Head to head · specs cited · drawn to scale

Leica M6 vs Nikon F3

Every spec below is quoted from the makers' official pages — where a figure isn't published we say so rather than guess. Sizes are drawn at true relative scale from published dimensions, and the bag-fit row is computed against our measured bag catalog.

The 3 biggest published differences

M6 Leica M
F3 Nikon F
Overview
Type 35mm rangefinder35mm SLR
Format 35mm35mm
Lens mount Leica MNikon F
Released 1984–2002 (reissued 2022)1980-2000
Film camera
Film format 35mm35mm
Metering TTL selective metering, LED display in finderCenter-weighted TTL full-aperture metering, EV 1 to 18 at ISO 100 with f/1.4 lens
Shutter Horizontal-travel cloth focal-planeElectronically governed, titanium vertical-travel focal-plane (Aperture-Priority Auto + Manual)
Shutter speeds 1 s – 1/1000 + BStepless 1/2000-8 sec on Auto; quartz-timed 1/2000-1/8 sec on Manual, plus X (1/80), M60 mechanical (1/60), B, T
Battery 2× LR44 / SR44 (meter only)1x 3V CR1/3N lithium, or 2x 1.55V SR44 silver-oxide, or 2x 1.5V LR44 alkaline
Body & Handling
Dimensions (W×H×D) 138.6 × 77 × 38 mm148.5 × 96.5 × 65.5 mm
Weight (body) 575 g715 g
Weather sealing —, not published—, not published
Shutter durability —, not published—, not published
Price
Launch price —, not published—, not published
Size, to scale
M6138.6×77×38F3148.5×96.5×65.5

Front view, drawn at the same scale from each maker's published W×H (mm).

Smallest bag that fits
Body Think Tank Mirrorless Mover 20 V2 Fits
body only · View at B&H Photo Video
Think Tank Mirrorless Mover 20 V2 Fits
body only · View at B&H Photo Video

Sources

official · M6 specifications: Leica Camera AG (M6 reissue datasheet, PDF) · accessed 2026-07-10
“Dimensions (width x height x depth) approx. 138.6 mm ... Weight approx. 575 g. Figures are from Leica's current M6 reissue datasheet; the original 1984 manual contains no spec table, so we cite the reissue with that caveat.”
official · F3 specifications: Nikon official spec page (imaging.nikon.com, archived 2018) · accessed 2026-07-10
“Dimensions (W x H x D) Approx. 148.5 x 96.5 x 65.5mm (5.8 x 4.0 x 2.6 in.) / Weight (body only without batteries) Approx. 715g (25.2 oz.)”

M6 dimensions carry medium confidence (archived-source caveat on its fit page).

Spec values are the manufacturers' published figures, compared factually — we don't rank cameras. Fit verdicts are planning estimates from published interior dimensions, not guarantees. See methodology.

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