fI)

c CD
o :E
~1
-c
3
-
.....

....
We hope that your new LEICA·will give you a Leica AcadelD)'. But Leica not only makes Contents Page

great deal of pleasure and wish you many years high-performance products for everything TheLEICAM6 4 Metering diagram 26

of successful photography with it. from observation to reproduction. A special Carrying strap 6 General notes on exposure metering 28

service available to you is the Leica Academy. Mounting the lens 7 Tips for exposure metering 30

For many years. this internationally famous Removing the lens 7 Flash synchronisat ion 36

facility teaches photographic know-how in ap­ Rapid-wind lever 8 Use of older LEICA-M lenses 37

plication-oriented seminars and training cour­ Shutter release. 8 Lens design : 37

ses. It meets the needs of keen photographers, Film insertion 8 Focusing ring 37

both beginners and advanced students, for Film rewinding 10 Aperture ring 37

special training in demanding areas of 35 mm Holding the camera 11 Deplh-of-field scale 38

photography, projection, and enlargement. Vie\vfinder 12 Lens hoods 39

Up-to-date, well-equipped classrooms at our Bright-Line (rame selector 14 Bags and cases 39

Solms headquarters are available for these Rangefinder 16 Fillers 40

courses, which are held by experienced in­ Batteries "18 Eyesighl correction lenses 40

structors, with syllabuses ranging from general Film speed 20 LEICA WINDER M 4-P 40

photography to specialized fields of interest. Shutler speed dial 20 Care of the LEICA M 6 and lenses 41

They provide a wealth of practical suggestions. Exposure metering 21 Alphabetical index 42

help, and advice. Switching on the meter 22 LEICA M lenses 43

Further information and details of seminars Switching off the meter 23 Enlarger 43

are available from: Setting the correct shutter Projectors 43

Leica Camera GmbH, Lcica Academy, speed/aperture combination 22 Binoculars 43

Oskar-Barnack-Strasse 11 Meter sensitivity 23 Replacement parts 43

6336 Sohns (Germany)

Low light levels 23

Telephone +49 (0 64 42) 208-421.

Metering SpOl 24

This instruction booklet was printed on paper

bleached without chlorine - an expensive pro·
cess that preserves the environment, especially
natural water resources.

.2
3

 89 10 11 21 22

'" 12
7------­
.-TQiriii d,­
e ![III,'1 ~
6 __~
13
5--- -=--.' -- L'ircAIL" ._- ..-
rYlG .
20

/
>',.:~>,
•-=. :- .•, ..­

:"(
4--- Iil

.,f".::'I<,'-;.~·,

I
'
3--­

(; ( ~'" '-.'
~

r
23
2--­
.
.
.. . _'
.
4t'
~
.....4t'
" A· 19---­
l " l \ \ . ... ~

The LEICA M 6
1 Battery compartmenL 7 Single-stroke rapiu advance lever
13 Viewfinder "inuow with mirrored strip 19 Sase plale catch
2 Savon.::t lens mount rdeiise buLLon (can also be multi-stroked)
for LiED visibility in bright ligh.l 20 Range-view,rinder eyepiece
3 Reu spot for lens alignment 8 Rangcfinuer winuow
14 Eyelets 1'01' carrying strap 21 Synchronisation sock.::t for flash units
4 Film rewinu lever 9 Shutter speed dial 15 Depth-of-ficlu seal\; WiLh cable
5 AutomaLic frame counter no HOlshoe 16 Distance scale 22 ISO film speed dial
6 Shutter release button with threau for 11 llrighL-hne frame illumination winelow 17 Aperture ring 23 Tripou bushing. I' F

c,tble release 12 Rewind lever 1B Frame presdecLor kvel

4 5
Carrying strap Mounting the lens Removing the lens

.~
The strap is supplied with its steel connection Grasp lens near base, align red dot on lens (3) Grasp lens by fixed ring near base, hold down
hooks locked. To attach, first pull back the with red dot on camera bayonet (2). insert, and release button (2), rotate lens to the left, and
plastic locking slide, and remove the connector lock by turning to the right until an audible remove. Avoid direct sunlight in open camera
entirely. click is heard. lens mount, using the shade of your body.
Mount connector onto the camera eyelet (]4)
and reinsert strap into upper halfcircle. Make
sure that the hooks are the right way round
(see diagram).
Now push slide back to lock connector.

