jesse_kramer Posted May 3, 2003 Share Posted May 3, 2003 It is my understanding that the MP and the M7 have gone back to the Brass top plate. Are there any late model M6 TTLs other than the LHSA models with the Brass? Is the "last M6" made with brass or zinc? Any leads appreciated. (I always get better images with Brass !!!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay_. Posted May 3, 2003 Share Posted May 3, 2003 Supposedly the last production of M6TTL's top plates were brass, but I can't recall ever seeing it verified in print from Leica themselves. Considering that Leica knew well in advance of the M7's introduction that the M6TTL would be discontinued (what, I'm supposed to believe they didn't already have the MP planned, designed and tooled-up a year ago when they were still lying to us that the M6TTL would remain in production? Just like I'm supposed to believe they didn't have the flare-free-finder ready to go when they ran the first run of M7's we're now looking at $700 to upgrade or lose it on resale) I can't figure why they would go to brass M6TTL top plates. But even if they did, only the BP models have the finish applied directly to the brass. The brass top plates are first zinc-plated for the black and silver chrome finishes. So they wear first to the white zinc layer, and unlikely beyond it. You really need to gouge them to get into the brass. Look at M4-2's and M4-P's. They had brass top plates...ever seen one with brass showing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_barnett2 Posted May 3, 2003 Share Posted May 3, 2003 Hmm, my M4-P has a zinc top plate? But for sure, the last of the production M6TTL had brass tops, and all of the limted edition 999 series. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay_. Posted May 3, 2003 Share Posted May 3, 2003 The very last M4-P's had the flush-mounted viewfinder glass (referred to as "M6 Windows") and also the strap-rub protectors. These were probably M6 top-plates (minus the shutter speed adjuster hole)and therefore zinc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucien1 Posted May 3, 2003 Share Posted May 3, 2003 > they were still lying to us that the M6TTL would remain in production Jay, do you have that on writing ? > I'm supposed to believe they didn't have the flare-free-finder ready to go when they ran the first run of M7's we're now looking at $700 to upgrade or lose it on resale) But it's still true, they were not ready. > M4-P's had the flush-mounted viewfinder glass (referred to as "M6 Windows") and also the strap-rub protectors The flush window, yes, but the strap-rub protectors, I don't think so. Lucien<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_barnett2 Posted May 3, 2003 Share Posted May 3, 2003 Lucian, I have an M4-P here, with strap protectors, single sync socket, flush windows, and a zinc top plate. It was made AFTER the M6 production started, and is one of the last three hundred made. An M6 in all but meter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_barnett2 Posted May 3, 2003 Share Posted May 3, 2003 And it was made in Wetzlar, but marked Canada. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucien1 Posted May 3, 2003 Share Posted May 3, 2003 > I have an M4-P here, with strap protectors, Steve and Jay, Thank you, you learned me this. > And it was made in Wetzlar, but marked Canada. Are you sure it was not made in Portugal. ;-) Lucien Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
art waldschmidt Posted May 3, 2003 Share Posted May 3, 2003 Does anyone know which serial number, of the late M6TTL's, marked the change to the brass top-plate? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew n.bra hrefhttp Posted May 4, 2003 Share Posted May 4, 2003 See [<A HREF="http://nemeng.com/leica/042b.shtml">this Leica FAQ topic</A>] (scroll down the page after it loads).<P> Basically there were a few M6TTLs with brass top plates, but v.few. They appear to have been made after the M7 was introduced. Similar thing happend when the M6 first came in and the M4-P was still in production. For the last batch(es) of the M4-P all Leica did was use the M6 (Zn alloy) top plate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_barnett2 Posted May 4, 2003 Share Posted May 4, 2003 'For the last batch(es) of the M4-P all Leica did was use the M6 (Zn alloy) top plate.' The top plate of the last M4-P (1986)is still quite different to the M6. It still has the small screw capped hole for the rangfinder adjustment, and is shallower as no meter is used. I think the indications are that the zinc top plate was a trial run for the M6, and it may have been introduced earlier than 1984? But, thats just an idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew n.bra hrefhttp Posted May 4, 2003 Share Posted May 4, 2003 Good point Steve, thanks for the correction. (Learn something every day.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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