It isn't very often that
we have a chance to look at Leica prototype cameras, especially ones that are
relatively recent. When electronic
controls in cameras became an important part of camera design, Leica was not to
be left out. After the Leica M4, the
unfortunately not too successful Leica M5, and the resurrections of the M4,
like the M4-2, it was time to come up with a new model, aptly labelled as the
Leica M6.
The Leica M6 has come and
gone, but it is interesting to see what Leica was considering prior to settling
on the M6 as we know it. This was the
Leica M6 electronic, which never made it past the prototype stage. It was a Leica rangefinder camera unlike any
I have ever seen.
Leica M6 Electronic Prototype. The light meter on a swing arm clearly
visible
It was designed by Peter
Loseries and produced in 1981. The
camera was based on the Leica R4 body.
The pentaprism and the mirror box were removed and replaced by the Leica
M rangefinder. It also included the
angled rewind knob of the Leica M4. The
camera maintained the shutter of the R4 as well as most of the
electronics. This resulted in an M Leica
with TTL metering and automatic exposure control. This was achieved by placing the sensor of
the light meter on an arm which would swing out of the way prior to making any
exposure, reminiscent of the Leica M5.
The camera would also accept the data back and the motor drives of the
R4. The so-called “M6 electronic” was
finished in late 1981 and only four complete prototypes were ever produced.
None of these remained at
Leica and only two of them are known to exist. The M6 which finally went to
production in 1984 was completely different from this first concept.
Along with the camera,
Leica also made a prototype Elmarit-M 28mm f/2.8 with a built-in square lens
hood, designed by Rolf Crema. Only two
of these lenses were ever assembled and it never went into production.
Overall, this hybrid LEICA
camera has a mix of features of M6 and the R4 with an exterior that is more
reminiscent of the M5. Would it have
been a sales success? We will never
know, but considering the resistance to the M5, we should not be surprised that
Leica took a more conservative approach with the actual, marketed version of
the M6.
LEICA M6 electronic with
ELMARIT-M 1:2.8/28mm prototype lens and Leica R4 motor drive
The styling clearly shows
a mix of the Leica M4 and Leica M5 design
The prototype Elmarit 28mm
f/2.8 mounted on the M6 Electronic with the Leica R4 motor attached
Base plate, LEICA M6
prototype body showing the R4 type motor drive connections.
Special thanks to Peter
Coeln of WestLicht for giving permission to use his photographs of the “M6
electronic” on these pages.
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