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The "need" for a new M6 was undoubtedly driven by the current interest in film cameras and in particular the original M6 (and TTL) which is singled out on many internet sites as "THE" film camera.  Observing that, If I was a marketing guy at Leica, I'd be saying, "Hey boss,  let's drop the MP camera and retool the case to copy the original M6!  Plenty of people will want a new M6 as opposed to an old, used M6 that may have issues!"

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15 hours ago, Jeremy Bunting said:

If you click on the images, you'll be taken to Flickr, where you can view or download them at 6000dpi.

I would certainly hope a drum scanner would do a better job! They're insanely expensive and what, like 500 pounds? If I ever wanted to get one of my shots blown up to 20x30 I'd take the negative to a lab and have them do it the right way.

But my photos live on the web, as I suspect most of ours do these days, and the results I get from the Plustek are quite pleasing to me, even compared to my M11. Do they approach the level of resolution or realism as my M11? No, of course not. But they've got a texture and character to them that I enjoy, which I suspect is why any of us are still using film in 2022.

Well yea that was my point - since drum scans are so costly and unwieldy and expensive...actually last I looked into them were barely if even at all manufactured anymore (most labs running 15-20 year old systems that are the only compatible computers), then film is essentially still otherwise impossible to really get a good digital file from. Flextights can work, but those are going extinct too. Then again, while my photos do live on the web too - if they don't also live as a print I can stand by, they're not on the web. Just my way of working I suppose. I don't think the resolution or realism of an M10 (m11 isn't happening even with a drum scan) is necessary - but an enlarged print that has as much of the full color/grain/latitude of the neg itself is what I mean - I'd think if it were equiv of a drum scan in those respects but just less than the native 11000 dpi that it gave it would be okay, but seems like that isn't there yet. I think the best results I see these days are actually from high res 35mm sensors photographing the negative w a macro lens on a copy stand tbh. 

Anyways - cool to see they're making again - but it's not making me miss film and I do wonder about the sustainability of the medium. 

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1 hour ago, pedaes said:

Except they did much more than that, so you are fired.😀

Yeah but I came up with the concept so I get the corner office!  It's up to the lackeys to figure out the details!  :) 

Looks like we attended the same events at Goodwood...

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On 10/20/2022 at 7:53 AM, pgh said:

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.

 

No advances for a good decade. Scanning technology stalled by 2010 when full-frame DSLRs like the 5D became commonplace.

Given the rising costs of film and even Portra shortages, I have no desire buying more film cameras these days.

Edited by weatherproof
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29 minutes ago, weatherproof said:

 

No advances for a good decade. Scanning technology stalled by 2010 when full-frame DSLRs like the 5D became commonplace.

Given the rising costs of film and even Portra shortages, I have no desire buying more film cameras these days.

This is what I thought. Having a nice image on 35mm color negative basically feels like owning a vinyl record with nowhere to play it - at least in a way that brings out the true sound difference. That's how I feel about it. It's still a sort of unique image but the best parts are lost without a truly good scan or properly done c print.

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11 hours ago, krylovsk said:

As someone who recently got an (now “original“?) M6 classic I am very much curious how much this affects the repairability of the old M6, especially the infamous light meter PCB that is no longer available.

Unfortunately at least on paper it looks more like a re-skinned MP, but it would be great to see someone taking the new M6 apart and giving us more insight.

This reminds me of when I had my Leitz M6 (that I wish I hadn't sold). I learned that they had problems with original circuit boards, however, many were replaced by Leica with a better one. There was a simple procedure to determine whether your camera had the new and improved circuit board, and that is indicated in this email response to me from Leica some time ago (mine had the new and improved circuit board and worked like a charm)-

 

Richard- I spoke with a technician in the Leica Service Department who confirmed that the blinking LED’s seen in the viewfinder when the lens cap is on does indicate the camera has the later version circuit board.  The Service Department still maintains that model and can be reached directly at repair@leicacamerausa.com or 800-222-0118 ext.9930

 

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16 hours ago, Overgaard said:

Yes, not limited after all. One can hope for a LHSA limited edition if the goal is to both shoot film and make a good investment. 

and.....it is confirmed thanks to this interview with Leica Director of Global Marketing & Comms Andrea Pacella. He also says no other editions of M6 given there is the MA and MP.

