Leica M6: The analog camera that never gets out of scene
Our new post of the series containing useful info about historical names and important discussions of this field brings today a very basic review and opinion with reference to the Leica M6, a old school camera from the iconic German camera manufacturer. This model of Leica was produced from 1984 to 2002 and is considered one of the best cameras ever released. Even in modern times it's quite trendy to see many photographers, including young ones turning their attention to analog photography. The old way of making pictures grows in photographers the impulse to return to use many classic models of camera. One of them though entices admirers as no one else does and this is the Leica M6.
It's clear that when speaking about convenience, no analog camera provides you the opportunity to shoot a gorgeous photo and simply have it rendered digitally in your pc or smartphone ready to be published on Instagram. If you're not someone willing to lose this facility then you certainly will not be so fascinated with this camera. But if you're engaged enough to accept these little disadvantages then you will love learning this. Leica M6 represents the best high tech that has ever been fit inside an analog camera. It's super small and discreet, ideal for those who intend to carry the gear along for any unexpected occasion. The brand Leica is widely recognized by photographers on account of the high quality classes used in its lenses. Besides, many heroic photographers of the past used Leica in their memorable images.
The Leica M6 was released weighting only a bit less than 600 grams. The 138mm per 77mm rectangle shape makes it almost the same compactness of an iPhone X. All the functions of the camera are available for use without battery except for the light meter. It has a very practical way to have its film changed, the grasp of the camera makes the subtituition comfortable and quick. The M6 was the first model of Leica featuring the world's highest quality center-weighted averaging meter that we know till these days. And what adds so much to its exoticism is the classical rangefinder window that different from what we're used to see in cameras today, gives you a more expanse perspective of the scene in front of you, while keeping in the center of the view the frame lines corresponding to the shot that you're actually going to make. Further, there's the metering ring in addition to the aperture's, where you're going to regulate the distance you find yourself from your subject. Although these details might seem quite challenging, yet Leica is known for featuring the camera with all the small factors that give you absolute control over your work. The pivoting tip mechanism for film advance in Leica M6 is also considered a plus since it allows the photographer to change the film frame without losing the grip of the camera. The material used in the body of M6 is zinc, which makes the camera very resistant to drops and other kinds of accidents. The average price of a Leica M6 including the standard 35mm is nearly U$2000, according to searches I've done on eBay and other collectors stores, and this is where lies the biggest barrier for many photographers as Leica cameras have undeniable high prices. If you're willing to pay then you will be happy to know that this model is more affordable than newer models, specially the mirrorless models. As personal experience with Leica, I had not long ago a Leica Digilux 3, which is actually produced by Panasonic but using pieces and system of a Leica. I only can add that despite that shocking low number of pixels I found in this camera, way inferior to my 18mp Canon 550d, the Digilux 3 sensor has only 10mp and due to the crop you end up getting a 7mp shot. At first, while purchasing it in a camera shop here in Moscow I was quite much affraid that I was spending a high budget on a camera that couldn't meet my usual requirements but after few trials and a dose of braveness, I accepted the offer and what I learned out of it is that at least with a Leica, it doesn't matter how many megapixels you have got, the glass of these loved toys will not disappoint you. The pitty though for me was the stuck lens which wouldn't reach the max focal length of 50mm if I opened at its widest. I decided to give it back and get instead a lens for my Canon. But I still consider buying a Leica again, when my financial situation gives the opportunity. I believe that a camera will never make a good photographer. It's all about you, how much effort and how much love you deposit on your work. But there's for sure a vibe in using these relics.
I thought that maybe you would be glad to take a look at some sample photos shot on a Leica M6 so I found this link below where you can find a gallery with plenty of images taken with this camera.
https://www.lomography.com/cameras/3348788-leica-m6/photos
Sources: https://www.kenrockwell.com/leica/m6.htm https://petapixel.com/2020/01/27/the-leica-m6-ttl-85-is-the-best-35mm-film-camera-ever-conceived/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leica_M6 https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2009/jul/20/leica-m6-design https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkaQP9ZqBLc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWqu73IHGGk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5pc9Wwtfz8 https://www.leicashop.com/vintage_en/leica/leica-m-cameras.html https://www.leica-camera.blog/tag/leica-m6/