6 7
Rapid-wind Il'\'er
The rapid-wind lever (7) has a 30° r~ady posi­
tion. allLi can be operaled wilhoUi taking the
l.ErCA from your eye. [nSlead of using a sin­
gle stroke. some LEICA experts prefer to give
IW'l "r three short $Lrok~'s-
9- -:xaclly locale-s lhe focal rll\n~.
Slmtter release
The shulter release OUllon (6) is threcH.lcd to
<leeL pt ,tandard cable releases.
s 9
Film loading
The LEICA M 6. has one of the faSlest and
easiest film-loading systems ever developed.
bUI please read through these instructions be­
fore loading film.
Alwa~'s start b)' nmking sun' th,d there is no
film in Ihe camera, hy turnin~ the rewind crank
(6) gl~!lll}', Any rcsistanl'e indk,lles IiIm in the
C<1D1~ra; see rewinding jnstruc.:tions on page W!
Begin by stroking the wind lever and pr~:ssing
the release bulton. Now invert camera. lifl up
baseplate latch (19). remove baseplate. and
open hinged back. as shown above.
Hold the film canridge in the left hand and
insert it part way into the empty chamber. al
Ihe same time pulling out jusl enough film
leader to reach the three. pointed posts of the
lak~-up chamber, as shown by the camera dia­
gram. Under ordinary conditions it does not
matter if the film end eXlends through this
three-post assembly. but in eXlremely cold, dry
wealher the end might break off. and it is beSI
(0 follow the drawing exacily.
Finally, push lhe film c''irtrillge into the cam­
era, press the le<ld<:r level with tile posts. and
replace the baseplate by hooking the end with
protruding tah over the external mounting
post on the camera body. Only after replacing
the baseplate. lest forcorreClloading by genlly
lensing the rewind cr<lnk. and slowly strokin
the advance lever. Backward turniug of the
rewind is proof of proper film Iransport. Wind
on, and fire twice 10 bring the frame counter to
number 1.
Tip! Don't be too fussy in loading your LElC A
M 6. and don't waste time trying to align lhe
leader perfectly. The inner wheelan the base­
plate will lIo this for you, and after a bit of
pracl ice you wi II fi II d I()<lc! i 11 g 5;1 k ;md si 111 pIe.
Nole: TIle open camera back will reveal two 4
sets of gold-plated electrical contacts which
are part of the light meter circuit. These are
corrosion-Jrec.. and rdat ively insensitive to
dirland dust. .Even so, trl:at them with respect.
don't touch them. and keep th.em clean and
elry.

Fillli rc"indiJJg
Turn rewind levGr (4) [0 "R", unfold rewind
crank, aod turn clockwist~, in arrow direct jon.
until rGsistance of pulling film t:ntl from take­
up posts is felt and overcome. (Alternatively.
some LEICA photographers prefer to rewind sembly, Will slowly spi ral downward until it can Holding tllC LElCA An itnportant advantage of this holding me­
the film end completely Into the cartl'idge, to be grasped with two fingers. and pulled free. The two pict t1 res above show what our LE) CA thod is that vertical pictures can be made
prerent accidental reloading of an exposed This is a seldom encountered problem today. School believes is the best w,ly to hold the merely ratming the cam~ra - without changing
film.) because most films are firmly taped to tbe LEICA io order to ensure firm support. Th~ the position of either hand.
Nole: Some: brands of film arc not tap~d to lhe cartridge core, but should il bappen to you, the right nand holds the camera bod;.:. witl1 indes Note: For sake of darity. we have shown the
cartridge core, and may be separated from the remedy is remarkable simple. finger on tbe release bulton. anu tJllJilnb up LEICA withou! a leusbood. Properly designed
core by stroking the advance lever forcefully against the plastic end of the advance lever (In lenshoods are provided for al\ of Lbe LEICA
after the last frame has been exposed. To res­ its working, stand-off position). The left hand lenses (except those \,vith built-in hoods).
cue such film, go to a photographic darkroom supports the lens from helow, always ready for These prevent stray light from entering the
(or use a lighllight black CIOlh film-changing quick refocusing. and presses the C:'lmera lens. and are especially valuable with strong
bag), and remove the M 6 baseplate. Hold the against tht: forehead. side- or back-lighting.
c.lmcra with the open bollom facing down. and
slowly ~trok~ the <ldvancc lever and relea~e the
~hullcr a Ilumhcr of times. The film. which is
completely wound around the thl,;.C-post il~-

