tom_uk
Established
We don't often hear praise for the M6 TTL here. If you ask for people's views on - well, pretty much any other Leica M, really, you'll get quite a few comments as to how the M-whatever is the best, the classic: either because of the features it has, or the features it doesn't have, or just its place in the lineage. So I thought I'd try to redress the balance and write something 'in praise of the M6 TTL'.
It seems to me that a s/hand TTL is the best introduction to Leica RF photography for those unfamiliar with it, and additionally can be a good Leica camera for anyone. These are my reasons for recommending this camera, often damned with faint praise:
a) age: even the oldest is barely 10 years old, and the newest might only 5 years old or thereabouts. This means that the camera is unlikely to need much if any maintenance, dealers are happy to give a reasonable warranty, and the camera will still have a reasonable amount of that 'new-camera' feel. (I had an M2 which suffered from light-bleed from one frame to the next, if a bright light was at the corner of a frame. The 40-year-old shutter blinds were no longer closing absolutely tightly.)
b) cost: TTLs seem to be a steal at the moment. Here in the UK there are significant numbers of good condition, s/hand TTLs available from many dealers at prices of between £800 and £900. The bottom end of this is only £100 more than an M6 classic seems to go for, which by definition will be older (possibly several times as old) and with less a sophisticated & sensitive metering system;
c) a good balance of features: the TTL gives you the same metering range as the M7 (the M6 has a meter 1EV less sensitive) and, I believe, the MP. However, despite having this enhanced meter sensitivity, the camera is still essentially manual: take the battery out and you've got an M4-P, which is very different from the M7. There's an 'off' setting! And finally, because .85 and .58 viewfinders were available on standard-prince cameras (my understanding is that to get either today you have to buy a la carte), you stand a good chance of finding alternative VFs in the s/h market, if that's what you're looking for,
So what are the disadvantages? Well, I suppose they would be as follows:-
a) the curse of the flaring RF patch - introduced in the M4-2 production run and cured on later M7s (but not all) and all MPs (I believe);
b) the reversed shutter-speed dial. With the TTL Leica changed the direction in which the shutter speed dial rotates. Experienced users of older M's find that this essentially makes the TTL almost impossible for them to use; having to suddenly remember to do it in the opposite direction means that they can never relax and just *use the camera*. Roger Hicks has experience of this, I believe. I can understand this problem from their point of view, but of course for new users it's not a problem at all! (And of course the M7 and M8 share the same reversed-direction dial.)
c) ? any others?
What do other forum members think?
It seems to me that a s/hand TTL is the best introduction to Leica RF photography for those unfamiliar with it, and additionally can be a good Leica camera for anyone. These are my reasons for recommending this camera, often damned with faint praise:
a) age: even the oldest is barely 10 years old, and the newest might only 5 years old or thereabouts. This means that the camera is unlikely to need much if any maintenance, dealers are happy to give a reasonable warranty, and the camera will still have a reasonable amount of that 'new-camera' feel. (I had an M2 which suffered from light-bleed from one frame to the next, if a bright light was at the corner of a frame. The 40-year-old shutter blinds were no longer closing absolutely tightly.)
b) cost: TTLs seem to be a steal at the moment. Here in the UK there are significant numbers of good condition, s/hand TTLs available from many dealers at prices of between £800 and £900. The bottom end of this is only £100 more than an M6 classic seems to go for, which by definition will be older (possibly several times as old) and with less a sophisticated & sensitive metering system;
c) a good balance of features: the TTL gives you the same metering range as the M7 (the M6 has a meter 1EV less sensitive) and, I believe, the MP. However, despite having this enhanced meter sensitivity, the camera is still essentially manual: take the battery out and you've got an M4-P, which is very different from the M7. There's an 'off' setting! And finally, because .85 and .58 viewfinders were available on standard-prince cameras (my understanding is that to get either today you have to buy a la carte), you stand a good chance of finding alternative VFs in the s/h market, if that's what you're looking for,
So what are the disadvantages? Well, I suppose they would be as follows:-
a) the curse of the flaring RF patch - introduced in the M4-2 production run and cured on later M7s (but not all) and all MPs (I believe);
b) the reversed shutter-speed dial. With the TTL Leica changed the direction in which the shutter speed dial rotates. Experienced users of older M's find that this essentially makes the TTL almost impossible for them to use; having to suddenly remember to do it in the opposite direction means that they can never relax and just *use the camera*. Roger Hicks has experience of this, I believe. I can understand this problem from their point of view, but of course for new users it's not a problem at all! (And of course the M7 and M8 share the same reversed-direction dial.)
c) ? any others?
What do other forum members think?
waileong
Well-known
It's an ok camera. Prob the biggest prob is the flare issue, which can be fixed.
supershang
Member
for me the biggest problem is flaring. But I will send my machine to Solms after holiday to update the viewfinder. After that I hope the problem would be gone. The direction of shutter dial, for me , actually is an advantage, because it's my first leica, I think the dial direction is quite reasonable for the exposure indicator arrows in viewfinder. accompany with a rapidwinder (it's coming), OMG, it's such a beauty! I like black chrome ever!
marke
Well-known
My first M was the M6 TTL, and I chose it exactly for the reasons you stated, especially for the fact that it would be newer than other models and not require servicing as soon. To me, it seemed the most "affordable" M, especially since I knew I would not have to pay (and wait!) for a CLA.
