Hey Rob, there was an old saying back then.......... just get a M4-P because when the meter died in the M6 it would become a M4-P. LOL I got a used M4-2 in '84 for a job shooting a boardroom meeting at Canon (copier division) because my motorized Nikon F3 was too loud. Still have it and it's going strong thanks to my local repair man. Great info for people contemplating the dreaded red dot. LOL
Great review of the M6. Some points to clarify the numbers relating to the view finders. The numbers relate to the magnification of the viewfinder. The original M3 had a magnification of .92 which is the greatest magnification of any of the M cameras. It was well suited for the 50mm lens which at the time most photographers used. It was also the most accurate focusing. Because most press photographers preferred to use the 35 mm lens Leica came out with the M2 which had a magnification of .72 which is the base for most subsequent M cameras. When the M6 came out the viewfinder was .72. Some photographers preferred using 50mm lens and longer (the old M3 had only 3 frame lines 50, 90 and 135). Leica then came out with the .85 for 50mm and telephoto users and the .58 for wide angle users 24mm, 28 etc. Because the base line of the wide angle is less than the .85 or .92, it is less accurate on focusing. Hazing can be caused either by fungus and/or from the lubricant condensation on the glass. A problem on some of the M6’s is glaring when viewing near strong light. Leica fixed this in later models. You should also discuss the differences between the “Classic” M6 and the TTL. The TTL is slightly higher and was designed for electronic flash. If anyone is thinking of buying the older M6’s be aware that Leica no longer repairs the light meter and I am not sure if there are any third party repair service people who do. If I were to buy an M6 I would pay extra and buy the 2022 model which took care of many of the issues with the older M6’s and if your light meter goes bonkers they will have parts for years to make repairs. Not sure why they can’t make parts for the older light meters or make them compatible with the older models. I still prefer my Leica M3 and M2’s still work fine and no electronics to go bad. One problem I heard about the older M6’s is light leaks caused by worn the rubber bumpers….never really liked them…..preferred just the wear from the rubbing from straps. Again great review, thank you.
I agree, also a user, but I actually use the M3 and M4 and both have been CLA’ed and work great. The only reason that I use these cameras, they cost less than a M6, but would I prefer a M6, yes, but my wallet says no.😊 You make some good points, always get one in good condition, mine M3 and when I had had the clutch replaced and CLA it was 675.00. They are definitely not cheap.
Excellent video, Rob, on the M6. I used to have an M2 that I stupidly sold. Picked up an M5 and am loving shooting with it. At the time (and still) the M6 was quite a bit more expensive. But great overview!
@@CalumetVideo My M5 was serviced by DAG before I bought it. The light meter is very accurate and has not let me down. My other toys are a Rollei 2.8E and a Rollei 35T; both are great shooters.
Rob, you are a wonderful teacher. I enjoy all of your presentations. It makes so much sens to me. I am now an " expert " on the M6... Raymond Depardon said that the M7 is quicker than the M6 when it's time to shoot. Since you own both models, could explain? Regards
I guess it's quicker if you don't have to set the exposure, but I shoot in manual on both and haven't really found any difference. It would be slight if at all.
Great review, Rob. I have 2 Leica cameras: the M2 and the M10 monochrome. Love both cameras. With regard to the "zinc rot" issue, can that be caused by the "1/2 case" that is available for the Leica M cameras? I have the 1/2 case for the M10. The case is leather but I had never heard of this issue.
I'm not sure with the Zinc rot. I think you need air around the camera so maybe the half case is better. Did you look up a couple examples as it's fairly common, but few know the solution. Now I keep my cameras out of the basement and through a moisture packet in the case.
Matt Osborne sent his digital Leica M10 to Germany for repair of a minor issue. After three months they contacted him and said his camera was in the queue and it would be six months before it was returned. He said when he told the people at the local Leica store they laughed at the six month estimate. It would be much longer than that. Fortunately Leica's maintain their value so he bought another used Leica to use in the interm and sell once his camera was returned.
