M6 meter works 2/3rds of the time.

kipkeston

kipkeston

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Hi guys,

I recently got my M6 from KEH. The meter seems to work on the first two shots then on the third shot the meter doesn't respond to my finger press. I can take the shot without the meter then wind, then the meter will be back on again for the next two shots, the turn back off. This is strange! It's not even random. If I take the camera off bulb and onto 1 second the meter also doesn't respond until I take a photo. Does anyone know what this is?
 
maybe the batteries are a bit weak. change it and check if it works. my m6 shows the effect you described when the batteries are nearly empty. after a few shots it recovers for a short time, the meter works and then batteries get weak again.
 
I don't think it's the batteries. I used a fresh 3v duracell 1/3N and also two 1.5 SR44s and they both did the same thing. It's just strange that it stops every third shot. I will send it back. Thanks.
 
had about the same problem with mine when I got it. I couldn't believe it at first, but I really had two sets of depleted batteries. Good sometimes to have a voltage meter to check against. Cleaned the contacts and got a really fresh Lithium which I then checked upfront with the meter. No problems since then.
Rgds
Ivo
 
Thanks, I'll go dig up my voltage meter and see what it says. I will also try more batteries before sending it back. I would really LOVE for it to be normal.
 
kipkeston said:
I don't think it's the batteries. I used a fresh 3v duracell 1/3N and also two 1.5 SR44s and they both did the same thing. It's just strange that it stops every third shot. I will send it back. Thanks.
Click to expand...

If another battery replacement doesn't solve this, and if you are within the 15 day return period, SEND IT BACK. More than likely the metering "board" is failing. Mine did this for months before going completely dark.
 
Hi. I sent it back to KEH. I will exchange. I had a chrome one, but now I'm thinking about trying black. It really doesn't matter to me.
 
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I had an eratic meter in my M6 and found that there was some oxidation on the contacts from the hinged back to the camera. I took a cloth and wiped both the back contacts and the camera contacts that mate with the back and the problem was solved. It could also be some oxidation on the battery contacts. Try cleaning both battery and hinged back / body contacts.

If that doesn't work then it's internal.
 
Another place where oxidation can affect things is the ISO dial on the rear door. However, this doesn't sound like that. I think sending it back was highly prudent.
 
There's no cost in taking a rough cloth and cleaning contacts. It takes less time to do this than pack it and ship it. Why not take a minute and try cleaning contacts before returning the camera. It sounds almost exactly what I had and it was oxidation on the back door contacts.
 
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