New 2022 Leica M6 vs 1984 Leica M6 | All You Need To Know

This is my comprehensive comparison of the new 2022 Leica M6 versus the old 1984 Leica M6 including a full tutorial on how to use the Leica M6, how to load film into the camera body, etc. I also share my thoughts on what I believe is the true purpose of a Leica M6 in (digital) 2022.

Content:
00:00 Introduction
00:51 Comparison between the 2022 Leica M6 and the 1984 Leica M6
09:01 Leica M6 history, different versions, features, specifications, etc.
14:29 Explaining all elements on the Leica M6 camera body
20:51 Loading film into the Leica M6
22:38 A couple of tips & tricks for the Leica M6 which you should know
23:41 The true purpose of the Leica M6 in 2022

Music (if applicable):

#Leica #LeicaCamera #LeicaM #LeicaM6 #Rangefinder

[oOderTypOo]

to be honest at that price point i would not call that camera an entry ticket into film photography. but it truly is a nice tool to work with once you are in the film world and are sure that the money is not wasted! nice video!

[JohnRicard]

No music underneath the talking. THANK YOU!!!!

[borisgalos]

One minor correction. The correct frame line pair is selected not by the optical coding on the lens but by a cam. This is necessary on the M mount because the optical frame must work even without a battery especially in the case of M bodies that don't have any electronics. It's also why older M mount lenses can select the correct frame line pair.

[markcrick]

What a surprise to find you mentioned in my newspaper here in London. Congratulations and thank you for all the great content.

[AdrianHuesler]

Hey, it's not only for young people - it is also for veterans who sold their film equipment and want to go back! Like me....

[marckyokay]

Loved the monologue about film photography in the end. Happy to hear the film love from you. I went all in with film… Digital felt more and more like work, and I still shoot digital but film just captured my heart. Btw, I just came back from Japan… where a roll of Portra is around 25€… still trying to recover from that trauma, lol

[dirkschiemanck]

Additional difference to the m6 and m6 TTL is the shutterdial (turns the other way), and the two versus three led indicators for lightmetering. The M6TTL led makes it easier to measure light correctly, as it has a dot for the right measurement, and the led arrow gives the correct dial rotation. The m6 dial has to be turned in the opposite direction.

[bsmukler]

Thanks for creating and sharing this video. It is the first close-up, detailed look at the new M6 (as opposed to the videos some lucky people created at Wetzlar) that I have seen. I previously had several film M bodies and, like many, even sold them when I switched to digital. I think this is a brilliant move by Leica, both as an entry for young photographers (with money :)) and for us older folks who fondly remember the simple pleasures of selecting and loading film, choosing a lens, practicing our focusing technique, and waiting for the resulting slides or negatives. Of course, Leica has continued to produce the MP and M-A, but this is a a bold step and a serious statement in support of analog photography. I have no idea how far down I am on the waiting list, but am very much looking forward to receiving this beautiful camera.

[frankcorrect]

Thanks for posting this comparison. I have an M6 that I purchased new in 1989. I guess that this is essentially the same camera, just built today. I preferred the M7 with its auto ISO. More than once, I changed film and didn't set the new ISO on the M6. I took the M6 on a six month trip around the world. It functioned flawlessly. It is built like a tank.

[kennethvanzijl]

Today, i sold and shipped my M6 1986 to Nepal. A young photographer will continue to do the job. He is happy as can be. Nice to know. Very nice video by the way

[jlsmith]

Film is not just for young photographers. I am 75 years old and love to shoot with my M6 TTL, M3, Rollieflex, etc. But I also love to shoot with my M10-P and Leica Q. Each provides different delights in photography. Great video!

[ShadowBoxer]

Well that was interesting. I had no idea that Leica has made a re-issue of the original M6.
I had two back in the 1990s. Sold my first one when I was short of money. I have managed to hang onto my second one. I think I bought it new but it was a demonstration version or for some reason semi discounted. As I recall it was about $1800 in 1998 or 99. 

Mine has the smaller dial but it also has the higher .85 magnification. I think those only came in a black anodized finish. I still have the original box (it’s white) and instructions/paperwork. 

I used that and my two lenses for years, a small 35mm Summilux (1970s) and a 85mm Summarex (1950s) taking pictures of everything from weddings to birthdays in the park to a lot of bands playing in clubs. That camera has been kicked and dropped, bang around. I would sometimes cling to the stage edge trying to get a shot, while the melee of the mosh pit swirled around. Good Times!

Still works fine. 
I have had it cleaned and tuned up a few times but I wouldn’t expect delicate electronics or motors in a modern camera to survive what it’s been through.

Maybe I should make a video about my M6 too? 
Cheers.

[averywagg]

I have a Midland made M4 purchased new in 1974. I still use it almost daily. I’ve also just ordered the 2022 M6. The people at the store say that it’ll be a year before I see it. It’ll be fun to use a new ‘old’ camera..

[RS-Amsterdam]

I must admit that in general I am not a fan of unboxing videos but this is the first one I do like.
Especially since you have the older version complete in box to compare.
That "vintage" M6 looks in mint condition, beautiful.
Now I am following a couple of young street photographers on YT shooting in the streets of New York with almost all M6's and shooting daily (Portra 800 mainly).
Very interesting (Paulie B.) both fun and interesting to watch cause it is street photography 'avant la lettre' .
They asked themselves if they would buy a new 2022 M6 but for that price they rather have 2 good older M6's, just for the price not the dials etc., IMO interesting to know.
(Swiss) Quality video, as we are used to get from you, totally agree with your points at the end, thanks for sharing and a wonderful weekend.
Success with the new M6.

[pierpi]

Bravo, bellissima comparazione. Un video realizzato da un grandissimo appassionato Leica! Ho avuto la M6 ttl e l’ho poi cambiata con una M7 che mi tiene ancora compagnia ❤👋

[paulsaret]

Thanks for the review. It's worth mentioning though that, aside from the bigger shutter speed dial which turns the opposite direction, the M6TTL is 2mm taller than the Classic M6 and the 2022 M6. When you look at it from the front view, the range finder window of the M6 TTL has a little space before the top of the top plate, whereas those of the Classic/2022 M6s have none.

[EinfachDeluxeAbenteuer]

01:33 Als ehemaliger Verpackungsdrucker bin ich sehr stolz, dass die Verpackungen auch nach Jahren noch Farn-identisch aussieht. Gruss an die Druckerei 😅
PS: natürlich auch toll von Leica die gleiche Kamera zu bauen 🙌🏻

[dnfpGsake]

Thank you for a simple yet clear and concise explanation, this clears up my curiosity when Leica reincarnates this Leica M6. I am from the old generation, and lucky enough to own a Leica M4, which is totally manual.

[Film_Fog]

Thanks for a great review and the philosophical editorial opinion at the end.

[esfahan]

I’ll get my 1994 M6 Classic serviced next week and look forward to shooting it B/W with my Summicron f2.0 35mm, 50mm & 90mm lenses. Haven’t used it for over 10 years and actually only because I couldn’t lay my hands on my Billingham bag. Thanks for the comparison review.