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Here is my old setup. Have not been using it for the
last few years. You probably can notice the setup looks a little strange, isn't it
? Guess what, it is because Leica Summilux-M 1:2 f=50mm has NO lens data ring. The
black anodized M-grip was bought separately via another independent source. It is
very comfortable to hold an has improved camera handling greatly. I would strongly
recommend such a hand grip device for any M6. The photo was shot in the evening,
color was a little too warm.
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The original matching lens released with the M6 Titan
was a Summilux-M 1.4/35mm (11860) lens, has a matching Titanium-plated finishing.
I remember it took Leica almost a few years later (around 1995/6) that they had also
introduced a similar Leica Summilux-M 1:1.4 f=50mm (11869) in smae Titanium finish
for the camera. One way or another, on appearance, the M6T matches very well with
any of these lenses that has Titanium finishing. Well, there are mix review on the
performance on both the said lenses. But these lenses was essentially a evolved form
from the original Summilux-M 35mm & 50mm f/1.4 which had been serving Leica photographers
for decades. The Titanium finshing lens group was eventually joined in by another
limited production of 500 units of Leica Elmarit-M 1:2.8 f=90mm (11899) telephoto
lens in in 19998. By then, the Leica M6/T was at its end of product cycle and a new
LEICA M6 TTL which uses the same Titanium finishing was already in the pipleline
as replacement.
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| The following years, Leica probably had noticed there
was a market for such a demand and had expanded a few other Titanium-plated lenses
which usually offered as option while introducing with standard version in black
anodized as well as silver chrome finishing. Personally, I felt Leica M6/T has every
reason to be a collectible Leica for collectors but I seriously doubting it had established
a very big pool of users since its inception into the Leica M6 family. |
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You may notice that each time the new releases of Titanium-plated
M-lenses at later stage were supplied in specific limited production quantity. One
common number used was a limited production of 500 lenses for each lens type. Why
500 ? I guess other than preserving premium as being a " limited production
series Leica optic" but I tend to believe more the root of such a decision
has a lot to do with the total number of M6 Titan sold over all these years. The
M6/T was a good camera but it doesn't sold as many as the black & silver chrome
finishing bodies combined.
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Besides, what do you think about the chances of a Leica M6 Titan owner who will be
living with just an original Summilux-M 1.4/35mm lens all these years ? Such possibility
can be quite low, I guess. So, ether ways, assuming prior to availability of other
Titanium finish lenses, a M6/T owner had probably purchased other 50mm or 90mm in
his lens collection; neither any smart Leica folk would be so stupid in considering
to acquire an additional 50mm or 90mm lens simply it looks "great" with
a M6 /T right ? Leica certainly had done a well calculated work when came to such
a decision by releasing a limited quantity Titanium-plated lenses simply because
Titanium finshing Leica lenses has a limited pool of M6/T users to serve. Well, inline
with progressive lens development effort, and to enhance its appeal for a broader
base of Leica users in re-investment of newer products, over the last few years,
Leica AG has been agressivelly introducing newer series of Leica lenses for M-users.
Most noticeably, many were incorporating with aspherical lens element in their optical
design. |
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Original Summilux-M 1.4/50mm
Titanium-plated (11869)
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Summilux-M 1.4/50mm
ASPH Titanium Finish.
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Summilux-M 1.4/35mm
ASPH Titanium Finish.