10 II
LEICA M 6 r3nge-tiewlillller
The LETCA M. 6 range-viewfinder is a highly
accurate lens-coupled rangeCindcr with lens­
actuated bright-lilll:: hames tor six difJerent
focal lengths, from 28- to 135 mm. Everything
within the frame \vill be recorded on the film.
These frames correspond to ao image field of
23 x 35 mm (slide mount format) at the closest
focusing distance for each lens. At longer dis­
tances the image will contain a somewhat
larger subject field than that shown within the
bright-line frames.
The bayonet of each lensmouot automatically
actuates the correcl frame (or its [ocallength,
and these frames are coupled to the focusing
mechanism so that parallax (the framing dif­
ference caused by the displacement of the
camera lens and the viewfinder) is autoffiClti­
cally compensated for as the lens is foclIsed.
12
aod the bright-line frame corresponds to the
film image. In the center of the viewfinder is a
<;nmewhat paler rectangle: this is the LE1C i\
rangefinder which permits bOlh coincidence
(the merging of two images of the same ohject)
or split-image (the connecting of a broken
subject line that runs through the ra ngefinder
patch) focusing methods.
All LEJCA-M lenses with Iocallengths (rom
21 to 135 mm couple to the rangefinder. Lenses
trom 2i{ to US mOl automatically actuate the
appropriate combination of bright ~ne frames:
(28 + 90 mm). (35 + 135 mm), (50 + 75 mm).
Through-the-Iens (TIL) light metering is in­
dicated by triangular LEDs which appear
3.5mm 135 "''-11 Rangcfinder
when the meIer is turned on by light finger hri\!ht-line hright-line Iicld
pressure on the release button. f.-dlnC [,,"nc
Exposurc
mc.lcr
LED
13
Fl'am{' I>Fc.sckdOr JC'H>r
LEfCA-;V! kl1~l'S ,H'ltor!latically actuate their
own hri,~h.t-linl~ vicI"lind'cr fr<lOles, but lhi~ is
not ~lh\'ay~ lhc right kll~ for the picture. at
hane\. The frame presekctor lever (18) lets you
lest the composition for the other focaL
lengths, The three preselector posit ions arl.::
Lewr CHJlsidc - 35 + 135 rnrn ,frames
Levo ",\C:ntered - 50 + 75 mm frames
Lever inward - 28 + 90 mOl frames
14 15
Rangefuutcr Coinddellce (double image) focusing

TIle rangefinder field i~ the pale rcctangle in Ln most cases. and paniculary (or pic III res of

(he center of the viewfinder field. If the view. people. the coincidence or double-image fo­

finder window (13) is covered. only tile bright­ cusing method is preferable because it re­

lioe [cames and the ca ngefinder patcb remain quires no straight lines in t he SUbject. Simpl~'

visible. The bright. sharply masked rangefin­ cover the most important part of the subject

der pa teb permits (he use of eit ber coincidence '''ith Ute rangefinder patch. tum the lens until

or split-image rangefinder focllsing. tl1e double image appears as OUC, aile! recom­

pose (if necessary) to make the exposure.

Split -image foclIsing

For pictures of bui Idings or other subjects con­

t<'lining straight verticalliocs, place the range­

finder patch so that some line nms right

Double image = out of focus Broken line =out oJ focus
through it. Now turn the lens (0 make the line

conlinuous, On theoretical grOLmds, split-im­

age focusing gives tbe greatest accuracy. and

lhis is an import<llll foclIsing option for tlle

LEICA M 6.

16 Coincident image = in focus Continuous line =in fOCllS \7


Ballery care and u,~c
Store baueries in a cool, dry place. New and
used batteries - or batteries of different makes
Ratteries
The LEICA M 6 exposure meter can b..: po­
ments in normal lISC, this m..:ans sllfficienl en­ Sih-er oxide cells
ergy for 4.800 exposures. The (olluwing can be llsed in the LEfCA M 6:
Batteries should he exchanged when the (Type No" and principal uea of application).
LEOs begin to appear weaker than normal. Ucar EPX 76 - should not be used together_ Because ballery
although the exposure meter will continue LO Duracell 0357 (I() L14) shelf life is often similar to inuse life. a spare set
read accurately as long as they light up at all.)f Varta V 76 PX should be purchased at least some months la­
the ceUs arc unnble to supply the minimum ,vere:tcly FPX 711 ter. The baueries listed here are not recharge­
operating voltage. the LED display will nOl NatioJlal SR 44 able. Balterie~ can be tested unly with a proper
appear. Ray-o-vac Pa nas 357 profcssionallCst instrument having the correct
The electrical circuit can be broken by oxida­ Maxell SR.:I4 (adjustable) load characteristic_ Dispose of
tiOll of t he battery surfaces. (Inc! the LEDs will Sony SR 44 balteries carefully - never ill a fire. Tf batlery
not appear. If this is the case, the batteries. Philips 357 disposal depots exist where you live, w~ re­
camera contacts. and cap. should be carefully commend lhnt you use them.
rubbed with a clean cloth. Avoid usinll any LithiulU bal1eries
chemically impregnated doth: a clean but not The foll'owing can be llsed in tlle LEICA M 6: Note:

wned hy ~\>,\) L~5-\'oll silvcroxide hUIIOl\1 -:e1Js. new ballclken:llief i, i~h;i\1. Duracell DLl/, N If lhe cnmerll is to be stored aWLI)' for" long

01' lly om: ]-I'oft Ij thi lIIll cdl. Varia CR I/., N period of time, always remove 1he blltledes.