I would think so but they're twice the price. New is always nice because it's new. If the new one lasts forty years like the old ones have, it's great value. I'm sure they will. At this point I don't need a camera that's going to last another 40 years, lol.
Great video, people who praise mechanical cameras for their longevity don’t consider that both Kodak and Ilford may go in bankruptcy again….just enjoy what we have now
@@stillshootinginblackandwhite Bought mine used on MPB and the difference was significant, especially with the popularity of the 6. Bet yours is sold now. I use a Voigtlander VC with the 4P as well as M2&3s and find it’s great for metering. Thanks for this useful piece.
Excellent summary of all the features of the M6, and a great buying guide, too. I have two (an M6 Titanium, and an M6 0.85x) and they’re both great cameras I will not part with. Just a few corrections: The M6 Titanium’s body cover is “black calfhide in emu texturing” according to Leica. An M6 body is die cast aluminum, the top plate is die cast zinc, and the bottom is brass, both 0.8mm. Vulcanite body covering (a rigid, vulcanized rubber) was last used in the Leica M4-2, and as it aged it was subject to pieces breaking off with use; Leica switched to vinyl with the M4-P, M6 and later models.
Thank you! I'm in the process of buying an M6, exactly what i needed :)
Enjoy it. A great camera for sure.
Hey Rob, there was an old saying back then.......... just get a M4-P because when the meter died in the M6 it would become a M4-P. LOL I got a used M4-2 in '84 for a job shooting a boardroom meeting at Canon (copier division) because my motorized Nikon F3 was too loud. Still have it and it's going strong thanks to my local repair man. Great info for people contemplating the dreaded red dot. LOL
As long as we're all having fun, that's the main thing. Keep enjoying.
Kodachrome 25 was in my humble opinion absolutely superb film.
Yes for sure. And you needed those fast lenses back then.
Great review of the M6. Some points to clarify the numbers relating to the view finders. The numbers relate to the magnification of the viewfinder.
The original M3 had a magnification of .92 which is the greatest magnification of any of the M cameras. It was well suited for the 50mm lens which at the time most photographers used. It was also the most accurate focusing. Because most press photographers preferred to use the 35 mm lens Leica came out with the M2 which had a magnification of .72 which is the base for most subsequent M cameras.
When the M6 came out the viewfinder was .72. Some photographers preferred using 50mm lens and longer (the old M3 had only 3 frame lines 50, 90 and 135). Leica then came out with the .85 for 50mm and telephoto users and the .58 for wide angle users 24mm, 28 etc. Because the base line of the wide angle is less than the .85 or .92, it is less accurate on focusing.
Hazing can be caused either by fungus and/or from the lubricant condensation on the glass. A problem on some of the M6’s is glaring when viewing near strong light. Leica fixed this in later models.
You should also discuss the differences between the “Classic” M6 and the TTL. The TTL is slightly higher and was designed for electronic flash.
If anyone is thinking of buying the older M6’s be aware that Leica no longer repairs the light meter and I am not sure if there are any third party repair service people who do. If I were to buy an M6 I would pay extra and buy the 2022 model which took care of many of the issues with the older M6’s and if your light meter goes bonkers they will have parts for years to make repairs. Not sure why they can’t make parts for the older light meters or make them compatible with the older models. I still prefer my Leica M3 and M2’s still work fine and no electronics to go bad.
One problem I heard about the older M6’s is light leaks caused by worn the rubber bumpers….never really liked them…..preferred just the wear from the rubbing from straps.
Again great review, thank you.
Thanks for adding a few points for me.
Gee, I'm an old pro and I didn't realize I had valuable cameras. I have cabinets full of worn out brass rubbed Nikons & Canons. Enjoy your channel.
Yes, there's brass in them there hills. Glad you enjoyed the show.
Super thorough video about all the ins and outs. Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
Great video
Thanks for the visit
I agree, also a user, but I actually use the M3 and M4 and both have been CLA’ed and work great. The only reason that I use these cameras, they cost less than a M6, but would I prefer a M6, yes, but my wallet says no.😊
You make some good points, always get one in good condition, mine M3 and when I had had the clutch replaced and CLA it was 675.00. They are definitely not cheap.
