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Leica M6 Reissue: Return to Film


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Leica introduces a new edition of the classic Leica M6 from 1984!

The Leica M6 will be available from November 3 for 5,050 euros incl. VAT.

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Leica M6 – An Icon of Analog Rangefinder Photography Returns

For more than 100 years, Leica Camera AG has been a synonym for cameras and lenses with permanent values such as reliability, consistency, and quality. With analog photography experiencing a renaissance – the new Leica M6 represents Leica Camera’s continued commitment to these values. Among Leica’s rangefinder cameras, the Leica M6 holds a special place in the world of analog photography: From 1984 to 2002, Leica handmade almost 175,000 units which served the best photographers as an instrument to capture their view of the world. This resulted in numerous captured moments which today represent a piece of contemporary history. With the new edition of the legendary rangefinder camera, Leica is now fulfilling the wishes of younger target groups in particular, who want to experience being an active part in the photographic creative process. again. Even today, the M6 still offers exactly the right equipment to focus on the essentials when taking pictures.

Stefan Daniel, Executive Vice President Technology and Operations, explains: “The Leica M6 is a milestone in the corporate history of Leica Camera AG. Since 1984, countless iconic pictures have been taken with it; it was a part of the product range for over 18 years and is still a fascinating camera with an extremely high utility value. Conscious analog photography as an antithesis to the flood of digital images is enjoying great popularity. Therefore, it was only logical for us to produce the Leica M6 again as one of the most popular representatives of this camera type.”

The Leica M6 from 2022 relies on a modern version of the Leica M rangefinder with a 0.72x magnification. Furthermore, all of its optical surfaces are now coated and thus less sensitive to stray light. The light meter in the latest M6 now shows the correct exposure via a red dot in addition to the two arrow symbols originally used. Additionally, it is equipped with a battery warning indicator. The top cover has also been redesigned: While the cover of the preceding model was made of die-cast zinc, it is now milled from solid brass and enhanced with an abrasion-resistant black lacquer. The exposure meter in the M6 measures light via a brightened area on the mechanically controlled cloth shutter.

Like the original from 1984, the new edition of the M6 is also adorned with the red Leitz logo. A logo which has made history, because it is the name of the visionary entrepreneur Ernst Leitz who not only shaped the fate of Leica but of an entire market when he founded the Leitz brand in 1869. The courageous decision in 1924 to produce the world’s first 35-mm camera revolutionized photography and made it possible to capture the past 100 years in pictures.

The M6 remains true to itself and preserves all other typical character traits such as the slanted rewind crank for the film. Recent achievements such as the optimized rangefinder, however, ensure even more functionality. Whether historic or new, the M6 concentrates on the essential photographic functions. Handmade in Germany, it is an extremely reliable companion for all those who appreciate the lasting and contemplative nature of analog photography.

The Leica M6 is available globally at Leica Stores, the Leica Online Store and authorized dealers starting November 3, 2022. The retail price will be €5,050.00 including VAT.

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Nice idea. The M6 Classic was a very nice camera, much more desirable than the M6TTL IMO. I bought mine, last series in 2009, new old stock red stamp, and haven’t used it as much as it deserves. 

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Beautiful camera, I've long since sold my pair though, and have no desire to return to film (I know it's trendy with the student crowd, but not sure the crowd it's trendy with is in the position to spend 5k on a camera).

Anyways, all of this has me wondering, since analog printing seems to...not be making the comeback shooting film is and last I checked 35mm scanners were a far cry from what a drum could do, have there been legit advances in the scanning arena or is this just for people who are going to be context with 6 mp noritsu lab scans and small prints forever? Last I checked - and it's been awhile - the best stuff out there (outside of a drum scanner) seemed to really shortchange the image on the negative in everything from resolution to color gamut. I guess this is more in regards to shooting color since bw printing hasn't disappeared the same way color has. 

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6 minutes ago, pgh said:

Beautiful camera, I've long since sold my pair though, and have no desire to return to film (I know it's trendy with the student crowd, but not sure the crowd it's trendy with is in the position to spend 5k on a camera).

