well.
You mentioned they changed the circuit board on your Leica m6 . They still do repairs on m6’s?!
I was under the impression that you’d have to go third party and also if the light meter dies that it’s down forever ! That’s great to know they still do repairs
I have the M6 classic and I love using it. My current obsession is with medium format though, and I find I reach for the Rolleiflex or Hasselblad now more than the M6.
Funny, for me it's the opposite. I have a Hasselblad 500 C/M with four lenses, but it's all too big and cumbersome to just take it with me on a walk. I'm definitely not planing on selling my gear and love shooting with the 500 C/M and I definitely recommend getting one, but right now I'm saving up for a Leica MP or M6 to have something to shoot with on walks, for street photography and for travelling.
The M6 is by far my "dream camera". And I always wanted a rangefinder camera. But when I started film photography in early 2021, it was way too expensive! So I bought a Voigtlander Bessa R2 for about 500€ (which should be about 600$) and I love it! I wanted an M mount because I will have an M6 in the future! Not sure when, but it will happen.
Ahh... If you're drooling over a M6, it's only because you haven't come across the Mamiya 7. The biggest difference is that the Mamiya 7 is a 120 roll film camera shooting 6x7. It's a different universe of goodness.
Hi Chris this is a 100% review of owning a Leica. Now I know what I juice when I juice a Leica. Thank you.
That shot of the pigeon flying past a window is a SHOW STOPPER....fuck gatekeepers, THATS a decisive moment hahahaha!
How do you like that voigtlander lens? is it the new 28mm ultron?
Just ordered one, can’t wait for it to arrive.
Just picked up my 1st M6 ttl and my 35mm Summicron V4 will stayed glued to it from this point on.
Love the vid man and I appreciate the honesty..
THE KOB!!! I was in the market for one, but this ASPH V2 popped up on eBay and the auction was pretty much neglected. Ya boi got a steal xD
"Barfed in my brain," thats funny. Those expensive repairs, not frequent innovation is what keeps them in business. First a very expensive body, then a over-priced hostage situation repair. But yea, I gadda get one!
sounds like a healthy relationship to me
Frog wallet! As a Naruto fan, this took me immediately. Yet, as a Kai (DigitalRevTv) fan since 2011 when I was looking for a camera to supplant a DSLR with something smaller such as a Fuji X-Pro 1 reviews, I was doubly taken. Moving from the M3 with Fuji X Pro cams, and finally the Leica M11, this was a refreshing vid. Well done in tying the review to the slim part of cam pop culture that I can identify with, well done. 🙂
1:12 man's got BICEPS!!!
Shout out to Kai W and those digital rev days. The goat.
I have a Leica M6 and a Rollei 35S. I love them both.I do mainly landscapes and zone focus with both of them.The M6 is brilliant and the Summicron 35mm is super sharp which suits some photos but not others.. Some of my best photos were taken with the Rollei - much more grainy and moody which with B+W can be a real advantage.M6 is so easy to use- the light meter is perfect- so I guess in that regard I do take better photos with it. Forget the Gatekeepers - No one ever regretted buying quality and who cares what others thing anyway?
That Rollei is a fun little camera. Underrated! I'm going to do a video about zone-focusing pretty soon :)
I had an M6 and didn't really enjoy it, BUT I bought a Leica M3 and I love it! There's something about the M3...classic feel and for some reason I use it more than any of my film cameras. The M6 IS a great camera but try the M3...ain't bad.
I had to send my Summilux 28mm to Germany for a calibration and shift focusing, it took 9 months. Crazy long..... But I can agree with you that YYE is super cool. He repair my Leica MP in a week. Superfast !
GREAT video. Have you ever considered offering a workshop?
Bruhhh. That's unprofessional of Leica to force you to getting a whole package repair and wouldn't give your camera back if you didn't. The camera itself is already crazy expensive, now they're just extorting money out if you at this point 😩.
