Leica to announce a new M-mount M6 film camera in Oct 2022

[ptpdprinter]

It’s a rebadged MP with the M6 rewind knob. Same price as the MP. BFD. So much for the “affordable” film camera.

In the US the M6 is $400 less than the MP.

If I were going to buy one of the two, I'd go for the MP. I like the way the rewind knob looks better than the M6. The MP also doesn't have the Leica name and model number emblazoned on the the front plate. And no tacky red dot. If you want people to know you are using a Leica, just wear a sandwich board announcing the fact when you are shooting. It's far more effective.

 

[jsrockit]

It’s a rebadged MP with the M6 rewind knob. Same price as the MP. BFD. So much for the “affordable” film camera.

Well, actually it is not. The internals are not the same according to information received from the recent Leica event. Some of the makers of certain parts for the MP are no longer in business.

 

[Bill Blackwell]

Well, actually it is not. The internals are not the same according to information received from the recent Leica event. Some of the makers of certain parts for the MP are no longer in business.

And where do you think Leica will get those "certain" MP parts? They'll make those parts themselves - for both cameras.

I can confidently assure you, internally, both cameras are identical.

 

[xayraa33]

So what is the price of this newly minted M6?

 

[Deleted member 65559]

So what is the price of this newly minted M6?

$5300 ish USD for pre-order

 

[xayraa33]

$5300 ish USD for pre-order

Not overly expensive for a new Leica body in today's world...still a used M4-p for 1200 USD is a bargain if you can find one at that price.

 

[jukka]

I can confidently assure you, internally, both cameras are identical.

I think it is rather obvious that, for any number of practical reasons, Leica has updated the electronics. Why would you use the same electronic design between 2003 and 2022?

Now, whether the updated design will also be used in future MPs, who knows. That would certainly make sense, I guess, but then again I’m not an expert on industrial production.

 

[jsrockit]

And where do you think Leica will get those "certain" MP parts? They'll make those parts themselves - for both cameras.

I can confidently assure you, internally, both cameras are identical.

Right, rumor has it that they have started making those parts. However, people at the recent Leica event said the M6 is not exactly the same internally. I am not sure why they would need to lie. They could be misinformed I guess.

 

[leicapixie]

If a meter can now be installed, why cannot old M6 be repaired? I would suggest one of new meters, not by Leica that fit on top, as a better solution.

 

[Godfrey]

And where do you think Leica will get those "certain" MP parts? They'll make those parts themselves - for both cameras.

I can confidently assure you, internally, both cameras are identical.

Based on what my camera technician buddy tells me, the Leica M6 was updated with respect to the internal metering circuitry at least twice. And the MP is different. Whether the "new" M6 is the same as the MP with respect to the metering circuitry ... I would expect so, as it is the latest revision of the metering circuitry.

G

 

[Bill Blackwell]

... However, people at the recent Leica event said the M6 is not exactly the same internally. ...

If you listen carefully, what they're saying is how the new M6 has changed internally from the original M6. They never actually made any direct comparisons to the MP other than the RW knobs, finish, and engraving. They seemed to choose their words carefully.

It was also noted that the new M6 top and bottom plates are brass instead on zinc. Leica experimented with zinc on the original M6 bottom plate, but it was determined zinc was too brittle a material for that purpose. In fact all M6 cameras were sold with brass bottom plates.

 

[Bill Blackwell]

If a meter can now be installed, why cannot old M6 be repaired? I would suggest one of new meters, not by Leica that fit on top, as a better solution.

Current meter circuitry is incompatible with the original M6.

 

[ptpdprinter]

If you listen carefully, what they're saying is how the new M6 has changed internally from the original M6. They never actually made any direct comparisons to the MP other than the RW knobs, finish, and engraving. They seemed to choose their words carefully.

It was also noted that the new M6 top and bottom plates are brass instead on zinc. Leica experimented with zinc on the original M6 bottom plate, but it was determined zinc was too brittle a material for that purpose. In fact all M6 cameras were sold with brass bottom plates.

Could someone post a link to the Leica event information? Thanks.

 

[Bill Blackwell]

Could someone post a link to the Leica event information? Thanks.

Live events notwithstanding, here's a you-tube video that might help.

Also look here and here.

 

[ptpdprinter]

Live events notwithstanding, here's a you-tube video that might help.

Wow! Thirty minutes! I am flattered you think I have that sort of attention span. My wedding vows were shorter than that. Anyway, thanks. I'll take it five minutes at a time and make my way through it.

