The New Leitz - Wetzlar Leica M6 (and the dreaded film scratching issue)

[snusmumriken]

Your camera is never exactly ready for action in a camera bag. If you want your camera ready for action, take it out out of the camera bag and have it ready to go.

Obviously, yes. I do that too. But when it is in the bag for protection, unexpected opportunities still arise. Couldn't we all bore for hours about missed opportunities?

Sort of looks like the button on that gizmo replacing your battery cover could get pressed in your camera bag causing the battery to run down.

Actually no, because it's a turn-switch. Although it's a pity to add such a nubbly thing to a sleek body, it solved the issue for me.

But I get it. Leica is releasing a $5500 camera so you just need to make yourself feel better.

We all feel much better, don't we? Don't we?

 

[Arthurwg]

I think that it is a very good thing that it is or will be a regular production item.
Price is all relative, of course.
It looks like this new M6 costs about the same as one months rent on a studio apartment in Sunnyvale (and that was back in 2019 when I was still living and working there).

The average US rental these days is about $1700.00 a month. I believe that at one time a Vincent motorcycle cost the average British working man's average annual salary. Some things really aren't for everyone.

 

[beemermark]

On paper it’s better than the old M6, which I sold after having bought it new, because, coming from an M4, I found it a bit vulnerable with the zinc top. And although I might have been a bit picky in the old days, compared to an M4 that was true. So now they finally listened to me and changed the top plate with messing, GREAT! I might even swap my M10-R for it. I’d have preferred the larger shutter dial from the M6TTL and M7, but ok, I might go loving it on a longer run, because it give this old M4 feeling. I look forward to the anti-flare coatings, which might mean a step forward after the MP

I was doing camera fairs when the M6 came out and the store next to (the owner was a friend) traded me a brand new M6 for my trusty old M4. I ended up hating that camera so much I traded it off in 6 moths and bought another M4. I found the VF flare and meter (compared to my M4) horrible. Around 2007 I bought a new M7 with the current flare free finder and love it. Leica would even replace the initial run that had the flarey M6 finder with the better and more expensive finder for free. Still have the M7 and M4, both given CLA in the last 18 months and still going strong. Wife will probably bury me (or cremate me) with the two cameras. Recently picked up a mint M2. The M2, M3, and M4 were truly the best cameras that Leica ever built. When the brought out the M7 and current film cameras they seem built to the same standard. Don't even ask my opinion of the M4-2 (had one bought new).

I really don't get this. Why go backwards instead of forwards? Release a camera that is an evolution of the M7. Totally not interested in this one. I'd love to buy a new Leica but it has to make sense.

I agree with this. The only new film camera I'd buy is a new M7, just because it's new. Can't any fault with my M7.

 

[darkosaric]

Leica Revives the M6, a 35mm Film Camera it Hasn't Produced Since 2002

Leica has responded to the resurgence of film.

petapixel.com

My guess it is MP, with a M6 logo on it, some saving costs, and even bigger price.

 

[MattKing]

Threads combined.

 

[bags27]

With a mean of 20 films per year would that be 20 years of pleasure, which digital M will deliver that? The thing is that once bought a digital camera, you‘re in a canal of buying every new version of the original model with more pixels. With film you might be in a canal of trying every newly hyped film, but in the end that’s a cheaper kind of GAS.

Totally on your side here (in fact last week I sold off my last Leica digital). My problem is in limiting myself to 20 rolls/year.

 

[Eric Rose]

Ya I think I will just stick to my M4. I'm a REAL photographer, I don't need no stink'n meter!

 

[mshchem]

Sure, but at least it's just a simple switch, then you are ready to shoot. On the M6, you have to run through all the speeds from B to get there. So if you carry the camera in a bag, it isn't exactly ready for action. I'm surprised Leica hasn't taken the opportunity to improve on this arrangement.

I have a machined turn-switch that screws in, replacing the battery cover. (Wish I could recall the name of the wonderful guy who made it. EDIT: It was Larry Welker. I don't think he is still in business, though.) It means I can operate without any distracting LEDs once I have checked light levels. They can be switched back on with the fingertips. The meter is nice to have on board, and it works very well, but it is distracting.

View attachment 319597

You'll notice I had to add two improvements to my Summicron 50 too (tab ring and rigid lens hood).

That's Brilliant! Switch and tab ring. I want Leica to make a new Summicron 50 with an infinity lock/focusing tab. One thing nice about any M6 is you can take out the battery and throw it (in an environmentally sound manner) over your shoulder.

 

[mshchem]

Welcome to the world of luxury products, where emotional appeal is the #1 selling point. And one of those emotions is the implied promise of a "forever" camera.

Leica's products for more forward-minded buyers are the Q, S- and SL-systems.