Unscrew the wver plate (I). and note hattcry Ccar 2 L 76

profile symbols and ,.+" marking ttl top when Philips CR '/.1 N
inserting the cell or cdls. Handle t:ells only by
their sides. never tOllchiJJg. t.he top or bo[\om
sllrfac-es. When in doubt. wupe carefully willl a
clean cloth. When two sJlv,;;roxide ceUs are
used. make sure thall !1oth aFe equally fresh,
and from the same batch.
A set of Cresh batteries will I(lst fm ahtl\1l 20
hours, if the exposure meter is swilched un
continuously. Assuming IS-second measure-

JR 19
 When I he shutter is released. or setLO "B-', the
Thl' triangular LEDs indicate over- or under­ Vel')' lOll" Ught levels
meter is switched off.
exposure. as weU as the direction of rotat ion of If the light level is below the threshold of the
At very low lightlevells (or with very small lens
(he lens aperture ring needed for correct expo­ exposure meter, the LbDs will !lash.
apertures), at the threshold of the light meter­
sure:
Since exposure metering occurs at working
ing range. the LEDs may take about one {ull
\
~ Under-exposure of at least one
aperture, the LEDs may also flash when stop­
second to light up.
ping dOWIl. In spite of a light level below llJC
f-stop.
threshold sensitivity, the exposure meter
Turn lens aperture ring to the right.
Setting ~hlJt1er specclllens ar)cr1urc
remains swiched on as usual, that is, for 12
combiJJatinns ror corrt'd exposllfl~
~ ~ Under-exposure uf liz stop. seconds after finger pressure has been remo­
For correct exposure metering the shutler
Turn kn~ ap<:rture ring to the right. ved from the release buttom. [f the light level
speed llial must he set at a marked ~pccd.
improves during lhis timo (e.g. if the picture
~ ~ Correct exposure.
Jntermediate settings will cause the LEOs to
framing IS changed or the aperture opened),
light up. but exposure readings may not be
~ ~ Over-exposure of III stop. lhe LEDs change from Ilashing to uninter­
Switching the cxposlIJ'e meter on correl.:l.
Turn lens aperture ring to the ler!. rupted di~play.
The exposure meter is switched on by light After a speed has been SCI. toucll the releClse

Over-exposure of atlcast on f-stop.

pressure on the shutler release button (6). button rightly. and rotate the lens aperture

Turn len~ aperture ring to tbe left. Switching off (he Exposure MeIer
providing that the shutter is tensioned (and is ring until both LEDs light up equally hrightly.

If the camera is stored in a bag or lert unused for

not set to "8"). Afler finger pressure has bet~n When only one LED appears. turn the lens

Leica M 6 meter sensilivity a while, the shutter speed setting ring should be
removed. the exposure meter remains on (or aperture ring in the direction indicated.

The light metering range begins at 0,063 cdf set to ~n".lllC exposure meter is now switched
about (12) seconds. When the shutler is re­
leased, the meter is switched off and the LEDs off.
m'.
[!O OUI. If the fi 1m is immediately wound on. as The working range. at ISO 100121° is from Ev-l
when using the LETCA WINDER, the expo­ to Ev 20. or 2 sec (shutter speed dial position
sure meter is reactivated and the LEDs light up "B") at fll to If 1000 sec at f/32. (Refer to dia­
again. gram page 26).
If even one of the two LEOs light up. this
indicates that the light meter is ope rat ional.

22 '23
 LEICA i\'l6 metering fields
The metering field covers approxil1Ulleiv 23%
of the viewfinder field corre~pondjng to the
lens being used. Metering fields for the seven
focallenghts have not been marked. in order 10 , - - 1
preserve an unclullered viewlinder. The fol­
lowing reference value ilpplies for all lens focal
lenglhs
'Ole diameter of Ihe circular measllring field is
• •
" .J
l _
• _ J

approximately 2fj of the short s.ide of the ap­

propriate bright-line frame. This also applies ~ .. ~ ~
~ ~

10 lenses wilh integral viewfinder allachments.

