Leica M6 0.85 viewfinder

[Shmalick]

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I am new to this forum and trying to find when did Leica start making M6 with 0.85 viewfinder?
 

I am looking to buy one and trying to find how one can tell if it’s 0.85 or 0.72 viewfinder by just looking at the serial number? Unless there is some other way of tell the viewfinder size.  I am buying on online. Thanks in advance. 

[plaidshirts]

You can’t tell by the sn. It’ll be marked on the front of the vf. If there is no designation, then it’s a .72, I believe. 

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[a.noctilux]

M6 HM x0.85 viewfinder is very prone to flare, otherwise the camera is very nice when I use 50mm lenses or longer

Very usable with 35mm lenses if not two large size.

and here previous post of x0.85 M6

Edited April 24, 2021 by a.noctilux

[Danner]

I think it was with the introduction of the M6TTL models, which was circa 1998-1999, IIRC.

[UliWer]

On 4/24/2021 at 2:10 PM, Shmalick said:

...when did Leica start making M6 with 0.85 viewfinder?

The 0.85 viewfinder was first used with the M6-J from 1994, which was produced as a limited edition of 400 numbered pieces. All M6-J cameras (expensive collector's pieces!) have them

In 1998 they introduced the 0.85 viewfinder again for the M6 (non TTL!) - it had the catalogue number 10413. The number of non-TTL M6 which has the 0.85 viewfinder will be rather low.  

When the M6 TTL was introduced from 1998 onwards you regularly had the choice for the three viewfinder variants, so there are more TTL-versions with the 0.85 viewfinder around. I do not know any listing of serial numbers which corresponds to the viewfinder versions. Though the version is engraved in the viewfinder's front. 

[Steven Seven]

On 4/24/2021 at 6:42 AM, a.noctilux said:

M6 HM x0.85 viewfinder is very prone to flare,

I own two M6 TTLs: one with a 0.85 finder and another with 0.72. Never noticed the 0.85 finder to be "more prone" than the 0.72. I am convinced it's one of those weird internet myths.

 

[Guest Nowhereman]

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I had an M6 that I bought in 1988 (made in Wetzlar). It had a 0.72 viewfinder that flared very badly: in bright tropical light the rangefinder portion couldn't be seen, to the point that focus through the rangefinder was impossible. I had an 0.85 viewfinder installed that didn't flare — I believe it was the MP viewfinder.
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[RMF]

I purchased a brand new M6 .85 in the late 90’s and still have it in my safe. With a 50mm lens the .85 is perfect combination.

[Guest]

vor 1 Stunde schrieb RMF:

... With a 50mm lens the .85 is perfect combination.

Yes, the M6.85 is for 50mm lenses a more modern M3 with an additional built-in exposure metering.
But as a wearer of glasses I had some difficulties seeing the red arrows on the M6.85 (non TTL).
 

[a.noctilux]

10 hours ago, Steven Seven said:

I own two M6 TTLs: one with a 0.85 finder and another with 0.72. Never noticed the 0.85 finder to be "more prone" than the 0.72. I am convinced it's one of those weird internet myths.

 

Steven happy to hear that you never notice the flare, good for you.

 

As user, I don't think that is a myth.

When I had MP x0.85, never seen VF flare in contre-jour.

Sadly, MP sold to a friend, but with M6 x0.85 in contre-jour situation, the focus patch is always whiting out, needing to focus in vertical or moving sideway my vision,

not a big deal though.

Just to relate my view of another ex-happy user.

[Supersonic]

I have a M6-TTL, 0.85, that I purchased new.  Use it frequently.  Have never had a flare issue.

[Steven Seven]

On 4/28/2021 at 6:07 AM, a.noctilux said:

Steven happy to hear that you never notice the flare, good for you. As user, I don't think that is a myth.

Sorry, I should have been more clear: I do get flare occasionally but I can't say that an M6 with 0.85 is any different from M6 0.72. They're equally affected, and it's not a big deal IMO. You still can't find a better viewfinder for a 50mm lens than M6 TTL 0.85 it's not like we have a choice 🙂

Edited April 30, 2021 by Steven Seven

[01af]

Am 28.4.2021 um 15:07 schrieb a.noctilux:

... but with M6 0.85× in contre-jour situation, the focus patch is always whiting out ...

In 2003, the then-new Leica MP got an improved viewfinder which is significantly less flare-prone than the previous design. Like the older design, it was available in .58×, .72×, and .85×. From then on, also the M7 was fitted with the new, so-called MP finder. The production of the M6 TTL was discontinued with the arrival of the M7 in 2002 but some copies got the improved MP finder retrofitted by Leica Customer Care on owner's request.

So the viewfinder being flare-prone has nothing to do with the magnification. All M viewfinders made between 1977 and 2002 (i. e. M4-2, M4-P, M6, M6 TTL, and early M7) are flare-prone, those made from 2003 on are not.

[Supersonic]

I only speak for myself.  I purchased a Leica M6-TTL .85 new, when they first came out.  I have used it continuously since then.

I have my own darkroom.

I have never had flare as an issue.  Never.  I wonder how much experience the nattering nabobs of negativity have with said system.

Is the camera physically capable of producing flare?  Probably.  Is any camera made capable of producing flare under any condition?  Probably.

What I am saying is that in well over 20 years of actively using this camera, I have never experienced flare. 

[1joel1]

When I had my .85 M6, I never had flare issues. 

It's similar to the hogwash that the M4 is superior to the M4-P or the German made 75mm Lux is superior to the Canadian version.

Grain of salt stuff.

Joel

[Guest Nowhereman]

When I had my 1988 Wetzlar M6 with the original 0.72 viewfinder many people swore that they never had flare issues with this camera/viewfinder but they apparently had never shot in truly bright light, or into backlight or with strong sidelight. But, when I shot with it in the strong and bright tropical light of Thailand, it was a major problem. After I had the viewfinder replaced with an 0.85 MP viewfinder the problem was gone: and it wasn't because it was an 0.85 viewfinder — my understanding that the 0.72 MP model of the viewfinder would have been as good in this respect.
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[Guest]

vor 24 Minuten schrieb Nowhereman:

When I had my 1988 Wetzlar M6 with the original 0.72 viewfinder many people swore that they never had flare issues with this camera/viewfinder but they apparently had never shot in truly bright light, or into backlight or with strong sidelight. But, when I shot with it in the strong and bright tropical light of Thailand, it was a major problem. After I had the viewfinder replaced with an 0.85 MP viewfinder the problem was gone: and it wasn't because it was an 0.85 viewfinder — my understanding that the 0.72 MP model of the viewfinder would have been as good in this respect.
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You are absolutely right.
On the occasion of a revision of my 1992 M6, the 0.72 MP viewfinder was installed.
The stray light problem was significantly reduced.