Minox M6TTL User Manual

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Leica Akademie

Leica not only manufactures high-performance products for everything from observation to reproduction: it offers a special service in the form of the Leica Akademie. For many years, this internationally famous facility has taught photographic expertise in practical seminars and training courses. It meets the needs of keen photographers, both beginners and advanced students, for special training in demanding areas of 35 mm photography, projection, and enlargement.

Up-to-date, well-equipped seminar rooms are available at our Solms headquarters and at the nearby "Gut Altenberg" for these courses, which are held by experienced instructors, the content of which ranges from general photography to specialised fields of interest. They provide a wealth of practical suggestions, help, and advice. Further information and details of seminars are available from:

Leica Camera AG Leica Akademie Oskar Barnack Str. 11 D- 35606 Solms Tel: 06442208421 Fax: 06442 208 425 e-mail:

la@leica-camera.com

Dear Customer,

Congratulations on your decision to purchase the LEICA M6 TTL. You have chosen an excellent and unique rangefinder camera.

We wish you many years of pleasure and successful photography with your camera.

We recommend that you read these instructions first in order to derive full benefit from the photographic possibilities offered by your new camera.

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Nomenclature

1. Battery compartment cover

2. Lens release button

3. Eyelets for carrying strap

4. Red button for lens alignment

5. Lever for film rewinding release

6. Automatic frame counter

7. Shutter release button with threaded socket for cable release

8. Quick-wind lever for film transport and shutter wind (must be brought in stand-by position when shooting)

9. Rangefinder window

10. Shutter speed dial with clickstops for:

• Shutter speeds from 1 to 1/1 000s

• " " for 1/50 s synchronising speed for flash operation

• "B" for long exposures

• "OFF" for switching off the electronics

11. Accessory shoe for flash control with:

• Centre contact

• Contacts for TTL flash control

12. Bright-line frame illumination window

13. Angled rewind crank

14. Viewfinder window with mirrored strip for LED visibility in bright light

15. Fixed ring with depth-of-field scale

16. Focusing ring

17. Aperture ring

18. Frame preselector

Contents Page

Leica Academy .............................................................. 1

Foreword ....................................................................... 1

Nomenclature .............................................................2/3

Viewfinder displays ........................................................ 3

Fitting the carrying strap ................................................4

Power supply .............................................................5

Batteries..................................................................... 5

Loading and replacing the batteries ........................... 5

Automatic battery check............................................. 6

Quick-wind lever ............................................................ 7

Shutter release button.................................................... 7

Shutter speed dial.......................................................... 7

Loading the film ............................................................. 8

Opening the camera .................................................. 8

Inserting the film......................................................... 9

Closing the camera.................................................. 10

Transport to the first frame....................................... 10

Setting the film speed............................................... 10

Film rewind and removal .......................................... 11

Fitting the lens .............................................................12

Removing the lens ....................................................... 13

LEICA M lens design ...................................................13

Focusing ring ...........................................................14

Aperture ring ............................................................ 14

Depth-of-field scale .................................................. 15

Lens hoods ..............................................................16

Use of older LEICA M lenses....................................... 16

How to hold the camera correctly................................. 17

Bright-line viewfinder.................................................... 18

Frame selector......................................................... 20

Rangefinder ................................................................. 22

Coincidence (double image) focusing ...................... 22

Split-image focusing................................................. 22

Exposure metering....................................................... 24

Switching on the exposure meter............................. 24

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Setting the correct shutter speed/ Page

aperture combination ........................................... 25

Meter sensitivity................................................... 26

Low light levels .................................................... 26

General information on exposure metering.......... 26

Switching off the exposure meter......................... 26

Metering diagram.............................................27/29

Metering field ....................................................... 30

Tips for exposure metering .................................. 32

Use of flash.............................................................. 38

Compatible flashguns .......................................... 39

Fitting and connecting the flash unit..................... 39

TTL flash mode.................................................... 40

Settings for TTL flash mode................................. 40

Flash exposure displays in the viewfinder in

TTL and automatic mode..................................... 40

Flash exposure displays in the viewfinder in

manual flash mode .............................................. 41

Flash exposure displays in the viewfinder in

strobe mode......................................................... 41

System accessories for the LEICA M6 TTL ............. 42

Interchangeable lenses........................................ 42

Filters................................................................... 42

Eyesight correction lenses................................... 42

LEICA WINDER M............................................... 43

Bags and cases ................................................... 43

Tips on maintenance of M6 camera and lenses . .44

Alphabetical index ................................................... 45

Technical data ......................................................... 46

Other LEICA products.............................................. 48

Projectors ............................................................ 48

Binoculars............................................................ 48

LEICA Services ....................................................... 49

Information Service.............................................. 49

Customer Service ................................................ 49

LeicaCard ............................................................ 49

19. Base plate

20. Base plate catch

21. Viewfinder eyepiece

22. Synchronisation socket for flash units with cable

23. Camera back

24. ISO (ASA/DIN) film speed dial

25. Base plate holding pin

26. Tripod bushing A/, DIN 4503 1/4")

Viewfinder displays

LEDs-(Light Emitting Diode) for: A Shutter/aperture balance B Flash operation C Bright-line frame for 50 mm and 75 mm (Example) D Metering field for focusing

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Fitting the carrying strap

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Power supply

The LEICA M6 TTL requires two 1.5 volt silver oxide button cells or one 3 volt lithium cell for the exposure meter and to trigger connected flash units.