sllch as the ELMARlT-M 135 mm m.s.
90 mrn 135 mOl 75mm

r - _.;­ ~ - 1

•
• • l _
•
.1:.' _ J

. ... . .. ~ ~ ~ ~

21 mUI
28mm 35 mOl 50 mm
24
25
 Metering diugram The light measuring range is shown on the Example B indicates tbat in case of candle
right-hand side of the diagram, in cd/m1 (ciln­ Lighl and a speed of lllm of ISO 400127° (1 cdl
dela-per-square meter, aka NIT) m2 ), one ~bould take photos with a diaphragm
Shutter speeds and f-stops are shown at the of 1.4 and 1/15 s. In case the lens is used, i.e.
- - - - - - - - Sw • left. as Tv (time values) and Av (aperture val­ with diaphragm 11. tbe appropriate exposure
.., 7... b ~ ~ ues), time of 4 s Callnot be adjusted any mort: when
'"
&,
~~t:~~8­
c:> ;;, <3 808~g,,, ISO speed indexes (in ASA and DIN) are using the lime adjusting knob..~s tbe maxi­
0,0113
I 0,125 showD all the horizontal scale al the top as Sv mum expo~ure time that can be adjusted with
..
,~ 0,26
0.5
1
(speeLl values), and the vertical scale in the
center gives EV (exposure value) Dlullbers.
this knob is I s only. without causing the LED's
to flash, an exact measuring is not possible any
'"'
.'l. 2
Tbe working range of the LEICA M 6 shutler more either. Therefore, in order to obtain lhe
_\
•8
I> is inLlicilted schematically by the hatched ver­ exacI exposure lime. one can only convert or
..
~
\ 16
32
63 Bv
tical scale at the extreme ldt-hand side of the lise Ibis diagramrne.
drawing. with the empty "S·, space represent­
• 12~
2SO ing the range of e,xposures longer Iban ODe
..
I I
~
""0
1000
2000
second.
'l> '000

.
,Q
,\
BOOO Example A shows the correlation between a
16000
\'l 32000 film speed of ISO 100/21°, a typical daytime
\~
,"
113000
125000
brightness of 4.000 cd/m 2 • a lens aperture of fI
11, and a shutter speed of 'hlosec. The exposure

~~!~
cdlm'
va lue of EV 15 can be read a t the intersect ion
\Q~ '1.1>
of the A-diagonal with the cenlral EV ~cak.

1,111 2 '2,fl

------Av - - - - - ­
~ 5,6 8 ,I 16 22 32
t
Ei

26 27
Ge-neral notes on {,xpO~lIre metering
MO~1 scen.:s contain an even distribution of
brighl and dark subject details, and the major­
ity of sunlighled sUbjects have an averogc re­
flectance of 18%. This means that l8% 01 the
light that falls upon these ~ubjecls will be re­
flected toward the camera lens, ami this 18%
reflectance corresponds to an average gray
tone for which exposure meters arc calibrated.
Subjects that are themselves very bright, or
which have v,,;ry bright background areas (such
as snow. sand. or water), renect more light
toword the exposure meter. whieh will tencllO
indicat<.: underexposures.
Dark subjecls such as black fur, slate roofs. ar:td
navy-blue uniforms. reflecl much less light,
and meters tend to tndicate overexposures.
'or such special cases. 1he exposure is best
measured selectively. by including only a por­
lion contnining a representiltive sampling of
the lUost important subject details. For exaul­
pic, the bride's face should be measured, and
not the whiteness of her gown. And a land­
scape mock with a wideanglc kns should be
metered poinling downward to exclude a good
pari of the bright sky.
When no such meteTtng alternative is available
- or the photographer simply has no lime to
28
make specialized rcadings - a compensation
factor of 2 x or 4 x can be used. opening or
closing the lens aperture by one or two f-stops.
or increasing or decreasing the exposure time.
White snow uncler a clear sky with bright SUll­
lig.ht often calls for an exposure increase of 4x
(or plus two f-slops) if subjects of normal re­
flectance arc to be properly exposed. Similar­
ly. a "normal" subject against a dark forest
background may call for decreasing the expo­
sure to prevent the effect of reading mainly the
dark background, and thereby overexposing
the important subject.
Positive color slide film possess far less expo­
sure latitude. and their brightness recording,
rangc~ arc much ~h()rtt:r than tbose of either
b&w or color nt:gativc I1lms.
Three golden rules arc:
1.1 Expose color slide films for the
highlights. and let the shadows
fall where Ihey may.
2) Expose color negative films for
important middle-lOne areas.
and never fear overexposure.
.1) Expose b&w films for the sua­
dows, and develop for tilL' high­
lights.
29
Exposlnc OJetctiug tips 6 meter reading.s [rOJJl distances closer than

Tilt: two pil:l1m~s ahove arc very different. but the lens can focus.

Lhey share a common problem: very bright In tbe Bavarian beer tenl at right. bare light

bac.kgrounds that might have led the meter to bulbs could easily have led to underexposure­

IHlderexpose their important foreground are­ even a silhoud te - of tbe Kapellmeislc:f. To

liS. For (he landscape, the solution was 10 aim avoid this, the lens was pointed toward the

the LEICA M 6 selective meter downward. so lower left-hand comer of this picture to obtain

as to measun: practically only the foreground an accurate meter reading for the bandstand

area. area.

