Leica M6, MP Rangefinder Upgrade, Cost and Time.

<p>After just receiving my estimate from Leica NJ for the M6, MP rangefinder upgrade, I thought I would post the cost of this service if performed by Sherry Krauter or Don Goldberg.</p>

<p>Leica: $500 (6 weeks estimated turn around time.)<br />Sherry Krauter: $295<br />Don Goldberg: $220</p>

<p>I picked Leica NJ to do the upgrade for me because Carmen Vargas, of Leica Service and repair, promised me a discount for the upgrade which, unfortunately, was not reflected in the estimate I received. I will have to call Leica on Monday and remind Carmen of her promise. BTW, it took 14 days to get an estimate from Leica, after the M6 arrived at their facility. Slow in my opinion.</p>

Not many replies. I think that I might have seen this flare in my M6. I don't think it would have reached the status of an

acknowledged phenomenon from my experience alone. I would have noticed it and assumed that's the way it is. Using

my M6 much more than the M2 I would not have been making a comparison. I moved my eye slightly and took the shot. I

had to read about it to learn that this isn't just the way things are. I don't think I would be interested in the finder upgrade,

especially with the cost and the delays you describe.

<p>For me, Richard, the finder "upgrade" was necessary. As I had had one M3 for seventeen years and another for a year, as well as an M2 for two years, the flare was immediately noticeable. It caused me to miss a couple of shots at the start of my very first roll in the M6. It is true that the fix is expensive; but I was persuaded by another member, who emphasised the need to be comfortable with one's equipment. This makes sense in the last phase of a life which has not been without struggle. I had to divert funds for the finder fix: but the old refrigerator has a good chance of working until I can afford a new one.</p>

<p>What upgrade? (I seem to be behind the times.)</p>

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<p>What upgrade? (I seem to be behind the times.)</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Bill</p>

<p>Here is an explanation of the <a href="http://nemeng.com/leica/020b.shtml">MP rangefinder Upgrade</a> and the reason for it.</p>

<p>According to Sherry Krauter:</p>

 

<blockquote>

<p>The MP modification is putting back in what was taken out for black line profit. It is the center of the rangefinder frame. Flare and glare is reduced, but more importantly incredible contrast in low light.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>I have the M6ttl 0.85 which allegedly has the most flare prone viewfinder. Personally, I would not upgrade until the camera needed servicing or repair. </p>

<p>Does the M7 need a rangefinder upgrade also?</p>

<p>M7 serial number 2885000 and higher are said to have the improved MP finder. <br>

I own two M7's both with numbers above the above. I have never experienced any flair problems whatsoever. <br>

FYI, my M7's start with 332 and 294.<br>

</p>

<p>still a great camera without the upgrade. for me, the allure of the M6 is that it doesn't cost so much. putting a lot of extra money into one seems odd to me. take pictures! best, j</p>

<p>. . .all the above sounds like the Leica cartoon someone posted a few days ago -- and I thought I had too much time on my hands!!</p>

<p>You don't?</p>

<p>Thank you Paul. Good to know.</p>

<p>The one time I had serious problems with backlighting via the viewfinder was when I went boating and we were under bright direct sunlight. All the shots were under exposed. At first I didn't realize what the problem was but after I thought about it, I think that's what the problem was.</p>

<p>As far as Leica NJ's service, 30 years ago I had great service when I updated 3 single cam R lenses to 3 cams. About 10 years ago, I sent my M6 titanium in for minor adjustments and the camera came back with a linear scratch on the base plate. It looked like it was from some sort of jig that they were mounting the camera on to do the adjustment. Unacceptable to say the least. I will never send my camera to them again.</p>

<p>Sherry Krauter's explanation, quoted above, is accurate. She did the upgrade on my M6 three years ago, saying that was all it needed to move from a "9" to a *10" on her rating scale. Cost was the same as above, $295. The rangefinder lines are still not as brilliant as those of the M3s I owned years ago, but what is? And the light meter, rudimentary as it is, is great.</p>

<p>Thanks for the report. I'm going to send my M6 in for a needed shutter adjustment and will probably get the finder upgraded at the same time. I'd be interested to know how much the discount you got from Leica is and how you obtained it.</p>

<p>I don't know about you, Kraft Jamie, but I find it impossible to take pictures with a camera I cannot focus.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>I'd be interested to know how much the discount you got from Leica is and how you obtained it.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Tim,</p>

<p>I simply wrote to Leica Camera Ag in Allendale NJ expressing my disappointment as a long time Leica owner to have learned that the Rangfinder patch flare problem inherent in M cameras since late M4-2 production was due to the elimination or an integral part of the system, just to save a few Deutsche Marks. I asked for the upgrade without cost, or for a discount.</p>

<p>I called Leica this morning and learned that in order for the work to proceed, I will have to approve of the $500 estimate in advance, and provide my credit card information. Supposedly, a discount of 15%, ($75), will be given to me after the work is done in 6 weeks. Big Deal.</p>

<p>I opted for DAG, and Don Goldberg -- on whom, admittedly, I put unbearable pressure -- did the job super quickly and posted the camera back to me today.</p>

Gee Mukul, judging by the DAG gone missing posts on RFF, your formula for 'unbearable pressure' might be worth a lot.

<p>Well, I threatened to play Bad Injun and shoot flaming arrows at him, bouncing them down from the stratosphere. It's simpler, really. He is a working man himself and so has sympathy for someone who uses cameras for work.</p>

<p>Since the MP was released, I have owned several M6 cameras and two MPs. A fresh CLA and the finder upgrade gives you a fine poor-man's MP. <br>

<br>

I always upgraded my M6 finder in conjunction with a CLA.</p>

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<p>"on whom, admittedly, I put unbearable pressure" <em><strong>Mukul D</strong></em></p>

</blockquote>

<p>As <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Soup_Nazi">Seinfield's "Soup Nazi"</a> stated: "No Soup for You !"<br /> Consequently, I say to folks who pressure me to to speed up my bench repair times <strong>"No Repair for You !"</strong></p>

<p>As for the RF upgrade because of it's popularity, I find it tough to keep the <a href="../leica-rangefinders-forum/00YA0r">3 part kit</a> in stock; Leica currently has one part of the kit "<em>lens with slider frame</em>", on back-order...</p>

<p>Gus, be careful: we have ways of dealing with your kind.</p>

<p>An essential component on back order? This is staggering lack of foresight. Leitz/Leica should have produced, for every camera body that was made without the condenser and stuff, one "mandatory upgrade kit" so that the buyers who came rushing back for them would not be made to wait. Sales and profits guaranteed. Absolutely no risk.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>As for the RF upgrade because of it's popularity, I find it tough to keep the <a rel="nofollow" href="00YA0r">3 part kit</a> in stock; Leica currently has one part of the kit "<em>lens with slider frame</em>", on back-order...</p>

</blockquote>

<p>That's probably why Leica gave me an estimate of 6 weeks to complete the MP rangefinder upgrade. </p>