Chilledvondub and his Weapon of Choice: Leica M6

More than for its respectable name, Craig Fullbrook swears by the Leica M6 for its reliability and performance. In this interview, he further expounds on what makes this nifty camera a must-have and his overall experience shooting with it.

Name: Craig Fullbrook
LomoHome: @chilledvondub
Location: United Kingdom (South)
Weapon of Choice: Leica M6

Tell us more about yourself and what you do.

My name is Craig. I’m a chronic sufferer of camera gear acquisition syndrome. I’m constantly strolling through online auctions and my local camera stores to seek for more and more gear. I work in the property management department of a worldwide insurance company but I dedicate a large amount of my free time to snapping away with my large arsenal of cameras.

I operate as a freelance photographer and cover weddings, festivals, corporate portraiture, and personal conceptual work, and I always try to include an analog aspect. I love photography and I have been obsessed with film since I was at a young age.

Why is the Leica M6 your Weapon of Choice?

The Leica M6 is my absolute go-to camera for all things street, documentary, studio, landscape… you name it, it covers it! The M6 is a member of a very reputable and desirable family, the “Leica M Series,” which is renowned for its reliability and place in the hearts of many famous photographers. For me, I wasn’t drawn to the camera because of its brand or history but to what it has to offer and its adaptability. There is a huge range of lenses in the M mount from Leica, Zeiss, Voigtlander, and even FSU Russian glass that can be adapted to fit and coupled with the M series. Most people associate Leica camera as being overpriced and exclusive for bankers or high rollers, but not until you have used one in the field, you can’t imagine how amazing these really are.

The M6 is such a solid performer and feels great in the hand. If I was stuck on a deserted island and I could only have one camera, one lens and one film roll, it would be the Leica M6 with a Carl Zeiss Biogon 35mm f/2.8 and a freezer of Kodak Portra 400.

Any memorable experiences you’ve had while using this camera?

Let’s face it. Every time I use this camera is a magical moment. Every single click of the shutter just lets you know that it has a taken fantastic shot. However, the most memorable moment for me was when I first got my hands on the camera. I paid over the odds to get a mint condition and recently LCA-d model and as soon as I picked it up, I just wanted to shoot non-stop.

Would you recommend the Leica M6 to other Lomographers? If yes, to whom do you have in mind?

I would definitely recommend this camera. Albeit it being a hefty investment, you’ll notice in time that it pays itself off. Being a piece of mechanical mastery, it never breaks down and considering that it’s a fully mechanical camera, the meter (if you desire to use it) is incredibly precise and always provides an accurate average metering in both bright and low-light conditions.

If finance was an issue, I’d say the M3 or M2 are mechanically at par with the M6, but if they still break the bank Voigtlander produce M mount rangefinders which offer the same bang for the buck.

Now that Lomography have introduced the new LC-A Minitar-1 Art Lens in M mount, you can enjoy the solid reliability of the M6 and get the same optical experience you’ll get from the Lomo LC-A.

When using this camera, what are you favorite subjects to photograph and why?

The Leica M series is great for inconspicuous and non-intrusive street photography, but I use it for everything. With my ultra fast Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f/1.1, it’s fantastic for isolating subjects and melting away the background. And also the lens makes it possible to capture images in low-light situations. I love portraiture and I love using the M6 for it. Because it’s a rangefinder, you don’t actually see through the lens, so you’ll never know exactly how the pictures are going to look until you process the film. Having such a rich history, the Leica is always a great conversation piece as they’re not too common in day-to-day life.

Any tips or tricks with using the Leica M6?

This camera is fairly bare-boned. It doesn’t really pack any special features such as double exposures or self-timers but it’s very tough and durable so it will last a lifetime. One thing for certain is that it holds it value. If the Leica M6 is not the camera for you, it’s resale value remains steady and you can always find a buyer.

Craig’s favorite lomographs taken with his Weapon of Choice, Leica M6:

Thank you Craig for sharing your Weapon of Choice!

What’s your most favorite camera, film, or accessory? If you are proud of your Weapon of Choice, drop a line at eunice.abique@lomography.com and share your story with the rest of the community!

2015-07-11 #lifestyle #weapon-of-choice