This is the advantage of selective liglu-mcter­

The portrait \\7<15 metered by moving very close ing with the LEICA M 6: yOll measure what

to the child, in order tu t,lke a reading from the you want, amI know what you're measuring.

face alone. I ben using this exposure for subse­

quent pictures made trmm a greater distance.
Jncidclllillly. you can wh: accurate LE1CA M

30 _, I
When looking for the ide,lI pictllJC ar-:a. the
ramen, is usually panned, evcn for quick snap­
suots. At the same time, this helps the pho­
tographer to determine if there is sufficienlly
even distribution of clark and light uel<lils. A
striking dt:lail in the subject is also IlCccssary
for focusing. If this does not happen 10 he in
the centre of an interesting picture area. the
camera again ha~ to be panncd. whereby darkl
light dis<\ribUtion c,Ul be checked at the saJTIe
timc, The- t\\'l1 pictures above were taken in this
way.
Left: Focusing and exposure measurement on
the boy on the right in the leIl window - pan
the camera back to desired picture area - no
32
change in exposure value - shool. Right: fo­
cusing and exposure measurement on the
young lady in the left of the picture - pan hack
to the desired picture arc,t - considerable
change in exposure value. as DOW predomi­
nantly white details arc heing registered from
the measuring fidel of the exposure Older ­
therefore exposure mea<;uremeot is catTied
out again by pointing the camera downwards
to the far left (parl of the measuring field is
even underneath the picture section)- back to
correct picture an:a - shoot. On the bright
beach of Acapulco the exposure value was de­
termined by panning the camera Lo tbc right.
and measuring outside Lhe range of the suhjecl
area. In this area there were reed hUIS, palm
trees. deckchairs and people. i.e. an even Jis­
tribuLion of li[!ht ;Jnu dark det<lIls. II sUl,;h suh­
stitute measur.;;1I1enls <.Ire not possible. expo­
sure measurement should be carried out on
the light dl:tails. for exampk. thl.: light sand on
the beach or in the dest::rl, the wh.ilewash_ed
wall'- in a (in,;c:k village m the sno\\' on th(~ run
~f a ski slopL:. and the valu-: th-:n corrected
accordingly, Opening up the diaphragm bv two
stops conects the exposure value for purely
white details, i.e. multiplying the shutler speed
by ,'I (l:.g. ',,'Osee. instead of '/:<o",sec). Fill" lighl­
coloured details such as sand, one stop is suf­
ficient or twic~ tUL: shutter speed.
In sunny SD()WSCapes the cmrcc~ CXPOSllJ'C [or
the areas of sunlight can be detL:rmineLl hy
measuring the shade. In this case 110 cnrrcctiorl
must be made.
For photos of spotlighted subjects. when malw
detaib of til.: subjecl ,ife in the: shadows, or for
prcJOnlinanlly dark subjects. such as steam
engi nes or black fiL:lds of lava. there are usually
small portions of thL: picture area with a good
distribution of light and J;irk details which can
be measured using ~rOI metering. J n this pic­
lure taken at the balk!. lhe area for mea~un~­
ment was at the far right, partly outside the
picture area. If then; an; DO suitable areas,
exposure measurement must be carried out on
?l3
the dark details and a correCtion made, result­
ing in a shorter shutler speed. Stopping down
by half a stop (in extreme cases a whole slap) is
enough.
If there is a very great contrast between light
and dark parts of the image. the exposure
range of the films is not sufficient to rcgister all
the nuances in brightness of the subject. either
in the "light" or in rhe "shade". The photo­
grapher can decide for himself where be wants
the more detail. For example. a person can
appear as a hlack silhouette (unda-exposed)
in front of a correctly exposed landscape, or
correctly exposed in (root of a "bleached"
background (over-exposed). Measurement of
34
"light" and "shade" <lnct the consequent expo­ hances the characta of a picture and can used
sure value usually leads to unsatisfactory re­ as a good compositional aid. In this landscape
sults. because delicate differences in bright­ ph010, exposure measurcmeol was done on the
ness arc lost both in the light and the dark fir trees aod mountain ridges on the left of tbe
areas. The landscape photo was taken after picture (without the sky) and the value \Vas
measuring in the lower right part of the piclun: then reduced by tWll stops.
(shadow of thc tree on the grass and the horse).
For fast-moving subjects, there is often no time
for exposure measurement. I n such cases. ex­
posure measurement is carried out before­
hand. Til this example, measurement was done
in the lOp left-band corner. as the tapes bor­
dering the racetrack provided light and dark
details.
Deliberate over- or under-exposure often en­
3S
 Use of older LEICA-M lenses Lens design
All LEICA-M lenses can be used without re­ LEICA lenses all have a fixed ring with depth­
striction. However. the exposure metering or·beJd scale (IS). a rotatable focusing ring
system does not [uJJction with the following: 17
(\6) and a n aperture-selling ring (17).
I-10LOGON 15 tum £8
SUPER-ANGULON-IvI21 mill f 4 16
SUPER ANGULON-M 21 111m f 3.4
ELMARlT-M 28 111111 [2.8
up to Serial No. n14921.
15

