Leica R6 User manual

I"i,r-
Instrustions
TEICA
R6

We
hopethatyouwill obtainagreat deal
of
pleasure
from your new LEICA and wish
you many years
of successful
photography
with it. May we alsodrawyour attention to
the following facilities which are available
to you:
Technicalsewice
Your authorized Leica agent's Technical
Service
(see
warranty card) is availablefor
servicing your camera and carrying out
repairsin caseof damage.
LeicaAcademy.The internationally famous
LeicaAcademyteaches
photographic
know-
how. It meets the needs of keen photo-
graphers for special training in demanding
areasof 35mm photography,projection,
andenlargement.
Seminarsofferparticipantspractical
infor-
mation on the LEICA world of values
and
on the fascination of the skilled use of
LEICA products. Course syllabusesare
application-orientedand informative, and
provide a wealth of practicalsuggestions,
help,
andadvice.
Detailsand
registration
formsareavailable
from:
Leica GmbH, Leica Academy,
Schtitzenstrasse6, 6330Wetzlar (Germany),
Telephone+ 49(0)6441
292333
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Contents Page
Brief description 4
Attaching the carrying strap 6
Shutter-speedsetting
ring 7
Insertingandchecking the batteries 8
Insertingthe cameralens 10
Removingthe cameralens 10
Adjustingthe eyepiece 11
Quick-wind
lever 12
Inserting the film 13
Setting
the film speed 15
Rewindingandremoving
the exposedfilm 15
Exposure-metermodes 16
Full-field integral mode 17
Selectivemode 17
Exposuremeter 18
Full-aperture exposurecontrol 20
Working-apertureexposurecontrol 20
Effectiveworking rangeof exposuremeter 20
Range
of exposure
meter 2l
Low-light warning 2l
Working diagramof exposuremeter 23
Manual override control
(exposure
correction) 24
The viewfinder ascomposition and
control centre
Ancillary light
Correction
lenses
Eyecup
Eyepieceobturator
Focusing
with the universal screen
Interchangeablefocusing
screens
Depth-of-field lever
Depth-of-fieldscaleon lens
Socket
for cablerelease
Independent
mirror release
Self-timer
Use of flash equipment
TTL exposurecontrol
Holding the camera
correctly
Multiple exposures
Designof LEICA R lenses
Automatic
diaphragm
Lenshoods
Filters and useof filters
Existing LEICA R and LEICAFLEX
lenses
andaccessories
Useof LEICA M lenses on the LEICA
Hints on the careof your LEICA R6
and its lenses
Cameracases
Motor Winder R and Motor Drive R
RC LEICA R electronicremote-control
unit
DB2 LEICA R databack
Interchangeable
lenses
Enlargers
Projectors
Binoculars
Spare
parts
for your LEICA R6
Focusingscreens
Camerausein the tropics
Technicaldata
Index
F.*e py.oa
b$W, o-,
/ si
Page
aa
JJ
33
34
34
35
36
37
4l
42
42
43
43
44
46
R6 47
26
28
29
29
30
31
32
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
53
53
53
53
53
55
58
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I
2
3
4
5
Brief description
O Eyeletfor carryingstrap
@ Depth-of-fieldlever
@ Bayonetlock
@ Electronic
self-timer
@ CaUtesocketfor
independent
mirror release
@ Ittuminating
windowfor
shutter-speedindicator
O tttuminatingwindowfor
apertureindicator
@ Self-timerLED
@ Coaxialflash-contact
cablesocket
@ Ancillary light
@ Locking
button for
exposure-meteroverride
@ ISOfilm-speed
indicator
@ Overridesettinglever
@ Overrideindicator
@ Focusing
ring
@ Depth-of-fieldscale
@ Reddotfor alignmentof
interchangeablelenses
@ Aperture-settingring
@ Selectorswitch
(selective
/ integralmode)
andlocking
button
@ Automaticframe
counter
@ Film-speed
settingring
ll
l2
I
r3
t4
t5
t6
l7
t8
t9
I
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33
323l @ Uingedrewindcrank
@ fim-speed lock
(ISO)
and
batterycheck
(C)
@ Battery-check
LED
@ Accessory
shoewith centralX
flash
contact
andcontactsfor
system-compatible
flash
unit
@ WinOow
to indicate
exposure-meter
mode
@ Pitm-plane
indicator
@ StrutterreJease,
with
cable-release
socket
@ Strutter-speed
settingring
@ Qulct-wind lever
(winds
film andcocksshutter)
@ Eyepiece
obturator
@ Settingwheel
for
eyepieceadjustment
@ Viewfinder
eyepiece,
with
provision
for correctionlens
@ f'nm-cartridge
window
@ Contacts
for cable-free
databack
(visible
when
backisopened)
@ Contacts
andlinkagefor -
motorized
film transport
@ Cupto battery
compartment
@ e-typ
e r/4" socketthread
for tripod
@ Rewind-release
and
double-exp
osure
button
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Attaching the carrying strap d
Attach the carrying strapto the eyelets
O.
