The Leica M6 is a rangefinder camera manufactured by Leica from 1984 to 1998, followed by the M6 "TTL" manufactured from 1998 to 2002. In 2022, Leica introduced a new version of the M6, based on the technology of the Leica MP, but staying true to the design of the M6. The M6 incorporates a light meter within the body dimensions established by the previous Leica M3 and Leica M4 models. The light meter was operated by depressing the shutter halfway, had no moving parts, and used LEDs to display readings in the viewfinder. Informally it is referred to as the M6 "Classic" to distinguish it from the "M6 TTL" models, and to indicate its "Classic" M3 dimensions. The top and bottom plates were made from lighter, cheaper magnesium alloy rather than the heavier machined brass of the M3 and M4. The M6 and M6 TTL are mechanical cameras; all functions except the light meter work without batteries, unlike the succeeding M7, which needs electrical power to operate properly.

Leica M6 variants

Specifications

Leica M6 special editions

The Leica M6 has more special editions than any other M cameras as of 2013. The following list includes some, but not all Leica M6 Special Editions: • Leica M6 Cutaway • Leica M6 150 Jahre Photographie - 1989 - 75 Jahre Leica Photographie: 1250 cameras • Leica M6 Colombo '92 (1492 - 1992: 500° Scoperta dell'America - Italia): 200 cameras • Leica M6 Royal-Foto Austria (1968 - 1993): 101 cameras • Leica M6J 40 Jahre Leica M (1954 - 1994): 1640 cameras • Leica M6 Dragon (gold plated): 300 cameras • Leica M6 Historica (1975 - 1995): 150 cameras • Leica M6 Royal Wedding: 200 cameras • Leica M6 Thai Jubilee (50th year of the reign of His Majesty King Bhumiphol Adulyadej): 700 cameras • Leica M6 Anton Bruckner (1824 - 1896): 200 cameras • Leica M6 Brunei: 200 platinum plated cameras (125 platinum plated with diamonds) and 350 gold plated cameras • Leica M6 Partners: 500 cameras • Leica M6 Leica Demo Ausrüstung Benelux '96: 70 cameras • Leica M6 Ein Stück Leica: 996 cameras • Leica M6 Jaguar XK (1948 - 1998): 50 cameras • Leica M6 Millennium: only 2000 cameras (300 with 0.85× viewfinder and green leatherette) • Leica M6 Dragon (viewfinder 0.85x, black painted): 500 cameras • Leica M6 ICS: 200 cameras • Leica M6 LHSA (Leica Historical Society of America): 101 cameras • Leica M6 Øresundsbron: 150 cameras • Leica M6 Henri Cartier-Bresson (with Vuitton case): only 1 camera • Leica M6 William Klein: only 1 camera (1993) • Leica M6 50 Jahre fotoMAGAZIN: only 1 camera (1999) • Leica M6 Swiss Demo (Test the best): 40 cameras • Leica M6 Zurich Photographic Center: 100 cameras • Leica M6 Royal Photographic Society: 100 cameras (1994) • Leica M6 Platinum Optics: 150 cameras • Leica M6 Schmidt Centenary: 151 cameras • Leica M6 Canada: 270 cameras • Leica M6 Year of Rooster: 300 cameras • Leica M6 999: 999 cameras • Leica M6 Titanium: circa 6000 and 1000 in TTL-version

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