In your great video you say the “camera doesn’t do anything for the outcome of the image “
I must be a fool I course but me as an owner of a Fuji x100v and xpro camera and Sony bodies, I never ever thought about this. There is no sensor of course so also no “certain look”?
Please help me out here ? Did you mean that if you would put the same filmroll in a canon or whatever analog camera that the outcome of the pictures would be the same ?
So look of the image depends on :
- film type
- settings exposure triangle
- the guy that develops your film roll ?
Please I am in the dark here.
What is the thing you were holding on your left hand while you shooting? Is that a flash?
Do you recommend to upgrade from M6 TTL x0.72 to M6 2022 model?
Really want an MP. Glad you shared your thoughts on the M6, looks like an amazing camera.
I want an MP too haha
Just wait for new “cheap” film camera from leica (there’s rumour they will release it this year). Maybe around $3000-4000 i guess😅. But at least its brand new 😂. I dont know about US prices for leica m6, but here in my country its around $3000 now. But if u want an MP just get it, smoother than m6 & all metal + high precision engineering + brand new. But only if u willing to say goodbye to your hard earned money.
@@whoschrischu and I have the MP! :-)
the absurd thing about the M6 is that it’s getting so expensive that it’s gonna rival the MP soon. i hope Leica’s new “affordable” film camera gonna stabilize the market a little bit
What brand of flash light u used in this video ? Pls advice
Like your video, and very interesting to hear your opinions. My dad bought me a Leica 3f screw mount camera in 1971. Also a great camera. Later on I got a M3, then over the decades, a M6 and M9. Took a long, long time to afford those later cameras and. the lenses. Sure, they’re mega expensive. But I like the compactness, and they’re a lot lighter than, say, Nikon SLRs (which I also have, and used for some specialist work I was involved in, related to my job). The Leicas are really personal interest.
There’s quite a lot of hype about Leicas and there are Leica snobs around, I’m afraid - but in my opinion they’re a good tool for the kind of photography I do. Not many people recognise them, and they don’t look ‘serious camera’ to most folk, so if you’re photographing people, the camera fades into the background and (at least in my opinion) you get a more ‘natural’ effect than if you use a big SLR and lens. My favourite lens for the Leica is the 35mm f1.4, but I also use the 75mm and sometimes 28 & 24mm. I do have a 21mm, but haven’t used it as much as I thought I would. That’s a lot of lenses - but it took me 35 years to pull all that together 😂. I’ve been lucky with repairs - only sensor replacement on the M9, and Leica did it for free. Are they worth it? I’d say yes, but if I was starting out on my photo journey again, I’m not sure if I’d choose Leica. I’ve sure spent a lot on that kit: I try not to think about how much!
You are a solid photographer which elevates you to the top level of Leica shooters. Thanks for sharing!
Intro was 🔥
Nice perspective. I sympathise with the hassle of sending away for repair. I sent my $3000 lens to YYE for a minor issue and it went missing on there way back.... he was really uncooperative/would not file an insurance claim with shipping company... said it was not his problem! He shipped it in one of those plastic mailing envelopes. Never again. I will now only repair with someone who is local.
Love it Chris, thanks for sharing
Same thing goes for all manufacturers and repairs. They will always want to fix everything and send the product to the customer in A grade quality. So it’s definitely not a bad thing.
The attitudes of today's gatekeepers as you've described them, and much of the negative attitude towards Leica products in general, can largely be chalked up to Leica transforming themselves into a lifestyle brand years ago. To Leica's credit, had they not managed to pull off such a transformation, they surely wouldn't be in business at this point.
Exactly, to be viable as a niche camera manufacturer, you need all the doctors and bougy people to buy your products. just like Lamborghini or other niche car manufacturers need them to stay in business. But even tho it comes with a hefty price tag, it keeps the cameras on the market for us enthusiasts. And with every doctor buying a Leica and selling it after 3years of not using it, it makes it a little more affordable for us normal people to own a Leica 😅
Amazing vid bro! as always 👏🏼👏🏼
Glad you liked it!!
