M6 Exposure Deltas

[david_watts]

I have just taken delivery of my first Leica, a Wetzlar built M6. I

bought it from my favourite dealer and sent it straight off to

Melbourne (Aust) for a CLA and to have the exposure meter fixed as the

deltas wouldn't light up. It was returned to me last week but during

our one day of sunshine last weekend (it's winter here) I found that

if I stood in the sunshine I could only faintly see the deltas when at

their full brightness. It didn't matter where the sun was with

respect to the camera. As soon as I stood in the shade or covered the

viewfinder the deltas were bright and easy to see. I also tried

different eye positions but to no effect.

 

I have only used one other Leica with a built-in exposure meter

before: an MP which was lent to me whilst the M6 was being repaired.

The problem didn't appear in that body, and although I am aware that

the viewfinder in the MP has been improved, I have only seen

references to the improvement relating to the rangefinder.

 

Is this a normal problem with the M6 or should I expect to be able to

see the deltas as I did in the MP?

[andreatau]

David, I'm probably gonna say something stupid but have you tried replacing the batteries? Mine had faint deltas untill I did that, and now they're as bright as they can be. Sorry if you had thought of that already and wish you and your M6 good luck.

[david_watts]

Thanks, Andrea. Yes, new batteries were put in last week and I've turned the shutter dial to B after each session.

[andreatau]

Uhm, I had not realised that turning the shutter dial to B prevents the lightmeter from working, but I have owned an M6 only for a few weeks and have a lot to learn.. I guess you're sure that this actually happens. What I do, to prevent batteries from lasting a blink of an eye, is to leave the film-advancing-thing (whatever that's called in English) un-armed when the camera is stored in camera bags and fanny packs, so even if the shutter is unintentionally pushed the lights are not activated.

[william_john_smith]

For a cheap add on to shut the battery off go to: http://www.quickreleaseplate.com/

m6switchpage.html

 

I hve one and it works great

[michael s.]

At $75 for the base model and $125 for the black paint model, I'm having trouble thinking of these hand made on/off switches as "cheap." For those prices, one can stock up on replacement batteries ... for years.

 

However, assuming you do buy one of the on-off devices, if you have already:

 

 

(i)forgotten to set your shutter speed dial to B; and

 

(ii)forgotten to do as Andrea apparently does (put camera in bag with shutter not cocked),

 

then what's to keep you from also forgetting to use your $75 - $125 switch to turn off your meter?

 

Perhaps I'm missing something?

[michael s.]

David - Sorry I ignored your question. My camera is similar to yours and I've thus far found the metering indicators quite visible, even in full sunlight. And I wear glasses, resulting in my eye being a bit farther away.

 

What you're reporting does not sound normal.

[Craig_Cooper11664875449]

<i>then what's to keep you from also forgetting to use your $75 - $125 switch to turn off

your meter?

<p>

Perhaps I'm missing something?</i>

<p>

Agree that its not <i>cheap</i> but you certainly dont forget to turn it off. Its a very

effective solution to taking a few readings then just turning it off until you need a meter

again. The other problem it addresses is the original battery cap's tendency to come loose.

Mine actually fell off <i>(and this wasnt the first time)</i> and by the time I had retraced

my steps and found it, it didnt look like it should - it was very flat!<br>

My views in using it after 6 months - its protrudes a little more than id like but it is more

effective and functional than I would have expected.

<p>

Craig / Beijing

[david_watts]

Michael, thanks for the comment. You've confirmed what I suspected. I found the meter almost unusable in sunlight.