Leica M6 - My First Impressions, Spoiler Alert: I LOVE IT

[@TonyWodarck]

What's your dream camera/lens combo?

[@Visions_in_Toyko]

leica m6. im waiting until i can get the money to buy one

[@TonyWodarck]

Visions in Tokyo good luck! It’s worth the wait!!

[@thomasjayprince]

Leica M-P or M-A with 35mm summilux ASPH FLE. Your set up is sweet!

[@TonyWodarck]

Tom Prince that is a sweet setup too. One day I’ll have that lens too

[@albertopaz84]

Leica MP/summicron 28

[@Narsuitus]

My first introduction to Leica was while I was in college. I used a Leica M1 on a microscope. Based on my experience using a 35mm f/1.4 on my Nikon 35mm SLR, I knew I wanted a 35mm f/1.4 for my Leica M6. Based on my experience with Zeiss lenses on my Nikon 35mm SLR and Zeiss lenses on my Contax G1 35mm rangefinder, I knew I liked the image quality of Zeiss glass. For decades, I used Canonet QL17 and Contax G1 rangefinders when I needed to use a 35mm camera. When I could finally afford a Leica rangefinder, I considered the M2, M6, and MP. I purchased an M6 because it was the first of the three I found for a reasonable price and in good condition. The first lens I bought for my Leica M6 was a Zeiss 35mm f/1.4 Distagon. It was expensive but not as expensive as the 35mm f/1.4 Summilux. With the money I saved, I was able to buy a 90mm f/2 Summicron for my second lens. Later, I bought the 21mm f/1.4 Summilux for my third lens. When I shopped for my first digital rangefinder, I waited until Leica made one that I liked and was similar in size, shape, and ergonomics to my M6. I recently purchased an M10. Now I have the rangefinder cameras and lenses of my dreams.

[@mattdayphoto]

Thanks for the shout, dude! Great video and killer photos. Seems like a good fit for ya. 👌🏻

[@TonyWodarck]

Thanks so much for watching and the support Matt!

[@donovanchin]

Mine just arrived today and I'm also in love it with already. Shot half a roll from just a quick walk while waiting for my lunch order prepared.

[@TonyWodarck]

Yessss so addicting. Enjoy!

[@erichung9043]

If you like the M6, you should try a Rolleiflex TLR (3.5F or 2.8F). I guarantee you would be instantly hooked.

[@TonyWodarck]

I had a Yashica D. Super fun camera. The waist level finder was a bit hard to get used to but fun. I struggle with the 6x6 aspect ratio too hahahaha.

[@MARKLINMAN1]

I just got one in MINT UNUSED condition in Black as well, MINE is the NON TTL, LOVE this CAMERA. Have not shot film in nearly 21 years, back to basics. Because it is a range finder i took my first pic and forgot to take the cap off, i was used to SLR, LOLOLO. Luckily it was only 1 pic.

[@TonyWodarck]

hahahaha it happens to the best of us! Congrats on the new camera. It's one you should enjoy for a lifetime and more!

[@johnilko2964]

I sure wish all you folks would stop talking about how great the M6 is. With every video I see about the M6, I see the price go up more making it farther away from my price range. I did find a Leica Mini II in a Goodwill store for 43 cents, so I guess I'll have to be happy with it.

[@TonyWodarck]

Hahahaha sorry!! Rad you found a steal on that Leica mini!!!

[@humbertomorales6559]

I just got my very own M6TTL, but I grabbed the 0.58 version. It's very cool being exited by gear, specially if that makes you become a better photographer

[@TonyWodarck]

Awesome congrats! What lens are you mainly shooting with that made you want the .68?

[@johnleftwich650]

Great video Tony. I recently purchased the poor man's Leica, the Canonet G-III QL17, and am loving it but I'm sure the M6 would be the dream.

[@TonyWodarck]

John Leftwich I’ve heard great things about that camera! Glad to hear you’re loving it. Always wanted to try one of those. I hope you can get your hands on an M6 one day!

[@benjhaisch]

Posting my M6 video tomorrow 🙌🏼

[@TonyWodarck]

hahaha yesss. Can't wait to watch it!

[@KylerSteele]

Great video man. I got an M6 coming in and I shoot with a M-A right now. Love Leica cameras

[@finnstone2842]

When weddings are back, I'd love to see an on camera gopro behind the scenes or something along that line!

