Leica M6
Leica M6 TTL | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Maker | Leica Camera |
| Type | Rangefinder |
| Released | 1984 |
| Lens | |
| Lens mount | Leica M-mount |
| Lens | Interchangeable lens |
| Sensor/medium | |
| Film format | 35mm |
| Film size | 36mm x 24mm |
| Film speed | ISO 6-6400 |
| Film speed detection | Manual setting |
| Film advance | Manual |
| Film rewind | Manual |
| Focusing | |
| Focus modes | Split and superposed-image rangefinder |
| Exposure/metering | |
| Exposure modes | Manual (M), and Bulb (B) |
| Metering modes | Center-weighted (13% of full film format) |
| Flash | |
| Flash | Hot Shoe, PC Sync |
| Flash synchronization | 1/50s |
| Shutter | |
| Shutter | Mechanically timed horizontal running cloth shutter |
| Shutter speed range | 1s - 1/1000s with Bulb and 1/50s flash sync |
| Viewfinder | |
| Viewfinder | Brightline frame viewfinder with automatic parallax-compensation |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.58x, 0.72x, 0.85x |
| General | |
| Battery | 3v from 2x PX76/SR44 silver oxide cell or 1x DL 1/3N lithium cell |
| Optional motor drives | Leica Motor-M, Winder-M, Winder 4-P and Winder 4-2 |
| Dimensions | 138 mm × 77 mm × 33.5 mm (5.43 in × 3.03 in × 1.32 in) |
| Weight | 585 g (20.6 oz) |
| Made in | Germany |
The Leica M6 is a rangefinder camera manufactured by Leica from 1984 to 1998, followed by the M6 "TTL" manufactured from 1998 to 2002. In 2022, Leica introduced a new version of the M6, based on the technology of the Leica MP, but staying true to the design of the M6.
The M6 incorporates a light meter within the body dimensions established by the previous Leica M3 and Leica M4 models. The light meter was operated by depressing the shutter halfway, had no moving parts, and used LEDs to display readings in the viewfinder. Informally it is referred to as the M6 "Classic" to distinguish it from the "M6 TTL" models, and to indicate its "Classic" M3 dimensions.
The top and bottom plates were made from lighter, cheaper magnesium alloy rather than the heavier machined brass of the M3 and M4. The M6 and M6 TTL are mechanical cameras; all functions except the light meter work without batteries, unlike the succeeding M7, which needs electrical power to operate properly.