M6 meter problems

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I have an old German made "classic" M6. About 4 months ago the meter started getting wacky. Sometime it works fine, other times it is about 3 or 4 stops off, and at other times the arrows are just flashing (one or both).

I've gotten to the point where I just took the batteries out and use it with a seperate meter like my M4-P.

I've heard that some of the older M6s have meter problems (mine has serial # 1906xxx). Has this ever happend to anyone else? What would it cost to fix? I've tried replacing the batteries but it still does the same thing. I've also tried cleaning the battery contacts with a pencil erasor but it didn't seem to help either. I know it's time to send it in but I'm wondering about the cost.

thanks, john

-- john locher (locherjohn@hotmail.com), January 16, 2002

Answers

One thing you might also try cleaning are the contacts between the body and the back door through which the film speed data is transferred. I don't know if it will help but it can't hurt if you do it carefully with a pencil eraser. The final cost is of course dependent upon what parts might be needed, probably the most expensive of which is the circuit board itself. But most likely the cmaera will need some disassembly, in which case a standard overhaul is the usual procedure. Prices for that vary from one facility to another, but generally run in the ballpark of $200-300. Stick with either a Leica agency or one of the well-respected repairpersons listed on the Leica Historical Society's website: www.lhsa.org.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), January 16, 2002.

After cleaning the contacts as Jay suggests, using a pencil eraser of course, move the film speed dial back and forth through its full range several times. Do the same with the shutter speed dial. Now again with the pencil eraser on the battery compartment contacts. Hopefully that will put everything right. If not it is CLA time. As the camera is over ten years old I would consider giving it a CLA even if the above treatment makes it happy again.

-- John Collier (jbcollier@powersurfr.com), January 16, 2002.

I also have a 1906xxx, and twice in the last 6 years had the meter be significantly off. In my case it seemed to have something to do with the shutter speed dial being in one setting too long (couple of days). If I changed the shutter speed the meter would be fine. I assume it was possibly a contact problem on the dial itself, cleaning did solve the problem.

-- Kaya Sanan (ksanan@xenon.com), January 16, 2002.

John, Have you tried changing the batteries? I remember once when my batteries were running low, the meter would start drifting downwards. I'd have the arrows matched and then the left would come on and I had the feeling I was chasing the meter down. A more recent problem I have had was a loose wire which caused the meter to be erratic.

-- Henry Chu (heninden@yahoo.com), January 17, 2002.

I had an interesting problem with my m6ttl. Depressing the shutter button half way acted as an exposure lock which sometimes meant I got daft readings (If I fogot to lift my finger from the shutter). I 'phoned Leica UK who assured me that this couldn't possibly happen. Still, it happened...for a while. Now, all seems to be ok...touch wood.

-- steve (stephenjjones@btopenworld.com), January 17, 2002.


All the TTL cameras have this exposure lock feature. The first bit of movement turns on the meter but the next bit locks the meter reading. It will be a much more useful feature on the M7....

-- John Collier (jbcollier@powersurfr.com), January 17, 2002.

John - I'm very sorry: you're quite right. I've just checked, and both of my m6ttls still do the lock business just as you said. I did 'phone Leica UK about this about 6 months ago, but the response they gave me was clearly wrong. It's funny - I must have come to let go of the shutter button automatically and without thinking about it - I suppose I don't much look at the meter any more...weird...

-- steve (stephenjjones@btopenworld.com), January 17, 2002.

Funny, my M6TTL doesnt lock exposure-- I get a reading, depress shutter button, and if I change my field of view or subject while keeping the shutter dperessed, the meter keeps responding to the changes. Is this a malfunction? Best,

-- Marke Gilbert (Bohdi137@aol.com), January 17, 2002.

Are you pressing the button almost to the point of release? If so, one of us is wrong: on the one hand, both my m6ttls do this (one 0.58 and one 0.85), on the other Leica UK is on your side...

-- steve (stephenjjones@btopenworld.com), January 18, 2002.

Steve, You're right.. mine is locking, but the threshold is really close to the point of release. Or at least closer than I normally maintian pressure. Thanks,

-- Marke Gilbert (Bohdi137@aol.com), January 18, 2002.


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