MP finder upgrade to the M6ttl

[cope07]

Hi everyone, I am about to acquire an m6ttl (my first leica) and am looking into the MP upgrade for the finder.

I have emailed Sherry and DAG. DAG is cheaper at $200 total for the upgrade (+$30 to mask frame lines, I think I will remove the 75).

There is also another upgrade to replace the two top cover windows with multicoated ones for $80. DAG said that this part probably wasn't worth the cost.

Has anyone done this part of the upgrade? Results? I guess it might be hard to know if it is worth it or not since most people with have it done when they get the MP finder upgrade too...so too many variables. But if anyone wants to comment on it or anything regarding the MP finder upgrade, please feel free and I would appreciate it.

 

[CameraQuest]

generally speaking, finder upgrades on Leica M's are a waste of money.

Why? Because your $ would generally be better spent selling the older M body and replacing it was the newer model, in your case selling the M6TTL and replacing it with the later and improved MP.

but its your money, so if you want to do it,
no problem with me.

Stephen

 

[maddoc]

I was just wondering, you still don`t have the camera, did not use it all and it will be your first Leica. So without ever having used the camera, while already thinking about some expensive modifications ? 😕 As the head bartender said, if you already made up your mind that you want an MP VF then it would be more advisable to buy the MP instead of the M6TTL. (Except there is a reason to prefer that M6TTL over an MP)

 

[bwcolor]

I did the viewfinder upgrade without the Multi-Coated windows with Sherry and also masked one of the frame lines. The M6TTL plus upgrade was substantially cheaper than an MP at that time... don't know about these days.

 

[KM-25]

My first Leica was an M6 classic, the flare drove me nuts at times. So I replaced it with what I have now, my M6TTL with the MP finder, big difference and the nice modern shutter speed dial.

Looks to me that the MP goes for at least $1,000 more than the M6TTL so I think $200 is a bargain, well worth it.

 

[andydg]

I had DAG do the upgrade to my classic M6 as well as a full CLA. I found it to be well worth it, as the flare on certain occasions really bothered me.

 

[huntjump]

I would use it first and see how you like the M6. No sense upgrading before you know how you like it in the first place. Since others have said it has made a difference, its something to consider but AFTER you explore it more. You might not find the finder to be a problem, as many m6 users could probably attest to (although i dont have one so maybe i shouldnt be commenting). just my 0.02

GL either way

 

[Rafael]

I would use it first and see how you like the M6. No sense upgrading before you know how you like it in the first place. Since others have said it has made a difference, its something to consider but AFTER you explore it more. You might not find the finder to be a problem, as many m6 users could probably attest to (although i dont have one so maybe i shouldnt be commenting). just my 0.02

GL either way

I agree. I think that the question of vf upgrades is one where you want to be particularly wary of Internet advice. There are people on this forum whose advice I trust who will tell you that in 10, 20, 30, or more years of using Leica Ms, they have never once had a problem with vf flare. My own experience was very different. My M6 was virtually unusable in certain situations on account of the flare. I have no idea what accounts for the different experiences that different people have had with their M6s. But, given those differences, I would never send a camera in to be modified until I had ascertained that the vf flare was a real problem for me with my particular camera.

 

[Rob-F]

I had DAG put the finder mod into my pre-TTL M6 0.72, as the flare was too bad. I also had the wind-on lever changed to the MP type. In this way, the camera feels and handles more the way I expect, having used my M2 for close to 50 years. It also makes the camera feel more consistent with my MP. I do not feel the need to get the finder upgrade for my 0.58 M6 TTL, as it seldom flares.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

I may some day perhaps and eventually have the vf upgrade in my two M6TTL bodies. In the meanwhile, I've learned that when shooting backlit subjects, the RF patch may seem to disappear. When that happens, I simply block the middle window with my finger or move, and the patch reappears.

To be quite honest, if you still don't have the camera and have not experienced the problem (which I faced only three or four times ever since I got them in 2004), I wouldn't have it done just yet. Get the camera, get used to it, and if you have the problem several times, then go ahead and fix it.

 

[Rob-F]

There is also a trick of taping a neutral density filter over the illuminator window to reduce the amount of light coming through. Someone had a little kit for sale, a while back. I think it may have been Lutz Konnermann in Geneva.

