|
Leica M6 TTL 0.72x Titanium-Finish (10435) rangefinder
camera model, 2001
Leica first announced M6 TTL to replace the long serving M6 Classic in 1998. It was not entirely
a replacement model but rather can safely conclude as an upgrade. It has brought
convenience and a more assuring TTL (through the lens) flash metering control to
M6 photography for the first time. Secondly, M6 TTL models was the first the the
M-series that offered provision for different Viewfinder magnifications (0.58x, 0.72x
or 0.85x) to suit individual preference. The finder variation is not a built-in feature
but rather users have to decide individual M6 model that best suit his collection
of lens system and the kind of photography one prefers.
There were a strings of variants and/or special edition M6 TTL that followed after
its release. In 2001, Leica has issued a Special Edition of 1,000 units of M6 TTL
0.72x model in Titanium finishing. From marketing perspective, the original M6 Ti
was a regular production camera which was sold along as an optional choice to regular
black and silver-chrome finishing M6 classic bodies. The difference here was, the
new Leica M6 TTL Titanium finishing model was only being issued like a special edition
series and was not provided as a regular production M6 TTL model.
 |
LEICA M6 TTL Titanium Finish, 2001
Credit: Image(s) courtesy of www.yourEYE.cn
from Beijing, China ®, who often conducts popular Online
Photograohic Auctions.
Image Copyright © 2008. All rights reserved. Please respect the visual property
of the contributing photographer.
|
|
|
Basically this M6 TTL Titanium Finish upgrade has a few designing features in its
exterior appearance which can be totally different from the original Leica M6
Titanium Classic Model of 1992.
The camera was using the basic M6 TTL chassis as the basis and has different exterior
spec on its own. The camera top, base plate share the same Titanium plating over
a stronger brass covers structure as used on predecessor
(standard M6 TTL uses traditional chrome plated over a diecast zinc parts), hence
offering a long lasting, scratch resistant properties. Further, the Titanium plating
in such production configuration also can theoretically provide much better corrosive
resistance nature. It was proven over last decade with most used M6/T seldom surfaced
today in the used equipment market that exhibits any heavily worn off condition as
most black paint M6 bodies often do. The M6 Titan model has been, along with the
Leica M6 Classic Series discontinued when the M6 TTL was officially introduced in
1998.
 |
After a lapse of 3 years, citing an established pool
of satisfying M6 Titan users that slowly built up over the years, Leica probably
was exploring potential in further product extension and had released a special edition
of Leica M6 TTL 0.72x Titanium finish with an all new dressing in 2001. A more interesting
event was, Leica had also took the opportunity by introducing a series of 3 Titanium
finish lenses for the camera which covered the 3 most popular focal lengths in 35mm,
50mm and 90mm.
<<<--- The Leica AG picure above was NOT exactly
as smooth as it should be with the leatherette. This photo (left) was more accurate
in showing its texture on the leatherwork used on the LEICA M6/T TTL body.
|
Hence, the limited series found in the LEICA Titanium-finish
lens group was added with the LEICA SUMMICRON-M 1:2/35 mm ASPH Titanium-finish (11609),
LEICA SUMMICRON-M 1:2/50mm Titanium-finish (11624); LEICA APO-SUMMICRON-M 1:2/90mm
ASPH Titanium-finish (11632). However, the three lenses were produced as Special
Edition Series with a limited production of 500 units for each lens type. Two of
the Special Edition Titanium-finish lenses were quite unique in their lens specification
as well as some accessories These Titanium-finish lenses issued back in 2001* are very
hard to get today as most collectors realized they are special too and wouldn't sell
them individually. Come to think of it, this Leica M6 TTL 0.72x Titanium model could
have been offered as commemorative set with the three matching lenses supplied as
a kit set (Later I have found out such combination did exist, in a Special Edition Kit
to commemorate 20th Anniversary in establishment of Leica Historical Society of Germany).
*
Sometime in 1999, Leica has also offered a Elmarit-M 1:2.8/90mm Titanium-finish telephoto
lens for users of Leica M6/T Classic model, the lens was also being issued in a specific
Limited Edition quantity of 500 units.
 |
Probably one of the most eye-arresting feature of the
Leica M6 TTL Titanium Finish model is the unusual color of the leatherette body covering.
This can be a very subjective issue. The leather work comprised of a soft brown leather.
According to original transcript issued by Leica AG, it was "a thick, soft
brown Buffalo leather, which is both handy, pleasant and underlines the product's
robust character .." . I know individual interpretation can vary from one
another, I do know all along some Leica folks were quite defensive over choice of
the Ostrich/Emu skin
leather used on the original Leica M6 Ti Classic Model (the leather type was used
on a few other Limited Edition M6 bodies too) but personally I have no problem with
the selection.
<<<--- Supplied in a handsomely crafted grey-color box.
