Just bought M6 TTL

donz · 05-09-2012

Hi guys,

Im a new member here and just bought my M6 TTL(body only). Now I would like to ask which lens is good in term of quality and price..I would like a 35mm lens or lower because just doing street photography and potrait maybe.

I do not have much money to spend. Do I need to have accessories, in terms of filter, leather cover, hand grip ?

I also need to know what is the best slings to bring the camera around the street. Neck or shoulder? which Brand is good ?

And what is the best way to process all the film if you dont have any place for a LAB in your home and without going to film processing shop every week.

Hope I will get a lot of guidance from all of you.

Thanks!

philipus · 05-09-2012

Congrats on the M6TTL. That's the one I use too, wonderful camera.

I suggest searching around in particular this forum and L-Camera. There are loads of threads.

Personally, I don't use a case, even a half case, and let the camera body scratch etc. After all that's what it's for. I never use filters or handgrips.

I use straps from Barton 1972 on my Leicas, specifically the Composer in black leather, though I see now it's no longer produced.

As for a 35mm lens - what is your budget? There are many options. I currently use a tiny inexpensive Voigtländer 35/2.5 which is good enough for me, esp. for black and white. However I want eventually to buy a 35mm Summicron, latest model.

As for post-processing, I scan my Kodak Portras in RAW and develop in ColorPerfect in Photoshop. Slides I scan as TIFF and touch up in ColorPerfect.

cheers
philip

rover · 05-09-2012

Welcome. I am sure you will enjoy your Leica, they are great machines.

The good thing about 35mm lenses is that there are a ton of excellent ones available. Don't worry about what is best, or if one is better than another. Find one you like, and don't look back.

You can find sample images from most here.

http://www.flickr.com/groups/m-mount/

Moriturii · 05-09-2012

Well, if you want a 35mm Cron IV I've got one for sale, gorgeous lens *Shameless plug* :-)

Seriously though, if you could provide more detail of what your expectation of sharpness and contrast is, if you want your lens to have a focusing tab or not, and budget, that would help us help you better, because there are 35mm lenses varying from $50 to $5000 dollar.

I think a classic to start off with, might be 35mm 2.8 Summaron. Good starting point. Then you can decide perhaps if you want a cheaper, or more expencive, sharper or less sharp lens etc.

Araakii · 05-09-2012

Why did you buy your M6 TTL if you still have so many questions unanswered?

sara · 05-09-2012

"Do I need accessories?"
Well that's totally up to you really...!

As for processing...well it's either the shops or a lab isn't it? I don't see any other way...unless you can find some sort of cheap lab - maybe mail out processing?!

The lens I use is a Voigtlander 35mm pancake lens. It's not cheap but it's one of the cheaper ones. But there are so many! You have to see which ones you want and what your budget is I guess...

BobYIL · 05-09-2012

Congrats! You bought a camera to last longer than many a marriage in our day.

To start with buy a 35mm lens from Voigtlander series as to not bother your financial adviser. You need a hood for it, maybe a UVa or light-yellow filter too if you buy a quality filter, otherwise ignore it.

Bag: Any bag you already own having a spare space to house your Leica plus a few rolls does work.

Case, half case: You have the bag above.

Strap: Light, soft and thin leather straps from our Far Eastern neighbors are fine and inexpensive. The original synthetic Leica-M straps are fine too. Avoid, thick, wide and hard leather straps.

You have plunged yourself into the mysterious world of rangefinders. Do not invest much money other than lenses, whatever is left spend it on film and learning photography. Bear in mind that some of those who wrote legends in this art had done it with one camera, one or two lenses and one sort of film.

jordanstarr · 05-09-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by donz

And what is the best way to process all the film if you dont have any place for a LAB in your home and without going to film processing shop every week.

...um...I hate to break it to you, but unless you have a good friend to develop it for you or discovered magic, these are your only options -send it to a lab or do it yourself. Same way you'd fix your Lexus if it broke down.

