M6 Metering

[Skeletor]

Hello!
Right now I1m sitting in my room playing with a borrowed M6 and 35mm Summicron.
What annoys me is the fact that i can`t meter the light with apertures wider than 2.
Yes my room is pretty dark, but i`ve read somewhere that the meter has been improved during the assembly line of the M6.
Is this true?
The serial number of the camera I`m using is 1759685.

Thanks

 

[eia41]

There is nothing wrong with your camera. In low light conditions you must either use a higher ASA film, a faster than your Summicron lens, or (God forbid if you are a purist!) a flash-gun.

 

[Skeletor]

Thanks for your reply.
I know that is nothing wrong with the camera. It´s just that I reached the limits of the metering system (changing the iso setting won`t help in this case of course).
What I want to know is if the sensibility of the metering cell was increased in later models of the M6.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

You can't meter with apertures wider than f2 with any camera using the 35mm Summicron because f2 is the Widest aperture that lens has.

 

[John Bragg]

Yes I think that is true.. I think it has been mentioned recently in another thread.

 

[Skeletor]

You can't meter with apertures wider than f2 with any camera using the 35mm Summicron because f2 is the Widest aperture that lens has.

Sorry. Of course I mean smaller than f2.
:bang:

 

[Skeletor]

Yes I think that is true.. I think it has been mentioned recently in another thread.

Thanks John.
Do you remember at which serial number it was increased?

 

[ampguy]

The M6TTL increased sensitivity by a fraction or whole EV from the M6 classic according to the Advanced Leica M book specs. I don't know of any metering changes in M6 classics.

 

[Andrew Sowerby]

Fresh batteries?

 

[Livesteamer]

You have an early M6. My first M6 is 1768457 and it will meter as low as f1.0 at 1/8 of a second with asa 400 film. My 166xxxx body seems to have the same metering ability. I don't think fresh batteries would make a difference. Just give the camera a try and see if you like it. Good Luck, Joe.

 

[Skeletor]

The M6TTL increased sensitivity by a fraction or whole EV from the M6 classic according to the Advanced Leica M book specs. I don't know of any metering changes in M6 classics.

Hhmm...this might be another advantage for the TTL. I like the bigger speed dial too. I don`t like the larger size of the cam.
Puhhh, I think price will make my decision which one to buy.

 

[Andrew Sowerby]

Haha, the larger size of the TTL? It's what, 5mm taller or something?

 

[kipkeston]

I'm almost positive you need a new battery

 

[Skeletor]

Haha, the larger size of the TTL? It's what, 5mm taller or something?

Yes, it`s a difference that I notice. It`s not a big issue but it is one.

 

[Skeletor]

I'm almost positive you need a new battery

I´m gonna check it but i don`t think so only ten films or so have been gone through the cam with this batteries so far. And the metering is corect too.

 

[mknawabi]

Yes, it`s a difference that I notice. It`s not a big issue but it is one.

Don't take this the wrong way, but...you're crazy dude. 🙄 I think if you were getting in M5 territory, then you can complain about bulkiness

 

[rxmd]

Haha, the larger size of the TTL? It's what, 5mm taller or something?

2.5mm to be precise. The M3 is 77mm, the M6TTL is 79.5mm, the M5 is 84mm, and an M3 with a Leica MR meter is about 95mm.

Philipp

 

[oscroft]

Funnily enough, I too think that the extra 2.5mm height of the M6 TTL spoils the lines of the camera a bit. It wouldn't be enough to affect a purchasing decision, but the M6 Classic definitely looks better to me.

 

[FifthLeaf]

The M6 meter doesn't give different readings as the battery dies down. You may have trouble reading the meter because the LEDs grow faint, but those faint LEDs are still accurate.

I know this from experience and reading the manual.

 

[tom_uk]

2.5mm to be precise. The M3 is 77mm, the M6TTL is 79.5mm, the M5 is 84mm, and an M3 with a Leica MR meter is about 95mm.

Rather amusingly, page 28 of the Leica M Advanced Photo School book (Osterloh, 2005, English) reads:-
"The camera housing is about 2.5mm (1 inch) higher....".

Wrong by an order of magnititude! : 25mm = 1 inch, not 2.5mm!