The Leica M6 Jubilee {M6J}
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Recently, I was fortunate enough (at a very reasonable price) to acquire an M6J, serial number 1976-13, complete with a 50mm f2.8 collapsible Elmar lens (with matching serial number to the camera body), leather case, original box, manual and warranty card. Produced in 1994, it somehow survived 22+ years on a shelf somewhere, with only minor issues. After nervously opening the box and presentation case, I found the lens was perfect, with no haze or fungus. Both focusing and aperture controls are smooth. I needed to add a new friction liner to the lens cap, as the original one was hardened by storage, preventing easy installation and removal. I also needed to brush off a minor haze on the leather case. Lastly, I discovered that the rubber non-slip shoulder pad for the leather neck strap was cracked from age. I have no plan to replace it. I have shot three rolls of film thus far. Based on the results, the lens, shutter, rangefinder and light meterwork flawlessly. This was the first film ever shot by this camera.
I have long admired this limited edition of the M6 due to its combination of the beautiful M3 design with the advantages of M6 features including the internal light meter, film loading and angled rewind knob.
A few more facts about the M6J:
1,640 examples were made in commemoration of 40 years of Leica M production, 40 for each year. This may very well be the largest batch of commemorative special editions produced by Leica. I can only assume the extra 40 in the batch are for the year of introduction, 1994, since the math does not add up.
The .85 viewfinder is very uncluttered and only displays 35 + 135mm, 50mm and 90mm frame lines.
Like on the M6, the ISO control on the back of the camera must be set for the meter to work properly.
The M6J is capable of TTL flash control and has a hot shoe.
The 50mm Elmar-M f2.8 collapsible lens nicely matches the serial number and finish of the camera body. It differs from the "standard" 50mm Elmar by virtue of its focusing ring, which has a tab resembling infinity-lock types, and the "classic"-style base that includes the depth-of-field scale.
On the opposite page is a visual comparison to the M3, with a standard 50mm Elmar, showing a striking similarity in the bodies and the differences in the lenses. The tops of the bodies nearly match. Note the hot shoe on the M6J. (Figures 1 & 2)
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How does the M6J perform? There really isn't any doubt, even after 22 years in the box.
Figure 4 was shot on the shores of Lake Washington near Seattle with Ektar 100 at 1/500s, f/8.0. The sharpness and color are amazing to me and needed little help in post processing using Lightroom. I used a Nikon 5000 scanner.
Figure 5 was taken at 1/60s, f2.8, with Ilford XP2 chromogenic film, and shows very high sharpness throughout, as expected.
Figure 6 was taken at 1/250s at f4 and shows not only excellent sharpness, but very accurate exposure. I only did minimal post processing with respect to highlights and shadows
My shooting technique with this camera is really not much different from the digital M cameras that I have used for years. As with all totally manual cameras, I must do my best to set the aperture and shutter speed in advance. The light meter is activated by lightly pressing the shutter release button, provided the shutter is cocked, and will stay on for about 12 seconds. The meter display has two LED triangles (▶ ◀) in the viewfinder, and they both illuminate evenly when the proper exposure is set. If the exposure is incorrect, the remaining (or brightest) illuminated triangle points in the direction you should rotate the aperture ring.
I mounted a 35mm lens on the camera, and like all .85 finders, the frame lines are difficult to see, especially with glasses. On the other end of the spectrum, I was quite comfortable using my 135mm lens since the frame lines are quite usable relative to those in .72 viewfinders. Mounting my 75mm lens brings up the 50mm frame lines. That combination may be useful provided I can estimate the 75mm coverage with some degree of accuracy. I plan to add a soft release button to help me keep the camera steady during the shutter release. Brilliantly, I have noticed that my habit (from digital M cameras) of looking at the back of the camera to see the image I just took is quite ineffective on the M6J!
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Although this outstanding example of Leica quality and design was essentially new in the box when I received it, I cannot in good conscience leave it unused. It is such a pleasure to hold and shoot. I plan to continue to use it occasionally, but perhaps not in wet weather! If you happen to be a classic Leica collector, this may be a great addition to consider. Did I forget to mention It often draws compliments from passers by...