Leica M6TTL vs M6 Classic

[Jaans]

There have been many interesting comparisons and debates over the years between these two models.

My question is what feature was the clincher for you in purchase choice (considering that you do own one of these or have owned one in the past).

I learnt on a TTL and found that the direction of the arrows corresponding with the shutter was the clincher.

Having said that, I have used and owned the M2 and the M3 as well as a rarer classic .85.

Do you think that long term leica users who learnt to use rangefinders will always favor the classic as it turns in the same way as the older models? Or are their design features of the classic that are better than the TTL?

Gotta say I also love the larger dial of the TTL@^^

 

[presspass]

The TTL shutter dial is the same as the M7 and the digital Ms. One advantage is those dials are easier to find/turn with gloves on. One disadvantage of the M6 TTL is that the flash will not work if the batteries go out. I have and use both, although I rarely use the TTL function with flash. As to which way the dial turns, I adjust quickly to either and don't find that to be a problem.

 

[Jaans]

presspass - thanks for that insight.

It does seem that the TTL is more in line with Leicas modern range of rangefinders - namely, the M7, M8, M8.2 and M9.

I initially had difficulty moving from a TTL to a classic as the direction of the shutter had been ingrained so I lost a lot of shots from that.

I have read that a lot of veteran Leica shooters initially disparaged the TTL because of the direction of the shutter. But it is interesting that Leica employed the TTL dial for its digital range. Perhaps that is their vote for the most practical model?

 

[kevin m]

The TTL dial is a big functional improvement over the classic M dial. One great feature of the M5's finally found a home. 🙂

 

[Damaso]

I really like the larger dial of the TTL!

 

[umcelinho]

The TTL won't allow DR Summicron close focus specs to mount, as it is a big higher than the classic. apart from that, I don't see any significant difference. read somewhere about the ttl draining more battery, but no idea if it's true.

 

[Leica All Day]

I really like the larger dial of the TTL!

yeah, me too......

 

[ssmc]

I never tried the classic but coming from decades of SLRs I found the TTL extremely easy to use, and I especially liked the 3-LED meter - this feature was what influenced me to get a TTL over the classic.

Using a ZM lens with 1/3-stop detents and having a pretty good idea of how big the metering zone is made getting accurate exposures a snap with the 3-LED setup. I experimented with the M6-TTL and my D300 and found that the 8mm-weighted option on the Nikon produced indistinguishable exposure readings to the Leica, so the metered zone is roughly a central circle about half the frame height in diameter (the D300 being 24x16). It does have quite the appetite for batteries, though fortunately the only time I was caught out this way I was carrying a spare set (forewarned is forearmed or however that saying goes).

Of course, I foolishly sold it, a decicsion I regret bitterly. When I get financial enough again I suspect I will get another M6-TTL. And so the cycle continues... 😉

 

[Pablito]

I prefer the classic because it's what I'm used to. The "clincher" was that I bought my classics before they started making the TTL. But I still prefer the classic today.

 

[Jaans]

The TTL won't allow DR Summicron close focus specs to mount, as it is a big higher than the classic. apart from that, I don't see any significant difference. read somewhere about the ttl draining more battery, but no idea if it's true.

Thats an interesting observation about the DR - I wasn't aware of that.

I have also heard that rumour about the battery drain. However, I used my TTL for nearly a year with no evidence of this with batteries that hadn't been replaced for ages either. I've been very satisfied the performance of the TTL.

I'm convinced that this battery drain is a an unsubstantiated rumour spread by grizzled M3 double stroke M3 users, with gnarled blistered hands dripping with D76 who couldn't manage the change of direction with the TTL. So in essence, the rumour was a large scale conspiracy (engineered at the annual LHSA meeting by the hawks) on their part to save face, rather than a cold hard fact^^

P.S The above observation is all in jest

 

[Damaso]

Oddly enough I actually don't use my TTLs with the batteries, I use a hand held meter. I find the LEDs distracting...

 

[tom_uk]

For me too the choice was between M6 and M6ttl and I went for the TTL. Like others I preferred the size, etc, of the shutter speed dial. But the main reason was that (in the dealer's shop that day) the available TTL was a lot more recent than the availablle M6 classics - 10 years or more, IIRC - for not much more money. It was also the only camera there with a .85 viewfinder, which I also preferred. So it was an easy choice for me.

 

[Leica All Day]

As far as mounting the DR summicron on an m6ttl goes....I believe that it's possible but you need to remove the little thing screwed in on the back of the 'eyes'....perhaps someone else here who uses this combo can comment further...

Cheers, Michael

 

[Frontman]

Thats an interesting observation about the DR - I wasn't aware of that.

I have also heard that rumour about the battery drain. However, I used my TTL for nearly a year with no evidence of this with batteries that hadn't been replaced for ages either. I've been very satisfied the performance of the TTL.

I'm convinced that this battery drain is a an unsubstantiated rumour spread by grizzled M3 double stroke M3 users, with gnarled blistered hands dripping with D76 who couldn't manage the change of direction with the TTL. So in essence, the rumour was a large scale conspiracy (engineered at the annual LHSA meeting by the hawks) on their part to save face, rather than a cold hard fact^^

P.S The above observation is all in jest

If you forget to turn the shutter speed dial to the "Off" position the batteries do get discharged fairly quickly. Surprisingly enough, I owned my TTL for several months before realizing there was an "Off" position. As a result, I was replacing the batteries about once a month.

 

[Jaans]

If you forget to turn the shutter speed dial to the "Off" position the batteries do get discharged fairly quickly. Surprisingly enough, I owned my TTL for several months before realizing there was an "Off" position. As a result, I was replacing the batteries about once a month.

I never experienced that - even when I didn't turn my camera off. Battery drain will happen if you leave the camera cocked and the shutter release is pressed against the inside of your camera bag.

 

[John Lawrence]

Another vote for the M6 TTL. As well as the bigger shutter dial, I also find the TTL flash facility useful too.

John

 

[Turtle]

I started with the MP and so got classics for back up as the shutter dial goes the same way. They are also a touch smaller. It does not matter as long as you are used to it. Rotating the dial against the arrow is completely intuitive to me now.

Those who say that you can mix and match bodies that rotate different ways are evidently not shooting in pressurised situations. Its a terrible idea, so best to stick to one. If I were to swap out my Ms, and say got to M7s I would get M6 TTLs too and so swap out the lot.

 

[alun severn]

The clincher for me was the one few mention (or want): availability of the 0.58 finder. A revelation to this lifetime specs wearer...

 

[Joop van Heijgen]

The TTL dial is a big functional improvement over the classic M dial. One great feature of the M5's finally found a home. 🙂

The M3, M2 and M4(P) can also have a big dial with the MR4 meter on it...😀

For me a main reason why I do use this meter on my M4-🙂

 

[johannielscom]

...

Having said that, I have used and owned the M2 and the M3 as well as a rarer classic .85.

...

Same here. I had to sell my classic 0.85 to pay for an education and will not be able to afford another one for a long time. And I refuse to touch any other M6 if it ain't a classic 0.85 for that matter too!