In the last week I bought a black M6 TTL, 28-35-50mm f/4 Tri-Elmar lens and 90mm f/2.8 Elamrit-M lens, all new. Everything seems to work very well and I'm pleased with the results from my first film. Even film loading seems easy enough, if I follow the advice of not attempting to advance the film bfore I close the back and base-plate.

The only odd thing I noticed is that the 90mm frameline is rather dim on the right-hand side. All other frame lines appear evenly lit. I tried moving to different positions but it made no difference. Is this normal?

-- Ray Moth (ray_moth@yahoo.com), October 29, 2001

Answers

Post-Script: I also noticed that if I engage the 28mm focal length on the Tri-Elmar too gently, it doesn't select the 28mm frameline as it should - I have to use a bit more force (but not a lot) to make the correct frameline pop into place.

-- Ray Moth (ray_moth@yahoo.com), October 29, 2001.

Ray - the fading 90 frame is apparently common in post 1980 (or thereabouts) bodies - I think it's a sibling to the "rangefinder flare' phenomenon. It appears in my M4-P and not in my M4-2 (4 years apart in manufacture).

If you look closely, you will notice that the top and bottom 90 frame lines also contain A RANGEFINDER DOUBLE IMAGE just like the RF patch itself! The newer 90 frames actually get the majority of their illumination from the rangefinder window, not the serrated front window.

Did you get the .58 or .72? How do you like the 28 framing (when it's there?)

-- Andy Piper (apidens@denver.infi.net), October 30, 2001.

I got the 0.72, since I couldn't afford two bodies and I wanted to be able to use both the Tri-Elmar and the 90mm. I must say, although I'd never even seen an M6 before, it's quite intuitive to use and great fun. Feels as solid as a rock but a bit heavier and bulkier than I had expected.

-- Ray Moth (ray_moth@yahoo.com), October 30, 2001.

Congratulations Ray, you have a really nice two-lens Leica kit. Have fun, shoot often.

-- Dan Brown (brpatent@swbell.net), October 30, 2001.

Ray

Let us know how you like that slow 3E. I think I would find it too slow. Still got your R I hope?

-- Robin Smith (smith_robin@hotmail.com), October 30, 2001.

Yes, I know the 3E is slow but I intend using it when I'm out and about, when its speed shouldn't matter but its flexibility will be useful. It's a very light and compact lens, considering it's like a type of zoom.

To give myself better low light capability, I've now also bought a used 50mm/1.4 Summilux-M, serial no. 2629*** (around 1973 vintage), the one with the separate slotted lens hood. It seems in excellent condition, is free from scrathes, fungus and dents and seems to work properly with my M6. It was priced at US$650 from a local dealer in Jakarta (where you can now also buy "Osama bin Laden" T-shirts).

Cheers.

-- Ray Moth (ray_moth@yahoo.com), October 31, 2001.

Ray

I also encountred this littel issue with the swiching from the 50 to the 28 position on the 3E. I called Leica in Switzerland to make sure if this is a real îssue or not. The answer was as long that all other framlines are swiching correctly and the 28 mm position on the 3E remains stable "looked" than you should not worry about it. BW my experience with the 3E is as follows: It is not a avaible light or typical portrait lens. It is a fine allround lens for travellers which are using ASA200/400 films for day light situations. In many cases the f4 does not allow to take the kind shoots where you need very small DOF for Portraits etc... . For this I bought the new 2.8/90mm.

Cheers

-- Salvatore Reitano (reitanosalvatore@hotmail.com), October 31, 2001.

Ray, congratulations! You are now an even more valuable member of this forum-one of few to have both the R and M systems.

Do let us know how it goes-I have a feeling you will get an up to date 35 or 28 prime one of these days...

BTW, what did your items cost you in Jakarta. I am curious to compare the price with what it is here in Singapore, and also what this goes for in Hong Kong...

-- Mani Sitaraman (bindumani@pacific.net.sg), October 31, 2001.

Congratulation, ‘Pak’ Ray! As I am also living in Jakarta, so we are close neighbor, aren’t we? Pls tell us your review on the 90 Elmarit-M. I want to get one also.. I have been shot with an 35 ‘lux ASPH since 4 years ago and never part with it.

PS: Where do you get yours? I guess you buy from Abeng…where those T- shirt seller start open at 5 p.m?

Cheers, Andy

-- Andy Wijono (andywijono@hotmail.com), November 02, 2001.

Hi Andy,

I am very pleased with the 90 Elmarit-M. This lens has the same optical formula as the 90 Elmarit-R and has been reviewed numerous times, always with a very high score. My own experience, first with the R lens and now with the M, has shown me that the sharpness of this lens, even at the closest focus and wide-open, is excellent. Colour rendering is superb and bokeh at wide apertures is attractive. I use mine for head-and-shoulders protraits and for landscape photography.

I have bought most of my Leica gear from "Bursa Kamera Profesional", in Wisma Benhil on Jl. Sudriman. The owner sometimes has used Leica gear and can get anything new from Hong Kong within 3-4 days. I don't know "Abeng" - where is that? Is it any good?

-- Ray Moth (ray_moth@yahoo.com), November 04, 2001.

Ray,thank you for the review. Actually “Abeng” is the owner‘s nickname of Bursa Kamera Profesional. Helpful, and his price is fair. So far I know 4 shops that supply Leica gears. If you don’t mind I prefer to share off-line…

Cheers, Andy

-- Andy Wijono (andywijono@hotmail.com), November 05, 2001.