I get you have a lot of questions, but it's obvious you haven't done a lot of research before posting this, so you're going to likely get a few strips torn off you.

There's a wealth of information out there about all the questions you have. Start with google, start by searching some of the threads here and other forums, then post for the answers you cannot find. Also, many of the other questions you ask are opinion-based and it will only leave you confused at the end of the day.

Moriturii · 05-09-2012

I completely forgot, people are right, as your first 35mm lens, you should STRONGLY consider Voigtlander Nokton 35mm f1.4. It' a modern day 35mm Summilux Pre-ASPH, but it's better against flare and it's about 500 bucks I think it was.

thegman · 05-09-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by donz

Hi guys,

Im a new member here and just bought my M6 TTL(body only). Now I would like to ask which lens is good in term of quality and price..I would like a 35mm lens or lower because just doing street photography and potrait maybe.

I do not have much money to spend. Do I need to have accessories, in terms of filter, leather cover, hand grip ?

I also need to know what is the best slings to bring the camera around the street. Neck or shoulder? which Brand is good ?

And what is the best way to process all the film if you dont have any place for a LAB in your home and without going to film processing shop every week.

Hope I will get a lot of guidance from all of you.

Thanks!

Hello there,
You don't need any accessories except a strap, I'd say, and any of them will do. Google "Tokyo Dreamer" for a cheap one, or of course eBay/Amazon. Artisan and Artist are considered "good", but you're just paying for the brand. I have one, it's nice, but not worth the pennies.

Depending on the country you're in, I'd probably send off to a lab, often cheaper and often better than the high street labs. You can of course process yourself, especially B&W, which is considered to be easier than colour negative or slide.

For a 35mm lens, I'd start off with a simple 35mm Color Skopar from Voigtlander. It's small and sharp, if later you decide you want "character" from your lens, get an old Leica one. I'd suggest 35mm is not ideal for portraits, so you could consider a 90mm too, you can get a Canon or Leica 90mm for less than £200.

Jubb Jubb · 05-09-2012

BH Photo are selling a 35 Summicron Pre-Asph (it will go very quick)

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc..._35mm_f_2.html

donz · 05-09-2012

Thanks Philip for your quick and first reply. I've done my research here and at the L camera forum. It is true so many info and discussion about so many things. and I become overwhelm and confuse LOL.

Sorry for all the PRo in this subject. Maybe just ignore my post..

for all the others who help me thank you so much.

The 35mm Color Skopar from Voigtlander, and all the Summicron, i've read them, but never used, or meet them in person so I just read from all the comments posted here and all the other forum.

I want a budget not more then 1k USD ..so i guess the Voigtlander is good to go for me. Time for me to hunting for a used one. and spend time to find the best deal for film rolls .

The handgrib I asked because alot of user using them with their leica, so just for some view from u guys.

bags, I just used my old one. I will look into Barton and find which is applicable to my use..

Thanks, sorry Im quite new to leica and I will keep reading more and research, just that I need to ask in this thread because I got confuse on the lens.

but now i know that the Voigtlander maybe just right for me.

BobYIL · 05-09-2012

You have $1K to spend? Fine.. Either a mint-used 35/2 Biogon or a new 35/2.8 C-Biogon.. (then you are one step before Nirvana..)

rover · 05-09-2012

With that budget I too would consider the Biogons.

As far as accessories, I have been carrying my camera, strap on shoulder, with a grip. No case, no bag, maybe a second lens in a pocket, but most of the time not. I am trying to keep thing simple and comfortable for me.

donz · 05-09-2012

One camera one lens ..

thats the principle..

Thanks for the Biogons..I will do research on them! cool guys...thanks alot

froyd · 05-09-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by donz

And what is the best way to process all the film if you dont have any place for a LAB in your home and without going to film processing shop every week.

All you need is a sink and a small cardboard box to hold supplies.

After that, it depends which route you are going for output (digi print, analog, web-only)