Leica R6 and 6.2

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About Leica R6 and 6.2

To please their base and also to prove that Leica was capable of making an all-mechanical SLR on their own, Leica designed and produced the Leica R6 in 1988.


The Leica R6 is an all-mechanical, manual metering single-lens reflex camera. Unlike the R3 through R5, the R6 shutter is mechanically timed. The meter is the only thing being powered by the batteries. Without battery power, the meter will not work, but the camera is otherwise fully functional. With their intricate clockwork timing mechanicsms, mechanical shutters are expensive to make.

The obvious difference between the R6 and the R6.2 is that the R6.2 has had its max shutter speed increased to 1/2000th - a stop faster than the R6's 1/1000th.

There are a few other subtle differences as well. According to Bill Larsen:
The exposure counter was relocated so it is adjacent to the metering selector switch and is magnified. The shutter blade mechanism was changed is lighter in weight and supposedly has better accuracy. They both have TTL using the same Metz adapter. Both are basically mechanical cameras and will function without a battery. For flash use, both have a electronic shutter release that is activated when the shutter speed is set on "x". Both require a circular polarizer since metering is through the mirror.

Some useful links:
Leica R6 / R6.2 SLRs by Karen Nakamura
Leica R lenses on Canon DSLRs
Buying Guide for a used Leica R System
Price Guide 2008 - Leica Repairs
Mounting Leica-R lens on Nikon and other bodies