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| Other than these popular focal length optic, the Leica
Titanium finishing lesn group was added with three new members: LEICA SUMMICRON-M 1:2/35 mm ASPH, LEICA SUMMICRON-M 1:2/50mm;
LEICA APO-SUMMICRON-M 1:2/90mm ASPH -all
in Titanium finishing. These series were supposedly meant as companion option for
the Leica M6 TTL 0.72x Titanium-finish model introduced later in 2001. Further, from
an online source, there was also an ELMARIT-M 90mm f/2.8 ASPH in Titanium finishing
but other than a smal picture, I have no info with this specific lens. |
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The LEICA M6 Titan was first announced during Photokina
1992. It was the first model in a planned series of a added Titanium-finish of camera
& lenses in the Leica rangefinder system. The Titanium finishing was not exactly
using raw titanium metal , which include the top plate/rear section as well as the
base plate; it was actually a coated layer of Titanium plating. However, as most
normal Leica M6 bodies are treated with chrome plated over a diecast zinc for exposed
parts such as the top and base plate, the M6 Titan base material for the essential
parts were using a stronger brass. It was then coated with Titanium plating. According
to Leica, such combination would provide a stronger scratch resistance properties
over the M6 Titan. In a way, the use of M6 Titanium model name was a little misleading.
Shortly after when some of the users have found out the truth, waves of negative
reviews had surfaced over this particular issue. No doubt, Leica had done an excellent
job in delivering an almost equivalent Titanium metal appearance for both the camera
and the companion lens, and although the Company had done its part by addressing
the series which including the matching Summilux-M 1:1.4 f=35mm as "Titanium-plated"
(later it was reverted as "Titanium finish" but still, they could have
just addressing the issue from the beginning.
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Whatever, personally I still felt the LEICA M6/T w/ the
any of the Titanium finishing lenses such as the SUMMILUX-M 1:1.4/35mm Titanium finish
camera/lens combination was one of the most beautifully matched setup. With either
a 1.4/35 or the 1.4/50mm Titan lens mounted, it can be regarded as one of the most
aesthetically eye-appealing combination among all the standard production Leica M-series
models. However, one of the point of debate that often raised was the choice of Ostrich/Emu
leather body covering on the M6/T, time had proven it provides long lasting than
normal course of use and when you consider the later LEICA M6 TTL 0.85x Titanium
finish model with an off-beat color leatherette body covering, probably you will
appreciate this original choice more.
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The LEICA M6 with the Titanium finishing was the first body among the M6 series models
that was started to use the new leather work for the body. Quite a few of the Special
Edition M6 models which were released after the M6/T were also had adopted this new
body covering. Some examples are the M6 Year of the Rooster, 1993, M6 LHSA 25th Anniversary Model , Danish Royal Wedding Edition in 1995 etc. |
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The LEICA M6/T shares the basic camera operational
sequence as well as offering the excellent handling properties like any of the standard
Leica M6 body. If you have experience in handling a M6 before, you will never feel
unease with the M6/T (even the instruction manual was using the basic M6 manual).
The above illustration picture of the M6/T without the lens attached has shown other
than the colour, it was every inch a Leica M6. Other than the titanium color, the
only difference at top plate was the white lettering used for all the shutter speed
settings. The film advance lever was also Titanium finish except with the end section
which is black.
When you remove the base plate, you
will find even the motor coupling for rapid winder or other film advance devices
was also having a Titanium finish.
So, why would anyone wanted a M6/T by paying more
? Uniqueness is one. Probably a portion of the early buyers could had been mislead
in thinking they have got a true Titanium M6 which presumably provides a tougher
and more rugged body for years of rough usage. But as time goes by, most Leica M6/T
owners seldom made any complaints because after witnessing many of the subsequent
M6 bodies indifferent configurations, you simply can't find fault in its appearance,
besides, it has every elements in it with a strong Leica tradition in quality and
elegance. I guess after 1-1/2 decade, with its delivery of elevated level of reliability
and comfort it offers, most people had seemingly forgotten the compromised Titanium
issue and beginning to treasure its strength as a dependable imaging tool.
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previous | Next | 2/3
A visual profile of Leica original M6 Titanium Classic
rangefinder body
Leica M6/T Classic
(1992~1998): - Page
One | Page Two |
LEICA M6G Titan f/Foto Ganz, Zürich, 1992 | Page
Three; Leica M6 TTL 0.72x
Titanium-Finish, 2001
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
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