M6 TTL slurping batteries dry

[CrisR]

Hi all, apologies if this is the wrong place, but i was just wondering if it was usual for my M6 TTL to get through a pair of SR44 1.55v batteries pretty much every roll or so?

Granted, i am getting used to the camera and my f1.1 with an ND filter on it, but i've put 4 or 5 rolls through both my M6 and CL and the CL is still on it's original battery, whereas the M6 has had at least 3 sets. I sunny 16 my CL and 15mm most of the time, only ever checking the meter in odd lighting, but i didn't think i was activating the M6's meter that much.

Common issue? Something i'm doing wrong? Haunted M6?

cheers

 

[santino]

I've got the M6 classic, still the original batteries...

 

[silent1]

I use the Duracell 1/3N 3V Lithium batteries on my Leica M6 TTL. One lasts forever (almost a year now).

 

[Stelios]

I assume you turn the camera off when not in use?

 

[Beemermark]

I assume you turn the camera off when not in use?

The camera shuts itself off. I think you have an internal short. Either use it meter-less or get a repair.

 

[presspass]

If you don't turn it off - the position on the shutter dial - or leave it with the film not advanced when you put it in the bag, any pressure on the shutter button will activate the meter. This can run the battery down quickly. If that's not the case, the camera has a problem. I can go a year or more with my TTLs without changing the batteries and that can be dozens of rolls in each.

 

[meso]

At first when I got my M6 ttl I would forget to set the shutter dial to the off position and it ate up the battery in no time,
but if I remember to turn it off they can last a good while.

 

[ray*j*gun]

The camera shuts itself off. I think you have an internal short. Either use it meter-less or get a repair.

When the camera is NOT turned off, there is still current present in the wiring. So, even if the shutter is uncocked and the button not depressed there will be rundown.

 

[LeicaFoReVer]

I had the same problems. Just keep it at off position when not used and see. If it still happens then there might be other issue.

 

[useless generation]

Sill on my first set of Duracell lithium 3V, been working a treat! I always switch it to off when im done tho

 

[silent1]

Weird, I never turn it off and still I'm getting plenty of battery life...

 

[Beemermark]

Weird, I never turn it off and still I'm getting plenty of battery life...

I no longer have an M6 but I never turned it off. Ditto for my M7.

What would be the power drain? The little LEDs for the meter? Power consumption should be extremely low since the meter is the only voltage drain. The M7 uses more power since the shutter is electrically controlled but batteries still last me 6 months minimum.

 

[daninjc]

Absolutely not normal. I have the same camera and I haven't changed batteries for more than one year (after 100s rolls).

The only time when it sucked the batteries in few hours was in the first days when I used to leave it inside the case without turning it to OFF. Probably the case was pushing on the release button activating the light meter and draining the batteries.

If it just drains the battery in just on roll of continuative use then there might be some problem in need of repair.

Hi all, apologies if this is the wrong place, but i was just wondering if it was usual for my M6 TTL to get through a pair of SR44 1.55v batteries pretty much every roll or so?

Common issue? Something i'm doing wrong? Haunted M6?

cheers

 

[Tom A]

The TTL's had a small problem with battery drain. Mainly it was due to a drain on the "sensor circuit". Take out your batteries and look down into the battery well. At the bottom you will see two small silver colored "points" These are for checking the circuit function. They are only a push-fit and can "climb" above the bottom surface. Take a pencil and run it across the bottom and if it catches - they stand too proud of the base. Carefully push them down below the surface. When you put in the batteries, the spring flat in the well can touch these and the current from the batteries keep feeding the sensor - wether the camera is put on On or Off.
I usually put a small piece of electricans tape over them and that seems to cure the problem. If it doesn't - then the circuit needs to be checked.

 

[Avotius]

I had a M6ttl that drained batteries too, about one pair of a76's every 4-5 rolls, however I did the pencil fix that Tom A mentioned before and it worked perfectly.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

One of my M6TTL bodies sucked dry three or perhaps four batteries (the 3 V type) until I got used to turning it off. That was it. Make sure to turn the dial to the OFF position and your batteries will last forever.

 

[Spider67]

Pardon my ignorance with off position on the dial you mean "B"?

 

[benmacphoto]

Pardon my ignorance with off position on the dial you mean "B"?

Yes that is off for the Non TTL, on the TTL M6 it has another setting for off.
I always forget to set mine to off when I put it in my bag, and my batteries drain rather quickly.

 

[CrisR]

Thanks for all the replies, i did think it was very unusual, especially this last set lasting not even one roll.

I do keep it "off" when not in use, nothing depresses the shutter button, tho i do leave it cocked. I had a soft release on it, but due to it flattening the first set of batteries in my bag, i removed it.

I did wonder if it was a short, i will certainly check out the contacts as suggested by Tom A.

This is a wonderfully helpful community, the input really is appreciated chaps 🙂

[UPDATE EDIT]

So i did as instructed, pushed the two contacts down and not only did it seem to be effective, it seems to be working again on the batteries that "died" while out shooting yesterday?

I kept hold of some of the other batteries, i might give them a try now as they may well be fine.

Under normal use, how many rolls should one expect a pair of SR44 batteries to last?

Thanks again!

 

[Tom A]

I find that I get 40-50 rolls on one set of batteries with my TTL's. I can depend on the batteries too as they cab vary quite a bit,