Flash ~Yllt:tiroriir.ation ["ocusing ring lillle practice. the aperlures can also be set in
All currently ,lvilil,lhlc flash units can he con­ Electronic flash 1- f ('/so), 8 The focus ring (16) shows the distance St:l and. the dark.
nected 10 the: LEJCi\ M (j via the interna­ in combination with 111e scale (15), the depth­
lionally standardrzcd "LIor shoe" (10). and a AG 38 of-field 1'<1 ngt:.
Flashcubes 1 ---> '!lo, 8
"PC" cord socket (~l). We recommend the use PFl B
of modem thyristor-controlled electronic en XM1B Aperture ring
J:J
Oash-uruIS. 'S M3 The apl:-rtllrc fignres are internationally fixed.
J:J PFC4
Electrol]lc-[]ash units can be SVllch.ronized at s::.
en
They are so designed that the amount of Jigbl
" f " (1/50 sec.). or .at aLi longer ~xposure times <II
u: reaching the film is always halved when one
down to "B ". when special effects ilrc wanted. stops down from aperture to aperture. One
']\vo f1<lsh units can be connected by lIsing both stop corresponds 10 one selling on the ,huller
the PC socket and hotshoc. speed dial (9).
The aperllln: riag is cLick-slorred al e:ach full
stop (for IllOSt lenses also half stops) in a simi­
Jar fashion to the shuller speed di,,!. After a

36 37
 o

Depth-of-field scale
Th~ plane which is reproduced the sharpest is
that on which th~ lens is foclised. This greatest
of-field at f 4 ranges from 4-8 metres approxi­
mately. Stopping down to fU. however. in­
creases the range to 3-20 metres.
Lens hoods
=

Each LElCA lens is supplied willI an indivi­

dually-designed lens hood, Some of them can
Bag~ and Clllies

The e\'~r-ready case (Order No. 1450S) is re­

commended for use of the LFWA M 6 with

~harpness decreases gradually in front of and be allached in the reversed posit ion. Telephoto one lens from 2] -50 mm (,lpart from the SU

hehind this pl<lne so that a certain range exists lenses have built-in hoods which pull out tele­ mm f 1). The front pari is removable if the

within which the image is, to the eye, repro­ scopically. bulloJl on the rear j;" pUlihed upwards. In ad­

duced sharply. The depth-or-field is dependent The lens hoods should alway~ be used as '11ey dition. the Combi Bag (Order 1\0. 14840) is

upon the focus selling, the focal leng, h of the provide. on the one hand. shade fTOm side available for a camera plus up to threc lenses.

!em, and the aperture. Stopping down increas­ lighting or glare, and. on the other. protection \\"liihl tilt,: Universal H,l~ (Or~kr No. 14827)

.:s depth-of-field. widening the aperture de­ against rain drops or finger marks. accommodates a C,lmer<l with up to five lenses.

creases it. The depth-of-field scale indicMes

the range of sharpness at the set focus dis­
tance.
For example. using the SUMMTLUX"'-M 50
mm f 1.4 lens focused on 5 metres. the depth­

