Leica M6 CLA and VF MP upgrade

[padraigm]

Hi All,

I am thinking about getting my M6 CLA'd and in addition getting the view finder replaced with the MP one. Lecia in NJ has quoted me ~$400 if there are no extra parts to replace. I was wondering if there are other options that might be a little cheaper that could be recommended. I have read that DAG does some work on the view finder. Is this the same as what leica would do?

Thanks in advance.

 

[whitecat]

Go with the Leica upgrade.

 

[Bill Blackwell]

Hi All,

I am thinking about getting my M6 CLA'd and in addition getting the view finder replaced with the MP one. Lecia in NJ has quoted me ~$400 if there are no extra parts to replace. I was wondering if there are other options that might be a little cheaper that could be recommended. I have read that DAG does some work on the view finder. Is this the same as what leica would do?

Thanks in advance.

IMHO, DAG is more reliable compared to Leica service, but in either case I would get the upgrade.

 

[sockeyed]

I believe that DAG may charge less for the service, too. Be warned, though - he is very backed up in terms of repairs these days and may have your camera for several months.

I asked Tom A about the necessity of doing the finder upgrade on my M6 "Classic" and he responded with the following:

Some of the 0,85 and 0,72 finders on the TTL's could "flare" out the rangefinder patch. The upgrade consisted of Leica putting in an extra "lens" in the optical path of the finder. Not a big deal and in most cases a bit unnecessary. I have never had a problem with the Classic M6 and this. I think if you did it, you might get a bit more contrast, but not enough to justify the expense.

 

[padraigm]

Leica indicated to me that they would put an MP finder in it. Basically if they were already going to do the CLA the finder upgrade would be ~$75. But I have heard that DAG will be quite a while and that certainly is something to consider.

 

[Ron (Netherlands)]

Think about selling your M6 and buy a nice M7

 

[pcsmythe]

I am currently selling an M6 TTL with the MP Viewfinder upgrade (I bought an MP). Sherry Krauter of The Golden Touch did my upgrade and it came out spiffy. She charges somewhere around $265 plus shipping.

Peter Smythe | Documentary Portrait Photography

 

[maddoc]

That price sounds very reasonable to me. My M4-P just came back from a full CLA (Leica Japan) including replacement of the winding unit (a non-Leica certified camera repair man had used to much oil in a recent CLA ...) and total cost was ~ 750 $ (560 $ labor and 190$ part cost) ... 😱

 

[JNewell]

I'm with Tom (as quoted below). I had a .72x M6 done and decided the improvement wasn't enough to make it worth having it done to the .85x M6.

If your eye is properly aligned, it shouldn't flare in any case.

I believe that DAG may charge less for the service, too. Be warned, though - he is very backed up in terms of repairs these days and may have your camera for several months.

I asked Tom A about the necessity of doing the finder upgrade on my M6 "Classic" and he responded with the following:

Some of the 0,85 and 0,72 finders on the TTL's could "flare" out the rangefinder patch. The upgrade consisted of Leica putting in an extra "lens" in the optical path of the finder. Not a big deal and in most cases a bit unnecessary. I have never had a problem with the Classic M6 and this. I think if you did it, you might get a bit more contrast, but not enough to justify the expense.

 

[kipkeston]

My upgrade was night and day. DAG did mine. 190 and he fixed a bunch of stuff no charge while he was at it.

My expericence with the non upgraded finder is the camera is NOT professional if you miss shots because of flare.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Some day Sherry will work her magic on my cameras. Right now, I still can live with the untreated, original finder.

EDIT: I meant this post as a recommendation for Sherry. Don is good too, but if you want your camera back within the month contact Sherry.

 

[ferider]

I'm with JNewell and Tom. I had it done to one of my M6 and not to the other one (both .72). No major difference unless you hold the camera in a special way in special light situations.

But - if you have an early M6: upgrade of the meter (about 2 stops more sensitive for me) is well worth it.

DAG charges less than what you quote but takes quite long.

Best,

Roland.

 

[JNewell]

Funny you should mention the meter (not). The reason that M6 got "upgraded" was because it was having it's meter circuit replaced.

 

[terrafirmanada]

I got the upgrade from sherry, and it was well worth it in my opinion. true if one holds the camera up dead center to their eye the problem goes away for the most part. however, in back light situations, my old finder still flared. i chose to get the replacement since i primarily shoot a summilux 50mm with my .85...

 

[aizan]

if leica is going to replace the entire viewfinder instead of just installing the condensor and mask kit, that could be worthwhile.

 

[JNewell]

if leica is going to replace the entire viewfinder instead of just installing the condensor and mask kit, that could be worthwhile.

Why? The condensor lens is the only change needed to get back to M2/M4/M5 viewfinder optics.

For the cost of an entire new RF/VF assembly, you could literally buy a new (used) body.

 

[monster]

400 usd for clerar, brighter, and flare resistant


it's good enough!