[Leica] First impressions

[Alex Brattell <alex@zetetic.co.uk>]

After 15 years of carrying a Pentax LX around every day, I have scared my
credit card shitless and bought a new M6 and one lens.

I did this because I have, unintentionally, become interested in the optics,
design evolution and quality of the Leica. I was attracted by a mechanical
camera where you looked through the corner (rather than having to put a
black metal box right in front of your face), a viewing frame that extended
beyond the film area, rangefinder focussing (relying on difference rather
than resolution) and a reputation for build quality that meant I could trust
travelling with just one body (unless needing colour film as well), changing
from day to night film mid roll, for example. 
Weight and simplicity are big issues. (sizewise I lose a bit on the top but
gain length, if you know what I mean). As I learnt more about photographic
culture and history, the nature of the Leica rangefinder camera made me
curious. This camera has done so much in the hands of perceptive people, and
if it can cut it in a Vietnamese swamp, maybe it could work beautifully in
my peaceful little world too.

My first impressions:
Everything's backwards! My usual speed dial clockwise to speed up, aperture
to left to open up, focus to left to get nearer on the LX are all reversed
on the M6, no-one told me this (like British vs Japanese motorbikes). But,
left to right (slow to fast, far to near) makes good sense and I hope will
become habit quickly. 
Meter setting is aligned to DIN, got to read film boxes in a new way. 
Leaving the camera unwound rather than picking it up and automatically
reaching for the lock (LX) is a big difference. 
I keep on putting my fingers on the optical surfaces, there's so many of them!
Setting the camera horizontally and only then framing for portrait is
another big change. It really sets out the making of a negative in a
sequence of (lens cap), speed, aperture, distance, composition. Now I know
why film exposure has often been stated in those terms.
I'm so pleased it won't let me forget to remove that ###ing lens cap.
The strap often snags when you pick it up.
The Leica is beautifully balanced, and a vibration free shutter is bliss.
The lens interfering with the viewfinder at close distance or with the lens
hood extended (50mm 1.4) is a disappointment, is this true with many lenses?
I am already fascinated with this beautifully made thing, and with the
rigour and freedom of only using one lens (until the money's there for
more!). Learning to use this camera fluently will be like learning how to
drive again.
The hoped for improvement in optical quality is only going to be worth
anything if the method of using this camera lends itself to the making of
interesting work and owning this incredibly expensive gadget helps me make
images that are worthwhile to me in some way. I have a good feeling that
this is highly possible. Certainly carrying less stuff around means a lot to
me at the moment.
The slr will stay as a working kit for its variety and versatility. It's a
system that has proved itself completely for me. Besides, all those
polarisers, viewers, tubes etc have their moments and occassional needs.
This recent process of infatuation with equipment has made me realise that,
although I have fairly varied experience of medium and large format cameras,
I have always been really conservative with the kit that did the work that
meant most to me. now I have taken that a step further and called it
innovation (investing in an essentially 35 year old system!). 
Going through the HC-B catalogue of the current show at the Hayward Gallery
in London since getting this camera has been fascinating - breaking down
those often sublime images into the process of their making - an excellent
speculation!

Thanks to all for the info on the LUG, hope I can now contribute from time
to time.

Alex Brattell