leitz or leica m6 classic


blacvios

Senior Member
Looking into getting a leica m, would like to get user experience from both versions. Many thanks in advance
 

IIRC, the Leitz version does not have a rubber ring around the VF, which for me is a no no. Left a bit of scratch on my old glasses.. I prefer the leica version :)
 

Leitz version is better built - smoother mechanically, with clearer VF.

OTOH, it's older, with a somewhat less sensitive meter.

laurie
 

Rumors is that the Leitz is better built so some try to sell at premium. Ironically, another rumor is that Leitz version, due to old electronic parts, are not as precise as the later version and are batteries eaters big time.

For me, I find them no difference. Funny people pay so much more for rumors. Well, Leica rumors are costly. Just like the "Bokeh King" haha. Really hilarious.

But I have a proven rumor about the current MP line. But thats another thing altogether, share it another time ;)
 

I have a black Leica M6 classic. Bought new many years ago. After so many years of hard use, it has become butterly smooth. I like it so much that I sent it to Golden Touch to have its VF upgraded to MP spec.

Last year I got lucky to buy a chrome Leitz M6, like new condition. As compared to my black M6, it is as smooth if not smoother. It's VF is nearly as bright/flare-free as the upgraded MP standard. No, I did not pay any premium for the Leitz M6. Someone parked it at P&G/Andrew for nearly 1/2 year with no taker. I offered him a fair price and he just said "ON lah!" and that's it :bsmilie:
 

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You may want to compare the M6 and the MP.:)
 

Thanks all for the great user info, beats all the stuff in the web.
 

Leitz version is better built - smoother mechanically, with clearer VF.

OTOH, it's older, with a somewhat less sensitive meter.

laurie

I thought it was the later model that is better built. The earlier version was favored by collectors' looking for something cosmetically different. In fact, some of the Leica lenses could not be mounted properly on the earlier M6. The highly regarded Leica Summicron-M 50mm f/2.0 Dual Range is one of them.

Here's an interesting read.

http://www.cameraquest.com/m6dif.htm

Cheers,
 

I seriously doubt it can even be MP's level of brightness and contrast or even close. If you said M7 later version, then maybe ;)

I read the article before too Benny, it seems to be quite a problem. Have you confirmed? The earlier are made in Canada and later in Germany right?
 

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I read the article before too Benny, it seems to be quite a problem. Have you confirmed? The earlier are made in Canada and later in Germany right?

Hi Francis,

I have not got the early M6 as I thought why spend extra money on CLA when I could safe the money by buying a later model. Besides, it kind of irks me that some of Leica's own lenses can't mount on it. Early M6 are made in Wetzlar, Germany.

Scroll down to compatibility on this link.

http://www.cameraquest.com/m50dr.htm

I won't mind picking one up to try if the price is right. But at 1.5K, I might as well buy more lenses to play with. I have enough M bodies at the moment anyway.

Cheers,
 

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haha. benny, 1.5kUSD or SGD? People are asking for $2300 for black wore-out ones here :o
I've heard as high as 2600 sold for black chrome ones here *puzzled*
 

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haha. benny, 1.5kUSD or SGD? People are asking for $2300 for black wore-out ones here :o
I've heard as high as 2600 sold for black chrome ones here *puzzled*

I recently passed on 2 sets at S$1550 or equivalent on 2 separate occasion because it was the Wetzlar sets. Chrome too. I think the M6 TTL is more suited to my taste. Perhaps I should have bought it and flog it off here.

Cheers,
 

I thought it was the later model that is better built. The earlier version was favored by collectors' looking for something cosmetically different. In fact, some of the Leica lenses could not be mounted properly on the earlier M6. The highly regarded Leica Summicron-M 50mm f/2.0 Dual Range is one of them.

Here's an interesting read.

http://www.cameraquest.com/m6dif.htm

Cheers,

Thanks benny read that article, however there is a way to get round it set to infinity before mounting don't know about whether focusing range will be limited.
 

I recently passed on 2 sets at S$1550 or equivalent on 2 separate occasion because it was the Wetzlar sets. Chrome too. I think the M6 TTL is more suited to my taste. Perhaps I should have bought it and flog it off here.

Cheers,

I presume you met them in Japan
 

MP is out of my league, considering M6 classic or M4.

suggesting that in the sense that differences are more discernible.

But the M6 is certainly a good choice, it was my first Leica M. I had the Leitz version and did not encounter any of the problems mentioned on this thread. There was light leakage (that I got fixed later) which had more to do with wear and tear than because it was a Leitz model.
 

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whats your budget bro?

Budget probably between $1.6 to $1.8K, don't think i can afford your mint classic though.

suggesting that in the sense that differences are more discernible.

But the M6 is certainly a good choice, it was my first Leica M. I had the Leitz version and did not encounter any of the problems mentioned on this thread. There was light leakage (that I got fixed later) which had more to do with wear and tear than because it was a Leitz model.

That is good to know :)

My friend is in the UK scouting for a good deal for me, any place to recommend beside RG lewis.
 

Are you sure you really need a M6? Or maybe you're better served by other cheaper and newer options?

I have an M6 that I bought used. It is very very smooth and I bought it because of this. There were several samples I tried before, the variations in feel could be quite huge. Try a few first physically before you buy one. Also, external cosmetics tell nothing about the internal mechanism. The one that my friend has initially developed problems with the film advance mechanism, had to get it fixed with a couple of hundreds. Turn out that some parts were badly bent from a poor repair job. His looks very mint too.

The lens in the camera for the light meter may also have fungus that is difficult to clean.

Physical view of the item is important. Sometimes gear that seemingly would bring us to higher levels of happiness may give us more headache instead.
 

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