Tomorrow I'm picking up a rental M6 so I can have a go with the beast instead of reading about it and thinking "that might suit me". There's just one thing that worries me. I've asked Calumet to include instructions with it, and the rental department says they will, but I'm a bit cautious/paranoid...

Does anybody know of a web site giving a basic description of Leica operation -- film loading, using the meter, rewinding etc? I searched, but no luck. You folks wouldn't have a link kicking about, would you?

-- Joel Benford (joel@joel-benford.co.uk), January 28, 2002

Answers

http://www.nemeng.com/leica/index.shtml

-- John (ouroboros_2001@yahoo.com), January 28, 2002.

Joel,treat it like a new born child.Calumet are very,VERY hard on rentals.They will inspect it with a microscope.Put some low tack gaffer tape on the baseplate lenshood and the corners or kiss goodbye to most of your creditcard deposit!But enjoy.

-- Phill (philkneen@manx.net), January 28, 2002.

Joel- I have rented from Calumet plenty, and they don't give me the same hard time Phil reports.

Phil- what city are you using Calumet rental in?

Joel- ask the person at the rental counter to show you how the camera works- explain to him your reason for renting the camera, and he shouldn't look at you like you have ten heads. They have been very helpful to me here in Newe York City when I have rented unfamiliar equipment. But clearly this is a difference in individuals in store locations and not some company policy.

That said, it is a pricey camera, and you should of course take care of it. But you should also know that some folks who rent are not so gentle, and rental equipment can be beat up pretty bad, so make sure they chekc it out before they send you out.

If you are here in NYC, you can also rent Leica stuff from Alkit, though they are pretty rigid about rentals, too.

Enjoy!

-- drew (swordfisher@hotmail.com), January 28, 2002.

very good idea. don't forget to post your first impressions.

-- stefan randlkofer (geesbert@yahoo.com), January 28, 2002.

Here is a manual for a M4-P online:

http://members.fortunecity.com/canoneos/manuals/leicam4p.ht ml

-- John Collier (jbcollier@powersurfr.com), January 28, 2002.

Download a complete M6 manual for $5.95. manuals The nice thing about the M6...you hardly need a manual.

-- Phil Stiles (Stiles@metrocast.net), January 28, 2002.

If the rangefinder patch flares out on you when you are working in the sun, move the camera so your eye is perfectly centerd over the viewfinder. I had that sinking feeling the day I bought my M6 and ran in to that little "feature". You'll learn to deal with it in a few days and now it's not a big deal. Or you'll buy an M3 and we can have another day long argument if it's the best M made. ;-)

Have fun.

Feli

-- Feli di Giorgio (feli@d2.com), January 28, 2002.

Joel,I have rented from Calumet in most of the UK cities,but don't listen to me,I'm a plumber,apparently? No,you take the camera back and see what they say.It'll be one of 2 things,see if you can guess which:-

"hello Sir....damaged the camera?....oooh,that is a big scratch isn't it....no,no,no,don't you worry....no,it's only a scratch,we'll pay to have that fixed....ok,here's all of your deposit back Mr Benford,goodbye..."

"hello Sir....oh,Mr Benford,that's quite a big scratch on there,I'm affraid that's going to have to be payed for.....no,no,not now.We will have it repaired and debit your creditcard.....well yes,you can claim off your insurance,but there is a £200 exccess....well I'm sorry,but we are running a business,not a charity.....didn't you read the smallprint Mr Benford?"

I think you know which it'll be.

-- Phill (philkneen@manx.net), January 29, 2002.