I have a 1933 Leica. It works perfectly, has an original 50mm f2 lens. Slap on a Cosina Voigtlander screw mount lens and it's as good as it gets.

 

[otto.f]

I was doing camera fairs when the M6 came out and the store next to (the owner was a friend) traded me a brand new M6 for my trusty old M4. I ended up hating that camera so much I traded it off in 6 moths and bought another M4. I found the VF flare and meter (compared to my M4) horrible. Around 2007 I bought a new M7 with the current flare free finder and love it. Leica would even replace the initial run that had the flarey M6 finder with the better and more expensive finder for free. Still have the M7 and M4,

Exactly the same journey as I had.

BTW, I just discovered that the direction of the aperture and the shutter dial are in the opposite direction, a long tradition which is actually not logical and counter-intuitive. Leica corrected that not sooner than in the M6TTL, together with a bigger shutter dial. So the deal is off for me and I stick to my M7.

 

[awty]

That's great news for the fashion conscious. Personally have no interest in dress ups, but have a fascination with those that do.

 

[Don_ih]

If I sold every other camera I had, I guess I could buy one and never buy another camera....

Like that would happen.

 

[gone]

I wonder if these sort of things might be considered more of a low risk investment rather than a camera? It would have been smart to have held onto my M cameras, and especially the Voigtlander rangefinder cameras. Prices on an old Bessa R-R2/3s have skyrocketed.

 

[Don_ih]

I wonder if these sort of things might be considered more of a low risk investment rather than a camera?

If it had been a limited run. If it's an unlimited edition, the camera will lose value as soon as you buy it and won't regain it (until some time after Leica stops making them).

 

[faberryman]

If it had been a limited run. If it's an unlimited edition, the camera will lose value as soon as you buy it and won't regain it (until some time after Leica stops making them).

The upside is that you can use it while you are waiting around for Leica to discontinue it again and it starts regaining value.

 

[guangong]

Making sense has nothing to do with shooting film or even digital. We do it because we like to.

Ditto!

 

[GregY]

on Instagram from #tokyocamera style 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. "

 

[otto.f]

He said it absolutely ensures production of new parts that can be used for older cameras.

Thanks!

 

[Halka]

I wonder whether these new replacement parts will be compatible with the M6TTL as well

(meaning mostly the exposure meter here, since they're currently unrepairable as far as I am aware)

 

[brbo]

-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.

That's funny. I was asking around for my M6 meter circuit board replacement in September and the "official" Leica repairers (well, actually the first I asked) said they can source the needed parts from Leica. The "independent" repair shops did state that they no longer have access to M6 electronic parts.

 

[faberryman]

DAG's site says the M6 Classic circuit boards are no longer available as of March 2022. By "circuit boards" I take it he is talking about for the meter.

Leica M6- Classic- No More Main Circuit Boards

DAG Camera Parts

www.dagcamera.com

 

[Radost]

Its a lot of money for a slow shutter camera. I can buy another 3 Minolta CLEs and 6 Leica CLs for the same money.
If they did $3000 price at least 2000 shutter made in Portugal maybe I can consider a .58 m6. But 6G is crazy town.

 

[Huss]

Its a lot of money for a slow shutter camera. I can buy another 3 Minolta CLEs and 6 Leica CLs for the same money.
If they did $3000 price at least 2000 shutter made in Portugal maybe I can consider a .50 m6. But 6G is crazy town.

Sweet. Nine cameras that I don’t want. And also nine cameras that there are no spare parts for.

 

[Radost]

Sweet. Nine cameras that I don’t want. And also nine cameras that there are no spare parts for.

DO we know for a fact the parts are interchangeable? If so. Buy an old Leica. It makes no sense to buy a new one. Is the meter that much diffrent "better" to cost extra 3gs?
The lens is 99.9999% of the picture if the shutter speeds are correct.

The camera I have been eyeing went down 5% since the announcement.

 

[Huss]

DO we know for a fact the parts are interchangeable? If so. Buy an old Leica. It makes no sense to buy a new one. Is the meter that much diffrent "better" to cost extra 3gs?
The lens is 99.9999% of the picture if the shutter speeds are correct.

The camera I have been eyeing went down 5% since the announcement.
View attachment 320005

What does that have to do with the CLE and CL that have no parts? I’ve had two CLEs die on me, and most CLs have non working meters. So definitely buy nine of those.

No-one mentioned that the new M6 will have interchangeable parts. What we know is it is a new camera that will have parts for a long time into the future. Which makes it a very desirable purchase.

FYI that is a very expensive price for a 40 year old M6. Private sales are in the $2500 range. You can buy a brand spankin new M6 for $600 more, shipped If you live in the US and buy from the UK.