Not For Resale ­ Free Download at http://www.joe-chan.com/manuals Not For Resale ­ Free Download at http://www.joe-chan.com/manuals Not For Resale ­ Free Download at http://www.joe-chan.com/manuals Not For Resale ­ Free Download at http://www.joe-chan.com/manuals 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 1 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. Not For Resale ­ Free Download at http://www.joe-chan.com/manuals Nomenclature 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Battery compartment cover Lens release button Eyelets for carrying strap Red button for lens alignment Lever for film rewinding release Automatic frame counter 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 2 Not For Resale ­ Free Download at http://www.joe-chan.com/manuals 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. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. Base plate Base plate catch Viewfinder eyepiece Synchronisation socket for flash units with cable Camera back ISO (ASA/DIN) film speed dial Base plate holding pin 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 3 Not For Resale ­ Free Download at http://www.joe-chan.com/manuals Fitting the carrying strap 4 Not For Resale ­ Free Download at http://www.joe-chan.com/manuals Batteries Silver oxide button cells Duracell D 357 (10 L 14) Everready EPX 76 Kodak KS 76 Maxell SR 44 National SR 44 Panasonic SR 44 Philips 357 Ray-o-vac 357 Sony SR 44 Ucar EPX 76 Varta V 76 PX Lithium cells Duracell DL 1/3 N Kodak K 58 L Philips CR 1/3 N Ucar 2 L 76 Varta CR 1/3 N Loading and replacing the batteries 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. 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. 5 Not For Resale ­ Free Download at http://www.joe-chan.com/manuals 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. 6 Not For Resale ­ Free Download at http://www.joe-chan.com/manuals 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. 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". 7 Not For Resale ­ Free Download at http://www.joe-chan.com/manuals 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 point ...