M6 "classic" or M6 TTL

I am interested in an M6 and will never use flash with this camera. Does the M6 TTL have any advantages other then the flash TTL metering? If not I would go the slightly smaller slightly cheaper "classic" route.

The TTL version has one advantage over a "Classic" (not an official

Leica term, by the way): The TTL versions are available at Grey

Market prices NEW (around $1600 or so at Delta International). A

scratched up used Classic will some times cost you more. Why bother

with used?

 

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Just ignore the TTL feature; the rest of the camera is the same,

(just a tad taller). =^)

Another couple of advantages to the TTL: the meter is slightly more

sensitive; there's now a central "proper exposure" dot between the

over- and under-exposure LED's; the shutter speed dial can be turned

easily with the index finger of your right hand.

 

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If you need a lens, Leica has apparently just announced a new U.S.

rebate plan (through August 2001) -- $200 off an M6TTL and M lens.

Wait for a "Leica Day" at your favorite dealer, get another 10 percent

off and you're doing pretty well -- plus you get the 3-year U.S.

Passport Warranty.

 

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Downside to the M6TTL(This is potential flame bait, I know): The film

advance mechanism of every M6TTL I've ever handled feels flimsier than

the one on the M6 "Classic." I've not heard of any wind head/clutch

failures on these cameras, but I wonder. . . .

One other advantage to the M6TTL... The shutter speed dial, aside

from being larger and easier to change with just your trigger finger,

rotates in the OPPOSITE direction of all the previous M's, which

means the LED arrows in the viewfinder now point out the correct

direction to move both the aperture ring on the lens AND the shutter-

speed dial for correct exposure. (With the M6, you must turn the

shutter dial in the opposite direction of the metering arrows to get

correct exposure.)

Regarding the feel of the film wind: I have owned both the

M6 "classic" and the M6TTL. I prefer the feel of the M6TTL film wind

over that of the older classic. There is a difference, and apparently

it's a subjective matter as to which is "better".

 

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Regarding the shutter dial and viewfinder LEDs, I feel these are also

improvements over the older M6.

 

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I don't use flash much either with the M6. Disregarding the TTL

feature, I still prefer the newer camera.

The dial only turns the wrong way if you are thinking of the

direction of the front surface of the dial edge: the direction in

which your finger is moving. But if you reverse your thinking to

visualize the direction of the back edge of the dial, then it's going

the same direction as the LED's.

I have learned to envision the shutter speed dial of my M6 as a light

valve. As this valve is turned counter-clockwise, it seems to be

opening something (like a gas valve), therefore adding more light to

the exposure. If the subject light is on the bright side, I then

tighten down, by turning clockwise, the shutter speed "valve." I can

also do this with my single left index finger as I am holding the

camera to my right eye. A larger dial would be nice, but I'm not sure

how easily I would adjust to the dial having to be turned in the

opposite direction for exposure adjustments.

Yes, but if you buy an old IIIg like I did this all becomes

irrelavent :-)

Bob/Tony:

 

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I understand, and agree with both of your points (as well as Bob's re

the IIIg!), but with the M6TTL, setting the exposure is intuitively

correct right out of the gate, as opposed to having to "learn" the

idiosyncrocies of a system.

Some points which may or may not have significance for some

individuals:

The rotation of the TTL's shutter dial is now in keeping with the R

cameras. But for anyone who uses Nikon (F-F4, FM2, etc. with "real"

shutter dials") as their SLR and switches back and forth

the M6TTL is backwards.

The M6TTL will not fire *any* kind of flash from the hot-shoe if the

camera batteries are dead.

The M6TTL has been reported to have a greater battery consumption

than the non-TTL.

Anyone who has or might someday want an earlier M body, the shutter

dial direction could be annoying.

Anyone who uses or might want a Visoflex, will need the VISO III or

at least it's prism, as the VISO II prism will not clear the taller

top plate of the M6TTL.

As to the other issues, the increased low-end meter sensitivity and

central "null" meter LED are advantages to the TTL; the TTL flash

itself is probably the least of its advantages IMO. Internal quality

is something only someone who has disassembled them could tell. New

techniques and materials have made cost-cutting and quality

improvement possible simultaneously. Whether that's the case with

the TTL I can't say. I own 2 "classic" M6's, the only reason I'd get

a TTL would be for the 0.58 finder which isn't available in a

classic, and more than likely I'd get a second Hexar RF rather than

the 0.58 M6. But if I were buying into Leica today I'd get a TTL,

for no other reason than the prices are close and the TTL's are newer

and less likely to need a CLA any time soon. And of course a new one

would have a warranty.

The classic seems for me a perfect Leica if you´re not using flash,

and there most be places where you can find them new.

What is it that makes us Leica owners/users so adverse to change?

Some pine for the "old" M3, others, me included, wish for a new one

with all the trimmings but sized like a 3F or G.

In this rather pointless issue of TTl vs Non-TTL, should we not

rather consider that TTL is a feature not offered heretofore that

does not lower the camera's capability but enhances it. Use it or not

that is your choice, but isn't it nice to have IF the occasion

presented itself?

Yet some of us still, while decrying those so-called advances, praise

the Hexar for all its electronic doo-dads that purport to make it

easier to use.

Like it or not, TTL IS progressive. Will we blast an inclusion of

more electronics from Leica in the yet to come M(7) as it is bound to

happen?

Let's face it we, as a group, are rather anachronistic in our hands

on approach to photography. The world is moving on, though...we still

have choices, thanks to Leica, Konica, Cosina et al.

 

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J-D

J-D:

 

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Of course you are correct, but in the original question Hank

specifically asked if there were any reasons OTHER than TTL flash

metering for choosing the TTL over the classic.

 

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Regards,

Jack,

In the strict semantic sense, of course you are absolutely correct.

But then, isn't TTL reason enough to opt for the most current design?

:-)

 

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J-D

Thanks for the comments. I didn't mention I was interested in

the .85x finder - the premium that commands in used pre-TTL cameras

together with the advice posted have made my choice a no-brainer, the

M6 TTL.

My how things just seem to go around. Back in '95, I traded my M3 in

for a M6. When Leica came out with the TTL, I felt like I had been

cheated a bit, as I didn't have their best, top shelf! Only to find

out that I now have a "classic"!!! I've been taking photos with my

little old classic, and .... well, if you wait long enough, things

just seem to go your way. Isn't it funny, how...

I use manual SLRs in addition to the M6. All have a shutter speed dial

which turns in the traditional clockwise direction to increase shutter

speed. If I got an M6 TTL, I'd have to mentally "switch gears" every

time I used it, not exactly what you'd call "intuitive".

Guys, trust me... I also used to shoot with old manual Nikons that

turned the other way... Compared with what I needed to learn to

become proficient with the M, the metering direction of the shutter

dial was intuitive!

Other thing that comes to my mind when buying "new designed items" is

if they are going to be as good as old already known ones, and for

certain, electronics and that kind of stuff makes me nervous, I would

wait some time to heard coments on it´s performace and then make a

desition, I dont own a M6 yet but for sure my first one will be a

used classic, it has a lot to do with budget too.