redsky
Established
So, I have an M6 that was part of someone's collection and had never been used. As a consequence, the frame masking got stuck in the lower position. I opened the top of the camera and found the mechanism that moves the masking. My impressions were the following:
1- The spring that pushes the mechanism down, to select the 28/90 frame lines seemed weak to me. Not sure whether it lost its force.
2- Moving the little pin/lever that actually moves the masking requires more energy than I expected. Seems stiff due to the oil congealing, result of lack of use.
To mitigate these two issues I:
1- Slightly stretched the spring.
2- First heated the mechanism (by leaving the camera in the sun for 30 min) and then added a *very tiny* amount of oil at the fulcrum of the lever.
Step 1 may or may not have done something, step 2 doesn't seem to have done anything, the mechanism is still slightly stiff. I tried to move it repeatedly for several minutes, but nothing changed.
Framelines still don't move without my help (by pushing the pin on the lever with my hand)
Anybody who has seen this part of the camera has any suggestion? And before anybody says anything, yes, I will send it to leica or some good repair person if I cannot fix this without having to disassemble the camera further.
Thanks!
1- The spring that pushes the mechanism down, to select the 28/90 frame lines seemed weak to me. Not sure whether it lost its force.
2- Moving the little pin/lever that actually moves the masking requires more energy than I expected. Seems stiff due to the oil congealing, result of lack of use.
To mitigate these two issues I:
1- Slightly stretched the spring.
2- First heated the mechanism (by leaving the camera in the sun for 30 min) and then added a *very tiny* amount of oil at the fulcrum of the lever.
Step 1 may or may not have done something, step 2 doesn't seem to have done anything, the mechanism is still slightly stiff. I tried to move it repeatedly for several minutes, but nothing changed.
Framelines still don't move without my help (by pushing the pin on the lever with my hand)
Anybody who has seen this part of the camera has any suggestion? And before anybody says anything, yes, I will send it to leica or some good repair person if I cannot fix this without having to disassemble the camera further.
Thanks!
Richard G
Veteran
Someone may have wrecked the lever, thinking it was a self-timer. The frame mask stickiness needs addressing. Probably other bits of the camera too if unused for so long.
redsky
Established
I ended up removing the masking, separating the layers and putting it back again, and now it works wonderfully.