Glad you're having fun. The service costs get out of control quickly, I've found.
Excellent video, Rob, on the M6. I used to have an M2 that I stupidly sold. Picked up an M5 and am loving shooting with it. At the time (and still) the M6 was quite a bit more expensive.
But great overview!
I have the M3 and M4, I had a M5 that I sold, but will say that M5 was a gem! They are nice and easy to hold with a light meter that is spot on.
@@CalumetVideo My M5 was serviced by DAG before I bought it. The light meter is very accurate and has not let me down. My other toys are a Rollei 2.8E and a Rollei 35T; both are great shooters.
Glad you guys enjoyed the show.
Rob, you are a wonderful teacher. I enjoy all of your presentations. It makes so much sens to me. I am now an " expert " on the M6... Raymond Depardon said that the M7 is quicker than the M6 when it's time to shoot. Since you own both models, could explain? Regards
I guess it's quicker if you don't have to set the exposure, but I shoot in manual on both and haven't really found any difference. It would be slight if at all.
Great review, Rob. I have 2 Leica cameras: the M2 and the M10 monochrome. Love both cameras. With regard to the "zinc rot" issue, can that be caused by the "1/2 case" that is available for the Leica M cameras? I have the 1/2 case for the M10. The case is leather but I had never heard of this issue.
I'm not sure with the Zinc rot. I think you need air around the camera so maybe the half case is better. Did you look up a couple examples as it's fairly common, but few know the solution. Now I keep my cameras out of the basement and through a moisture packet in the case.
Matt Osborne sent his digital Leica M10 to Germany for repair of a minor issue. After three months they contacted him and said his camera was in the queue and it would be six months before it was returned. He said when he told the people at the local Leica store they laughed at the six month estimate. It would be much longer than that. Fortunately Leica's maintain their value so he bought another used Leica to use in the interm and sell once his camera was returned.
They take a surprisingly long time to get serviced. I bought my MP because the M6 was in service so long.
Another excellent review. Good luck for the sale
Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it.
What about the M6 Re-issue? Would that be a better value to invest in and for it to last? Thank you
I would think so but they're twice the price. New is always nice because it's new. If the new one lasts forty years like the old ones have, it's great value. I'm sure they will. At this point I don't need a camera that's going to last another 40 years, lol.
Great video, people who praise mechanical cameras for their longevity don’t consider that both Kodak and Ilford may go in bankruptcy again….just enjoy what we have now
Have fun shooting, if it all falls apart, we'll deal with it then.
Interesting, I couldn’t afford an M6 and got an M4P, as it’s much the same without a meter, and cheaper. Many of the things here applies to it.
When the M6 came out the M4-P was still a current camera. They offered a free sit-on-top meter if you bought the M4-P instead. It's a great camera.
@@stillshootinginblackandwhite Bought mine used on MPB and the difference was significant, especially with the popularity of the 6. Bet yours is sold now. I use a Voigtlander VC with the 4P as well as M2&3s and find it’s great for metering. Thanks for this useful piece.
Glad you're enjoying your gear, and the videos.
That was great. I appreciate your recommendations to maintain the Leica in good working order for the _next_ person. That’s being responsible.
Glad you enjoyed it.
Excellent summary of all the features of the M6, and a great buying guide, too. I have two (an M6 Titanium, and an M6 0.85x) and they’re both great cameras I will not part with. Just a few corrections: The M6 Titanium’s body cover is “black calfhide in emu texturing” according to Leica. An M6 body is die cast aluminum, the top plate is die cast zinc, and the bottom is brass, both 0.8mm. Vulcanite body covering (a rigid, vulcanized rubber) was last used in the Leica M4-2, and as it aged it was subject to pieces breaking off with use; Leica switched to vinyl with the M4-P, M6 and later models.
Great to know. Thanks.