'Splain to me M6 variations.

[phototone]

Like, for instance, what is the difference between M6 and M6TTL?

They both have light meters internally, right? Both meter through the lens?

Are there any other M6 major variations?

All M6 are totally mechanical shutter timing, right?

Batteryless operation, if you don't need to meter?

Other than the meter, what is the difference between M4-P and M6?

 

[SolaresLarrave]

The LEDs for the meter are slightly different. IIRC, the ones in the M6 are simply two arrows to indicate over- and underexposure. The M6TTL ones have a dot to indicate correct exposure.

In addition to this, the M6TTL has circuitry for TTL flash, which adds 2 mm to the camera height. Otherwise, there are no more differences between both bodies.

Oh, the lens release button in the M6 has a small red dot. The one in the M6TTL is plain. Early M6 bodies had the red dot inscribed "Leitz", while later models and all the M6TTL carry the brand name "Leica" in the red dot.

That's all I can remember! 🙂

 

[Roger Hicks]

The shutter speed dial on the M6ttl goes backwards -- counterclockwise to increase speed, not clockwise -- as does the M7. All others (including the MP) go in the right direction.

Cheers,

Roger

 

[SolaresLarrave]

True! It's the universally hated "Alka Seltzer" shutter dial... Thanks, Roger!

 

[peter_n]

Both Roger and Solares are regrettably incorrect. 🙁 Leica, in their infinite wisdom, finally saw the error of their ways and reversed the shutter dial beginning with the M6TTL and continuing with the M7. Those two cams have the shutter speed dial rotating in the same direction as an exposure correction indicator in the viewfinder. 😎 It is not a good idea to use cams in the field with opposite rotating shutter dials, although there are some here who don't have a problem with this.

If you have a problem with opposite this and opposite that (like me), then the shutter speed dial makes a big difference if you are planning on getting more than one Leica body. If you like the old-fashioned (fairly rubbishy) falling-to-bits squinty viewfinder impossible-to-load pinhead-sized-shutter-dial older cameras then you need an M6. 🙄 But if you want (in the future) a modern, sleek and reasonably-up-to-date M7 then you need a doesn't-need-a-CLA-immediately M6TTL. 😀

And yes, the M6 cams are all mechanical except for the meters. 🙂

 

[Roger Hicks]

Sorry, Peter -- YOU are the one who is incorrect. Yes, having the dial go in the same direction as the meter is a good idea. But when EVERY OTHER Leica (and modern Bessa, and Rollei 35, and Zeiss Ikon) goes the other way, consistency is a better idea. At least, I think so, and so does Leica, hence the MP.

Of course if you want an electronic, battery dependent camera, the M7 may suit you very well. And if youi want an obsolete, unpopular, second-hand mechanical camera instead of a good, modern MP, the M6ttl will suit you well too. But if you've been using Leicas for 35 years, well, M6ttl and M7 cameras go the wrong way. No question.

Of course you're entitled to your opinion but if you call me (and Leica) wrong then you can expect to be called wrong yourself. And I have to add that very few old Leicas are indeed falling to bits. That's one of the reasons they enjoy the reputation they do.

Cheers,

Roger

 

[RubenBlaedel]

I am happy that I do not have the TTL bodys 2 mm extra hight - it looks and feels wrong to me - and I am happy that my M6,M3 and M2 works on all shutter times without a Battery - I would not use flash with my Leica so I do not need the TTL and I do not use autoexposure (I ditched that together with my canon eos) so I do not need the M7 AE - I think the MP looks great but with the 3 Ms and my IIIf I guess that I am fully Leicanized! The direction and the size of the shutter dial have never been a problem and the revind knob on the M2 and M3 actually feels better than the one on the M6 - I even like the filmloading better on the old ones with the "loose" spool. The most important thing buying Leica Cameras is not the box but the glass - the lenses is everything and I think I could - if I got used to a TTL - shoot some great pictures as long as I could på my summicron 35 or my Summarit infront of it.

 

[mad_boy]

There is more to the shutter dial.
I have not opened my camera but am pretty sure the following is correct.

From the M6 onwards Leida placed the centre of the dial further to the front of the camera. That is the prime cause why it turns the other way (internally the axe of the shutter wheel remained in it's place and two grears are needed between the axce of the new wheel and the axe that sets the time; as we know two gears inverse rotation.

