Rumour about a new M6 '1984' from Leica

[Matlock]

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I must say that I have never bothered to retrieve the tongue and always opened the cassettes, I have several "gadgets" to open them but a bottle opener is the best answer (and cheaper).

[Michael Geschlecht]

On 10/17/2020 at 1:57 PM, robert_parker said:

I agree - my preference tends to be for longer focal lengths, 35 and upwards to 135 so the closer I can get to 1:1 the happier I am.

It's interesting that the one thing Leica haven't done, is reproduce or launch a straight replica of the M3 so that people could access that camera configuration but with modern components - I suspect that if they did, they would sell out every camera in a few weeks 📸💨☺️

Hello Robert,

As a point of History: The difference in the price between the M3 & the M2, which was around 1/3, was primarily due to the cost differential between the M3 & the M2 range/viewfinders. They are DIFFERENT systems. The M2 range/viewfinder is the basis for most of the range/viewfinders on "M" range/viewfinder cameras beginning with the M2. Which is the SECOND "M"  camera. The THIRD "M" camera (Chronologically) is the M1. The M3 is the first.

Since the number following the "M" designates the options available. NOT the chronology.

Interestingly the screw mount cameras began this with a system of letters (ie: a, b, c, d, (No "e".), f, g) which followed Roman Numerals such as I, II, III which mean: I: Basic body. II: Add rangefinder & viewfinder. III: Add slow speeds.

Best Regards,

Michael.

[robert_parker]

Hi Michael

Even taking into account historical context, the premise of my original comment still stands - if Leica can produce a replica 'O' Serie, then it could produce a replica M3 and it would be popular.

Whilst I cannot evidence demand, there would also appear to be a commonsense argument for making a higher (say 0,85) viewfinder available on certain cameras, such as the MP and MA. 

[wattsy]

53 minutes ago, robert_parker said:

Even taking into account historical context, the premise of my original comment still stands - if Leica can produce a replica 'O' Serie, then it could produce a replica M3 and it would be popular.

Robert, the Leica that produced the replica 0-serie was a different company in many ways to the present one. I think they will have lost the kind of knowledge and expertise that they still had 20 years ago and producing a replica M3 – a proper replica and not an M6j type variation of the MP with high magnification finder – is likely beyond their present capabilities. I agree that it would be popular, though largely with collectors because the cost would likely be prohibitive (I imagine €20k or so).

[robert_parker]

37 minutes ago, wattsy said:

Robert, the Leica that produced the replica 0-serie was a different company in many ways to the present one. I think they will have lost the kind of knowledge and expertise that they still had 20 years ago and producing a replica M3 – a proper replica and not an M6j type variation of the MP with high magnification finder – is likely beyond their present capabilities. I agree that it would be popular, though largely with collectors because the cost would likely be prohibitive (I imagine €20k or so).

Obviously we can only speculate abut costs and capabilities but I'd have a pretty good bet that it would sell out, as would a higher magnification version of an MP or MA (especially with black paint..... 📸😉👍)

[pedaes]

42 minutes ago, wattsy said:

different company in many ways

You sense their problem would be more to do with assembling the cameras as I am sure the parts could be manufactured.

I thought there was talk of another LHSA sponsored film camera ( a fellow member here would know). 

[wattsy]

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8 hours ago, pedaes said:

You sense their problem would be more to do with assembling the cameras as I am sure the parts could be manufactured.

I thought there was talk of another LHSA sponsored film camera ( a fellow member here would know). 

I think it is a question of will but also of remaining expertise. I've no doubt a single replica M3 could be fabricated (at great cost) but putting together a significant run of such cameras is a different matter.

Re: LHSA film camera. If true, it would almost certainly be some variation of the MP. Built to the same moderate standard with a few distinctive aesthetic features. Take for example, the David Douglas Duncan M3D released a few years ago. Superficially it looked a bit like DDD's famous camera but in reality it was just a cobbled together M-A with a few other bits from the parts bin. It wasn't anything like a replica M3 and I doubt that anything the LHSA have planned would be either.