O Slidebackthe safety
loop at the end of
the strap(fig. a).
O Remove the metal hook from the strap
(fig.b, c).
O Insert
thehookin eyeletO,with the
bent
partof the hookparallel
with the side
of
tlre camera
(fig. d, e).
O Insertthestrap
throughtheopenend
and
the narrowed part of hook, then turn
through 90ofor a proper seating
on the
D-shaped
loop (fig.f, g,h).
O Slidethe safetyloop fully home overthe
hook (fig.i,j).
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I
I
hShutter-speed
settingring
The shutter-speedsetting ring @ permits
settingsfrom l/rooo
sto 1s,B for time expo-
suresof any length, andX : l/too
sfor flash
synchronization.
B inactivates
theexposure
meter. There is a click stop for eachof the
engraved
values.
Do not attempt to setany
intermediate value.
, f) '''1
5sl

Insertingandchecking
the batteries
Exposuremeter and ancillarylight in the
viewfinderdisplayarepowered
by two silver
oxidebutton cellsor alithium battery.
Insert a coin in the slot of the battery cap
@ to unscrew.
Useaclean
clothto remove
any oxide on the surface
of the batteries
and insert in the battery cap.Positionthe
batteries
asshownin thebattery
cap.Screw
the cap with the batteriesback into the
baseplateof the camera.
Always check the state of the batteries
beforeattempting
totake
any
photographs,
especiallywhen the camera
hasnot been
usedfor some
time. To doso,switch
onthe
exposuremeter
and
press
thetestbutton@
for about5s.
If thebatteries
arein working
order,theLED @
in front ofthetestbutton
lights.If duringthesefivesecondstheLED
dimsnoticeably,
thebatteries
arenearly
flat
and
shouldbereplaced
assoonas
possible.
If the LED failsto light, the batteries
may
have become coated with oxide. If so.
simplywipethemclean
bypressing thebat-
tery-test
button the camerais switched
on
andthe LED displays
in theviewfinderare
activated.
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Ucar
Ucar
Ucar
Duracell
Varta
Varta
Varta
EverReady
National
National
Ray-O-Vac
Ray-O-Vac
Maxell
Maxell
Maxell
EPX76
S76E
3s7
D 3s7
(10
L
V76PX
V13
GS
v 357
S76E
SR44 .
SR44W'
,RS76c
RW42
SR44P
SR44
SR44
SW
Silveroxide
button
cells
suitable
for the LEICA R6 Note:
WhenaMotorWinder orMotor Drive
is fitted, the camera is powered by the
batteriesof the motorized film transport,
i.e.you cannotcheckthe camera's
batteries.
Tocheckthatthemotor batteriesarein fact
supplying
power
tothe
exposuremeter
and
the viewfinder displays,
press
the battery-
testbutton@,
atthe
sametime switching
on
the exposuremeter, e.
g. by pressing
the
locking button to the selecter
switch (see:
Switching
ontheexposure
meter,
page
18.
Hdlvever,
{hisisn9t abatterycheckfor the
motor funcfions.
Notes
onbattery
careanduse:
O Storebatteries
in acool,
dryplace
O Never
useoldandnew
batteriestogether
O Do not mix batteries
of differentmakes
O These
batteriesarenot rechargeable
Batteriescontaintoxic andenvironmentally
damagingsubstances.
Do not discard
used
batteries,but return them to your camera
shop
for recycling.
D,:*
ril
r4)
Lithium batteries
suitable
for the LEICA R6
Duracell
Varta
Ucar
Caution:
Always
remove
thebatteriesif the cameiais
unlikely
to beusedfor sometime.
