Leica M6

Infobox camera
camera_name = Leica M6

---

caption = Leica M6 with optional grip
type = 35 mm rangefinder camera
lens_mount = Leica M mount
focus = manual
exposure = manual
flash = hot shoe
frame-rate =
dimensions =

The Leica M6 is a rangefinder camera manufactured by Leica from 1984 to 1998.

The M6 combines the silhouette of the Leica M3 with a modern, off-the-shutter light meter with no moving parts and LED arrows in the viewfinder. Informally referred to as the M6 "Classic" to distinguish it from the "M6 TTL" models, and to indicate its "Classic" M3 dimensions.

Leica M6 Variants

*M6J - 1994. A collector's edition of 1,640 cameras to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Leica M System. Notable for its introduction of the 0.85 magnification finder, the first high-magnification finder since 1966, and the basis for the 0.85 cameras to follow starting in 1998.
*M6 0.85 - 1998. The M6 could be optionally ordered with a .85 magnification viewfinder for easier focusing with long lenses and more accurate focusing with fast lenses, such as the 50 mm f/1.0 Noctilux and 75 mm f/1.4 Summilux. The 28 mm framelines are dropped in this model. Only 3,130 of these cameras were made (all black chrome), so they are among the rarer non-commemorative M6's.
*M6 TTL - 1998 - 2002. With .72 and .85 viewfinder versions. Since 2000, the .58 version of M6 TTL has been added to the line, featuring a lower magnification viewfinder for easier framing with wide-angle lenses. One of the key differences from the M6 "Classic" is TTL flash capability with dedicated flash units, such as the SF-20. The added electronics increased the height of the top plate by 2mm. The shutter dial of the M6 TTL is reversed from previous models, turning in the same direction as the light meter arrows in the viewfinder; this feature has continued in both the M7 and the M8.

Specifications

* Viewfinder: 0.58×, 0.72× and 0.85×
* Framelines: 0.58× (28-90, 35, 50-75), 0.72× (28-90, 35-135, 50-75), 0.85× (35-135, 50-75, 90)
* Shutter speeds: 1 sec., 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000, B
* Film speed: 6–6400 ISO
* Power supply to exposure meter: 2 silver oxide button cells (type SR44) or 1 lithium battery (1/3 N)

Leica M6 special editions

* Leica M6 Cutaway
* Leica M6 150 Jahre Photographie - 1989 - 75 Jahre Leica Photographie: 1250 cameras
* Leica M6 Colombo '92 (1492 - 1992: 500° Scoperta dell'America - Italia): 200 cameras
* Leica M6 Royal-Foto Austria (1968 - 1993): 101 cameras
* Leica M6J 40 Jahre Leica M (1954 - 1994): 1640 cameras
* Leica M6 Dragon (gold plated): 300 cameras
* Leica M6 Historica (1975 - 1995): 150 cameras
* Leica M6 Royal Wedding: 200 cameras
* Leica M6 Thai Jubilee (50th year of the reign of His Majesty King Bhumiphol Adulyadej): 700 cameras
* Leica M6 Anton Bruckner (1824 - 1896): 200 cameras
* Leica M6 Brunei: 200 platinum plated cameras (125 platinum plated with diamonds) and 350 gold plated cameras
* Leica M6 Partners: 500 cameras
* Leica M6 Leica Demo Ausrüstung Benelux '96: 70 cameras
* Leica M6 Ein Stück Leica: 996 cameras
* Leica M6 Jaguar XK (1948 - 1998): 50 cameras
* Leica M6 Millennium: only 2000 cameras (300 with 0.85× viewfinder and green leatherette)
* Leica M6 Dragon (viewfinder 0.85x, black painted): 500 cameras
* Leica M6 ICS: 200 cameras
* Leica M6 LHSA (Leica Historical Society of America)
* Leica M6 Øresundsbron: 150 cameras
* Leica M6 Henri Cartier-Bresson (with Vuitton case): only 1 camera
* Leica M6 William Klein: only 1 camera
* Leica M6 Swiss Demo (Test the best): 40 cameras
* Leica M6 Zurich Photographic Center: 100 cameras
* Leica M6 Royal Photographic Society: 100 cameras
* Leica M6 Platinum Optics: 150 cameras
* Leica M6 Schmidt Centenary: 151 cameras
* Leica M6 Canada: 270 cameras
* Leica M6 Year of Rooster: 300 cameras
* Leica M6 999: 999 cameras
* Leica M6 Titanium: circa 6000 and 1000 in TTL-version

External links

* [http://en.leica-camera.com/photography/m_system The Leica M-System page] at Leica.
* [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/photo/galleries/essays/072000.htm An article about the M6] at the Washington Post by Frank Van Riper.
* [http://feuerbacher.net/photo/frame.html?Cameras/LeicaM6/LeicaM6.html~Main Article by M. Feuerbacher]
* [http://www.hugorodriguez.com/articulos/leicam6.htm Leica M6 0.85×] in the [http://www.hugorodriguez.com/ website of Hugo Rodriguez]
* [http://www.summilux.net/m_system/m6.html Leica M6] and [http://www.summilux.net/m_system/m6-bhumiphol.html Leica M6 Bhumiphol] at [http://www.summilux.net summilux.net]