Edited November 4, 2020 by wattsy

[wattsy]

8 hours ago, robert_parker said:

Obviously we can only speculate abut costs and capabilities but I'd have a pretty good bet that it would sell out, as would a higher magnification version of an MP or MA (especially with black paint..... 📸😉👍)

The Leica film camera part of the business has been in constant retraction during the last decade. We've seen models and options dropped and a once popular service (à la carte) curtailed – possibly necessitated by a lack of capacity created, in part, by the retirement of various people at Wetzlar and in Portugal.  It may well be that Leica regret some of that retraction because they may not have anticipated the current demand for film camera bodies but I doubt it's something that is easily reversible. Too many people would need to be trained up by people that quite possibly no longer exist. When my M-A was serviced 2-3 years ago to fix a fault, I had to wait a few months (not hugely long by Leica standards) because I was told that there is only a single, part-time, repair person for film cameras at Wetzlar. I know the camera bodies are largely built in Portugal but the single Wetzlar repairperson is IMO indicative of the loss of film camera knowledge and skill within the Leica company. It is a very different company to the one that built the 0-serie replica 20 years ago.

Edited November 4, 2020 by wattsy

[andrew01]

I wouldn’t hold out much hope for an M3 replica.  Luckily these cameras are readily available on the used market.

 

[nicci78]

13 hours ago, wattsy said:

We've seen models and options dropped and a once popular service (à la carte) curtailed – possibly necessitated by a lack of capacity created, in part, by the retirement of various people at Wetzlar and in Portugal.

I was told that film cameras à la carte program has been close down for two reasons :    
- due to surging demand of film cameras = no time left to build special orders. 
- to shift the à la carte program to digital cameras new individualisation program for Q/Q2, CL and M/M10 series. 
 

Ending M7 cameras created a surge in analog M cameras order. People seems to be afraid of Leica ending film cameras. Better buy a new one now than never. Aka Fear of missing out. 

Edited November 4, 2020 by nicci78

[Paulus]

Am 14.9.2020 um 16:44 schrieb a.noctilux:

As Luigi talked about Special M6, I've almost bought one "Platinum", when released 1989, but "happily" it was not in my price range.

Seen in this apotelyt site

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

What a beauty "150 Years"!

...

I bought much later not special titanium coated M6, later sold but hooked with titanium coated lenses. see: https://www.schouten-select.com/index.php/products/leica/leica-special-editions/leica-m6-platinum-150-years-optik-1945-box.html

 

Zitat

 

 

You could have sold it for € 25.000,- now?  I'm still remembering a few years ago, that I could get one for €2500,- but I did not buy it...

 

https://www.schouten-select.com/index.php/products/leica/leica-special-editions/leica-m6-platinum-150-years-optik-1945-box.html 

Edited November 5, 2020 by Paulus

[robert_parker]

On 11/4/2020 at 6:47 AM, wattsy said:

The Leica film camera part of the business has been in constant retraction during the last decade. We've seen models and options dropped and a once popular service (à la carte) curtailed – possibly necessitated by a lack of capacity created, in part, by the retirement of various people at Wetzlar and in Portugal.  It may well be that Leica regret some of that retraction because they may not have anticipated the current demand for film camera bodies but I doubt it's something that is easily reversible. Too many people would need to be trained up by people that quite possibly no longer exist. When my M-A was serviced 2-3 years ago to fix a fault, I had to wait a few months (not hugely long by Leica standards) because I was told that there is only a single, part-time, repair person for film cameras at Wetzlar. I know the camera bodies are largely built in Portugal but the single Wetzlar repairperson is IMO indicative of the loss of film camera knowledge and skill within the Leica company. It is a very different company to the one that built the 0-serie replica 20 years ago.

As I said further up Ian, I don't want to speculate about Leica's current capacity, or ability to respond to market demands but it would be a shame indeed if they loose the ability to cater for and to service what is still a core part of their market.  

Maybe I'll lessen my demands - how about a M-A with a 0.85 viewfinder...??.... I can do the black paint myself... 📸🧐😲