[@TonyWodarck]

Thanks! I definitely want to make a BTS wedding video one day. We’ll see though. Weddings are crazy enough as is haha.

[@amymills8817]

What made you choose the M6 over an M7? I find the auto feature on the M7 appealing (it reminds me of the auto feature on the Xpan)

[@TonyWodarck]

Amy Mills I don’t use the auto feature on any of my cameras so that doesn’t really appeal to me. I understand the benefit of it and I’m not against it. I just never learned with it and so never started using it.

[@konmorse]

Also have the M6 TTL and love it. Just a head's up, the TTL version was first released in 1998 so the camera is ~20 years old not 40. I think you might be thinking of the Leica M6 Classic.

[@TonyWodarck]

Ken Presnilla agh good to know. Yeah 20 years old though and still looks mint. Gets better with age too! Like a fine wine. Haha

[@scottysong]

7:06 is fiiiiiiiiire

[@TonyWodarck]

Thanks! That car pulled up on my street and I had to snap a few photos of it.

[@vincentb7865]

If you like the 50mm focal length, try an M3 as well! I actually sold my M6 in order to buy an M3, it’s even smoother and the viewfinder is just incredible.

[@TonyWodarck]

Rad yeah I need to try other Leica bodies for sure.

[@robertoposa1120]

Like them too - started with the M3 up to the M10

[@TonyWodarck]

roberto posa that’s awesome. I need to try Leica digital. I haven’t had a chance yet.

[@TheBigNegative-PhotoChannel]

Ah, nice tony. I got my M6 last week and I am in love with this thing. because I do not earn my money with photography it was only enough for a voigtländer 50mm noctilux but sometime I will buy this sexy summilux too. but since I photograph more with 35mm 50mm and 75mm I rather got the 0.85 magnification. 28mm is easier to buy as a viewfinder attachment than to work with the smaller 50mm window all the time. if you want to make a portrait with 75mm there are also 1.25x magnifiers.

[@TonyWodarck]

Dan Nolle that’s awesome. Yeah I wish I had the chance to try other viewfinders first. I think an .85 and bigger magnification would definitely be nice.

[@Visions_in_Toyko]

look into the minolta 40mm f2 it was made in partnership with leica and is essentially a 40mm f2 summicron but rebranded as minolta, exactly the same optics but a fraction of the price. I made a video shooting with it for the first time on a fuji x-pro 3 its beautiful

[@TonyWodarck]

Visions in Tokyo nice I’ll have to take a look.

[@TheBigNegative-PhotoChannel]

@@TonyWodarck on the M6 you dont get framelines for 40mm & these lenses often have schneideritis.(spots in the lens coating)

[@TonyWodarck]

Dan Nolle good to know!

[@curtypachec6055]

For those that have an M6, where are you guys purchasing them from? Ebay is the only place I've been able to find them. I've called every big local camera store that sells film and film cameras and haven't been able to locate an M6. I'm based in Denver, CO!

[@TonyWodarck]

I got mine on eBay. You can set up a notification to exactly what you’re looking for and get alerts when new ones get posted.

[@TrillZombies]

Facebook marketplace. I believe there is a Leica buy and sell group.

[@megzjr]

Same pic with the M6 & the G2, which one do you like better regardless of the camera itself? Rendering/character and all that type of things

[@TonyWodarck]

I don’t have any side by side comparisons unfortunately. I think the 50mm Summilux 1.4 ASPH with the Leica has better character, contrast, sharpness and pop than the 45mm Zeiss. The 45mm zeiss is a beautiful lens though. I’d be happy with both. The functionality of the body was the main difference for me.

[@megzjr]

@@TonyWodarck thanks for replying, id love to see a side by side comparison video on that as there nearly arent any on youtube & the G2 was made to compete with the M6. Enjoy man!

[@tbrack_84]

Medium format look on a 35mm camera? Given that i’d say this combo is right up there. I also tried your advice on pushing Portra 400 a stop and shooting at 640 - I loved the results! Keep the content coming!

[@TonyWodarck]

Tyler Peurach thanks so much! Glad you tried pushing it a stop. It’s my favorite!

[@anandhua.b4589]

came here because of Fleetwood Mac started because of the great review

[@TonyWodarck]

Anandhu A.B Hahahaha perfect. The thumbnail worked! 🤣 thanks for watching.

