Hi, I am not familiar yet with the Leica M6 TTL, but I am curious about this: is there an exposure compensation dial on the M6 system, or is it different from the SLR system, if yes how? I am in the process of buying a complete set (camera and lenses) and I want to make sure that I understant fully the diferences between the systems. At this point, I have on my list the OM 3-ti, the Leica M6, The Leica M6.2 and R8. I have heard very good things about the OM 3-Ti. Please do not hesitate to give your advices. Thank you, Arié

-- Ari Haziza (arie_haziza@ey.bm), May 26, 2001

Answers

Hi Ari,

Tough decision. To answer your first question, no the M6 does not have an exposure compensation dial. You simply set the film speed dial to a different setting to achieve exposure compensation.

The OM3ti is a great camera. In my opinion it has one of the all time great metering systems. Talk about control, tou can average 8 spot readings, bias exposure any way you want, and quickly scan a scene to determine the exposure range. (I once had an OM3 and an OM4ti). The only down side to the OM system in my opinion was the lenses are inconsistent. At least that was my experiance. Since three of the four cameras your looking at are manual and SLR's, my vote goes for the R6.2. Rugged build, nice size. lots of accessories( although not as many as the OM) and best of all you can mount terrific Leica lenses to it. No mediocre performers in the lot. ( some may argue the last statement) Bottom line I think you can be happy with any of the systems you mentioned

Regards Steve

-- Steve Belden (otterpond@tds.net), May 26, 2001.

Thank you Steve, I am currentyly workiong in Bermuda and the humidity on the island (and the heat) is very high. My system will have to sustain a difficult enviroment, wtithout mentioning the salt in the air due to teh ocean. I am not quite sure about the exposure compensation on the M6 TTl, could you clarify? Many Thanks,

Arié

-- Arié Haziza (arie_haziza@ey.bm), May 26, 2001.

Exposure compensation on the M6 is accomplished by setting the film speed dial either to a higher or lower setting than the published ISO. For instance, if your Velvia has been looking underexposed, you might set your film speed to 40 instead of 50. If you want to push T- Max 400 one stop, set the dial to 800 instead of 400. There's no separate compensation dial. This is fine with me, since I never use the separate compensation on my Nikons, anyhow. It seems more logical to just adjust the speed setting up or down, and that's how it's done on the M6.

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), May 26, 2001.

Ari: The reason a manual camera like the M6 or R6 have no compensating exposure dial, is because being a manual camera you as a photographer are anticipating exposure errors manualy, I don´t know if I´m getting it understood, an automatic camera needs it to make the photographer more in control of exposures, although it can be done directly on asa setting.

-- R Watson (al1231234@hotmail.com), May 26, 2001.

Let's say for exemple that snow is a bige portion of my picture. Does it mean that I will have to add one stop of exposure manually (using the aperture ring or the shutter speed ring)to get whitge snow?

-- Arié Haziza (arie_haziza@ey.bm), May 26, 2001.

For those of you who nkow the Om3ti (for exemple) there is a exposure compensation dial.

-- Arié Haziza (arie_haziza@ey.bm), May 26, 2001.

I am sorry about my writing but I lost my glasses last week!!

-- Arié Haziza (arie_haziza@ey.bm), May 26, 2001.

Ari,

Given the choices you mention and the metering questions you asked, go with the R8.

-- Eric Laurence (Edgar1976@hotmail.com), May 27, 2001.

I am not too sure about the R8, I have used an Eos for some years and I find that the r8 is not offering too much. I am more thinking about a complete manual camera. The question that i asked sounds very basic, but it is fast on the eos or the om3ti to +/- stop.

-- Arié (arie_haziza@ey.bm), May 27, 2001.

Ari,

What range of lenses do you use?

-- Eric Laurence (Edgar1976@hotmail.com), May 27, 2001.

Hi Eric, Until now, I have used 28mm to 210. But I am expect to focus on the 28/100 range. I want to use the camera for family and coming child. I am triing to put a budget of us4,500 over the next 4 months. If you were considering the leica system, which lenses would you buy inside this budget? (new if possible)

-- Arié (arie_haziza@ey.bm), May 27, 2001.

Ari,

This is an extremely bias anwser. I would go for an M6 TTL with a 28mm Elmarit, 35mm Summilux ASPH and a 50mm Summicron (Should set you back to 4261.00$ US before taxes, you might get a deal since you would buy a "kit", price at Delta International).

I use to shoot SLR but fell in love with the M system. Most of my work is indoor with people and available light. I use the 35mm Summilux ASPH only. Sometimes I wish I had a 28mm Summicron but rarely (The 35mm is 1.4 and the 28mm is either 2.8 or 2, I always shoot wide open for very selected focus). The 50mm is more for outdoor work (not every would agree but...).

Go with your needs. I dont use flash, no telephoto and prefer a fully manual camera (Using SLR, I would buy a R6.2 or a Nikon FM2). I would also suggest that you but a used M6 Classic (You can easily find a Mint one on Ebay, expect to pay around 1200.00$ US) instead of the new M6 TTL (Dont ask why, I dont like the new model). Dont buy all your lenses at once. Go with the 35mm (You REALLY can't go wrong!) and use the frame selector when you shoot, just to see what other lenses you would like to use.

-- Eric Laurence (Edgar1976@hotmail.com), May 27, 2001.