M6 and slow speed problems

[blacktaped]

Hi all

I'm new to this forum, at least on the new thread side of it, since I've been enjoying its discussions for quite a while.

I'm very happy belonging an M6 (non-Wetzlar) which, coupled with a 35 'cron IV series let me get back to film after too much of digital stuff.

While visiting NYC, where I shoot some 15 rolls of both slides and BW I had a strange experience with my shutter.

Trying to shoot at 1 sec, it basically sounded like it was more of 1/2 sec what came out. I tried again and noticed this phenomenon a couple of times; it once got even jammed, i.e. didnt complete the full shutter process and had the curtain left open: I then had to uncock it by rewinding and pressing again. The only reason I give to this behaviour was that I didn't really let the body enough time to recharge the spring after I was using other slow speeds (i.e. 1/2 sec) before pressing the button again: I basically shut at half second, then rewinded before the spring had fully recharged, then moved the dial to 1 sec and shut, facing then the problem.

It didn't happen anymore later, and could thus enjoy fantastic shots of NYC that I hope I can post soon on my photoblog (still need to scan them all), thanks also to the perfect light meter built inside this wonderful machine.

question is: do you think I should service my M6? I wouldn't, since I'm feeling ok with it apart from this once-in-a-time "failure".... but I wouldn't like to be missing something here.... or have bad surprises later.
I really like my M6

thanks
Maurizio

www.blacktaped.blogspot.com

 

[januaryman]

Welcome to the Forum. I guess I'd have to say what you do depends on the camera. If you JUST bought it and there's a warranty, send it back. If no warranty, contact the seller and discuss the situation. If you had it a while, it was an unusually occurrence, I'd just walk it off and keep going.

I wouldn't sign on for heart surgery if I had a twinge once while jogging. If it happened again... I might at least see the doctor, if you get my meaning.

Good luck.

 

[BillBingham2]

Maurizio,

An issue with many of the Leica shutters is that if they are not used, they get sticky. Not dirty but rather the lube wants to be used. My guess is that the M6 was not used a lot on the slower speeds (1/15 and below). There is an inexpensive approach and more expensive approach.

The inexpensive approach is to sit in front of you TV a few nights during the week and cycle through every shutter speed (wind and click, wind and click, wind and click......) a few hundred times on every shutter speed each night. Do this for seven nights straight. This will work through the lubrication and should get you back on track. It's easier to do with a RapidWinder II from TA (best accessory ever made for a Leica) but it works well without too.

More expensive is to send it in for CLA. Not a bad idea. The second post in this thread below are the three great folks. I've used Don, would use Sherry as they are the best in the world. Youxin Ye is very good and priced very reasonably. Everyone here has nothing but great things to say about him. I will be sending him, Don or Sherry an old IIIa about a year from now. From what you describe I think any of them would do you well. Don always has more work than any two people can do, not sure about Sherry or Youxin. I have heard that Youxins turn around time is very short.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60115&highlight=yahoo.com

The M6 is a great camera, enjoy and share your results.

B2 (;->

 

[Livesteamer]

I agrre with the idea of working the shutter to loosen it up. I have two M6's from 1985 that have never been serviced and still work fine but they have been in continuous light duty. Welcome to rangefinders and Good Luck. Joe

 

[blacktaped]

thank you

thank you

thanks guys for your welcome and for your answers....
I bought the M6 six months ago and have a 2yrs warranty, I think I'll wait for more trouble (touching wood) to come before the warranty expires, hoping it's been just an episode.
I heard about the "click treatment", I sometimes do it when watching TV if I havent been using it for few weeks, but didn't think I should give it some hundred shuts.... I thought it would be of a damage, but I guess it won't and on the contrary should help lubricating the spring: I'll be doing it more frequently. Indeed my M6 have been sitting on my seller's desk for quite a while before I bought it, so it might look like a good reason.

Thanks again, this forum kicks

btw, I shall soon post some photos of my trip to NYC on my photoblog, hope you'll be visiting and enjoy

Maurizio

www.blacktaped.blogspot.com

 

[Livesteamer]

The Leica M shutter is supposed to be good for 400,000 cycles before major repair. I don't think you will wear it out. At the rate I shoot, my main M6 will last about 200 years. My M3 came used but ought to be good for another 100 years. Joe

 

[steve kessel]

I bought an M6 (Wetzlar) in Feb this year and noticed after a few months the 1 sec speed was way too slow. I asked the dealer I bought it from and he advised the many clicks routine. A couple of months later it dsiplayed the same thing as the OP's - jamming which could be released. Then total jam. Took it back to the dealer who regrefully sang, "sorry, out of guarantee".

If it's not functioning perfectly close to guarantee expiry, get it sorted.

 

[35mmdelux]

the M is a precision instrument. If it jacks up on you take it in for service. If my Cayenne Porsche started billowing smoke I would not wait until the next time to decide what action to take.

I have had many Leicas and never sat around around clicking them. I rotate them!

 

[maddoc]

I haven't had that experience with any of my Ms ... At long shutter times, I couldn't rewind until the full shutter cycle was finished. There is some mechanism in the shutter preventing from this but it can be worn out with time... Seems like a technician should have a look.