If the camera is not in use for longer periods of time or if you wish to keep a battery with you as replacement, lithium cells are particularly suitable, as they can be stored for several years with no loss of energy.

Batteries

Silver oxide button cells Lithium cells Duracell D 357 (10 L 14) Duracell DL 1/3 N Everready EPX 76 Kodak K 58 L Kodak KS 76 Philips CR 1/3 N Maxell SR 44 Ucar 2 L 76 National SR 44 Varta CR 1/3 N Panasonic SR 44 Philips 357 Ray-o-vac 357 Sony SR 44 Ucar EPX 76 Varta V 76 PX

Loading and replacing the batteries

1. Unscrew the battery compartment cover (1).

2. Wipe any oxidation residue off the cells using a clean cloth.

3. Insert the cells into the holder in the battery compartment cover. Pay attention to the polarity.

4. Now screw the cover together with the cells back into the camera.

5. To remove the batteries, follow the same procedure in reverse.

A set of fresh batteries has a life of approximately 8 hours with the exposure meter switched on continuously. Assuming 10second measurements in normal use, one set of batteries therefore supplies sufficient energy for approx. 2900 exposures, i.e. 80 films of 36 exposures each.

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Automatic battery check

If the red LED is flickering, i.e. its brightness fluctuates, the batteries should be replaced. If the cells are unable to supply the minimum operating voltage, the LED display disappears.

Note: the electrical circuit can be broken by oxidation of the battery surfaces; this will also cause the LEDs to go out. In this case, remove the batteries and clean the battery terminals, camera contacts and battery compartment cover with a clean cloth.

Important:

• Always replace batteries in full sets. Do not mix batteries of different make or type.

• Keep battery contacts clean.

• Do not incinerate, recharge, open, dismantle

or heat the batteries.

• Remove exhausted batteries as soon as possible. Do not dispose of used batteries in normal garbage as they contain environmentally harmful substances.

• In order to ensure proper battery recycling, take the batteries to a recycling point.

• If the camera is not to be used for longer periods, remove the batteries.

• Store batteries in a cool and dry place.

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Quick-wind lever

The quick-wind lever (8) is used to advance the film, to cock the shutter and to automatically advance the frame counter. For rapid sequences, the user can put the lever into a "ready position".

Shutter release button

The shutter release button (7) should be pressed softly (not jerkily) until it clicks and the shutter is opened. The shutter release has a threaded socket to accept standard cable releases.

Shutter speed dial

The size and location of the shutter speed dial of the LEICA M6 TTL are ergonomically perfect: on the one hand, the dial is extremely easy to use and can also be operated with the camera held to the eye. On the other hand it is well protected to prevent it from being switched on or the settings changed accidentally. In addition, its direction of rotation (like that of the aperture ring on the lenses) corresponds to the exposure meter displays in the viewfinder: if the left-hand triangular LED is flashing for example, turning the wheel in the direction of the arrow, i.e. to the right, will lead to the slower shutter speed required.

The shutter speed dial (10) of the LEICA M6 TTL is used to select the shutter speeds - from 1/1000s to 1s - and also the synchronising speed " " for flash operation (1/50 s) and "B" for long exposures.

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When the dial is set to "B", the shutter remains open until the shutter release button is released.

The "OFF" position is located between "B" and the end of the scale. When the dial is turned to this position, the exposure meter is switched off.

The speed selector dial engages positively at all engraved speeds. Intermediate speeds cannot be selected.

For details on correct exposure, see the "Exposure metering" section on page 24.

Loading the film

Always start by making sure that there is no film in the camera by turning the rewind crank (13) gently in the direction of the arrow. Any resistance indicates that a film is already loaded; see rewinding instructions on page 11. Begin by actuating the wind lever and pressing the release button. Hold the camera in your left hand with the base plate pointing upwards.

Opening the camera

1. Raise the latch (20) on the base plate (19).

2. Turn the latch to the left.

3. Remove the base plate.

4. Fold the back (23) out towards the rear.

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Note: with the camera back open, three goldplated electrical contacts (29) are visible on the back and in the camera housing. These contacts are corrosion-free, and relatively insensitive to dirt and dust. Special care of these contacts is not necessary.

When loading a new film, however, ensure nevertheless that the contacts are kept clean and dry.

Inserting the film

5. Hold the film cartridge in the right hand and

insert it about half-way into the empty chamber.

6. Take the film leader and pull it into the take-

up chamber spool (28), as shown in the dia- gram (27) of the camera housing.