Also look here and here.

Thanks for posting those links. Text works better for me. A fair part of the first article is lifted directly from the Leica press release so it doesn't add much new information. The second from Leica is mostly self-congratulatory blah, blah, blah and a lot of photos. The M6 looks pretty much like an M6 as you would expect for a reissue. The big news for me is that you get a free strap. Does Leica always give you a free strap or is that usually an extra cost option?

I was heartened to see that the photographs in the background were of a normal size. Does this indicate that the style is shifting away from prints the size of billboards?

Update:

I am 3:31 into the video and I am screaming at my computer: "For God's sake say something!"

 

[Pál_K]

Regarding the possibility of replacing old M6, M6 TTL metering with the new M6 meter, there are two things to consider. First, the old meter - the actual light-sensitive device - has certain dimensions, power requirements, and a certain output in response to light. Second the output of that meter has to be processed by specific electronic circuitry to give you the appropriate viewfinder display. The questions are:

- If the old meter - the device - itself is bad, can the new meter physically fit in the place of the old one? If so, can the old circuitry work with the new meter?

- If just the old circuitry is bad, can the new circuitry replace the old? If so, can it work with the old meter?

Back in the days of Modern Photography, they’d disassemble the camera and compare it with the previous model. Maybe someone will do that and describe their findings.

 

[jsrockit]

If you listen carefully, what they're saying is how the new M6 has changed internally from the original M6. They never actually made any direct comparisons to the MP other than the RW knobs, finish, and engraving. They seemed to choose their words carefully.

Well, Tamarkin states New Leica M6 Style ISO Dial, Newly Developed with Modern Electronic Components Inside. Newly developed

http://www.tamarkin.com/products/m-series/cameras

The person who went to the event who talked about the new internal components of the M6 was not comparing it to the original m6. They were comparing it to the MP specifically.

 

[Bill Blackwell]

Well, Tamarkin states New Leica M6 Style ISO Dial, Newly Developed with Modern Electronic Components Inside. Newly developed ...

Yes, I forgot about the new M6 back cover. Regardless, the internals between the new M6 and MP are the same.

 

[Deleted member 65559]

from #Tokyocamerastyle on Instagram today. "A few things I learned about the M6 last week, directly from Jesko von Oeynhausen, the global director of product Photo at Leica and head of the M6 revival project:

-Originally, from 1984-2002 about 175,000 original M6 bodies were produced. The M6 is 43% M3. The RF is based on the M2. I've heard that the MP is 75% M6. Now, I'm not good at math but that adds up to 100% Leica M. (43+75 . . .Is it 118%?). It is an M6.

-The M6 is in production now for as long as there is a market.
The MP and M-A aren't going anywhere- other than out the factory doors, that is. The M6 is an addition to the line. Leica said that they're having trouble keeping up with rising demand for new film cameras and are likewise upscaling production. Remember, Leica isn't where it was in the mid-2000s- they are currently doing the best in their 100 year history. (look it up). Digital is great for them. To insist that the M6 rerelease is a "cash grab" is, from what I know, rather ignorant. They don't *need* to do this- but out of respect for 35mm film and their history with it, they thankfully are. I'm not saying this because of my new camera and four glorious mornings with the hotel breakfast buffet- Leica genuinely loves and supports photography. (this is a future post)

-In an interview session I asked what the re-release of the M6 means for M repairs. He said it absolutely ensures production of new parts that can be used for older cameras. (He also said that when the M6 was announced internally, Leica's service center staff rejoiced because the resurgence in film has meant an increase in older bodies sent in to be brought back up to spec.)
This includes the M6 light meter. Actually, Jesko said that one of the difficulties in bringing the M6 back was sourcing similar parts for the meter's electronics. Great news for anyone with a currently-meterless M6.

-Was there ever talk of naming it the M6-P or M6-2? No, not at all. From the start, it was the M6. Finally: Silver chrome? No.
- - - - - - - - - - -
These are just some quick notes- There’s still a lot I’d like to share from my time in Wetzlar last week- stay tuned. #leicam6 #camerastyle"

 

[Bill Blackwell]

... In an interview session I asked what the re-release of the M6 means for M repairs. He said it absolutely ensures production of new parts that can be used for older cameras. ... This includes the M6 light meter. ...

Why would Leica make two different circuit boards when mechanically the cameras are identical? The MP meter has never been compatible with the original M6.

I hope it's true, but I'm not buying it.