Now can I just say that before this M6, I’d never shot a Leica, I’d only actually held one for a few seconds 10 years ago so I came to this wondering if all the hype was really justified. Anyhow, when this nice bloke with a Scottish sounding Christian name said “Fancy borrowing an M6 for a few weeks” I jumped at the chance.
It didn’t have Leica glass but the gorgeous Voigtlander 35mm f/1.4 and so I knew the results optically would be good. But the first thing to do was to load it. I had heard that they could be a pain to load but it only took a couple of minutes before a roll of HP5 Plus was happily ensconced in it’s belly and I was ready to rock.
First impressions: well silky smooth doesn’t even come close, the feel is perfect, the size the same and the winder gloriously smooth! So, as I was down in Devon on business, and it was a beautiful evening. off I went to the little riverside village of Topsham where I knew I would get some good subjects. Right from the start this is a camera that makes you want to take photos, as everything feels right, I’ve shot rangefinders before but nothing with a patch like that in the M6 and even my crappy eyes were seeing everything snap into focus.
Before I new it I was two thirds of the way through the roll. When I returned home it was soon finished off locally, and when the results came back (courtesy of the good folks at AG Photolab) the results didn’t disappoint either. Ok. the shots aren’t world beaters but there was hardly any PP required such was the accuracy of the meter and the quality of the lens.
So it was a great experience. A few more rolls went through it before I sadly had to return it, but I was converted! Would I buy one well if money was no object? In a heartbeat, but as She Who Must Be Obeyed thinks that soft furnishings and carpet are the current priority, it will have to wait! Anyhow as they say absence makes the heart grow fonder…
Thanks for reading
If you would like to find more thoughts on the M6, you can read Hamish’s review here
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Dan Castelli on 5 Frames with a Leica M6 and Voigtlander 35mm f/1.4 – By Nigel Cliff
Comment posted: 12/07/2019
The Leica has that intangible 'feel.' Much like the perfect wing of a Spitfire, the snap of a bamboo fishing pole or some cars with tuned suspensions, they all just feel right.
You produced some nice pics; I like the geometry and tones of the village street. You can inform She Who Must be Obeyed that you could produce beautiful, original wall art with a Leica to compliment Her choices of carpets & soft furnishings. A win-win. :-))
I'd like to buy the 35 f/1.4 Voigtlander for low light work. But here's a question for the photo community: has anyone shot with the 35mm f/1.4 Voigtlander in low light conditions WITH FILM? I have read reviews where the lens is used on digital Leica's, but how about with B&W film?
Since I'm on a limited budget (just finished having some interior painting done) I'd like to read some results to make an informed decision.
Comment posted: 12/07/2019
Nigel Cliff on 5 Frames with a Leica M6 and Voigtlander 35mm f/1.4 – By Nigel Cliff
Comment posted: 12/07/2019
Illya Swan on 5 Frames with a Leica M6 and Voigtlander 35mm f/1.4 – By Nigel Cliff
Comment posted: 12/07/2019
Does anyone else experience these issues? It's getting to a point that I'm considering getting a different 35mm lens. Unfortunately, the only compact F1.4 lens is out of my price range (summilux), but I'm thinking of replacing the Nokton Classic with a 35mm F2 Bigion. If it's performance is anything like the 21mm f2.8 Biogion, it should be a near-perfect precision tool.
Comment posted: 12/07/2019
Phil on 5 Frames with a Leica M6 and Voigtlander 35mm f/1.4 – By Nigel Cliff
Comment posted: 12/07/2019
Frank on 5 Frames with a Leica M6 and Voigtlander 35mm f/1.4 – By Nigel Cliff
Comment posted: 12/07/2019
Comment posted: 12/07/2019
Comment posted: 12/07/2019
Comment posted: 12/07/2019
Nick Lyle on 5 Frames with a Leica M6 and Voigtlander 35mm f/1.4 – By Nigel Cliff
Comment posted: 12/07/2019
Theo on 5 Frames with a Leica M6 and Voigtlander 35mm f/1.4 – By Nigel Cliff
Comment posted: 13/07/2019
tha ks a bunch
Comment posted: 13/07/2019
Arthur J Poirier on 5 Frames with a Leica M6 and Voigtlander 35mm f/1.4 – By Nigel Cliff
Comment posted: 14/07/2019
Comment posted: 14/07/2019
Efrain on 5 Frames with a Leica M6 and Voigtlander 35mm f/1.4 – By Nigel Cliff
Comment posted: 15/07/2019
Comment posted: 15/07/2019