7. Using your fingers push the cartridge and

the film leader carefully into the camera.

Note: the end of the film must be tapered, as is the case with made-up films. Under ordinary conditions it does not matter if the film end projects through the three-post assembly. In extremely cold, dry weather, however, the end may break off, and the drawing should then be followed exactly.

Important Do not check correct loading when the camera is open. The base plate is designed such that it guides the film into the correct position when attached to the camera.

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Closing the camera

8. Replace the camera back.

9. Hook the base plate over the external mounting post on the camera body (25).

10. Fold the base plate back into its normal position, ensuring that the camera back is in full contact so that the base plate envelops it.

11. Lock the back using the base plate catch.

Transport of the film to the first frame

12. Advance the film to the next frame by means of the quick-wind lever, and release the shutter.

13. Gently pull the film taut by turning the rewind crank (13) in the direction of the

arrow. The film is properly transported when the rewind crank turns backwards when the quick-wind lever is operated again.

14. Finally, press the shutter release button again and cock the shutter for the third time. The frame counter (6) now reads 1 and the camera is ready to shoot.

Setting the film speed

The dial for setting the exposure meter to the film speed (24) can be used to set values from ISO 6/9° to ISO 6400/39° (ASA 6/9 DIN to ASA 6400/39 DIN; the ISO designation is that generally used internationally). To set the film speed:

1. Press the centre of the dial down and turn it until the two triangles are aligned opposite the desired film speeds (DIN above, ASA below).

2. When released, the disc will engage and spring back flush with the surrounding ring if it has been set properly.

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The following settings are possible:

Scale

12/12° 12/12° 400/27°

25/15° 25/15° 800/30°

50/18° 50/18° 1600/33°

100/21°

Film speed ISO (ASA/DIN)

- 8/10° - 250/25°

- 10/11° - 320/26°

- 16/13° - 500/28°

- 20/14° - 640/29°

- 32/16° - 1000/31°

- 40/17° - 1250/32°

- 64/19° - 2000/34°

- 80/20° - 2500/35°

- 125/22° - 4000/37°

100/21° 3200/36°

160/23°

Scale Film speed

ISO (ASA/DIN)

6/9° 6/9° 200/24°

200/24°

400/27°

800/30°

1600/33°

3200/36°

- 5000/38°

6400/39° 6400/39°

Film rewind and removal

When the last frame has been exposed, the quick-wind lever can no longer be operated. Before the film can be removed, it must be wound back into the cartridge.

1. Turn rewind lever (5) to "R".

2. Swing out the lever for the rewind crank.

3. Turn the lever clockwise (in the direction of the arrow) until the film is freed from the take-up spool; slight resistance will be felt at this point.

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4. Now open the base plate.

5. Open the camera back.

6. Remove the film cartridge.

When the film is not fixed to the cartridge core, for example when bulk film is used, it may become separated from the core if the advance lever is operated forcefully after the last frame has been exposed. In this case, proceed as follows:

1. Remove the base plate of the camera in a completely dark room.

2. Hold the camera with the base plate open

and facing downwards.

3. Slowly operate the quick-wind lever several times until the film protrudes far enough to be grasped and pulled out. If necessary, gently hit the camera against the palm of your hand.

Fitting the lens to the camera

1. Hold the lens by the fixed ring (15).

2. Align the red lens alignment button (4) with the lens release button (2) on the camera body.

3. Fit the lens in this position, ensuring that it is perpendicular to the front of the camera

4. Turn the lens slightly to the right to latch it audibly and perceptibly into place.

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Removing the lens

1. Hold the lens by the fixed ring (15)

2. Depress the lens release button (2) on the camera body

3. Turn the lens anticlockwise until the lens alignment button (4) lines up with the lens release button

4. Remove the lens, keeping it perpendicular to the camera body.

Note: When the camera is loaded with film, change the lens in the shade of your body, as direct sunlight may otherwise penetrate the shutter.

Design of the LEICA M lenses

The LEICA M lenses are equipped with a fixed ring with depth-of-field scale (15), a rotatable focusing ring (16) and an aperture setting ring (17).

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Focusing ring

The focusing ring (16) shows the distance set and, in conjunction with the scale (15), the depth-of-field range. For details on focusing, see the "Rangefinder" section on page 22.

Aperture ring (17)

The aperture values are standardised worldwide. They are selected such that the amount of light reaching the film is always halved when the lens is stopped down between two successive apertures (stops). One stop corresponds to one value on the shutter speed dial (10).

Like the shutter speed dial, the aperture ring engages perceptibly at each full stop (and for most lenses also at half-stops). With a little practice, you will also be able to set the apertures in the dark.

Like the shutter speed dial, the aperture ring moves in the same direction as the exposure meter displays in the viewfinder:

When the left triangular LED comes on, for example, turning the dial in the direction of the arrow, i.e. to the right, causes the slower shutter speed required to be set.

For further details on setting the correct exposure, see the "Exposure metering" section on page 24.

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