Leica's iconic M6 rangefinder returns

For over 100 years, the Leica brand has been synonymous with finely crafted, reliable film cameras. From 1984 to 2002, over 175,000 Leica M6 rangefinder cameras were handmade, becoming the workhorse camera for documentary photographers and photojournalists everywhere. The cameras captured some of the most iconic moments and events of that time, and beyond.

This year, Lecia will re-release a modern version of the analogue M6 rangefinder. Stefan Daniel, Executive Vice President Technology and Operations, explains: “The Leica M6 is a milestone in the corporate history of Leica Camera AG. Since 1984, countless iconic pictures have been taken with it; it was a part of the product range for over 18 years and is still a fascinating camera with an extremely high utility value. Conscious analogue photography as an antithesis to the flood of digital images is enjoying great popularity. Therefore, it was only logical for us to produce the Leica M6 again as one of the most popular representatives of this camera type.”

The 2022 version of the Lecia M6 will have a magnification of 0.72x and all of its optical surfaces will be coated and therefore less sensitive to stray light. The light meter in this version will shows the correct exposure via a red dot in addition to the two arrow symbols originally used. It is also equipped with a battery warning indicator. Other changes include a redesign of the top cover with it being milled from solid brass and enhanced with an abrasion-resistant black lacquer.

Like the original from 1984, the new edition of the Leica M6 will feature the red Leitz logo – a logo which has made history as it is the name of the visionary entrepreneur Ernst Leitz.

Remaining true to itself the new Leica M6 preserves all other typical characteristics of the previous edition, including the slanted rewind crank for the film.

Like its processor, the camera is  handmade in Germany.

The Leica M6 Black Paint will be available at the Leica Stores in Sydney, Melbourne and Chadstone, online, and through authorised Leica dealers with limited quantities from this month. The recommended retail price for the Lecia M6 is $8,390.

Head to the Leica website for more information.

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