 

Edited by NWPhoto
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13 hours ago, Mikep996 said:

The "need" for a new M6 was undoubtedly driven by the current interest in film cameras and in particular the original M6 (and TTL) which is singled out on many internet sites as "THE" film camera.  

And the bottleneck isn't the supply of cameras, it's the supply of film.  Like guns and ammo.

It's beautiful and I'd love to have one.  Definitely do not need one.  And its shutter speed dial runs counter to my M7, M10 and M10M.  Alas.

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4 hours ago, Likaleica said:

And its shutter speed dial runs counter to my M7, M10 and M10M.  Alas

Oh yeah! I forgot that flaw of the old M’s before the M6 TTL. Owning an M7 now, that will be a dealbreaker for me, not fond of the small shutterdial either. My wife will be glad that we’ll now have some money left for the refurbishing of our living room

Edited by otto.f
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The hype around a "new" film camera from Leica seems to have made the second-hand prices go berserk.  Two years ago I found an almost-mint M3 for under GBP1,000.  After a CLA it is easily the best Leica I have used.  Today I notice prices of the M3 are at least GBP2,000 and the M2 at least GBP1,200.  Approximately double what they were a year or two ago.

If I really need TTL metering, I can turn to the R6.2, a camera almost without any design flaws.  This is where I think Leica missed a trick.  After the R6, they produced the R6.2 with some additional features e.g. 1/2000 shutter speed.  If they had produced an M6.2 with similar improvements (1/2000?) and based it on the M6TTL (answering the shutterdial question mentioned above), they might have a serious offer to those who are quite happy with their older Ms.

Just a thought.

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11 hours ago, Likaleica said:

And the bottleneck isn't the supply of cameras, it's the supply of film.  Like guns and ammo.

It's beautiful and I'd love to have one.  Definitely do not need one.  And its shutter speed dial runs counter to my M7, M10 and M10M.  Alas.

I have enough film in the freezer to (likely) last my life. (Ammo isn't in the freezer- takes too long to thaw when needed.)

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5 hours ago, John Robinson said:

If I really need TTL metering, I can turn to the R6.2, a camera almost without any design flaws.  This is where I think Leica missed a trick.  After the R6, they produced the R6.2 with some additional features e.g. 1/2000 shutter speed.  If they had produced an M6.2 with similar improvements (1/2000?) and based it on the M6TTL (answering the shutterdial question mentioned above), they might have a serious offer to those who are quite happy with their older Ms.

Just a thought.

Great point.

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16 hours ago, NWPhoto said:

This reminds me of when I had my Leitz M6 (that I wish I hadn't sold). I learned that they had problems with original circuit boards, however, many were replaced by Leica with a better one. There was a simple procedure to determine whether your camera had the new and improved circuit board, and that is indicated in this email response to me from Leica some time ago (mine had the new and improved circuit board and worked like a charm)-

[…]

My M6 (I’ll just keep calling it “classic original” for now) is the later model and has that newer circuit board. What you’re saying was true until earlier this year, so right now there is no solution.

If Leica folks are reading this, it would be great if they could offer an “overhaul” service for old M6 that would bring all (or at least some of) the updates from 2022 model. Or offer a service to replace the meter / PCB board as they did for Leitz M6 (now “ur-M6 classic”?). That would also answer my original question on the repairability for the old M6.
I’m planning to upgrade the viewfinder in my M6 to the MP one once it’ll need CLA, might as well make other upgrades.

Edited by krylovsk
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