M6 and pressure sensitive meter?

[ItsReallyDarren]

I recently picked up an M6 and after a few days of use I've noticed the meter behaves erratic at times. There's nothing wrong with the accuracy of the meter but whether the camera and back are communicating the right ISO or not.

I find that when the camera is metering incorrectly I have to squeeze the back or move it side to side a little to get the meter back to the correct ISO. I tried cleaning the gold contacts twice with a cotton bud and alcohol but that didn't make a difference. Is there another way to remedy this problem and get the meter and back reading the right ISO?

 

[ferider]

Something wrong with the ASA dial or the contacts in the back, Darren. Try cleaning them with an eraser, or better vinegar or contact cleaner. Alcohol doesn't get rid of possible oxide.

That being said, I had a meter fail on my classic M6 (one LED went out), followed by a meter upgrade at Steve's (gives you also 1-2 more EVs). It happens.

Roland.

 

[ItsReallyDarren]

I'll give vinegar a try as well. I'm planning to pick up some gold contact cleaner to see if I can clean out any possible oxide between the contacts.

 

[John Elder]

Try changing the film speed on the back dial. sometimes that corrects an erratic M6 meter. Also put in fresh silver oxide batteries. I had a similar problem 2 years ago and Dag found a short circuit in the system which didn't require a new meter board.

 

[kdemas]

Darren,

You can get some gold contact cleaner at RadioShack for about $5 that vie used a fair amount. Hopefully the issue you're having is just that, dirty contacts.

Did your M6 replace the M3? Other than this issue are you liking your M6?

Kent

 

[ItsReallyDarren]

Try changing the film speed on the back dial. sometimes that corrects an erratic M6 meter. Also put in fresh silver oxide batteries. I had a similar problem 2 years ago and Dag found a short circuit in the system which didn't require a new meter board.

Rotating the speed dial back and forth sometimes gets the meter reading at the right ISO setting. I think its more of the pressure that pushes the gold contacts to read. Still temporary though.

Darren,

You can get some gold contact cleaner at RadioShack for about $5 that vie used a fair amount. Hopefully the issue you're having is just that, dirty contacts.

Did your M6 replace the M3? Other than this issue are you liking your M6?

Kent

The meter reads correctly when the back communicates the right ISO to the camera, that's the important part. In the next few days I'll stop by and pick up some materials to clean the three gold contacts.

I'm still using my trusty M3. For the M6, I like it! I've run a few rolls through the camera and though I'm used to carrying a separate meter, the built in meter is really nice for rapidly changing light conditions. It sure is nice to reconfirm a change in exposure without pulling out a meter, possibly losing a scene.

Funny meter story from the weekend. While I was out shooting yesterday I broke my meter from an accidental drop. Now I'm completely meterless. Ironic how I got an M6 to rely less on a meter only to have the meter break just days apart. Darren's Law strikes again.

 

[djorourke]

How'd this story end? I'm having the exact same symptoms as you ItsReallyDarren.
Haven't tried gold contact cleaner or vinegar yet.