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Leica M6 Black,
1984
According to references, the first
LEICA M6 has a "normal" serial number 1657251. Here is a classic example
of a very early M6 with a S/N 165889x. Beautifully preserved in all black finishing.
In many ways, the M6 closely resembles the M4-P introduced barely a few year ahead
in 1981. One major difference between the two was the built-in TTL metering capability
and incorporation of electronic circuitry inside the M6 for its heavy center-weighted,
more to partial metering pattern. The film speed index disc corresponds with the
electronic metering circuit. However, the camera is still a mechanical in all its
camera functions. Various controls and camera features are elegantly designed, solidly
built, rugged and the quality feel are all over. One common way to identify the early
M6 is via the red roundel "Leitz" with "E. Leitz Wetzlar GMBH" engraved at the
top, just above the eyepiece. After the assembly works had shifted to SOLMS, it changes
to "Leica" with plain top plate at the usual position of engraved origin.
Please also take note that M4-P was sold along with the M6 and up to 1987, M4-P was
still being listed in Leica product literature. In 1986, sales of the very well received
M6 had picked up to a level to a state that Leica concluded the model had found a
strong footing, hence the regular production of M4-P had ceased. Further, shipping
of Leica M6 Chrome version began from Wetzlar plant a year later in 1985, with only
an initial small production batch of approx. 600 units (S/N 1682351~1682950) only.
T
A typical M4 early series such as the
showcased model here with a rating of "B" has an auction price of approx.
EURO 1,350-00* .
* NOTE;- Indicative price(s) herein is/are based original
prices published on previous auction literature/references. Prices may vary according
to gradual yearly premium, supply/demand equations, and/or other renewed valuation
methods.
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Early LEICA M6 Silver Chrome early model with red LEITZ
roundel and "ERNST LEITZ WETZLAR GMBH" engraving at top plate.
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Credit: Images courtesy of Mr. FRANK Chen
from Shanghai, PRC. . Image Copyright © 2008. All rights reserved. Please respect
the visual property of the contributing photographer.
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LEICA M6 Black
10404, 1985
very early Wetzlar M6, without strap lug protection; supplied with original maker's
boxes w/Leitz Logo.
Please take note early M6 series has the big LEITZ logo on the original maker's box/packaging
as shown below.
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Leica
M6 Black, 1986
Similarly, the 1986 M6 shares almost
identical basic configuration with the early 1984 series. Note the Leitz red roundel
and Wetzlar engraving at the top plate. One tiny addition to the camera is a insertion
of a piece of protective plate just above the camera strap eyelet on each side to
prevent constant fiction of the metal lug scratching the side of the body chassis.
The next showcased 1988 model will be different with these minor changes. From 1985
onwards, M6 had picked up in its sales, sold 6X more than the early debut year. The
1986 sales had again peaked at approx. 11,000 units - 10x from the first year in
1984. The camera here, with a good rating of A/B, has a lightly decreased value of
EURO 1,250-00*, probably was affected by the high sales figures sold in
1986.
M6 black 1687951~1691950 4000 units;
M6 black 1701451~1704600 3150 units; M6 black 1704800~1705450 650 units; M6 chrome
1705451~1707450 2000 units; M6 black 1707451~1711450 4000 units Ref: Leica M 1954/1999, Cameraquest
* NOTE;- Indicative price(s) herein is/are based original
prices published on previous auction literature/references. Prices may vary according
to gradual yearly premium, supply/demand equations, and/or other renewed valuation
methods.
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Leica M6 Type 1 Silver Chrome Version, 1986
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Credit: Image courtesy of Photo_Arsenal-Worldwide® Germany. The Company also maintains
an active EBAY Store, trading many used and new photo equipment of various labels. Photo
Aersenal can be contacted at Photo Arsenal Boris Jamchtchik, Altenfurter Str.16a
90475 Nuernberg Germany Tel.: +49 (0) 911/ 4008081 E-Mail: ebayshop@arsenal-photo.com.
Image(s) copyright © 2008. All rights reserved. Please respect the visual property
of the contributing photographer.
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Leica M6 chrome,
1987
Below is a M6
black w. S/N 171305x which fall within the first 3,000 units of chrome bodies in
1987 (black M6 took up another 4,000 units in 1987. Please take note that both easy
identifications remained - i.e. Leitz logo and engraved Wetzlar on top plate. Early
series may have the black box as shown. Later models had reverted to white plastic
box. Personally, black lasts the test of time, with the white plastic easily showing
the age over time. This chrome M6 has an auction indicative price slightly lower
than the black version shown above EURO 1,150-00.
M6 chrome 1711451~1714450 3000 units;
M6 black 1724451~1728450 4000 units Ref: Leica M 1954/1999, Cameraquest
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Leica M6 1988 stadard production models with info on a special variation model "M6)
Fragile info on Leica M6 prototype | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4
Nomenclature
/ Main Reference Map for Leica M6 Standard Model(s) | Leica M6 TTL Model(s)
Instruction Manuals:- Leica M6 Classic in PDF (3.8mb)
by Niels H. S. Nielsen; Leica M6 TTL 3.6 Mb PDF) by Joe Chan
Main Index Page
- Leica M6-series models / Main Index Page - Leica-M Series
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