RE: [Leica] Gandy vs. Puts

[Greg.Chappell@bankofamerica.com]

I have, love, and use both of my M-bodies, one an M4 and one an M6. 

The M6, a silver finished ser #1,755,xxx (which, by the way, Sherry says is
from one the best M6 batches)is very smooth in use & has never given me a
problem. It's much more convenient to use with flash for those few occasions
I do. The metering system is very convenient and accurate if you have a
situation where you can determine a true mid-toned area to measure & you
know the metering area of the lens you have mounted (get an instruction book
that shows it!). If I never used an earlier M-body I'd say it was the best
built 35 camera I've ever owned compared to it's contemporaries that I've
used. The M6 is truly the choice as a real workhorse to use & not worry
about putting a scratch or ding compared at least to my almost mint M4. I
just sent to Sherry today for a CLA, not because it has anything really
wrong with it. After 11-12 years any M6 should be adjusted.

The chrome M4 from approx. 1970 is obviously from a different time as far as
cost considerations in the manufacturing process. The vulcanite finish on
the body makes for a MUCH better grip than the PVC of the M6, although the
M6 is a very convenient camera to hold because of it's size. The real chrome
finish has a higher feel of quality to it than the chrome zinc of the M6,
although the finish of the M6 seems to not show bright marks as much as the
real chrome of the M4. The rangefinder has a real snap to it in tricky
lighting, as opposed to the occasion flare problem I have with the M6 in
strong side-lighting. The only negative about the M4 is it's in SO good
condition I tend to be more careful in it's use, usually keeping it in the
body-half of it's ever-ready case. I don't know if it's the brass gearing or
what, but if you wind & fire an M4 and an M6 together, there's no
comparison. The M4 simply FEELS wonderful.

With all I've said above, the times I've done work that I get paid for, I
use the M6. It's the one I use & don't worry about whether it taps a desk or
chair (although I'd never, never want to drop it if I can help it!!). The M4
is for those times I do photography for myself & can simply enjoy the
photographic process.

Greg



- -----Original Message-----
From: Stephen Gandy [mailto:leicanikon@earthlink.net]
Sent: Tuesday, January 18, 2000 9:21 PM
To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
Subject: Re: [Leica] Gandy vs. Puts


presently I own two M6's which  I count among my personal cameras.

the newest one (1997) is presently in the shop.  The RF adjustment went out,
all by
itself, without even being dropped.

Mark Rabiner wrote in part

> Gandy/Johnson have a million fine points for us about the problems of the
M6
> camera they don't own or use.