M6 classic - which viewfinder?

[cmphoto1]

I have an M6 Classic. How do I tell which viewfinder I have?

 

Thanks

chad

[andrew1]

Look at the front of the camera, at the front of the finder window in the top left

corner. There's a silver stripe along the bottom. If there are no letters or markings,

it's a 0.72 magnification finder- the standard for all Leica RF's since the M2. After

they introduced the "hi-mag" 0.85 finder, and later the 0.58 "low mag" or "wide

angle" finder, with the M6TTL's, they started marking all the windows here with the

magnification #. So all classics will either have no marking (standard .72) or the .80

for the "hi mag" version.

[cmphoto1]

Thanks

 

chad

[mark-j]

Chad: To the best of my knowledge the 0.85 was only offered in Black. The 0.85 was first offered in 1998 I think. Any early serial number from 1996 (2289500) back would probably be a 0.72. Take a look at this site for more information. http://www.cameraquest.com/m685.htm

 

Mark J.

[m m]

While we're on M6 finders: Does the 50mm frameline in the .85 have the same coverage as the one in the .72 finder? By that I mean the angle of view, not the magnification, of course.

[mark-j]

MM: The framelines on the 0.85 are closer to that of an M3, but still not quite the same. The angle of view in the 0.85 is slightly larger than in the 0.72. Smallest 0.72, middle 0.85 largest M3. All of the above are based on the inside edge of the framelines.

 

Mark J.

[Rob F.]

So, Mark, are you saying that the 0.85 uses a different frameline mask than the .72 uses?

[mark-j]

Rob: I am not saying that. I looked through three different cameras at my bookshelves, toggling the 50 frameline set. All three showed a different field of view. Minor differences, but different none the less. M6 0.72, M6 0.85 and M3. And while we are on the subject, the 35 framelines show a little bit more in the 0.85.

 

Mark J.

[Steve Beyer]

Hi Chad,

 

In all likelyhood you have a .72. There were only approximately 3000 M6HM made at the

very end of the M6 lifestyle. It is easy to tell if you have the HM. Take a look on the front of

the camera. If you have the .85 it will be labeled as such

[pete_gregar1]

Is the .85 version more expensive then the .72?

 

I have a .85 I was going to trade for a .72.

Wasn't sure if I should "lose" money or "gain" money

[m m]

Pete: I believe the .85 in an M6 "classic" is relatively uncommon and more valuable, and that the M6 TTL .85 is a little less desireable in the used market than the .72