Leica M6 sticky shutter at 1/500 1/1000

doolittle

doolittle

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When I first bought my M6 second hand a few years ago I was getting a vertical band on some negatives, which from researching seems due to the shutter lagging at 1/500 and 1/1000. However after dry firing the shutter and taking lots of pictures he problem disappeared. That was a few years ago. On the last rolls I developed it's back. About 3 frames in two rolls, but then again I don't use those speeds often.

I have dry fired the camera and loaded in a film to test those speeds.

I guess since acquiring an M8 and an M3 I don't use the M6 as much as before, so relative lack of use is a contributory factor.

My dilemma is: shall I continue as is, maybe exercising the shutter a bit more often or should I send the camera away to get the camera cla'd.
I'm in Ireland so sending it back to Leica Solms probably easiest.
 
I've had this problem on my M2 with eiter the 1/250th or the 1/500th. since there was a lot of other stuff to do I've send my M2 to Will van Manen in the netherlands. Turn around time and price is probably better than in solms!
 
These mechanical cameras need regular exercice. I use my M6 at least once a week. I think Leica recommends every 3 months.
 
EdwardKaraa said:
These mechanical cameras need regular exercice. I use my M6 at least once a week. I think Leica recommends every 3 months.
Click to expand...

Every three months for what? My 1958 M2 had its first service in 2006 or 2007. The Wetzlar born and trained tech thought 15-20 years for the next service. I exercised the shutters once a month from 2004 to 2006 when my film cameras had less use, but they are busy enough now I don't need to do that.
 
I have also been told by 2 respected techs that regular usage is important with mechanical cameras. The M6 could be as old as 15 - 20 years...at any rate if its hanging up it should be serviced. If the lubricant is dry it will stress the gears more than normal.
 
Richard G said:
Every three months for what? My 1958 M2 had its first service in 2006 or 2007. The Wetzlar born and trained tech thought 15-20 years for the next service. I exercised the shutters once a month from 2004 to 2006 when my film cameras had less use, but they are busy enough now I don't need to do that.
Click to expand...

If I remember correctly Leica recommends to shoot at every shutter speed a few clicks at least every 3 months. It's like mechanical watches, you should never let them stop, they will last longer without problems if they are continuously working. That is why they sell rotators for the watches.
 
Probably right on the lubricant being dry. Before I reload the camera with film I usually do fire off a few shots on each shutter speed, so as it stands camera would be getting at least a 3 monthly work out. Time for a service so.
 
Hmmm. Generally don't like the sound of this. My ancient M's work fine, with only occasional usage, but to hear of an M6 with lubricant already going bad? Not good.

I suppose it also depends on where you live and how you store the camera. Heat and low humidity would presumable dry a camera out quicker.
 
Well I live in Ireland, so no heat and lots of damp air! From googling maybe shutter curtain tension needs tightening.
 
Here's one example:

6697127641_7391c2b0cd_z.jpg
 
The innards of a Leica M are very strong and under stressed. The forces excerted by the springs inside the camera are not enough to break the gear train. This is why they last so long.
Dried oil and grease will not stress anything enough to break it. It can however stop and slow fine mechanical gears from doing their job.
External forces break gears, like forcing the film advance, pulling at curtains etc.
The early M6's are now 26 years old and some could be coming up for a service.
Just send it in and get it cla'd.
As a footnote, I've had m2's and m3's in the past that have had hanging shutters and sticking speeds having not been used for years. On opening them up they are dusty and dirty but the gear trains always look like new.
Once cleaned and lubed they always work perfectly.
The only parts i've had problems with have been curtains detaching from rollers, light seals around the light shield falling off and an advance clutch that was worn but once dressed with a file was fully functional.
Dried lube doesn't break cameras, it stops them temporarily.
 
From the pics it looks like the first curtain is sticking or dragging a little as it moves along the early part of travel. A service will cure it.
 
Thanks all for your advice, really appreciate it.

Time for a service so. Solms or elsewhere in Europe the decision so. What's the expected turn around time from Leica these days? Not in a huge rush, but would be nice to have it back for my next trip.
 
Lubricants in the 90s were better than in the 50s. But I'm not so sure about light seal material. Maybe something has gotten into the track where the shutter runs. Dry or negligible residual lubricant can make the slow speeds waver, and the 1/30s is high pitched. Sorry I misunderstood the three months. Trouble with three months is that it goes by and quickly becomes six months. I had two under-utilized cameras for a couple of years and ran through all the speeds once a month, an easier schedule to stick to.

I not only wind my grandfather's watch regularly I also wear it to bring it up to operating temperature every now and then.
 
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