I just picked up my first Leica camera, the M6. I paid for it with no money out-of-pocket by cashing out my credit card points points. 💰💰💰🤑🤑
Love my M6. Paired with my summilux 35mm f1.4 it’s a pure joy to use.
The Holy Summilux *bows down*
@@whoschrischu my next lens will be a summicron 50mm f2. As enjoyed using the 50mm lens on my om2n.
Doing your own thing in your own time with the M6 ....... props
With prices being what they presently are now you’re much better off chipping in a few more $$ and getting a brand new Leica MP. The Leica MP and the MA (MA is w/o a meter) are the only film bodies being made now however their quite a waitlist for the MP. The MP, IMO, is a much better camera.
Can you tell me what flash you’re using in the video with the cable attached to it? Is that TTL able too? Thank you!
Hi Chris,
Love your work!
Question: What type of flashlight and cable do you use?
Thank you
Paul
If i am going to use 50mm. Will m3 make more sense to me?
I tried an m10 and I loved how it worked, the fact that it was all down to the bare minimums, i would love an MP since it has a light meter, but when I am go out and shooting, I find film cameras more enjoyable than digital cameras, I have a Canon 70d, cool camera but it's a nightmare to use, it is so distrustful and uninspiring to me that sometimes I got so angry that I throw up blood.
Always too broke to buy the camera tbh. Its clarity is unmatched to other SLRs, it’s like shooting medium format. However, I really can’t afford a Leica rn but when I can I’m copping one. I really want either an M6 or an MP. For now, still saving up for a Yashica Mat 124 G.
Bessa owner here! While it's sadly true that the R2A needs a battery to operate the shutter (why????), the R2M/R3M don't which is kinda pog
I had the R2a! It was Sooooo fast to reload!! Plus 1/2000 shutter came in CLUTCH sometimes! I prefer the light meter on the Ra series but dude when that battery dies, it’s the most defeating feeling ever
@@whoschrischu Yeah, I never understood what was different between the A/M lines besides the shutter being manual on the M. Maybe that's it? M for "Manual", A for "Aww shit my battery died" ?
The repair thing is really putting me off but I’ve been itching for one for well over a year
Awesome video again brother!
Thank you, brother!
Can you do a video about contax T2 cause I feel the same about buying it like is it worth it , how to fix it, pros and con!?
that's gonna be one expensive video
Great video! I am looking at buying the m6 for the first time. What 35mm film would you recommend for everyday type pictures?
I’ve used analogue Leicas for decades - most of the time I used Kodak Tri-X (400 asa)but also Ilford FP4 (125 asa). Suggest you google, to see what might suit you best. ‘Everday’ shooting, I’d go for 400 asa, Kodak or equivalent from another manufacturer
I would have to disagree with you about the Leica M6 value or price skyrocketing since COVID-19. It’s gone up slightly but actually has come down slightly since the cost of film has actually skyrocketed.
Looking for an M6? Get the M4-P
DAG can fix most light meter problems, just getting my M6 back after short in the main curcuit they fixed. YYE does not do light meter work though.
Thank you, very informative 👍
Chris, good video. I have the same setup with off-camera flash for fill-in flash on sunny days. On a digital camera there is room for trial and error, but not on the M6. How do you set the flash for this?
I own a M6, and I agree in a lot of what you are saying
Great video as usual! As a M4 owner, feel great to have slightly camera shake and make ss 1/2 without tripod possible.
I thought about buying an M4 as a secondary body (*thinking*)
Great video as always chris! The M6 is a dope camera, but this video made me glad I bought a Canon P instead haha
ooooo the Canon P was the first rangefinder I've ever owned. It's a really nice looking camera too! You should get it repainted by Shueido Camera!
@@whoschrischu it’s a great looking and functioning piece of machinery! I’ve had fun shooting with it on my channel! That would be cool!
