I'm going to the beach this weekend, and was wondering whether the M6 is more or equally susceptible to the beach environment than an SLR. Thoughts? I may just take the A2 if there is a high risk at being exposed to the elements.

Thank you.

Dan

-- Dan Blair (hiker1017@yahoo.com), September 10, 2001

Answers

Whats the point of having a Leica if its only for perfect conditions. Be sensible and cover it from sand and spray,but enjoy the machine. I have used my Leica all over the world and in all kinds of climates. Sure its needed a service but well worth the "risks".If there is definite chance of loss or destruction than a disposable is best.

-- jason gold (leeu72@hotmail.com), September 10, 2001.

Relax! Among cameras, the Leica is one of the most resistant to environmental extremes. Just don't let the sun burn a hole in the shutter, and clean off the salt spray when you get home. Check some old National Geographics from the 50's and 60's sometime to see the Leica ads that boasted of its ability to function in all earthly environments. Camera makers don't seem to make this claim anymore since the cameras have become more electronics-dependent and delicate. However, Leica still tests its RF and SLR cameras to function under environmental extremes. A day at the beach is mild in this context. Of course, your film might not like the same environmental extremes....

-- Tim Nelson (timothy.nelson@yale.edu), September 10, 2001.

My Ms love going to the beach with me. They come back even healthier, suntanned, ready to shoot many rolls late in the afternoon. Go for it, I'm sure they will enjoy the weekend.

-- Roger (roger@marques.net), September 10, 2001.

I have taken my M6 with me to the beach many times but I am always careful to protect the camera lens with a filter.The camera is stored in it's case with lens cap when not in use. Be sure to keep the camera covered in strong sunlight when not shooting. When I arrive home, I use a soft brush to remove any sand and a chamois cloth to remove any brine.In four years of doing this, I have not noticed any damage to either my camera or lenses.My advice: take your camera with you and enjoy!

-- John Alfred Tropiano (jat18@psu.edu), September 10, 2001.

Never leave your Leica lying on it's back in the sun or even haze with the lens cap off. The lens can turn into a magnifying glass that will focus the sun on the shutter. I burned a hole in the shutter of an M2 that way one time. Had to send it to Leica to replace the shutter and cla. I'm still using it and am hopefully smarter. g

-- Gil Pruitt (gilpruitt@aol.com), September 10, 2001.

I've actually considered purchasing a Nikonos V for just such times. Usually I am in a Kayak and don't want to risk having a Leica dunked or worse.

-- mark (mramra@qwest.net), September 10, 2001.

Hi, Dan:

Just one item to be stressed: be extra careful about sand. That is the most dangerous element at the beach. Everything else means nothing for my old M3s. Why not for your M6 ...?

Avoid sand, relax, make good photos and have fun . . .!

-Iván

-- Iván Barrientos M (ingenieria@simltda.tie.cl), September 10, 2001.

Dan:

My M6 TTL has survived numerous trips to the beach! Just be careful to dust and wipe the camera when you get home.....................

-- Muhammad Chishty (applemac97@aol.com), September 10, 2001.

Hi,

I take my M6 to the beach all the time. Together with a 35/2, 25mm voightlander and a 90/2.8 all in a small Pelican case. It keeps everything dust and sand free until I need it and I have room for a blower brush and a cloth for when I'm done.

Mark

-------------------------------------------- www.mark-griffin.com

-- Mark Griffin (jacaranda@mark-griffin.com), September 10, 2001.

Wow, a lot of guys taking the inconspicious M to the beach here! :-)

-- Peter Olsson (peter.olsson@lulebo.se), September 11, 2001.

Trips like to the beach is what I bought a Fed 1 for.

-- Michael Darnton (mdarnton@hotmail.com), September 11, 2001.

At the beach I use a water resistant and dust proof Yashica T4 Super. The little Zeiss lens loves outdoor sunny places with water.

-- Joel Matherson (joel_2000@hotmail.com), September 12, 2001.

MY rule: Never carry a camera you can't afford to lose, drop, or have stolen.

-- gerald (sanford@usa.com), September 13, 2001.

Dan, Be careful to protect the body opening from blowing sand when changing lenses, especially at the beach. May be an obvious precaution to you but it wasn't to me! I once had a brand new Nikon SLR film advance lock up solid shortly after a trip to the beach. Service shop called me just an hour after I dropped the camera off for repair and asked me if I had recently been to the beach. They blew a single grain of sand out of my new camera and it worked perfectly again. Lesson learned! LB

-- Luther Berry (lberrytx@aol.com), September 16, 2001.