How can you tell how old your Leica M6 is by the serial number? Mine is a Leica M6 classic .85 with a serial number 2006###.

When I bought it I assumed it was relatively new because it was the .85 version of the non-TTL M6. I mean, I figured it's not that old compared to the M6 TTL's that have come out since they are models that's came out relatively close to each other.

Anyway, now I'm curious, just so that when people ask me how old it is, I have an answer. It's the second question people ask me after how much when I tell them I bought it used.

I know there are Web sites and I am looking them up at the same time that I post this query. I'll have to admit, you folks are as a whole, a lot more knowledgeable and easier to use than a search engine.

Thanks.

-- victor virtucio (danzfotog@yahoo.com), October 08, 2001

Answers

http://www.cameraquest.com/mtype.htm

Victor:

Check out this site for M serial numbers.

-- Muhammad Chishty (applemac97@aol.com), October 08, 2001.

Just to add, on the Web, I found that an M6 classic, black with my range of serial numbers was made in 1994. It didn't specify viewfinder magnification.

But I thought the M6 .85 didn't go into production until 1997.

I found another Web site that said pre-2,400,### M6 .85's were pre-production versions of the M6 .85.

So there's my confusion.

Just to add, on the backplate, my camera says:

LEICA CAMERA GMBH GERMANY

Now, this wasn't something I asked the dealer about mostly because I had just assumed the age of my camera was within the last five years. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

-- victor virtucio (danzfotog@yahoo.com), October 08, 2001.

Victor--

I don't know about your camera's age, but I understand that a pre-TTL M6 .85 sells at a bit of a premium -- probably for even more than an M6 TTL .85 -- so you can add that info when people are shocked at the price you paid!

-- Douglas Kinnear (douglas.kinnear@colostate.edu), October 08, 2001.

Some 0.85x M6 classics were built using older serial numbers. Look here for more info:

http://www.cameraquest.com/m685.htm

Cheers,

-- John Collier (jbcollier@powersurfr.com), October 08, 2001.

I checked out that Web site. That was one of the ones I alluded to on my previous e-mail.

I e-mailed the person that updates it to see if he has any insight. If anyone else has any other guesses, please let me know.

Thanks.

-- victor virtucio (danzfotog@yahoo.com), October 08, 2001.

I have a guess but it's just a guess. 2006xxx is awfully low for even a preproduction M6 0.85. It is possible that an 0.72 was updated with the 0.85 finder.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), October 08, 2001.

So, if my M6 .85 is really an updated .72 body, is there any quality concerns I should be aware of?

Who does updates to M6 bodies? Leica, or indiviudals with Leica knowledge?

This is my first Leica. I chose this route after being a Nikon shooter, for the quality of the lens and the silence/accuracy of the body. So, an exchanged viewfinder shouldnt' bother me at all. But if in the updating, the focusing accuracy was affected or the meter was affected ....

So far with shooting it, I haven't really noticed anything. I love the results I'm getting altho. I am paranoid about how loud my shutter sound is and that my meter might be overexposing by 1 stop. (This could be just user error since I'm getting used to Leica's metering system -- no 3-D matrix metering like Nikon and having to be selective on what I meter.)

Anyway, I appreciate the comments thus far. It's pointed me in the right directions I think for my investigation.

-- victor virtucio (danzfotog@yahoo.com), October 08, 2001.

Victor, why not just go off and shoot up a few rolls of film, develop and print, and enjoy. That will answer the most important question of all. PN

-- Paul Nelson (clrfarm@westnet.com.au), October 08, 2001.