This M6 TTL 0.72x Titanium finish model was not supplied with a matching lens.
Credit: Image(s) courtesy of www.yourEYE.cn
from Beijing, China
®, who often
conducts popular Online Photograohic Auctions. Image Copyright © 2008. All rights
reserved. Please respect the visual property of the contributing photographer.
|
Recently, just out of curiosity I have conducted a
visual survey with 5 non-photographers as well as another group of 5 photographers
friend of mine. The first group who have no knowledge about Leica at all in my work
place. The photos shown were both the new and old M6/T models:- The M6 TTL Titan
was the photo displayed above while another was the Classic M6/T (Click here).
Guess what ? Group one in my work place voted as 3:2 in favor of the older model
and citing the new brown leather M6/T TTL model as " ..YAK !...no taste ! ".
On the other hand, photographers group were also surprisingly voted all in favor
of the old classic black ostrich skinned body too- main reason was black is stealthy
and more practical as a photographic tool on the field & it helps not being noticed
by the subject easily etc.. So ? Opinions do differ ..
|
 |
This well
taken photo by China autioneer YourEye® has captured
the fine detail and smoothness of the leatherette used of this Leica M6 TTL Titanium
body in the most accurate manner.
Credit: Image(s) courtesy of www.yourEYE.cn ® from Beijing, China, who often conducts popular Online
Photograohic Auctions.
Image Copyright © 2008. All rights reserved. Please respect the visual property
of the contributing photographer.
|
 |
<<<--- The Top plate of a
standard version of Leica M6 TTL 0.72x Titanium finish model shares some similarities
with the predessor esp in the Titanium finishing. The differences are, a TTL w/flash
symbol engraved at the side of the accessory, a 4-electronic TTL flash sync contacts
w/stopper, as well as the enlarged shutter speed ring in typical M6 TTL fashion.
NOTE:- Please take note the top plate of the Leica M6 Titan model at
the left is different in the sense it has engraving of old LEICA logo as well as
Germany made engraving. I will update you when I have identify the edition it belongs
to later.
|
I guess these interesting feedback have a lot to do with colour contrast with the
overall Titanium finishing on the camera body. Black matches the Titanium and leads
to its appearance better. Brown leather somehow has tamed the Titanium finishing
and has a stronger visual attraction. There may be two perspectives, one is from
collector point of view. The camera is partly seen as an investment, other than using
it as a pure photographic hardware. While another was purely from a perspective as
treating the camera as an imaging tool for photography. Chances is, more likely it
is treated as a commodity. It needs some spice and sparks to enhance its value overtime.
Limited quantity issued was a one good way to achieve such an objective, while uniqueness
in an all new presentation can be another means. Leica has opt for the latter and
I am not entirely surprise most buyers won't even wanted to give it half a chance
to add a scratch or mark onto the M6 TTL Ti because it can simply means depreciation
of its value easily by 20-30% if ever such an unfortunate incident happens. So, probably
it might provide a clue why the M6 TTL Titan would has such an external appearance
specification of a brown calf leather .. Errrr. no Buffalo leather. I guess the question
remains, does the M6 TTL Titan has a better option than this original selection by
Leica AG. Well, it is not very rightful for me to add personal comment as it is not
very appropriate to do so as a media controller as all the issued bodies have their
respective rightful owners/investors. Personally, all I want to say is - a Leica
is still a LEICA, it has other good elements in any of them to call for a smart investment.
For an example, by matching any of the matched Titanium finishing lenses onto a new
or old Leica M6/T bodies, they certainly looks very eye-appealing and projects a
kind of elegant quality presentation very few other combination can match with it.
 |
Titanium-finish lens group in the Leica System was first
created with the Summilux-M 1:1.4/35mm Titanium Finish which was supposedly supplied
as a matching lens for the original M6 Ti in 1992. The second lens with Titanium
finishing was introduced very late in 1995/6 in a Summilux-M 1:1.4/50mm Titanium
Finish (refer to the previous M6 Ti section for more info). If I am correct, the
third lens in the unique Titanium-finish lens series was an almost unheard Elmarit-M
1:2.8/90mm Titanium Finish (no nice picture as illustration). Along with the release
of this Leica M6 TTL 0.72x Titanium Finish Model, the three lenses, two lenses seemingly
having a "higher spec".
<<<--- Pictures shown is less than desirable state, any
volunteers ?
|
 |
In particularly, the 35mm was supplied with special features:
a dedicated metal lens hood with openings for complete viewing of the viewfinder
image and metal cover for the lens hood, both with matching Titanium Finish. Leica
has added this info for the SUMMICRON-M 1:2/35 mm ASPH model, ".... the lens
was produced in a multi-stage production process, the brass components are first
of all nickel-plated and then “bombarded” with Titanium ions using “sputtering”,
a high-tech high vacuum process. The result is extremely hard, even and dull-bright
champagne colored titanium surfaces, which give these model variants their unmistakable
high-quality and durable exterior...".