Last year, I picked up an MP and have pretty much given up on my M6 TTL, only running a roll through it every month or so to keep it loose. I have often toyed with the idea of selling it, but I would like to replace it with another MP, since it has the 0.58x VF.
Last year, I picked up an MP and have pretty much given up on my M6 TTL, only running a roll through it every month or so to keep it loose. I have often toyed with the idea of selling it, but I would like to replace it with another MP, since it has the 0.58x VF.
__hh
Well-known
My first intro into the wonderful world of RF photography is my current M6 TTL. So many times, I have been *THAT* close to selling it but never had the emotional guts to do it. Many other M bodies have come and gone, but this M6 TTL will probably be around until the day I give up film altogether.
maddoc
... likes film again.
I owned an M6TTL 0.85x for some time because it was the "cheapest" option available to get a 0.85x VF (ideal for 50mm). Unfortunately, wearing glasses, the 35mm are hardly to see and I went back to a 0.72x camera, the M5. The lightmeter of the M6TTL is as sensitive as the meter from the MP and the 3 LED system is quite intuitive to use.
Justin Low
J for Justin
My M6TTL 0.85x (which happens to be the same one Gabor mentions) is fantastic for 50- and 90mm lenses. When I choose to use a 35mm lens, I switch to my 0.72x M6.
I don't have a large problem with the shutter speed dial direction, but the rangefinder patch flare does get to me sometimes, especially at night, reducing the contrast further.
In terms of ease of focusing, my M3 comes in top, followed by the M6TTL. The M6TTL is the 'easiest' to use, followed by the M6. And I think the M6 looks best (I have it in silver chrome), followed by the M3.
I don't have a large problem with the shutter speed dial direction, but the rangefinder patch flare does get to me sometimes, especially at night, reducing the contrast further.
In terms of ease of focusing, my M3 comes in top, followed by the M6TTL. The M6TTL is the 'easiest' to use, followed by the M6. And I think the M6 looks best (I have it in silver chrome), followed by the M3.
dof
Fiat Lux
Don't Forget the "TTL" Part
Don't Forget the "TTL" Part
I would add one item to the list of its positive qualities: the flash circuit.
Within the limitations of the cloth shutters inherent slow sync speed of 1/50th of a second, the TTL flash circuit in the M6 TTL yields the most pleasing flash results of any camera I've used.
Don't Forget the "TTL" Part
I would add one item to the list of its positive qualities: the flash circuit.
Within the limitations of the cloth shutters inherent slow sync speed of 1/50th of a second, the TTL flash circuit in the M6 TTL yields the most pleasing flash results of any camera I've used.
KM-25
Well-known
Damaso
Photojournalist
I love my 2 TTLs! I like having the .58 and the .85 viewfinder magnifications.
visiondr
cyclic iconoclast
As our old colleague Magus used to say (RIP), the zinc top plate of the M6TTL and M6 and late M4-Ps are an "abomination". Other than that and the slightly taller body, the M6 TTL is a very capable camera.
fbf
Well-known
my ttl .85x works great but the only issue i have is the vf flare which annoys me the most at night. I don't wear glasses, so the 35 frameline works fine for me. No complaints other than the VF. oh, yeah, the on/off switch sometimes annoys me too...only occationally though.
i tried to get rid of it a few times but it always finds its way back.......so i deicde to keep it and use it well.
i tried to get rid of it a few times but it always finds its way back.......so i deicde to keep it and use it well.
mojobebop
Well-known
------------
Sorry, I'm a bit unclear about the direction of ss issue.
The shutter speed dial turns both ways.
What is it about the correct direction?
Merkin
For the Weekend
Think of a clock. To, say, an M4 user, the numbers on an M4 are arranged around the clock face in the 'normal' direction. The numbers go around the opposite way on the shutter speed dial of an M6TTL, so to the M4 user it is as if the numbers on a clock were backwards. I hope this makes sense...
mknawabi
photographeur
it doesnt turn completely around. it stops at the 1000 option, and stops at the 'off' option.
i love my ttl. the zinc top plate is fine. it takes a nick very damn well, and shows a cool goldish color
i love my ttl. the zinc top plate is fine. it takes a nick very damn well, and shows a cool goldish color
Bike Tourist
Well-known
mknawabi, I have recently aquired the same rig as you, chrome M6TTL and 35/2, although mine is a 6-element, I don't know what version. I have, through the years, had multiple Leicas. all from the IIIc through M7 except the M5.
I am not bothered one whit by the shutter speed dial. I just follow the arrows and I'm happy. What really makes me happy is not making decisions among options I don't care about and having to clean a sensor that seems to welcome dirt (digital, of course).
I am not bothered one whit by the shutter speed dial. I just follow the arrows and I'm happy. What really makes me happy is not making decisions among options I don't care about and having to clean a sensor that seems to welcome dirt (digital, of course).
mknawabi
photographeur
Awesome, can't wait to see some shots from you with your kit. I'm in the same boat, the rotation of the shutter speed dial doesnt bother me at all. And I love the increased size of the wheel, I can adjust it with one finger easily
infrequent
Well-known
the M6-TTL dial is very intuitive in a sense because it can be moved in the same direction of arrows shown in the VF. i thinks its rather clever.
wt67
Member
I have a .58 TTL and .85 TTL. Had both VFs upgraded and could not be happier.
peter_n
Veteran
My first rangefinder camera too. Although I sold mine earlier this year I used it happily for about 3 years until I got my M7s. Great meter and a very reliable body, although I was also somewhat bothered by the flare in the VF. It also held it's value very well during the years I owned it.