Doing this allowed the TTL (and M7) to have a larger shutter wheel (note that on the M6 classic the wheel can not be enlarged without touching the winding lever). This larger wheel apart from being better looking gave a number of benefits:
- Engraving of times on shutter can be larger and better visible.
- Force needed to turn wheel is lower (i.e. feels smoother) because the arm is longer
- It brings the front of the wheel to the front of the camera which makes it easier
to turn it from the front side, and with the same finger used for shutter release.

Hence this was not a mistake but a small evolution in true Leica style to improve the camera althoug one could claim there are two more parts that can fail.
It works fine for me.

The TTL feature will allow (with compatible flash) more creativity in flash photography as well.

Mad_boy.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Flash? With a Leica? Heresy!

BURN THE WITCH!


(on a pile of flashbulbs maybe?)

Cheers,

Roger

 

[peter_n]

Roger, I do like to have a bit of fun. 🙂 And I was having fun with my post. But I have only used a Leica for two years so of course I bow to your experience with the cam. However being serious for a moment I use a laptop and a PDA and a mobile phone all of which are battery dependent so I have no problems with a battery dependent camera! I don't have any other interchangeable lens RF other than the Leica so I need one that works the same way as mine. Simple as that. To each his own... 🙂

 

[Roger Hicks]

Dear Peter,

Fair enough! But imagine you have been using the things for 35 yrs and thewn some crazy b****** changes the direction of the shutter speed dial, while leaving the rest of the camera substantially the same. Aaaargh!

As for batteries, it's a question of MY dependence on the camera. Everything I have that is battery dependent, I don't really rely on. But cameras are how I earn my living...

Cheers,

Roger

 

[Lear]

One thing that was not said is that the meter of the TTL is one EV stop more sensible than the M6. The M6 itself has 2 kind of metering circuits, the eraly one that disapears when you are under the minimum light level, and another that blink in se same condition. The first one also has half step sensibility, changing the led intensity from one to another.

 

[tajart]

M6 variations

M6 variations

probably the best explanation of the differences in the various incarnations of the M6 (and i refer to just the M6 as distinct from the M6ttl etc) can be found at rff sponsor CameraQuest.com and specifically at this link:
http://cameraquest.com/m6dif.htm

 

[SolaresLarrave]

I personally like the M6TTL better than any other Leica. And, while I haven't owned any other but the M3, I did play with the M7 and MP on more than one ocassion.

Besides (what can I do 🙁 ), the M6TTL was my first Leica camera, the one I grew used to, the thing I came to enjoy using...

Nice thread! 🙂

 

[Grumblepunk]

You are all nuts.

Pax

Oh, btw, doesn't TTL add +/- $500 to the price of the M6 series? Is TTL really all that?

Honest question as the most I've ever had in a camera is an on-board meter.

 

[peter_n]

All the people on this forum are nuts by definition. 😉 I don't know how much the TTL adds to the cost of an M6, when I got mine I think the differential was around $400. But then consider that they're much newer than the "classic" M6 and so therefore will last for much longer without a CLA. I got mine a couple of yours ago and it was made in 1998 and its an ex-demo but it won't need a CLA for many, many years. The flex circuit boards in the earlier M6s are beginning to give out already. 🙁

 

[Grumblepunk]

The flex circuit boards in the earlier M6s are beginning to give out already.

And that is why I am a techno Luddite. I'll keep snuggling up to my old battery free bodies. 🙂 Besides, that battery door is bloody annoying. I want my useless self timer back!

 

[Doug]

Hmm... toss the batteries, glue the battery door shut... Now who cares about the circuit board, you have an "old batter-free body" the fast way! 🙂
(This is pretty much what I did with an Olympus Pen FT; the meter was a pain to use anyway.)

 

[peter_n]

Yea but you get used to the meter in the cam after a while. And the meter in the M6 is really accurate. I always carry a meter in the bag with me but to be honest I rely on my M6TTL meter quite a bit. Also I don't have a problem ignoring it when circunstances permit! 🙂

 

[tajart]

hhmmm, my M6 dates from the second batch, jan '85. it is still going strong and accurate. never had a problem with the battery cover, nor anything it terms of performance. it just keeps working and working. it has a wonderful patina with strap rub marks above the lugs and a couple of dust specks in the viewfinder...but it keeps on work work working. one of these days i'll send it in for a cla but, it just keeps on working so wonderfully.