M6 Rangefinder - Different Magnification

[paragon]

Are the diiferent magnifications marked on camera or the VF - i.e. 58 or 72 or 85
Can you tell from the seriel number

How can you be sure which is which or if one has been modified?

Thanks

 

[markinlondon]

The magnification is marked on the VF bezel. You used to be able to feed serial numbers into the Leica website to get factory data for your camera or lens but that feature seems to have been lost with the last redesign. If a camera's been modified there's no reliable way of knowing without looking through it (or trusting the seller to provide the correct information).

 

[paragon]

The magnification is marked on the VF bezel. You used to be able to feed serial numbers into the Leica website to get factory data for your camera or lens but that feature seems to have been lost with the last redesign. If a camera's been modified there's no reliable way of knowing without looking through it (or trusting the seller to provide the correct information).

Thanks Mark

The VF bezel

Is that the ring around the eyepiece, (rear of camera) - do I need a magnifying glass to find it?

 

[JNewell]

It should be plainly visible etched in the lower reflective band on the main viewfinder window in the lower right hand corner as you look at the front of the camera.

 

[markinlondon]

Have a look at the picture on the Leica M system page. You should see it quite clearly.

http://www.leica-camera.us/photography/m_system/

 

[paragon]

It should be plainly visible etched in the lower reflective band on the main viewfinder window in the lower right hand corner as you look at the front of the camera.

Thanks what I originally thought

I have just bought an M6 Classic - no sign of the number?

Maybe all M6 Classics were 0.72 so a number what not thought necessary

Cheers

 

[markinlondon]

It will be 0.72. There was no option on earlier M6's, only the late production had a choice of finders. You will see 6 sets of framelines, 28/90, 35/135 and 50/75. The other magnifications lose one set of frames each, the 0.58x has no 135 frame and the 0.85x has no 28 frame.

 

[paragon]

It will be 0.72. There was no option on earlier M6's, only the late production had a choice of finders. You will see 6 sets of framelines, 28/90, 35/135 and 50/75. The other magnifications lose one set of frames each, the 0.58x has no 135 frame and the 0.85x has no 28 frame.

Thanks Mark - exactly as mine is - 3 times 2 sets of framelines

 

[JNewell]

As Mark says, no identification was needed until '98 or '99 when the M6 "classic" .85x was introduced briefly before M6TTL production began. If it's unmarked, it is .72x.

 

[sanmich]

Mark,
AFAIK, it's impossible to "redesign" a camera.
I once asked DAG if changing the VF of an M2 to be 0.58 would be possible. He told me that Uncle Leica accepts to sell a new VF only vs an old one OF THE SAME MAG...
so bad...
hhmmmmm a 0.58 M2....

 

[markinlondon]

Mark,
AFAIK, it's impossible to "redesign" a camera.
I once asked DAG if changing the VF of an M2 to be 0.58 would be possible. He told me that Uncle Leica accepts to sell a new VF only vs an old one OF THE SAME MAG...
so bad...
hhmmmmm a 0.58 M2....

Interesting...

I hadn't heard that, but then I like my M2s as nature (or Leitz 🙂 ) intended.

 

[trph_2000]

Yes, DAG told me that also. Leica will only sell a new VF mechanism if
they receive one of the same magnification in return. I happen to have
a factory retrofitted M6 LHSA Black Paint with 0.58 mag, allegedly a very
rare camera. Some have suggested that the 0.58 VF could have been placed
elsewhere, but I doubt this would make sense.