Leica R6 & R6.2

The Leica R6 and its refined successor the R6.2 represent one of the clearest statements of purpose in the entire R-mount camera line: a fully mechanical SLR that operates without electronic dependence, built to the highest standard Leica could achieve, and designed to last a lifetime of serious photographic work. In a range that had grown increasingly electronic through the R3, R4, and R5 generations, the R6 was a deliberate step back to first principles — and it is all the better for it.

Back to Mechanical Values

The R6, introduced in 1988, was the first R-body since the Leicaflex SL2 to use a fully mechanical shutter. Unlike the electronically controlled shutters of the R3 through R5, the R6's cloth focal-plane shutter runs entirely on spring tension. Remove the battery — a single 3V CR 1/3N cell, required only by the exposure meter — and every shutter speed from 1 second to 1/2000s remains fully operational. For photographers working in cold climates, in remote areas, or simply those who value absolute reliability, this is a meaningful and practical advantage.

The decision to go mechanical was a deliberate reassertion of Leica's engineering identity after the Minolta collaboration years. The R6 was designed and built entirely in-house, and the difference in character is palpable. The shutter release has a precise, tactile quality that electronic cameras cannot replicate. The winding mechanism is smooth and positive. The camera feels, in use, like the serious instrument it is.

The R6.2 Refinement

Introduced in 1992, the R6.2 carries the same mechanical architecture as the R6 with three meaningful improvements. The metering sensitivity was extended from EV 2–18 to EV 1–19, giving usable readings in marginally lower light conditions. The shutter release was retuned for a lighter, more precise feel. And various small ergonomic refinements were made to the film advance lever and control layout.

In practical terms, the R6.2 is the version to seek out. It commands a premium on the used market — typically €200–500 more than a comparable R6 — but the improvements are genuine and the overall package is slightly more refined. For those who intend to use the camera seriously and regularly, the R6.2 is the better long-term choice.

Buying Advice

Clean R6.2 bodies in excellent condition sell for €1,200–1,800 in Europe. User-grade examples without box typically fetch €900–1,200. The R6 (first version) is less sought-after and can be found for €600–1,000. Both cameras were produced in relatively limited numbers compared to the R4/R5 series, and clean examples are worth paying a fair price for.

When inspecting a prospective purchase:

• Fire the shutter at all speeds — slow speeds (1s, 1/2s, 1/4s) should sound even and consistent
• Check the viewfinder carefully for fungus, which is common in lenses and finders of this age
• Verify the meter responds correctly to light changes with a fresh battery installed
• Inspect the film advance lever for smooth operation — grittiness suggests wear or dirty lubricant
• Ask when the camera was last serviced; a CLA within the last 5 years is a good sign

A CLA from a competent Leica technician typically costs €180–260 and is recommended for any body that has not been recently serviced. The investment is worthwhile for a camera designed to last decades.

The R6.2 and R-Mount Lenses

The R6 and R6.2 accept all R-mount lenses with full open-aperture metering when used with 2-cam or 3-cam lenses. With 1-cam lenses (pre-1968 Leicaflex-era glass), stop-down metering is required. Because the camera is mechanical, it will function with any R-mount lens regardless of cam count — you simply adjust the metering method accordingly. See our article on metering with 1-cam lenses for a full explanation.

Shot on This Camera

Sunset behind the poles marking St Cuthbert’s way— Ron Layters Shot with a Leica R6  ·  Source: Wikimedia Commons