M6 classic led's stay on/battery drain.

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alecgold

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I recently bought an M6, one of the first series from 1985.
It really starts to grow on me, and one of the things I've been boasting about is the lack of batteries that need constant recharging.
When I got it, I popped some new alkaline's in and ordered 1/3N lithiums.
After about 3 days (I wasn't paying attention) the batteries needed to be changed. Hmm.
Today, I noticed my led's stay on, even when it has been sitting on my desk for well over an hour. If I put it on B, it is out, if I release the shutter, it's off, but other than that the led's stay on.
I've read the manual and it says 10s. I waited much, much longer than that, but it doesn't turn off.

Did I do anything wrong with it? Is it a known problem? Is there a cure?
 
Cure? Either store the camera with the s/s dial set to bulb or with the shutter uncocked for the time being, no? Is the shutter button a bit sticky? Have you tried "exercising" the shutter button a bit to ensure it's not sticking from disuse? The LEDs didn't stay on indefinitely with the couple of M6's I owned, so I'd suggest sending a note to Sherry or the tech of your choice for some expert advice.
 
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Thanks MIke!
I forgot to mention, I just got it back from a CLA, so i just wanted to make sure there is not something I could have been doing wrong.
The CLA was much needed as it wasn't used for a long time. And being from 1985, it could do with some proper cleaning and lubrication. CLA made a big difference, the shutter is more quit, smoother, everything just feels better and it works like a dream now.
Odd thing is that I find it handy to have the led's always on, but it does worry me for the future, as I reckon it might be the beginning of the end for my metering circuits?
 
once the shutter is cocked, the meter is activated by a half-press of the shutter button. if the button is worn or sticking slightly, it might be actuating the meter all the time instead of the normal 10 sec or so. i think that would be one obvious mechanical cause.

i can't comment on the electronics.

i'd call the person who did the CLA and get his or her take on the problem.
 
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Certainly gonna contact the service that did the CLA, they where very nice, explained a lot about the camera to me and is in very high standing on this and other forums. I don't expect any trouble there.
 
Had same problem

Had same problem

Had same problem with an M6 early type. Once meter activated it wouldn't shut off (except on B setting or if shutter was fired and not recocked). Was informed by DAG the circuitry needed a fix--not major. Will wait to fix at next CLA.
 
Next CLA? That's in 20 years! I'd sent it straight back. The turnaround will be quicker than the first time, probably no charge on account of missing this. The money you'll spend on batteries will soon dwarf the cost of a CLA but the peace of mind is what you must not wait for. CLAs often lead to one or two early returns and it's best to get it completely right now and then don't CLA again unless something goes wrong, which might be never.
 
Yep I've had this problem with an M6. Was repaired swiftly by a respected Leica tech so I'd be inclined to send it back whilst it's presumably under some sort of CLA warranty from the repairer. As said above a simple to fix circuitry problem.
 
Early M6s (Wetzlars) had a circuitry problem that needed repairing. Other than that to turn off the meter set the M6 to 'B'. All cameras should be stored with the shutter uncocked. If there is no film in the camera it does not need to be cocked. You should always have a spare batter handy with any camera. With rangefinders when not in use the lens should be stored or carried at the smallest opening. Unlike SLRs which have mirrors to protect the shutter from strong sunlight rangefinders do not. If the aperature is carried about in strong sunlight at the wider openings the shutter can be damaged in a short period by sunlight striking the shutter through the lens.
 
Wow, lots of replies! Thank you all, I'm just a newbie here, but it's very useful to spend some hours reading through the various posts and forums here. And lovely to see the pictures and get new idea's.

@Richard, I hope it will be 20 years indeed before the next CLA is needed, but it might be wiser to do it again in 10 years orso?! I intend to make good use of this M6.
Anyhow, I've been searching a lot (on RFf and other sites as well) and it looks like two diodes needs to be replaced. Diodes are not that expensive, but it will take some time to remove the circuitry and replace the diodes. Leaking diodes, it can happen in 25 years, I guess. Nothing to be ashamed with a little leak, if you're that old 🙂

Tomorrow morning I will make the call and ask the repairman what he thinks of it.
 
Another 2 cents: If I recall correctly, there was once a replacement cover for the battery compartment, which also acted as an on/off switch. Don't know how easy these can be found.

Greetings,

Dirk
 
I've read that batt compartment replacement as well, but haven't been able to find it.
And I could always put it on "b" to get the circuitry off. Or just not advance.
Was the switch a nicely build thing?
 
The "Battery cover switch" you mentioned was called the "Rose". It was made by Larry Welker. When his shop burned down, he lost the equipment to make them. Only used ones are out there, and they are worth their weight in gold!
 
Well, it seems like it can be repaired, but at considerable cost. The complete meter-electronics need to be replaced at the cost of 430 euro's
That is a lot, that is the same as I paid for the whole CLA on body and lens.
I think I keep it on B, when not in use, or just not advance/cock the shutter.
It's not that bad, just a habit change. But I'm still a bit annoyed that it won't work as it was designed to do. Does that make me a Leica-man?
 
alec, i'd get a 2nd opinion on the fix.

in any case, as you say, a habit change will work. turning the s/s dial to B is not a big deal. but to be a leica-man you'll have to get out, shoot lots of frames, and post to the galleries 🙂
 
I might get a second opinion, but I value Will's opinion highly.
And I'm in need of a decent scanner more than I am for new meter electronics.

The Leica-man (it's a link) is a satirical piece about a guy that always want's the latest glass and body and it needs to be very, very expensive. Say a Hermes Leica or something.
I had a lot of fun reading it, and know I'm a bit like it too. You can make masterpieces with those stupid one-time-use-throw-away camera's, if you're really gifted.
And though I sometimes take a picture that is not to bad, I'm certainly not gifted.
 

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i didn't "get" the reference in my earlier post, alec, sorry. very nice shot!

if the LED problem bothers you, and i can see how it could be a minor but recurring annoyance, is there any opportunity to return the camera to the seller? if you paid the usual rate for the M6, there should be some expectation that such a problem didn't exist. just thinking out loud ...
 
My M6 itself is in pretty good shape and I really like it, it grows on me.
There are hardly any signs of use, there is a bit of chrome visible at the bottom right corner of the back-plate. It might not be pristine enough for a collector, but when you intend of using it, it hardly gets any better. Will van Maanen reckoned it had hardly been used, so there is plenty of life left in it for a great many nice pictures.
If I end up using way to many batteries, I might get the electronics changed. (the batteries cost me around 6,50 euro's each, so if I end up with a battery a week, I might buy the repair as it will save in the long run, but with a battery every month (or two) I likely won't do it).

And there is an advantage, how ever small it might be: if I'm walking around, I always have my light meter working never need to activate it 😀
Seriously, working with this camera, I find I have less to worry about. When I had my Canon G7 (that took the added shots of the M6) was more looking down at the n-th setting of my G7. Now I'm more walking, experiencing, looking around.
I like to write when I travel. write what I see, what happens, what I notice. I never wanted to take any pictures as I interfered with my looking around, I started to miss things that happened. With my newly acquired M6, I notice more, I'm more active, more looking. What is clear is that my compositions, choosing subjects, timing etc. could use a lot of practice and a nice little course.
 

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