[@anandhua.b4589]

@@TonyWodarck oh it sure did you even got a new subscriber

[@TonyWodarck]

Anandhu A.B heyooooh thanks so much!

[@yasha8951]

M6 the Bitcoin of cameras

[@TonyWodarck]

Yasha I’m not sure I get the metaphor. Like the prices rise erratically? Or the value is based on nothing? Hahaha help me out here.

[@yasha8951]

Tony Wodarck prices keep going up :)

[@TonyWodarck]

Yasha gotcha! 👌🏼

[@swernovsky]

1) sorry (haha) 2) after using both cameras I definitely prefer the M6TTL to the MP!

[@TonyWodarck]

Hahahahaha I appreciate the intro to this new chapter. Also glad to hear I got the right body!

[@thomasjayprince]

I’ve been looking to get an MP. What is it about the M6TTL that you like better?

[@swernovsky]

Tom Prince the MP is HEAVY. also I occasionally use flash and really enjoy the TTL system in the m6.

[@shademanirvanipour6870]

The 50MM Lenses are refereed as a STANDARD lens and the portraits lens are from 75MM to 135MM and the 50MM Lens That you got With your Leica M6 cost from £3.000 to as much as £6.000

[@TonyWodarck]

Yeah they run about $3k USD here.

[@BeingWolfy]

Welcome to the family. Saying summilux 1.4 is redundant. All Summilux lenses are 1.4. Just an FYI.

[@TonyWodarck]

BeingWolfy thank you! Good to know. I like dumbing it down for everyone because obviously I didn’t know so good for others to know too hahaha.

[@CholoSerrano]

making me kinda want one

[@TonyWodarck]

cholo serrano it’s made all other cameras obsolete.

[@bendroege]

Definitely a dream. Wish they weren't so expensive :((

[@TonyWodarck]

Totally. They are pricey. Hopefully you can get your hands on one at some point!

[@gerardasigurado516]

Watching this right now, Sir. 🤍🤩

[@RYANPARKPHOTOGRAPHY]

leica is love! I have been loving my Leica M3!

[@shademanirvanipour6870]

If you intend to buy all the Leica High quality lenses you would need over £50.000 to as much as £70.000

[@ChefAlexSocci]

New sub here! Check out the new Voigtlander Nokton 50/1.2, its easily the best 50 Voigtlander has ever made, so much so several people claim it even better than the Summilux asph and it's only a $1k new. Some other incredible deals in other focal lengths if you like the Summilux rendering are the Ultron 35/2, Zeiss ZM 35/1.4 or 2, Ultron 28/2, and Skopars in 28, 25, and 21mm

[@ChefAlexSocci]

Also if you're looking for a 90, the Summicron 90s are incredible bargains (sub $400 used) and are amazing for portraits

[@TonyWodarck]

Awesome thanks so much. I will definitely be taking a look at all those lenses. Will be getting a 35 and 90 at some point for sure.

[@TonyWodarck]

And thanks for subscribing!!

[@shademanirvanipour6870]

I got a friend of mine who want to sale his LEICA M6 None TTL Model And is a black body to me for £500.00

[@TonyWodarck]

Buy it!!!

[@adamstreetboyzz]

I dont get why people waste money Leica. If you put 2 images side by side you. You probably wouldn't know which on is the Leica

[@TonyWodarck]

I personally believe there’s a lot more to photography then just the end result. The use of the camera makes a big difference to me. Sure a film camera is just a box that opens a shutter. The only thing for the end image comes down to the lens and film. But there’s more to photography in my opinion then just the end result. I believe it’s comparable to having a Ferrari or a Honda Civic. Both will get you from point a to b but there’s a lot of differences in the drive. I don’t really care about cars, but I do enjoy nice cameras. Also Leica glass is 🔥🔥🔥. To each their own.

[@MrBillboeing]

Tony Wodarck a good photographer makes with any camera a good pictures. But I agree a Leica M is a pleasure to use you feel the craftsmanship which went into the camera. An another for me important thing is the size of the body and lenses, it’s just perfect.

[@TonyWodarck]

MrBillboeing yep I agree! The camera doesn’t make the good photo the photographer does!

[@erichung9043]

For digital probably yes. For film, these classics would not depreciate and in fact their prices have been steadily increasing due to high demand. In the end, if you don't like the rangefinder experience, you can always resell them without losing any value. Effectively, you are shooting with a camera for free. Just don't get any fully electronic Leica and you should be fine.