Leica M6 Review Today I received my M6 and 50mm Summicron. Both are used, though the M6 is actually a demo, so it's in pristine condition. Upon opening the box the Leica was packaged in, I was greeted with a very stout little camera. About the size of the Contax G2, the Leica is sturdily built. After mounting the lens, I began playing. Film loading is certainly not difficult, and doesn't take more than a minute or two, even for someone like me whose previous cameras have been almost exclusively auto loading. My one complaint is that when the film leader doesn't get taken up, it's a little hard to tell. I'll probably get more sure of it with time though, so no big deal. The viewfinder is excellent, as good as most SLRs I've used, with the added benefit that you can see outside the frame. The rangefinder focus system is very interesting to use, my only problems with it being that it tends to get washed out in bright light, and there's some difficulty focusing on flat surfaces. The film advance lever is great, very positive and you can even double stroke it if you want. On the whole, the camera fits well in my hand, though the G2 fits better. Given that the Leica is manual focus, the small size of the Summicron tends to cramp my hand a bit. As I've used the M6 more lately, I decided to order the accessory grip made by Leica. I have real hard time holding onto the camera when walking around with it, especially because I like to hold it in my hand rather than around my neck. Should be here next week, so we'll see how that helps matters. The camera grows on me... I've ordered a 35mm Summicron to aid my street photography, as the 50mm doesn't really allow me the depth of field I need to preset focus and fire away more or less at will. I received the 35mm Summicron and the Leica grip. First the grip. It's a tad on the small side, but overall, I give it a 9 for the handling improvement it provides. I can now carry the M6 in my right hand without much of a problem and bring it to my eye in a split second. The grip doesn't interfere with any camera functions, and it even adds to the look of the camera (if you care about such a thing... it's just a camera after all). The 35mm Summicron is awesome. This will be the lens I do most of my shooting with from now on. It's very small and somewhat difficult to get used to focusing with, but a little practice is all it takes. Able to handhold this baby down to 1/15, I'm good to go. I decided to return my 50mm Rigid Summicron (the '60's version) and get the newest 50mm Summicron (used from B&H). The price difference is minimal, and for some of the work I do, the old version just doesn't focus close enough. The old version was chrome as well, and I find I like the black lenses... Got the new version of the 50mm Summicron today. WOW! This difference between this lens and the older version I had is substantial. It just handles so well! The focus ring is fantastic, the built in lens shade is quite convenient, and the aperature ring is adjustable in half-stop increments just like the 35mm ASPH. This lens will probably live on my M6 most of the time, unless I'm doing close quarters work. My style of shooting has changed so much with this camera. It's one thing to have an automated camera that gives you the option to use it manually. It's another matter to have a manual camera that forces you to use it manually. I'm constantly checking my exposure readings, adjusting aperature and shutter speeds to get the desired effect, and preseting focus. THIS is photography. Being in constant control of all the variables and KNOWING what you're doing when you adjust them. The M6 has forced this upon me, and I love the effect its had on my work. I've without question done my best work with this camera. As I continue using the M6, I struggle a bit with the spot meter, but that's my problem, not the camera's. I plan on getting a second body at some point in the future... I'm sick of having to change lenses every 5 minutes when the shot demands it, and the M6 is so small I can easily fit two in my small camera bag. I've put off getting another M6 for the time being. Although I'm paranoid about travelling somewhere without a backup body, I'll just have to be extra careful for the time being. I'm waiting until M6 TTL's are cheap enough used that I can get one in very good shape for less than the $2000 list on a new one. I did however, pick up a 90mm/2.8 Elmarit. I've noticed that a lot of my favorite work is portraiture, and I think the 90mm will aid me in following that interest. **** Update: 1/30/02 **** I've continued shooting with the M6, and I continue to love every minute of it. The 90mm Elmarit is a fantastic lens and has indeed let me focus on portraiture when the mood strikes me. Wide open a f2.8, the bokeh is astounding, and the lens is tack sharp. My only qualm is that the .72 M6 that I have makes it just a tad difficult to focus the 90mm. The .85 would probably improve matters a bit. I've ordered a 21mm f/4 Voigtlander Skopar, since that focal length completes my lens kit for the Leica. The 21mm Leica costs upwards of $2000, and I simply couldn't justify that cost, especially when the Skopar offers a couple of advantages that I like: first, it only costs $400, which includes the accessory viewfinder. Second, it's smaller than a roll of film, which makes travelling with it really easy. Third, I've heard nothing but good things about Voigtlander lenses. And finally, I figure I won't be using a 21mm lens at f/4 enough to make the extra sharpness of the Leica used wide open all that relevant. It's in the mail now, so hopefully I'll be able to report on it fairly soon. I'm feeling the need for a second body. Primarily to mount the 21mm on, but also to let me do more shooting and less lens changing. The problem is, I don't really want to shell out the cash for another Leica. While I'm still open to the idea of getting a new M6 TTL in the future (I don't want to buy used again and pass up the 3 year Passport warranty), I'm having a good look at the Hexar RF. At only $1000 (only!), it's a bargain compared to a new M6. My concerns are mainly that the Rangefinder base is equivalent to the Leica .56 model, which would make life pretty tough with the 90mm. I'll have to go try one out before I commit to it. Want to read some of my other Equipment Reviews?