Which One --- Part Two

Okay, I know I said, I’ll be using the Leica R5 for my 35mm choice. However, I was able to get my hands on an excellent condition Leica R6. I will also be bringing this camera body on the trip. Let me give some thoughts on why the Leica R6 and why it is a fascinating camera to add to my travels and my collection. The main and most important fact, it’s mechanical and built like a tank. It’s one of those rare tools that has stood the test of time, even as digital photography tries to push film into the attic like some forgotten relic. But the R6? That’s a different beast altogether. In my mind, it reminds me of my beloved Nikon F4 without the size. Let me break it down for you in a way that gets to the heart of its importance in my fine art photography.

1. The Leica R6: A Mechanical Masterpiece

The Leica R6 is not just a camera—it’s a statement. Released in 1988, this was Leica’s fully mechanical SLR, meaning it didn’t rely on batteries to fire the shutter like all the other R-bodies. In a world increasingly dependent on electronics, this was a bold move. But for a fine art photographer, it was liberating for me. No more worrying about circuits shorting out in the rain, no anxiety about batteries dying in the middle of a shoot. Just myself, the camera, and the scene in front of me. This level of control and reliability is why many fine art film photographers still turn to vintage manual camera bodies. As we have come to understand fine art photography is about precision, control, and expression. The Leica R6 embodies all three demanding that I be intentional. However, the Leica R6 uses two CR44 batteries only for the internal light meter. This metering system has a selector switch that allows you to turn the meter off.  Meaning if turned off or dead batteries, there’s no autofocus like the Leica R8 or R9 bodies have that will save me, no auto-exposure to hold my hand. This forces you to slow down, to engage with the process, to think critically about every frame before pressing the shutter. And that’s what fine art is all about—deliberation and mastery over the craft.

2. The Leica R6 and the Essence of Craftsmanship

Research on the Leica has always shown it’s about quality, and the R6 is no exception. The camera body is a work of engineering art—solid brass, finely milled dials, a film advance lever that moves like butter. This is a camera that feels like an extension of my hand. When out shooting with fine art photography in mind, where the details matter, this level of craftsmanship means that nothing gets in the way of the image. You don’t fight with the camera; it’s a kind-of seamless interaction between tool and artist.

3. The Power of the Leica R Lens System in Fine Art Photography

Let’s talk about the glass. Because if we’re discussing Leica, we’re really discussing lenses. The R6 and R5 in my book is part of the Leica system that gives me access to some of the finest optics ever made at a cost that will not hurt the wallet. The Leica 180mm f/4 Elmar-R 3-Cam is one of those classic Leica telephoto lenses that flies under the radar but delivers some seriously impressive image quality. It’s not the fastest telephoto lens out there (f/4 isn’t exactly blazing), but if you’re after sharpness, color rendition, and that signature Leica rendering, it’s a solid choice. The 3-Cam system means the lens has three internal cams that communicate aperture settings with different generations of Leica R cameras. Then there is the Leica Macro-Elmarit-R 60mm f/2.8, where I’m looking at it’s sharp, versatile, and compact macro abilities. For the low cost of this all metal, smooth focus ring, and compact size, it’s an absolute sleeper hit in the Leica R lineup. These two lenses are like a painter’s brush, a swordsman blade in a lens form. These lenses have a character to them—an almost three-dimensional rendering of light and shadow that is impossible to replicate digitally. This is what I’m looking for in my fine art journey, craving the lenses that translate vision into reality with an almost dreamlike precision.

5. The Leica R6 in the Digital Age: Why It Still Matters

Digital photography has taken over, sure. But in fine art photography, film is still revered. Why? Because it has a soul. The Leica R6, paired with a roll of Kodak Portra or Ilford XP2-Super 400, creates images that have depth, richness, and an organic quality that digital struggles to replicate. There’s something about the way film captures highlights and shadows, the way it embraces imperfection, that makes it the perfect medium for fine art. And the R6 is the perfect tool for the job.

6. The Importance of a Fully Manual Workflow in Creative Expression

Creativity thrives within limitations. The Leica R6, by stripping away automation, forces photographers to engage more deeply with their work. This is where I want to keep my mindset during every shooting situation I find myself in. Never forgetting, every exposure decision matters and every frame is intentional. This manual workflow mirrors the process of other fine art mediums—like painting or sculpture— This manual workflow isn’t a limitation—it’s training, forging the photographer’s instincts like a swordsman refining his blade. The artist must be fully present in every shot, every decision, shaping the image with precision and intent. This is how true artistry—as it is when true mastery of combat is achieved. You, the artist must be fully present in the act of creating stronger and more meaningful work.

7. The Leica R6 and the Aesthetics of Film Photography

There’s a reason why even in the age of 100-megapixel digital cameras, film still has a dedicated following in the fine art world. It’s the grain, the tonality, the way colors blend organically. The Leica R6, with its precise shutter and legendary lenses, allows me to take full advantage of film’s unique qualities. Whether shooting landscapes, portraits, or abstract compositions, the R6 delivers a look that is timeless and deeply evocative.

Conclusion: Why the Leica R6 is for my Fine Art Photography Dream

The Leica R6 is more than just a camera—it’s an artistic companion. It demands patience, skill, and dedication, but it rewards me with images of breathtaking quality. In a world obsessed with speed and convenience, the R6 stands as a reminder that great art is made with intention, not automation. For a fine art photographer, it is an instrument of pure creative expression and companion to my Mamiya 645 AF system.

That’s the Leica R6 in a nutshell. A mechanical marvel, a tool for artists, and a camera that refuses to be forgotten. If you’re serious about fine art photography, this camera is not just an option—it’s an experience and why today in 2025 it remains relevant to my work.

Next time let’s talk more about the film I'll be shooting. I want to say, I really appreciate your interest in this journey I'm about to start. Thank You--- See you next time.