M6 exp. indication is weak in glow

[alexz]

Well, I'm trying to get back to my hobby with both of my M6 and M3. Lately I lent my M6 to a friend for several weeks to enjoy one (instead of having one sitting lonely on the shelf), he enjoyed one greatly but reported that exp. indicators are either glowing weakly or not at all (not visible in the finder).
Yesterday we met and he passed me the camera back. Checking the issue I indeed notice the glowing of the arrows is very weak, barely noticeable even in good conditions (not much light around).
He swapped the batteries for the new set just recently on his own, so batteries can unlikely be the reason for that.

Any ideas what can cause such ? Or just time for CLA (including electronics board overhaul if necessary) ?

 

[rlouzan]

Before sending the camera in for a CLA - clean the contacts on both the flap and the camera with a rubber eraser.

 

[Ken Ford]

I'd also check to be sure he used the correct battery.

 

[RdEoSg]

and that the batteries were good.. I don't know how many people come in the camera store I work at here saying they just put a *new* battery in their Canon AE1 and it doesn't work. What they really mean is they put in the replacement battery they bought with the camera new in 1984 and think that qualifies as new! 😛

 

[alexz]

Thanks guys.
Will check out the batteries and clean contacts. He bought the batteries as new set from a shop, however, I already encountered the case (at work) when new set of AA alkaline batteries proved to nearly exhausted, probably due to waiting long time on the shelf...

 

[Rob-F]

Scrubbing the contacts with an eraser is not a good idea. It can remove the gold plating from the contacts. Better to use a soft cloth with a little contact cleaner or alcohol. There is a contact enhancer called ProGold, available from Caig.com It is used by recording studios and by NASA (and by me). It is good stuff.

 

[aniMal]

Well - if you use the cheap batteries meant for hearing aids & such this will happen...

This will highly likely be the reason - they simply give off the wrong voltage in the first place!

 

[aniMal]

Well - if you use the cheap batteries meant for hearing aids & such this will happen...

This will highly likely be the reason - they simply give off the wrong voltage in the first place!

 

[rlouzan]

Rob,

This is the best method that has worked, for me, with audio, cameras, ... also recomended by Tamarkin many years ago. ProGold sounds like a good alternative🙂.

If all else fails the circuit board has gone bad - common with early M6s😡.

Regards,
RLouzan

Scrubbing the contacts with an eraser is not a good idea. It can remove the gold plating from the contacts. Better to use a soft cloth with a little contact cleaner or alcohol. There is a contact enhancer called ProGold, available from Caig.com It is used by recording studios and by NASA (and by me). It is good stuff.