Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/12/19
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Greetings Luggers! It's amazing how many M6 owners ultimately grapple with the same questions about which bag to use, how many M6's, which lenses and what kind of film to use in them. I've gone through the same evaluation and, as a result, the system that works for me is as follows: M6#1 is black because it has a black 75 1.4 attached (black with black looks good!). Normally, I use ASTIA 100 in this camera, because this lens is used primarily for head and shoulder shots of people. Whenever ASTIA is in this camera, I stick a little blue Avery label (1/4"circle) just to the right of the eyepiece on the rear of the camera. This tells me that ASTIA is in the camera. When the film is taken out, I peel off the label (NO LABEL - NO FILM IN THE CAMERA). It's hard to make a mistake this way. NOTE: If I were to use VELVIA in this camera, I would use a green label instead of a blue one. If B/W film were to be used, I use a yellow label, etc. M6#2 is chrome because it has a chrome 35 1.4 asph attached (chrome and chrome looks good!) I normally use ASTIA 100 in this camera also (and affix the little blue Avery circle near the viewfinder window). M6#3 is chrome because it carries a chrome 50 2.0. I normally use Scala 200 in this camera. The yellow Avery sticky is placed near the eyepiece. When I want to use only one camera, I carry the M6 with 50 2.0 attached (lens cap OFF) it in a Fogg Xylaphone bag. This bag is a GREAT little "weigh-nothing" bag - just a little bigger than the M6 w/lens attached. My "normal" 2 camera outfit is a modified Domke 803 satchel with 2 large Domke insert compartments (sewn in by my local cobble) - which take up the whole length of the bag and accommodate my M6's with 75 1.4 and 35 1.4 asph - with hood attached. Lenses are carried with lens caps OFF when I'm in "ready mode". In the bottom of each compartment I had the cobbler sew in a little foam block covered with felt- so that when the cameras with lenses and hoods are inserted, the lenses rest on the little felt blocks and the cameras stay snug and positioned correctly. All cameras have a Leica grip attached for rapid removal from the cases. This bag carries an SF-20 flash and Minolta Flashmeter IV in the right front pocket. The left pocket is reserved for a projected Leica 21mm asph. Batteries, cleaning materials, film, small tools, etc., go in the rear compartment. When my wife is along and I want to carry three cameras and lenses, the M6 in the Fogg case goes over my wife's shoulder - and off we go. Works for me! John A. Alexander Phoenix