The meter in the 'original' M6. Questions.

[caffeineshutter]

Hi All,

The meter in my M6 'classic' has just the two triangle LEDs pointing at each other. I've never noticed those LEDs blink if the light level is too low to measure.

Is this behavior an example of why the meter in the M6 was slightly refined over the production run?


Thanks,

CJ

 

[ampguy]

Was the meter changed in the M6 classic? or do you mean the change from classic to the TTL metering?

 

[javimm]

The meter on my M6 Classic blinks if the light is low, so I must have the "normal" leds/meter system. It's no problem though, as the light has to be very low for them to blink. Shooting at night or inside churches didn't suppose a problem for the meter.

 

[mr_phillip]

The only time mine ever blink at me is when I've forgotten to take the damn lens cap off. If yours aren't doing even that then you likely need fresh batteries.

 

[caffeineshutter]

Nope. I consider the TTL to be a different beast in this area. My M6 has no central dot between the arrow LEDs, and again I've never seen both LED arrows blink, indicating very low light. This issue is a mysterey to me.

Was the meter changed in the M6 classic? or do you mean the change from classic to the TTL metering?

 

[mr_phillip]

Looks like you have a very early M6 (or at least the meter from an early model). From the barkeep's site:

"The early M6 strangely indicates underexposure by NOT lighting its LEDs. The later M6 indicates underexposure by blinking LEDs. If the lens cap is on, the early M6 LEDs do not light at all while the later M6 blinks both LEDs as a warning."

More on the differences here.

 

[palec]

Yes, that's right. Later M6s have blinking meter, earlier (not only very early) do not blink when over- or underexposing, or there's not enough light to meter, like when lens cap is on.

It's simple - no led light in viewfinder means no light outside (or battery dead 🙂

 

[oscroft]

The only time mine ever blink at me is when I've forgotten to take the damn lens cap off.

Yes, I find that a very useful feature!

 

[Livesteamer]

I've found one other thing about the early M6 meters. If you are outside on a normal bright day and the led's look dim then your battery is about to go. Joe

 

[caffeineshutter]

Thanks all for the info and comments. My M6 SN# puts it at '85 or '86 IIRC.

So yes, my M6's meter lacks the feature of 'blink-if-no-light' and I guess I'm just stuck with it. :-/

That blink feature to warn me of a lens cap presence would be excellent. I started using my father's GAF Memo when I was a kid and - sadly - never learned to always be aware of where the lens cap is.

The other problem this causes is that of wasting a frame sometimes. I'll lightly press the shutter release...no joy from the meter. Maybe I'm not pressing hard enough...click!

DAMN. That was my last frame of Pan-F. :-(