There's been much talk of the finder flare issue in the M6 models. I have also checked out the Leica Sling based on some discussion amongst those of us who want to dispense with neck straps from time to time. So, the fella who makes the Sling also has designed what he calls the Leica Shade which he claims helps to elminate the viewfinder flare problem.

Anyone have experience with this thing?

-- Jay Bee (JBee193@aol.com), March 19, 2002

Answers

I do. it remains on my M. It does help. But it also does darken frame lines to the point of creating some discomfort in low light situations. Give it a try. I recommend all of Lutz's gizmos by the way...The Slide and Sling have changed my life !

-- Jacques (jacquesbalthazar@hotmail.com), March 20, 2002.

I have all three of Lutz's devices on my M-6s. The sling, I use now and then, but the others, I use all the time. Once you have used the shade in VERY dim light for a while, you never notice the difference. The focusinf and the framing is still much brighter than The "Bessas, M-3s ant Any other rangefinder cameras that I've come accross. Take the plunge, buy the shade and slide at least. The slide,IF YOU USE IT, will save you from the terrible"I changed the film but not the meter" disease.

-- Ned Learned (ned@kajabbi.com), March 20, 2002.

it helps a *little*, but i keep it on my M6 anyway.

-- Dexter Legaspi (dalegaspi@hotmail.com), March 20, 2002.

i read about the "shade" and related to the low light focasing problems. as an experiment rather than cost saving, i neatly cut out a thin piece of white writing paper and attached it with neatly cut cellotape to my M6. it has made a huge difference (and does not look bad on my camera either). the frame lines are definitely darker but completely manageable and the focasing is much easier.

now if i can just stop putting my finger over the prism when i focus and everything will be fine.

john

p.s. i wrap my neckstrap around my wrist and fingers in such a way as to give th effect of the "sling".

-- john molloy (ballyscanlon@hotmail.com), March 20, 2002.