DLIAN
CR r/: N
2L76

Insertingthe camera
lens
Toavoiddamage
toyourLEICA R6,do
not
attemptto fit anylensthat does
not havea
control cam for a LEICA R camera(see
page 46).
To insert a LEICA R lens irrespectiveof
thefocusandaperture
settings,
proceed
as
follows:
Grip the lensby the fixed ring @.Position
the red dot @ on the lensmount opposite
thedoton
thebayonetlock
@
onthecamera
body. Insert the lens in this position. A
slight clockwiseturn clicks the lens into
position.
Removingthe camera
lens
Grip the lensby the fixed ring @.Pressin
the bayonet lock @ on the camerabody.
Turn the lensanticlockwise
and remove.
Always changelensesin the shadeor in
your body'sshadow.
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Adjusting
the eyepiece
A sharply defined viewfinder image is
essential
for exploitingthefull potentialof
the LEICA R6 and the high performance
of LEICA R lenses.
The eyepiece
lensis
therefore
adjustable
toyoureyesight,
with a
rangefrom
*2to -2 diopters.
To adjustthe eyepiece,
pull out the small
setting
wheel
@
onits
leftandturnuntil you
obtain
thecorrect
setting.
Set
thelens
outof
focus,
e.
g.
at
theshortest
focusing
distance,
point the camera
at the sky,look through
the viewfinder,and turn the setting
wheel
until thecircle
thatindicates
theedge
ofthe
fieldfortheselective
exposure-meter
mode
is sharply
defined
andin goodcontrast.
"; t,
Press the wheel back into its normal
positionto retainthe setting
obtained.
In its normal position, the setting wheel
turns readily, but without altering the
eyepiece
setting.
When it is pulled out,
you feel distinctclick stops
as
you turn it.
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Quick-wind
lever
The quick-wind lever @ winds the film,
turns the frame counter@, and cocks
the
shutter.
With the leverpivoted out in the stand-by
position,
there
isroom to slide
your thumb
behind it andfirmly support
the camera.
For use with a Motor Winder or Motor
Drive, seethe manual supplied with the
motor unit.
The € symbolmarksthe f,rlm
plane.
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Insertingthe film
Pull up the rewind crank
@ andknob past
thespringresistance
toreleaseandopenthe
camera
backx.This also resetsthe frame
counterto S(start).
Pickup the film cartridgeasshownabove,
emulsionsideface
up. Slidethe endof the
film obliquely from aboveinto one of the
slots
of thetake-up spool,makingsurethat
the hlm is gripped by at leastone of the
retainingclipsand
projects
underthenext
clip (see fig.A). .,).
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The
procedrr"
ir i'otitta{;g,fie*tab?r isfitted.
Fig.
A: Right Fig.
B: Wrong
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I
Pullup the rewind crank
asfar as it will go
and insertthe film cartridge
in the empty
cartridge
chamber,
thenpush
in therewind
crank.
Theedgeofthefilm mustbeparallel
withthe
film guide.
Asyoumove
thequick-
wind lever,the sprockets
of the transport
drummustengage
in theedge
perforations
ofthefilm.
Usethe quick-windlever to wind the film
one frame forward. to ensure that it lies
tensioned
in the film guide and that the
mouth of the cartridge
doesnot Sttck
out.
You may occasionally wish to take out a
partly exposedfilm andlater insertit again.
To ensure that the film is alwaysinserted
under the sameconditions, use the quick-
wind lever to cockthe shutter,then release
the shutter before inserting the film.
Snap the camera back shut to close the
camera.Release
the shutter.Wind the film
one frame forward, release the shutter
again,then wind on one more frame. The
^ camera is now ready for use. The frame
'l couglegstdndsat 1.If countsforward to 36.
To iirdicate the various lengthp 'of .,fiIm
available,the figures 20, 24, aid 36 are
markedin red.
Important:
Bright light may enterthroughthe mouthof
the cartridgeand damage your film. Never
inserta film in bright light.
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Settingthe film speed
To set the hlm speed (ISO), press the
lockingbutton @,atthe sametime turn the
setting ring @ until the required speed
appearsin the window @. ttre display of
allISOvalues is split,e.
g.for ISO 100/21",
100appearsin thelowerwindow and21oin
theupper.
Thesettingrangecoversallvalues fromISO
I2/I2" to 3200/36"inclusive.