Anyways, all of this has me wondering, since analog printing seems to...not be making the comeback shooting film is and last I checked 35mm scanners were a far cry from what a drum could do, have there been legit advances in the scanning arena or is this just for people who are going to be context with 6 mp noritsu lab scans and small prints forever? Last I checked - and it's been awhile - the best stuff out there (outside of a drum scanner) seemed to really shortchange the image on the negative in everything from resolution to color gamut. I guess this is more in regards to shooting color since bw printing hasn't disappeared the same way color has. 

Plustesk (I have the 8200 AI) has great scanners. Use it for B&W and excellent quality! Print up to 13x19 n0 problem

JP

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28 minutes ago, Jipster said:

Plustesk (I have the 8200 AI) has great scanners. Use it for B&W and excellent quality! Print up to 13x19 n0 problem

JP

Are they really any better than the coolscans of the past though? My friends have told me no, not really, but none of us have seriously considered using film since around 2016/2017, when the ~ 40 mp sensors with 13+ stops of DR became common, basically negating and quality argument for us. If you told me it was approaching drum scan quality but more convenient I'd seriously consider film in my life again.

Anyhow, cool to see Leica continue to make film bodies. 

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Looks like a winner, but I will never part with my Dos Amigos

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1 hour ago, Michael-IIIf said:

Haha, I recently sold mine. A mint condition, boxed, M6TTL.

I wonder what this will do to used prices, has my buyer's new pride and joy just doubled in value?

Interesting take. I would think people serious about buying 20yo cameras for $3-3500 would also consider saving up for a brand new M6 with brass plates, improved finder AND black paint.

I recently sold a couple TTLs as well.

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I think there is a bit of a sleight of hand going on that is being missed. When the MP was first released it shows in the owners manual the option of having an M6 style rewind crank and  top plate as part of the al la carte programme. I don't think this ever actually happened in real life, but modern electronics, brass top plate, rewind crank, sound familiar?

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1 hour ago, pgh said:

Beautiful camera, I've long since sold my pair though, and have no desire to return to film (I know it's trendy with the student crowd, but not sure the crowd it's trendy with is in the position to spend 5k on a camera).

Anyways, all of this has me wondering, since analog printing seems to...not be making the comeback shooting film is and last I checked 35mm scanners were a far cry from what a drum could do, have there been legit advances in the scanning arena or is this just for people who are going to be context with 6 mp noritsu lab scans and small prints forever? Last I checked - and it's been awhile - the best stuff out there (outside of a drum scanner) seemed to really shortchange the image on the negative in everything from resolution to color gamut. I guess this is more in regards to shooting color since bw printing hasn't disappeared the same way color has. 

Plustek puts out an impressive image at a ~$500 price point, though the device itself is plasticky. 

Both of the below were taken with my M2 and the Noctilux f1.2 reissue, Portra 400 scanned at 6000 dpi on a Plustek 8300i. I'm quite happy with the color and resolution. The files are around 100 megapixels each, but terabyte drives are cheap these days, so it's not an issue.

 

 

Here's one with the 35mm Summilux FLE v2, less "character-y" than the Noctilux. Looks good to me. 

 

Edited by Jeremy Bunting
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1 hour ago, pgh said:

Beautiful camera, I've long since sold my pair though, and have no desire to return to film (I know it's trendy with the student crowd, but not sure the crowd it's trendy with is in the position to spend 5k on a camera).

Anyways, all of this has me wondering, since analog printing seems to...not be making the comeback shooting film is and last I checked 35mm scanners were a far cry from what a drum could do, have there been legit advances in the scanning arena or is this just for people who are going to be context with 6 mp noritsu lab scans and small prints forever? Last I checked - and it's been awhile - the best stuff out there (outside of a drum scanner) seemed to really shortchange the image on the negative in everything from resolution to color gamut. I guess this is more in regards to shooting color since bw printing hasn't disappeared the same way color has. 

Agree, I don’t think film can compete with digital in color. However, I sold my Monochrom1 in favor of an M7 and after a year or two I can clearly say that I do not regret.  Mainly because of the ADOX films. 

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