Biting the bullet, need some help. Confused.

[Jiaqing]

Hello fellow CS'ers.

Have sold away my dslr set since 2010 and am wanting to come back to photography and am really wanting to try out Leica cameras.

I saw quite a few M6s for sale in the BnS section but what I wanna ask is:
1) Any lens that you guys can recommend for a new RF shooter? Saw quite a few leica lenses and they cost more than the camera itself! :bigeyes:
2) Should I get an M6 or an earlier version since I am just starting out.
3) The M6 comes in 0.72x and 0.85x. Is this the same as the magnification in DSLRs? Like when you look through the 0.85 would give a larger view?
4) If I get one with 0.85x it would be meant to be used with 50mm while the 0.72 would be used with a wider lens right?

Sorry for all the questions, been reading up on google, but I'm still really confused. Used to be able to do my research in the past with dpreview, but there seems to be lesser info for noobs on RF's

Hope someone can help me out. Thanks a mil!

 

[blacvios]

Hi Bro, welcome to the world of RF. For starters, pls read thru the so you want to RF thread sticky in this sub forum. It should answer some of the questions you posted.

 

[artspraken]

1) Any lens that you guys can recommend for a new RF shooter? Saw quite a few leica lenses and they cost more than the camera itself!

First. Decide on focal length. Either 35mm or 50mm is the default start.

Choice between 35mm and 50mm is personal preference.

Second. Decide on what lens.

No need to buy Leica if you are prepared to consider alternatives like Voightlander or Zeiss.

2) Should I get an M6 or an earlier version since I am just starting out.

M6 is a usual starter body because it includes a meter. Apart from M6, only MP, M5 and M7 includes meter. You need to ask yourself whether you rely on built in meter.

Some people prefer M2, M3 or M4 by using external lightmeter. Theory is that M2, M3 and M4 built quality is the best because they were made at a time before Leica started to prioritise efficiency/cost over quality. Note this is only a theory. Proponents of this theory probably already own M2s, M3s and M4s. haha. They probably propound this theory because they spent alot of $$$ refurbishing their 50 year old cameras. hahaha.

3) The M6 comes in 0.72x and 0.85x. Is this the same as the magnification in DSLRs? Like when you look through the 0.85 would give a larger view?

Eh. Magnification needs to be witnessed. Cannot describe over forum. You should go to shop and ask to see for yourself.

In simple terms:

if you got bad eyesight and want the best VF base, then get M3, it has 0.91 magnification
if you like focal length as 50mm, then go for 0.85.
if you prefer focal length as 35mm or you wear big-ass spectacles, then go for 0.72.
if you switch between 50mm and 35mm, then go for 0.72
if you have no idea, or no chance to try, then go for 0.72
generally, i'd say if you dunno what you are doing, you should go for 0.72

In any event, you can buy a 1.25x magnifier which is an external eyecup that you attach to the back of the eyepiece. It provides magnification to expand the 0.72 to approx 0.85, using an external eyepiece addon. You can find one of match technical website and chiif also got sell.

4) If I get one with 0.85x it would be meant to be used with 50mm while the 0.72 would be used with a wider lens right?

For 50mm, both 0.85 and 0.72 can be used quite easily.
For 35mm, 0.72 is just nice the borderlines will be close to the edge of the VF. But 0.85 you will unlikely be able to see the 35mm framelines unless you press your whole eyeball into the eyepiece. If you are wearing spectacles, on 0.85 you cannot see 35mm framelines wan.

I trust this gives you a rough idea. better go to shop and look see. The difference between 0.85 and 0.72 is very slight, but you will notice difference after extended usage. If you want to have big VF base, then try M3. It got the biggest VF. But hor, not straightforward to use 35mm focal length lens on M3. You need to be selective what lens you buy. If you are 100% 50mm guy (ie. you dun give a **** about 35mm), then easy just go for M3, you wun regret

 

[Jiaqing]

Hey, thanks so much for the replies.

Yup, I was walking around pen plaza this afternoon and looking at some of the cameras but didnt dare to approach the staff regarding the Leicas. Am a total newbie and was afraid they might think I was messing around with them.

Thanks so much for the clarification!!

 

[cchsieh]

1) Most RF lens perform well. You can get zeiss or voightlander lens and you wont go wrong.

2) If you shoot slide and need very accurate exposure, M6 classic and TTL are better choice as they have more accurate shutter speed. The older cameras will have more age related problem and might need to go forservice before you can use them with full confidence but they have better craftmanship.

3) larger the magnification , bigger the apparent frame line of a given focal length when you look into the finder . ie size of 50mm frameline of 0.85 > size of 50mm frameline of 0.85
This increase the ease of focusing but you lose the wider framline. ie no 28mm frameline in 0.85.

4) If you where spectacles, you will not able to see widest frameline of certain magnification, ie 35mm in 0.85x , 28mm in 0.72
Do you need to know whether you wear spectacles and which focal length you like the most ,28, 35 and 50?

so you need to have 2 questions in mind when choosing a magnification. Do you spectacles and which focal length do you use the most.


1) Wear spectacles and like 28, 35 focal length a lot, get 0.58 viewfinder magnification, you can see the whole viewfinder frame even using 28mm lens.

A person wear spectacles can not see the whole 28mm frame line without turning the eyes in a 0.72x .

2) If you are hardcore 50mm user, stick with 0.85 as the 50mm framlines are bigger.
but you cant see 35mm framelins easily if you wear spectacles and there is no 28mm framlines.

 

[artspraken]

If u are newbie, make sure u read up on (i) film development; and (ii) scanning negatives.

Do miss out these 2 important steps. Or you will end up with useless rolls or need to spend fortune at fotohub!

Personally, i love RF shooting and film developing, but zomg scanning is such a PITA...

 

[mykelism]

You can always get a .72 for versatility, and then add a 1.4x magnifier when you finally get that Noctilux.

Welcome to the RF world!

 

[lrrp77]

Some info from Steve of Cameraquest with regards to RF Viewfinder, base length, etc

http://www.cameraquest.com/leica.htm

 

[Benji77]

Join us here. We can help you decide. Muhahaha!

 

[eamesboy]

You can always get a .72 for versatility, and then add a 1.4x magnifier when you finally get that Noctilux.

Welcome to the RF world!

Very GOOD advice from the RF master! :thumbsup: Hee.. :bsmilie:



....

 

[Jiaqing]

Okay,

I guess the next step is to get my hands on one and start shooting! Thanks for the great helpful comments =)

WIll be heading down to penisula again today!

 

[Jiaqing]

Woot got my hands on an M6 and a Nokton 1.5 from 2 great fellow RF'ers who gave me much appreciated advice. Time to get some rolls of films now!