[Leica] M6HM vs M6J , the complete (?) story ! corrected, sorry.

[Lucien <lucien@ubi.edu>]

Chris Bitmead wrote:

>A great summary, but you lost all the column formatting. 
>I'm wondering if you can fix it up and post it again, 
>because some of it isn't clear.

Sorry, here it is: (+ corrections)

If not clear, I can attach as document.

Andrew Jordan wrote:

>Lucien:
>Would you please describe the similarities and 
>differences between the M6J and M6HM.

Andrew,

>From an user point of view: 

objective:
no 75mm frame in M6J

subjective: M6J =
M3 feeling in use, and with Tom Abrahamsson's Rapidwinder,
it is almost like a chrome Leica MP.
;-)

For the rest: (long)

Model:          M6J             M6HM                    M6


Viewfinder
magnification   0,85            0,85                    0,72

Effective
mesurement base 58,5            59,1                    49,9

Reflected 
brightline 
frames          35,135          35,135                  28,90
pairs           50              50,75                   35,135
                90              90                      50,75

Top plate       Brass           Zinc alloy              Zinc alloy 
Style           (M3)            (M4)                (Titanium =brass)
Finish          Silver          Black             Black, Silver,
Titanium

Front
engraving       none            Leica M6                Leica M6
                                 0,85

Viewfinder
silvered bottom no               yes                    "
(mirror)

Red Dot         no               yes                     yes
                Silver
                screw

Top engraving   Leica-          none                    "
                script
                40 jahre
                Leica M
                1954-1994
                M6J 19XX-XX     

Number engraved
on flash shoe   no              yes                     "

Rapid lever
and control
levers style    M3              M6                      "

small access
cap under
rapid lever     screw           plastic stopper          "

Speed dial
style           M3 like         M6                        "

Body cover      leather         plastic                 "

Bottom
engraving       open-auf        none                    "
                close-zu        
                (M3-M2)

Lens release
catch            M3 like         M6                     
"                               
                 screw           red dot                 "
&
protection
collar           chrome          black                   "
                 deeper          flush                   "

Weight           570(?)gr        560 gr

Price with
50/2,8           8,000$          2,990$                  2,885$

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Elmar 50/2,8    OLD             M6J                     
NEW                             
               1957-74         1994                     1995(?)

Style                           Old Elmar               Modern  
                                like

Engraving style old             new                     new

Finish          Silver          Silver          Black or Silver

Focusing        Tab             Tab                     Ring
                + spring        only

Non rotating
focusing mount    no            yes                     yes

Weight 
Silver           220 gr          200 gr.               245 gr
Black            no               no                   170 gr


Voila !

My totally irrational conclusion:

I love it, IMHO the M6J is the best Leica M ever made.
At the end of the year, it's the camera I use
the more often.
My desert island camera.

But now, there is the LHSA M6 black(?)paint !
(I start saving yesterday)
:-)

Lucien