Ever since Leica brought back the M6 in 2022, film photographers have been asking one question more than any other: will Leica release a chrome version of the new M6? The re-issue arrived only in black, echoing the earliest Wetzlar M6 bodies, and while the return of the classic black M6 was celebrated, many Leica fans immediately wondered if a silver chrome option would follow.
The original Leica M6 was produced for nearly two decades in both black and chrome finishes. Collectors and shooters alike rely on chrome bodies not only for their aesthetic appeal, but also for their durability. The bright finish resists brassing, hides wear more gracefully and fits beautifully with chrome lenses from the M legacy. For many photographers, a chrome M6 simply feels more traditional.
So why hasn’t Leica released a chrome version yet, and is there any chance they will?
Why the re-released Leica M6 launched only in black
When Leica revived the M6 in October 2022, it was positioned as a faithful return to the model’s roots. Leica used:
- A Leitz red dot
- A classic-style top plate
- A small shutter speed dial
- A black lacquer-style finish
- 0.72 viewfinder magnification only
The design clearly paid tribute to the earliest 1984–1986 black M6 bodies. This was part nostalgia, part branding and part manufacturing practicality. Leica kept the re-issue intentionally simple: one finish, one finder option, one core configuration.
Introducing chrome would have required:
- Adjusted tooling for top/bottom plate finishing
- Different plating processes
- Additional QC and polishing steps
- Separate production runs
For a camera produced in relatively limited numbers, Leica likely chose to streamline manufacturing and reintroduce the M6 in a single, historically grounded version.
A chrome M6 would be consistent with Leica’s history
The original Leica M6 Classic was offered in both chrome and black starting in 1986. Many of the most iconic M6 variants — from the Pandas to LHSA editions to the 1990s titanium models — were based on chrome bodies.
Chrome M6 bodies have always been:
- More resistant to brassing
- Slightly more durable
- Visually closer to the M3 and M4 aesthetic
- Popular with collectors
- High in demand on the second-hand market
Leica is fully aware of this market desire. Historically, the company has almost always offered both chrome and black in any major M release, including the M3, M4, M7, MP and digital Ms such as the M9, M10 and M11.
The absence of a chrome M6 so far is unusual rather than expected.
Is Leica planning a chrome M6 re-release?
Leica has not officially confirmed a chrome version, but the industry signs suggest two key possibilities.
1. A chrome M6 is likely but timed for later demand
Leica often staggers its product releases to maintain hype, ensure supply stability and create distinct sales cycles. Releasing a chrome version later would:
- Renew public excitement
- Extend the product’s lifecycle
- Target collectors who want both finishes
- Match Leica’s pattern of staggered finish releases
This has happened many times across Leica’s catalogue, including with the MP, M-A, and various digital M bodies.
Given the demand for chrome and the historical precedent, a chrome M6 remains a very real possibility.
2. Leica may be waiting for production capacity to increase
The Leica M6 re-issue has seen strong demand, with long waiting lists at many dealers. Expanding into chrome too early could stretch production. Leica tends to introduce additional finishes only after initial supply stabilises.
Once the re-issue becomes easier to obtain, Leica may shift to producing secondary finishes.
3. Leica could limit chrome to special editions
There is also a chance Leica will reserve the chrome finish for:
- Limited editions
- Anniversary editions
- LHSA collaborations
- Premium collector runs
This would align with Leica’s approach in the past, where chrome was sometimes used for commemorative M6 and M7 editions.
In this scenario, chrome would return, but in a more exclusive and more expensive format.
Would photographers buy a chrome M6 re-release?
The answer is almost certainly yes.
A chrome modern M6 would appeal to:
- Photographers who prefer classic styling
- Users wanting a finish that ages slowly
- Film shooters who own chrome lenses
- Collectors interested in owning both finishes
- Buyers waiting specifically for a silver option
Many photographers consider chrome bodies to be the most timeless Leica finish of all.
What we can realistically expect
Based on Leica’s history, product strategy and the overwhelming demand for chrome cameras, there are three likely scenarios:
- Leica will eventually release a standard chrome M6 re-issue, mirroring the original dual-finish lineup.
- Leica will release chrome as a limited edition, in small numbers and at a higher price.
- Leica will wait until demand for the black M6 stabilises before expanding the range.
For most Leica observers, option one is still the most likely. A chrome M6 would sell immediately, fit Leica tradition, and extend the appeal of one of the most famous film cameras ever made.
Final thoughts: will Leica release a chrome version of the M6 re-release?
Nothing is guaranteed until Leica makes an announcement, but the evidence strongly suggests that a chrome version is possible, plausible and probably already discussed internally. Leica has a long history of offering dual finishes, the demand for chrome is significant and the M6 re-issue is positioned as a revival of a classic, not a one-off novelty.
If Leica chooses to follow the same roadmap as the original M6, a chrome re-issue may only be a matter of time. Until then, the speculation, the hope and the anticipation remain part of the fun of owning a modern Leica film camera.