Wow the repairs is another film 📷 but thanks for the honesty
What neck strap do you use with your Leica
some chewed up leather strap that came with my Voigtlander Bessa R2a from back in the day. It's unbranded ¯\( ˘͡ ˘̯)/¯
You busted the Leica ceiling…. Or basement at least. The Leica film cameras at least do not suffer from digital rot as their digital cameras. Thx for sharing!
Will look into this. Thank you
Please do!
Dude was racing the clock to get that film loaded
My F3 circuit board for the shutter messed up, and I thought $200 was a lot 🤣. Leica really is expensive to own.
got one mint for 50 bucks on a yard sale with a summicron v4 .. so happy
I had a chance to buy a black M6 TTL camera last year, for about $2500 CAD (It was near mint). I had a M2 already, but really wanted an M6 just to have the option of a built in light meter. Ended up passing on it since I couldn't really afford it, even though I could just sell the M2. Now though... I'd have to pay $3500 to $4500 CAD for one lol... I should have just sucked it up and bought it.
Also, I agree, Leica service for repair is brutal, never had my camera held hostage with them, but the turn around time always sucked... 4 to 6 months is what I come to expect from them... :-/
Hey man I've been looking for someone to review the 28mm ultron II lens but haven't found anyone. Is it in your plans to review it? Would be cool to see, cheers.
Next week :)
One of the few non wack Leica videos. The gatekeepers are second only to the audiophile scene who believe $20,000 silver coated wires make their music sound better or that placing power amps on stone makes the music warmer.
Props man.
dude anybody who's in the thick of any technicals or -isms of art are gonna be the most snobby folks. I respect their passion for it, but they're the ones who are lost in the sauce. thanks for stopping by!
@@whoschrischu Facts! Thanks for the content, the bird in the window pic is remarkable, look forward to the uploads, peace.
Legends say if you can’t load a m6 under 10 seconds it’s mandatory to give your leica to someone else for free….
Dude, look at your left thumb when loading the film at 7:17 in the video. Be very careful that you don't apply pressure against the shutter curtain. It can be easily damaged.
Don't listen to the gatekeepers. Leicas are for anybody who wants one and can afford one.
Came for the film. Subbed.
Welcome to the family@!
nice video, the quality of the pictures comes from the lens, no from the camera. The M2, M4, M5 … has the same quality, with the same lens. 7Artisans is option for me. Pure quality lens mounted on a M6, no way.
definitely from the lens, glass glass glass
dude 300 is not bad, That's base repair prices for camera shops in miami
Even though Leica official is expensive, the majority of “Leica repair” people do not even have the necessary machines to check the shutter speeds. Which means they can’t actually give a CLA, but take money and tinker away. They should not have upsold you arguably non essential things like finder cleaning though.
Think you’re falling for the brochure bro. If it works properly after the CLA, then they did their job right
@@markgarcia8253 no shutter tester machine = no CLA.
The intro film loading was super fast but you, unfortunately, wasted 2 frames. 😅 If the film sits correctly in its position you can close the camera and pull on the film lever just once. I don't want to be grouchy but film is expensive these days and it would be a pity if you wasted some frames. 😄 Yeah, it was a really big mistake to send the camera to Leica itself. They really try their best to rip you off. ( They estimated 1000€ for a repair that cost 250€ on a non-leica professional repair shop. ) They are just greedy a**holes. I think the Leica gatekeepers are just an annoying bunch of people with too much free time on their hands. 😄
I will try the one-time lever next time! Thanks for the advice! Leica gatekeepers are a funny bunch
L
@@yasinsk4211 Also if loaded the right way, you can create beautiful „first of the rolls“ with your first frames on the m6. The instagram channel f1rstoftheroll collects these. you should really try it. it’s frames you would waste anyway but you could create super unique images no digital photographer could ever do
Any suggestions of where to go to get those light leaks fixed, if not Leica? I asked YYE, and he's not doing that repair :(
Germany is the Fatherland. Great vid btw
9:15 PREACH! Thank you!! Lol
Yes, yes it is for me
come to the dark side