Rewinding
andremoving the exposed
film
Exposure
ofthe lastframe blockstheaction
of the quick-wind lever. Rewind the film
into its cartridge before removal from the
camera.Pressthe rewind button @ in the
camera'sbaseplate,hinge out the rewind
crank and turn it clockwise (direction of
arrow) until you feel a slight resistance as
the film is pulled out of the take-upspool.
Pull up the rewind crank and knob to open
the cameraback,andremovethe cartridge
with the exposedfilm.
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Selective mode
Exposure-metermodes
The LEICA R6 has an exposure-meter
systemthat
provides
twoalternative modes:
O Selective mode
E Full-field integralmode
Full-fieldintegralmode
The exposure
meter measuresthe light
through the lens (TTL exposure-meter
system).
Ituses asilicon
photodiode,
placed
in thebaseof the camerato protect
it from
straylight.
When
youuseany
LEICA Rlens
with anautomaticdiaphragm, theexposure
meter works at full aperture.The symbol
displayed in the window @ next to the
selectorswitchand at the lower left of the
viewfinderindicatesthemodeselected.
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O
Full-fieldintegral
mode
Most photographic
subjects
contain
details
ofvaried
brightness.
Thelight reflection
of
this type of subject
corresponds
to amean
greyvalue of 18
0/0.
This is the calibration
valuefor all exposure
meters.
The full-field integralmode is suitable
for
all subjects
in normallight, whenthere
are
no extremes
of light or colour,and where
the light and dark areas
are fairly evenly
distributedoverthe entirefield.
Selective
mode
This is the method of choice
if the bright-
ness
range
of the subject
isvery large.
The large central circle in the viewfinder
indicates
the field covered
in thismode,
in
which the exposure
meter measures
only
the light reflected by the exact area of
the subject that should determine the
exposure.The field is the same size on
all focusing screensand for all lenses,
whatevertheir focal length, and is clearly
markedin the viewfinder.
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Switching
onthe exposure
meterand
choosingthe exposure-meter
mode
The selector
switch@ hasthreepositions:
OFF, selective,
andintegral,
in that order.
To select the required mode, press the
lockingbutton andat the sametime move
the selectorswitch@from OFF to integral.
Toswitchfrom integralto selective
andvice
versa.movethe switchfullv home from left
to rigirt orfrom right to left. Mode selection
also activatesthe exposure meter (see:
Activatingthe exposure
meter).
Switchingoff the exposure
meter
To switch off the exposure
meter, setthe
selector
switchto selective,
press
thelocking
button and at the same time move the
switchto OFF.
Window @displays
thestateofthe exposure
meter:
OFF : Switchedoff
O : Switched
on.selective
mode
fl : Switched
on,integral
mode
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Activating
the exposure
meter
Checkthat the exposure
meterisswitched
on and set the mode required. There are
three means of activating the exposure
meter:press
lightly on the shutter-release
button@asfarasthepressure
point; press
thelocking
buttontotheselector
switch
@;
orpress
thebattery-check
button @.
When
the exposure meter is active, the LED
display in the viewfinder lights. If the
shutter is cocked when you releasethe
button youhave
used
toa'cfivete
thesystem,
the LEDs continue'to light for about 12
s.
If the shutteris not cocked,
the LEDs go
out immediately.
To indicate that the exposure meter is
ready, one or two of the LEDs of the
shutter/aperture balance light. In very
poor light, in the threshold region of the
exposure
meter'srange,
the system
has
to
settle
downfor two or three
seconds
before
it can
givean accuratereading.
Settingthe correct
shuttei/ aperture
combination
For a correct exposure, check that the
shutter
isfully cocked
andthe
shutter-speed
setting
ring issetto the requiredclickstop.
Activate the exposure meter. Turn the
shutter-setting
ring andlor the aperture-
setting ring on the lens until the round
central
LED ofthe shutter/aperturebalance
lights. The two arrow-shaped triangular
&e.Pr of t!r" shutter/aperture balance
thcllcatg.
under-.-
or overexposure
and the
direction
inwhichto turn thesettingring(s)
for a correct
exposureo
asfollows:
stop:turn clockwise
> O Underexposure by half a stop:
turn clockwise
O Correct
exposure
O{ Overexposure
by half a stop: turn
anticlockwise
stop:turn anticlockwise
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