M3 style advance lever on M6?

[Steve B]

Well, I'm getting ready to send my M6 to Sherry for a "whatever it needs" as its having a film transport problem and I'm considering having her install an M3 style advance lever as I just really like the look of the thing and don't really care for the plastic swivel lever end that the M6 comes equipped with. I'm feeling a bit silly about doing this as it seem kind of frivolous but one of the things I like about the M6 is the feel and ergonomics. So the question is; How are the ergonomics of the M3 lever on an M6? Can one engage the lever with the thumb only? Is it pleasurable to use compared to the original lever? I know I like the look of the all metal lever but is the feel and functionality an improvement as well or is it roughly the same? I have done a search and found many references to people here on RFF doing the replacement but have found no comments to the ergonomics. Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks,,,,,,,,,

 

[cmogi10]

It will make it more like an MP.
So do it! Try to get a black dot while your at it.
Is it a black or silver M6?

 

[maddoc]

I have converted my M4-P to the M3-style lever and now my silver M4 (while at Youxin Ye for CLA) will be converted to the M3 lever, too. For my style of handling the camera, the M3-style lever is easier (and faster) to handle. Just take care to not let the lever flip back after winding to often, your shutter speed dial will get some nice markings ...

 

[HuubL]

I have two M4s, one with the original flipper, the other with the M3 type lever. At first I didn't care too much, both worked for me. But now that I also have an M2, I begin to like the M3 type better. It gives a more positive feel. You can hook your thumb behind it. Indeed, also on the M4 the shutter speed dial gets bruised.

 

[Mountainsmith]

Anyone knows where to get one M3 or MP style advance lever?

 

[Pablito]

When I sent my M6 to Sherry for CLA, I talked to her about possibly doing this - less for ergonomics (because I have no problems with the erogonomics of the plastic tipped lever) than for reliability. I was always afraid the plastic tip would break off somewhere since I do a lot of work in parts of the world where a repair would be impossible. However, Sherry talked me out of it. She said the plastic tips rarely break off and as far as she was concerned the new style lever is more ergonomic (though this is personal taste of course). So I just left it alone. (Ain't broke - don't fix it philosophy)

 

[Rafael]

I switched the advance lever on my M6 over to an M3 style lever last week and I am very happy with the change. I prefer the ergonomics of the M3 style lever. But I think that this is a very personal preference. I also agree with those who have argued that there is nothing wrong with the M6 lever. I have the plastic tipped lever on my M4 and have never had any problem with it. I just prefer the feel of the M3 style lever.

The other thing to consider is the fact that this is not an irreversible change. If you switch the advance lever and then regret the decision, you can always switch it back. All you need is the $7.50 flexiclamp and you can do it yourself in 30 seconds.

 

[TimSmith-Laing]

I was lucky enough to buy a nice user M6 from a guy moving over to digital, and he'd already fitted it out with an MP style lever. To my mind, it's great; comes to the thumb really easily and looks a little more in keeping with a leica than the plastic tipped lever.

On the other hand - and I really don't know about this kind of thing - maybe it would make a difference to the selling price if you ever felt that way inclined. I'm sure someone here will know if it does or not. Personally, if it's shooting you're after, I'd go for it.

Oh - but maddoc is absolutely right: it will mark your shutter speed dial. Mine has some fairly gnarly signs of wear on it...so watch out with the frenetic speed shooting.

Tim

 

[buckpago]

When I sent my M6 to Sherry for CLA, I talked to her about possibly doing this - less for ergonomics (because I have no problems with the erogonomics of the plastic tipped lever) than for reliability. I was always afraid the plastic tip would break off somewhere since I do a lot of work in parts of the world where a repair would be impossible. However, Sherry talked me out of it. She said the plastic tips rarely break off and as far as she was concerned the new style lever is more ergonomic (though this is personal taste of course). So I just left it alone. (Ain't broke - don't fix it philosophy)

I use m4-p with a broken plastic tipped lever, now ist all metal. i want to get myself a m3 style lever, does any one knows where?

its works fine for me but i like the design of m3 lever.

 

[Rafael]

You can buy the M3 advance levers from DAG (HERE).

 

[Steve B]

Silver

Silver

It will make it more like an MP.
So do it! Try to get a black dot while your at it.
Is it a black or silver M6?

Its a silver one, non TTL. Do different levers look/work better? Are the M3 and MP levers the same thing? Thanks, Steve.

 

[tmfabian]

I'm planning on getting it done to my M7...the M3 advance lever to me needs no other justification than it's more durable...i hate having the thought in my head that my all metal camera has a plastic doodad on the advance lever.

 

[Ken Ford]

I dislike the feeling of a pivoted lever - the solid lever is less distracting to me.

 

[Rob-F]

Steve I have done this. In keeping with the new RFF policy of being more image-conscious, I will attempt to upload a shot of my M6, with MP/M3 style advance lever. DAG installed it at the same time I had him upgrade to the MP style finder. I thought, "If it is getting an MP type finder, why not an MP type Winding lever?" Now my M6 handles as close to the same as my MP as possible.

If you like the feel of the solid lever, as do I, that is reason enough to go ahead with it.

Now, let's see about that picture.

 

[Shac]

Steve - I use both styles (M2 and M4/M6) really apart from looks, there's absolurely no functional difference to me. However, if the M2 is like the M3 or the M6 modified, then be warned that the 100% metal lever hits the shutter dial and can mark it. I beleive Tom A wrote about this as well recently.
So like Rob-F just said go with what you like - I doubt you'll feel much of a difference.
David

 

[Rob-F]

I forgot to answer part of the question. Yes, you can pull the solid lever out from the stored position, with the tip of your thumb, and go on to complete the wind in one smooth motion. Works just as well now as it did in 1954!

 

[Ken Ford]

Here, I'll drag mine out again...

 

[Steve B]

Thanks everybody, I think I'm going to go with the new lever as I'm sending it in to sherry anyway and just don't care for the pivoting plastic. Heck, we like our Leicas in large part because of their look and feel, right? Also I never let the lever return hard and slap the body/shutter speed dial, etc. I always keep my thumb on it for the next frame advance. Besides, how expensive is a shutter speed dial anyway? And this is a user camera (I use it) not a show piece, although its still in pretty fine shape in spite of being dragged up numerous climbs/peaks, etc. Cheers, everybody,,,,,,,,,,,,