Would someone please delineate for me all the differences between an M-6 and an M6TTL. Thanks.

-- Max Wall (mtwall@earthlink.net), May 28, 2001

Answers

Physically the M6TTL has a 2mm higher topplate to accomodate the electronics from the R8. This gives the M6TTL a more sophisticated meter display and TTL flash. The M6 has two diodes:

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which you have to make equal in brightness. The M6TTL has four diodes:

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(the fourth one is a flash "lightning bolt") where you only have to get the centre diode lit which is much easy and quicker to do.

The M6TTL also uses the extra toplate thickness to change the size and direction of rotation of the the shutter speed dial. The larger dial is much easier to turn and now the direction of rotation matches the arrows in the viewfinder.

Downsides? The M6TTL uses batteries much more quickly and early cameras had problems with their circuit boards. I never could bring myself to replace my M2 with an M6 as I did not like the meter display. I did buy an M6TTL when they came out and am very happy with it and my M2 has been relegated to back up duty.

Cheers,

-- John Collier (jbcollier@powersurfr.com), May 28, 2001.

I think there are other, less tangeable differences. I found the TTL to be more prone to finder flare, and have a less appealing feel to the winding arm. I may get a few TTL lovers mad, but It seems I have read a lot more complaints about quality control issues with the newer TTL bodies as well.

-- Andrew schank (aschank@flash.net), May 28, 2001.

My only peeve about the TTL version is the elimination of the bottom frameline due to the new diode interface when wider lenses are attached. The .85x M6TTL has no bottom frame line for 28mm; .72x- 35mm; .85x - 50mm.

-- ray tai (razerx@netvigator.com), May 28, 2001.

Just to clarify Ray's post. The bottom frameline is still there on all frames but only in two small sections on either side of the diode display for the 28 and 35 frames on a .72x. I was somewhat surpized to hear that his .85X is only missing the bottom of the 28 frame as that frame is not in an .85x :-). Here is an URL for what you wil see throught the various TTL viewfinders:

http://www.leica-camera.com/produkte/msystem/m6ttl/sucher/be ispiel/index.html

I personally never noticed the truncated lower 35 and 28 frameline until I went to check Ray's post.

Cheers,

-- John Collier (jbcollier@powersurfr.com), May 28, 2001.

I prefer the lower height of the older M6 because of my very small hands. I also prefer the appearance of the older model. However I did own a TTL version for a while and much preferred the larger shutter dial and meter diode arrangement of this model. See whether you can try both out, even if you have to hire them for the day.

-- sam smith (ssmith@hotmail.com), May 28, 2001.

I examined the M6TTL, and also find the metering display a bit more convenient. The TTL flash is probably the least of the features I was intrigued by. For me the shutter dial size and rotation is a non- issue. A *taller* dial might have been attractive but I didn't find the increased diameter of any consequence. The *rear* of the M6 classic shutter dial turns in the direction of the LEDs, so it's all in the way you look at it. I use an M4 occasionally, so there would be some confusion with the M6TTL. I also occasionally use a Visoflex II (much smaller than the III) and the II's prismfinder will not clear the taller top plate of the M6TTL (the III's prism works and will fit the Viso II, but it is much larger and has no built-in eyepiece correction). In any case I have no aversion to buying a TTL, and will probably do so just as soon as my other M's are no longer serviceable ;0)

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), May 28, 2001.