 

[kevin m]

generally speaking, finder upgrades on Leica M's are a waste of money. ...

I disagree. MPs are still selling for a good deal more than a used TTL. I had my pair of M6TTL's done by DAG and considered it money well-spent. The flare drove me nuts and the fix cured it completely. I also had him remove framelines so all I had was 35/50/90 in both cameras. Heaven. When I sold them I think I jokingly advertised them as "M2TTL's" 🙂

 

[35mmdelux]

I've shot w/ Leicas for 20 yrs and never had a VF flare issue except M6TTL. I presently shoot M7 w/ the non-MP finder and no flare. I totally agree w/ Gabor post. You ought to get some experience before "upgrades."

I think the best buy out there is the M6 Classic. The M6TTL is for flash use, in which case consider the M7TTL where you will not have a flare problem -- no upgrade required.

 

[Rob-F]

I've shot w/ Leicas for 20 yrs and never had a VF flare issue except M6TTL. I presently shoot M7 w/ the non-MP finder and no flare.

Your signature line shows you are using the M7 with .58 finder magnification. In my experience, and that of others, the .58 seldom flares, whether on an M7 or M6TTL. I have the M6TTL with .58 finder, and have had the M7 .58.

So it isn't about M7 vs. M6TTL; it's about .58 vs. .72 or .85. The higher the magnification the greater the flare propensity.

 

[Turtle]

I'm not sure I see the logic here. A super clean M6 classic can be found for about $1200, plus 200 for the upgrade = $1400. Thats still $1K less than a MP, which is no small amount of money.

generally speaking, finder upgrades on Leica M's are a waste of money.

Why? Because your $ would generally be better spent selling the older M body and replacing it was the newer model, in your case selling the M6TTL and replacing it with the later and improved MP.

but its your money, so if you want to do it,
no problem with me.

Stephen

 

[Ade-oh]

I have an MP and used to have an M6 TTL .85 and can't say that viewfinder flare was a problem with either. I wouldn't worry: under most circumstances, the viewfinder isn't going to flare and when it does, you're probably going to be in a situation when you can zone focus anyway (i.e., lots of light).

 

[35mmdelux]

Your signature line shows you are using the M7 with .58 finder magnification. In my experience, and that of others, the .58 seldom flares, whether on an M7 or M6TTL. I have the M6TTL with .58 finder, and have had the M7 .58.

So it isn't about M7 vs. M6TTL; it's about .58 vs. .72 or .85. The higher the magnification the greater the flare propensity.

Fair enough. My M6TTL was .85 mag and flared under the easiest cond.

 

[rover]

I think the logic is that if it ain't broke, don't fix it. I don't have an issue with my M6TTL, the one I have now or the one I had prior so I personally am not in a rush. When I use it enough that a CLA is warranted I will decide at that time if having the upgrade done is appropriate. Until then, with my camera I am good to go as is.

 

[cope07]

I guess I should have explained more. I'm definitely not planning on getting the M6ttl in the mail and turning right back around and sending it in for the MP upgrade. I was just curious if anyone had an opinion on the installation of anti-glare windows which seems to be an extra above the normal MP finder upgrade. Even with the windows, DAG's upgrade is cheaper than Sherry.

For me the MP doesn't make since to me for several reasons: I like/need a meter. I like (seems like I am in the minority here) the film advance lever of the m6ttl and the film rewind know (I think the MP one is kind of ugly *ducks*) . the camera I got was the cheapest Leica I could find that would meter and had the enlarged dial (to me the small dial is a dealbreaker...also rules out the MP). I also like that it seems the black chrome is more robust than the black paint (I also like that is not as shiny). I haven't quite grown to like the look of brassing. I admit, though, that the MP looks pretty stealthy which its lack of red dot (but...I like the red dot too...)

My ideal camera would be an M7, but there is something comforting that if my D90 goes dead (or I forget the battery), and my M6 battery is dead, I can keep taking photographs.

To Rob-F, I think your thinking of Leicagoodies' shade (I think they are based in the Netherlands).

Thank you everyone for your comments and advice

 

[cope07]

to rover: waiting until a CLA seems like a solid idea (although that will be an expensive trip to the repair man). I also shouldn't need to CLA anytime soon as this camera had one last year

TO Turtle: I agree completely, as my slightly used m6ttl was 1.1k