Solms vs Wetzlar/M-6 vs M3

["BIRKEY, DUANE" <dbirkey@hcjb.org.ec>]

I think the point Marvin Moss is trying to make is not whether the M-6 
is a fine camera or not.  It is whether the M-6 meets the construction 
standards that the IIIG or the M3 set.  The general consensus from 
collectors is that it doesn't.   Users are a mixed lot depending on how 
much they like the meter and how many times they've had to get stuff 
repaired or the rangefinder adjusted.  

Users also tend to put more emphasis and thought in terms of  
resolution, freedom from coma and flare shutter accuracy etc.  The 
collector in me thinks the M-3 DS is the finest M camera ever made and 
I'm not alone in that conclusion.  If I buy one again someday I 
probably won't use it much as it takes to long to rewind the film and I 
like having a meter.  So the user in me says the M-6 is a better camera 
because I'm willing to accept the difference in construction and prefer 
newer features.  The user in me also likes  motordrives, spot meters, L 
zooms and TTL flash.

I got into camera collecting as a hobby because I enjoy photographic 
history.  I now look mostly for 35mm cameras (that I can afford)  that 
were made in the 50's and early 60's.  I can tell you that there are 
many superb cameras in the time period and many manufacturers produced 
their most finely machined and constructed models during that time 
period before the wide spread usage of plastics.  But I like all metal 
cameras with no meters for my collection.    I'm not saying that a IIIG 
is a better camera than an R8, just that from certain perspectives it 
is much finer in machining and construction.  It is also not to say 
that the old lenses were better optically, just some were better in fit 
and finish.

Let's face it, each of has a different set of criteria that we use to 
in determining which is camera is better. Marvin is a member of the 
Leica Historical Society of America and has 100 leicas.  The LTM models 
have a number of qualities that disappeared with the M series.  A M-6 
has a different appearance and feel from the IIIG.  If you can't see or 
appreciate that difference, then you will indeed moan about collectors 
living in never-never land.

But please, let's be civil about all of this.  Marvin, Marc and other 
collectors have a wealth of information to share whether you respect 
them, their ideas and opinions or not.  To ignore that fact is pure 
foolishness.  I would rather spend a week talking with collectors about 
the history of cameras and looking at various examples than spend a 
couple of hours with yet another mediocre photographer who's stuck on 
himself.

Duane Birkey
HCJB World Radio
Quito Ecuador

It's better to be humble than be humbled!

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