• Categories
• Tips & Inspiration
• Reviews
• News
• Events
• Features
• Buying Guides
• Competitions

Leica launches M6 Film Camera and 35mm M Lens

NEWS: On 20 October 2022, Leica launched the 35mm M6 Film Camera along with a Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Classic Steel Rim Lens for rangefinder cameras. Learn all about these analogue marvels here in our photography news channel and discover whether it’s time for you to join the analogue renaissance.

We’ve got production images, sample film photos and key M6 specifications to ensure you’re equipped with everything you need to know about the latest Leica releases.

Leica M6 Film Camera price

Leica is renowned for designing exquisite camera equipment, which comes at a price beyond the reach for many of us. The M6 Film Camera price is £4,500.00, which is in-line with existing digital rangefinders. Although this can considered expensive by some standards, Leica cameras are worth the cost to many photographers.

The accompanying Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Classic Steel Rim Lens costs £3450.00 which is also in-line with many Leica M lenses.

Why release a film camera in 2022?

While some equate 1984 with George Orwell’s classic novel, others remember Leica’s classic M6 film camera, arriving just a few years before the digital revolution, which began in earnest in 1991. The original camera was manufactured between 1984 and 2002 and particularly revered by photojournalists, due to it’s compact and discreet size along with excellent lens choices.

So why release a film camera in 2022? This is very possibly due to the resurgence of film as the perfect medium for creators to slow down and become immersed in classic photography. Life is fast paced, social media scrolls quicker than ever and some are hankering to slow down, rediscover anticipation as you wait for film to be developed and shoot with old school techniques.

Made in Germany

Leica has a manufacturing facility in Wetzlar Germany, where the majority of their camera equipment has been made since the company was founded in 1869. Equipment is made using a combination of machine and handmade techniques. Both the M6 and Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Lens are made in Germany.

Leica M6 design

The M6 is unmistakably Leica through and through and instantly recognisable as one of the most iconic film rangefinders ever made. The design is based on the original, down to the ISO dial on the rear, with some modern enhancements to electronics and exterior design.

Although a minimalist analogue film camera, the Leica M6 offers features for modern content creators.

• Upgraded rangefinder coated glass surfaces and battery warning
• Reliable high precision mechanics for many years of service
• Robust build, with solid brass body elements
• Scratch resistant matte black paint finish
• Made in Germany embossing on black leatherette
• Quintessential red dot logo
• Packaging in the original style with an M6 box worthy of display

©Paul Hepper

Who is the Leica M6 camera for?

With a fairly hefty price, the Leica M6 body is niche proposition aimed at enthusiasts and professional photographers who revel in film photography. The sample photos shown here and on the M6 camera page demonstrate just what this camera is capable of, with images delivering a distinctive Leica look.

Mount the fast Summilux lens and you’ve got an ultra-compact system for discreet photography, which is ideal for anything from street to portraits, landscapes and travel. The analogue ergonomics with minimal rangefinder style operation forces you to slow down and look more closely at your subject. While this isn’t for everyone, those who do invest in the M6 will find many years of enjoyment from a camera which defies trends and will remain contemporary for decades.

Leica M6 rolls of 35mm film and scanners

There are plenty of Leica M6 accessories, starting with the obvious, which is of course camera film.

The M6 is a 35mm rangefinder, which opens up endless possibilities for shooting colour and BW film. Our most popular film includes:

1. The ever popular Kodak GOLD 200 135-36, which is versatile daylight balanced film which can be pushed a couple of stops either way.
2. Buy bulk with the Kodak Portra 400 135-36 (5 Pack), our most popular very fine grain fast film
3. Kodak 200 135x36 Colour Plus - no frills, just vivid colours and a fine grain for daylight
4. Kodak Portra 800 135-36 film is perfect for darker situations as a high-speed daylight-balanced colour negative film

You’ll probably also want a film scanner to digitise and share the fruits of your film escapades online. Scanning and printing can be done in a lab, or at home using a scanner such as the Plustek OpticFilm 8200i Ai film scanner (£459.00). We also stock the more modestly priced Plustek OpticFilm 8100 Film Scanner (£239.00), which offers a 7200 dpi with 48-bit colour output.

©Joe Greer

Watch our video of the M6

Summary

While it may come as a surprise that Leica should launch a new film camera in 2022, it makes sense considering the level of analogue adoption we’re seeing throughout the industry.

Whether you’ve had a good long break from shooting film or simply love the analogue process, reserve your Leica M6 camera today and enjoy years of immersive shooting with a modern classic. The Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 Classic Steel Rim Lens is the perfect partner for the body, along with a host of other compatible Leica M lenses, which are available to suit any style of photography.

Share this post:

By Nick Dautlich on 20/10/2022