CLICK for explosive view
|
The SUMMICRON-M 1:2/50mm Titanium Finish was based largely
on a time proven classic optical design in the SUMMICRON-M 1:2/50mm. The third in
the series, LEICA APO-SUMMICRON-M 1:2/90mm ASPH is still available in current Leica
lens group in black finishing; the Titanium Finish APO-SUMMICRON-M 1:2/90mm ASPH
with its unique exterior appearance, was released as a Limited Edition Series of
a total quantity of 500 units only.
 |
<<<--- Basic technical specification of all the three matching Leica
lenses in Titanium finishing.
|
| *
Anyone can supplied information or freshly taken pictures pertaining to another Leica
Elmarit-M 1:2.8/90mmTitanium-finish (11899) telephoto lens which was released back
in 1999, the lens was also being issued in a specific Limited Edition quantity of
500 units. Others: For M-lenses that truly use Titanium raw material , known versions
were the Leica M7 Titanium Speical Edition companion Titanium lenses in Summicron-M
1:2 28mm ASPH Titanium, Summilux-M 1.1.4/50mm ASPH Titanium as well as an APO-Summicron-M
1:2/90mm ASPH Titanium, CLICK
HERE. |
 |
The three mentioned lenses in a special edition Titanium
finish were essentially share the same technical specifications (which including
the optical design) with the current black or silver-chrome finishing models. You
can download the respective technical specification in PDF files as cross reading references
(external Links): - LEICA SUMMICRON-M 1:2/35 mm ASPH, LEICA SUMMICRON-M 1:2/50mm;
LEICA APO-SUMMICRON-M 1:2/90mm ASPH Document Source: Leica
AG.
<<<--- One of the technical highlight of the Leica M6 TTL Titanium
body is with the TTL flash exposure control and it was offered for the first time
in a Leica M-series. Naturally, every Leica photographer would love to explore in
this new extension of M6 feature. For collectors or photographer with any of the
mentiomed Titanium finish lens(es) mounted on the M6 TTL Titanium finish bodym, it
certianly will look a little odd with a black color flash on its top - Leica has
this matching Titanium colored SF24D TTL flash model to patch and you will have an
all-titan color setup even for flash photography.
|
|
 |
Here is a debatable Outfit. It was mentioned as a Special
Edition M6 TTL Titanium set which comprised of the camera with three matching Titanium-Finish
lenses to commemorate 25th anniversary of Leica Historical Germany. It was highlighted
only the SUMMICRON-M 1:2/50mm was being engraved. Not sure if the rest of the 1:2/35
and the APO-Summicron-M 1:2/90mm was also having engraving. This was a good representation
of how the camera with the three Limited Edition series of Summicron-M Titanium finish
lenses look like. This particular Special Edition Kit for LHSG, AG comprised of only
150 set were being issued. The Year of produced was also in 2001. It has a Buy-Now
hammer price of EURO 10,500-00.
Note: refer back to Leica M6 Historica 1975~1995 for their 20th Anniversary edtion and other official info
provided by LEICA HISTORICA e.V which didn't included in this edition.
Credit: Image courtesy of Mr. Peter Coeln from LEICA Shop®, Austria who also operates a popular Westlicht Auction House. Image Copyright © 2008. All rights
reserved. Please respect the visual property of the contributing photographer.
|
previous | NEXT
2004, exactly 50 years since the LEICA M system was first introduced with the LEICA
M3. Leica had introduced a very nice LEICA Ti model to commeorate 50years Anniversary
of rhe occation. One main difference was, the Leica M7 Titanium 1954-2004 50 Jahre Leica M System Special Edition was a using true Titanium raw materilal for its body chassis
- not plated anymore. I will go to that when enough of information is gathered for
proper site development. For existing owner of the Kit, if you are willing to lend
a hand to speed up a section on your prized possesion, do send me series of good
product pictures of the M7/Ti. Other equally intereting inclusion was a few Special
50th Anniverary Year Edition Titanium-made (not plated) M-lenses from wideangle-standard-telephoto
lenses, Summicron-M 1:2 28mm ASPH Titanium, Summilux-M 1.1.4/50mm ASPH Titanium
as well as an APO-Summicron-M 1:2/90mm ASPH Titanium, each with special engraving
and matching S/N that sold along with the camera.
Leica M6/T Classic:
- Page
One | Page Two | Page Three;
LEICA M6G Titan f/Foto
Ganz, Zürich, 1992 | Leica
M6TTL 0.72x Titanium-Finish
Main Index Page
- Leica M6-series models / Main Index Page - Leica-M Series
Rangefinder camera Models
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
| Message Board | lenses | Message Board | RF cameras
about this site
|
