Leica M6 (2022 reissue)
✦ NotableThe 2022 M6 reissue is Leica's acknowledgment that film photography has a permanent future. It updated the original M6 with a full set of framelines and brought new-production quality to the most sought-after film M on the used market.
Famous for
- A modern re-edition of the M6 TTL, instantly becoming the most accessible new-production film M
- Demand far exceeded initial supply; waiting lists stretched to years
In September 2022, Leica announced the reissue of the M6 — acknowledging, officially and commercially, that the film photography revival was not a passing trend. The 2022 M6 is functionally a new production M6 with TTL metering, LED indicators in the finder, and a fully mechanical shutter, updated with framelines for 28, 35, 50, 75, 90, and 135mm focal lengths (adding 28mm and 75mm over the original).
For photographers: the 2022 M6 matters because it is a new camera, with new-camera quality control and a warranty, built to the original M6 specification. It is not a limited edition or a collectible; it is a working tool. The reissue confirmed that Leica intends to keep making film cameras alongside digital ones, and it gave film photographers who had been paying escalating used-market prices for original M6 bodies a new-production option.
Key specs
- type
- 35mm rangefinder
- metering
- TTL center-weighted, LED in finder
- shutter
- cloth focal-plane, 1s–1/1000 + B (mechanical)
- finder magnification
- 0.72x
- framelines
- 28/35/50/75/90/135mm
- production
- 2022–present
Variants & finishes
The 2022 reissue of the M6 in black chrome — mechanically identical to the original 1984–2002 production M6, reintroduced due to strong demand. New-production parts mean it's more reliable than a 30-year-old used example.
Leica M6 Classic & TTL Buyer Guide
Collector & User Inspection Guide
Zinc Top Plate Bubbling (Early M6)
M6 Classic top plates (except titanium and late special editions) are cast from zinc alloy (Zamak). Exposure to humidity or sweat causes bubbling or corrosion under the black chrome or silver plating. Check top plate surfaces carefully under angled light.
Rangefinder Flare & Condenser Lens
M6 removed the condenser lens present in M3/M2/M4, causing the rangefinder patch to occasionally flare out and disappear in harsh backlighting. Many owners install the MP finder upgrade (condenser) to fix this.
Light Meter Circuit & Battery Compartment
Check the battery compartment for green alkaline corrosion. Ensure the LED arrows (><) respond smoothly to aperture and shutter changes in dim and bright lighting. M6 TTL mainboards are no longer manufactured by Leica, making electronic repairs harder than on the Classic.
Market value
Used-market price (USD, estimated median)
Estimates from auction and dealer records — condition and completeness vary.
View data
| Date | Price | Source | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-01 | $5,695 | Leica MSRP | New |
| 2023-01 | $5,500 | Dealer Median | Mint |
| 2024-01 | $5,350 | Dealer Median | Mint |
| 2025-01 | $5,200 | Dealer Median | Mint |
| 2026-01 | $5,100 | Dealer Median | Mint |
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