38 39
Filters
All LEICA M lenses have standard-si7e filler
threads. The excepton is the SUMMTLUX-M
35 mm t 1.4 which accepts Series 7 fillers in­
serted into the unscrewable lens hood.
When metering the exposure through the lens.
any reduction in light caused by a filter is au­
tomatically taken into account. However. films
have different seosilivilic,~ in the individual
spectral regions. meaning that the more ex­
treme filters could cause deviations from the
conect exposure. For example. orange fi Iters
generally need one stop more exposure~ red,
on average, two stops more. A universally valid
correction factor is not possible as the red
sensitivity of black-and-white films varies con­
siderably.
E~'esight correction lenses
For optimal matching of the viewfinder to lhe
e~'c. correction lenses in lh<;; [ollowing
strengths are available (dioptres. spherical):
+ 0.5. + 1, + 1.5. + 2. + 3
the winder is switched off or if the balleries are
- 0.5. - I. - 15. - 2. - 3
dead, the film can still be wound on manually
40
LEICA WINDER M
Either of the LEICA WTNDER M 4-P or M.J­
(from Serial No. 10350) can be Buached to
the LEICA M 6 t.or automatic film transport
and reselling of the shutler, for single expo­
sures and series up to three !Sames per second.
The winder is mounted on the camera in place
of the base plate, and is suitable for all shutter
speeds from I to '/",~) SeC.. incluiling B. When
l:al regions etc.. a colourless UVa filter can be
u:;.:d to protect the front lens element against
as normal. Remote release is possible via the
cable release connection.
Care of the I.EICA M 6 and lenses again~;;t the light or in situations with great
A lens works as a burning glass when it IS conlraSI. The lens hood is equally good pro­
(Ii mend at the Sl1 n. 1. e. if the sun shines eli reetly tection against fingermarks and rain.
throl1g.h thc lens onto the shuller it burns a
holc:: into the shuller curtain. The camera in­
side mus!. therefore. be protected by using lhe
lens cap. keeping the camera in its case, and
leaving it in the shade. Every lens has. in addi­
t ion to its name, a "personal" serial number.
This. as well as the camera number whieh is
engraved on lhe hotshoe of the LEICA M 6.
should be noted down in case the camera is lost
or stolen.
Dust should be removed [rom the Quter lens
dements using a soft-haired brush or. with
care, a soft. clean, dry cotton cloth. The special
cleaning cloths for spectacles are not recom­
mended. as they arc impregnated with chemi­
cab which could attack optical glass (optical
glass for high-performance lenses has a Jiffer­
ent composit inn to glass for spectacles).
In poor condition. e. g. at the seaside. in tropi­
salt water spray, sand and similar. l-lowever.
any additional glass surface placed before the
lens (i. e. a filter) can cause undesirable lIar~
or reflect ions. in rart icular when shooting
41
Alphahetical Index Page
Page
LEICA M lenses
Binoculars
Aperture setting ring .................................... 37
Filter ............................................................... 40
The LEICA M system offen; a basis for rapid.
Superb optics arc the most outstanding smgle
Bags and cases ................................................19
Fla;:;h synd11'llllisation ................................... 36
inconspicllOlJs pholOgraphy, in poor liglll such
feaWre of all LEICA binoculars. Thev are
Helllcry ........................................................... 1~
Focusing ......................................................... 37
as in church or at conc~rts. The lens range
made of ll1..: same high-grade optical glass as
Bright-line frame selector lever ................... 14
Holding the camera ....................................... 11
reaches from 21 to }35 mm with ma.ximurn
the world-famous LETCA lenses. Their bril­
Carrying strap ................................................ 6
L.:ns hoods ..................................................... 39
ap<:rtuJCS of f 1.4 [l nd even I 1.
liant optical performance and exceptional
Correction lenses ........................................... 40
Metering Gelds ............................................... 24
re~olution ensure thaI you obtain n vivid 1111'1.:.:­
Customer Service .......................................... 4~
Metering diagram .......................................... 26
Enlargers
dimensional image e\-en in poor light.
Depth-or-field scale ...................................... :;,";
M-Lenses ........................................................ 37
When you usc a superh camera like the LEl­

Exposure metering ........................................ 2'I

o:.:onstruction ........................................ 37
CA M 6. the reprouuclion equipment should

- general hints On expo~ure - interchangeable lenses ....................... 42

malo:.:h the camera's quality and performance.

metering .............................................. 28
- use of existing lenses .......................... 37
The LEICA FOCOMA 1" V 35 autofocus en­

- melcr sensitivity ................................. 23

Rangefindt::r .....................:............................. 16
larger is the perfect complement to your LEI­
- switching on the exposure meIer ...... 22
Range-viewfinc!l;r .......................................... 1
AM6.
- tips ....................................................... 30
Rapid-wind lever ........................................... 8

- very low tight levels ............................ 23

Shutter release ............................................... ~
Projectors

Film ................................................................. 8
Slmller-spcedJaperture combination ......... 11
For your LEICA M 6 slides there is a compre­

- insenig the fi.lm ................................... 8

Shutler-speed dial .......................................... 20
hensive range of versatile. easy-to-use projec­

- rewinding and removing ................. " 10

Tips on the care of camera and lensco;; ........ 41
turs. with a large choice of options. Till.: LEI­

- selling film speed ................................ 20

Winder M ....................................................... 40
CAP 200D PRADOVlT and the LElCA P
Customer Service
150. LEtCt\ P 155. and LEICA P 255 oller
tQtaluser convenience fI nd a versatile range of
optional modules.
Superb optic;)l performance in combination
\-vith lraditional Leica precision mechanics are
the common <knominntor of all LEJCA pro­
jectors.
For (he malotenance and. in the unlikely case of
damage, repairs to your lens, please COllsultlhe
Customer Service of Leica Camera GmbH or
the Customer Service orany national Lcica Ca­
mera agency (sec warranty card for address list).
.'\~k your authorized dealer or specialist for ad­
vil~e.

42 43
 .... Rcgl'$teled TriulcnlArk
IUu~lr ... t[t)ll!o". d~cr4p[lnn'l. dnd IcC'hrUcal d:llllllIC not bif)dmr. nnd. m:t) bo chHne.cd \\'ithout noOcc.

1rndem>rk or
rhe Le~C3 CamCIa G rou p

Leka Camel:! GmbH, Osk:ar·Barn~i,;k·SIrI.tUe II. LJ-6~36 Soln')o;

Tel.fon 06~ 42 I 20S·0. T.I.r.< 06H} I 208·>JJ. T.le, 'S161O 'oic. d
eng,l 9302751 dL ~3027J/ff7.... 930276 Printed In German}' VI1I/92/CX/L