Re: [Leica] problems with a new M6 TTL

["Douglas Landrum" <dflandrum@earthlink.net>]

Sam wrote:
>>> Well, I have had my M6 TTL .58 for coming up on four weeks now.  <<<<

Sam:

As a new user, you may not be familiar with the evolution of M camera.

Many of us older users will remember the M5.  TTL metering became the rage
in the late '60s to '70s.  In 1972, Leica (then E. Leitz) dumped the M4 in
favor of the M5 with TTL metering, a hot shoe and shutter speed information
in the viewfinder.

The M5 was and is a fine camera but the M5 is taller and significantly wider
that the other M series cameras.  The M5 was never accepted as a "real"
Leica.  It was a marketing disaster.  Leica then returned to the M4-2 and
M4-P without TTL metering before designing the M6 with its TTL meter.

Changing the shutter of the M6 to accommodate a higher sync speed would
require a change in the shape of the M camera - something that I do not
expect Leica to do.  To accommodate the meter, Leica sacrificed the self
timer so that room could be found for the meter electronics inside body of
the M6 to retain the shape of a true M series Leica.

The shape of the body, the feel in one's hands, the single correct method of
holding the camera, focusing tabs on most lenses and yes, the sound of the
shutter are all part of the M camera that will likely remain constant.

Doug

Douglas F. Landrum
Laguna Beach, California
dflandrum@earthlink.net