M6 shutter release

[unsharp]

I may be confused from seeing too many western movies when I was a boy, since I have the idea that Zeb's, or alias Mr. Jones, instruction to SQUEEZZE the trigger applied to Leicas, as well as to Colts 😀

Anyway, my M6 shutter release first makes a 1mm travel without any resistance, to start the meter. Then I can feel a threshold of resistance that needs to be overcome before the shutter releases. It's a very small force, off course, but distinct in one shot, and more vague in the next. Once the threshold is passed there is still 2mm travel to go before the shutter runs. This buggs me. The variation of force needed and the indistinct release moment.

I don't want to make it sound worse than it is by the detailed description, but I did spend some money for a M6 and latest 50+35 summies. The buck won't stop here, I will spend more if that's the solution.

I am well aware that with this old gear these small nuances are hard to claim, but I'm curious as to what other M6 owners have to say.

Can I expect this from a M6 that had a CLA last week (2100 SEK)? My feeling is that it's not properly lubed in the release mechanism, but it wont be easy for little me to convince the repair guy to take it apart for more lubrication, especially since this is my first M, and he probably had one before I could walk...

If this is what I have to expect, will one of these Soft Releases from Tom Abramson make my day, or am I not that lucky? 🙂

Anders

 

[SolaresLarrave]

I really don't think there's anything wrong with your machine. In fact, I could describe the working of any of my three bodies in the same terms you describe yours. Relax, Anders... it's, after all, a camera, and the fact they're hand made warrants some small variations.

BTW, getting one of Abrahamsson's softreleases will make your day. Believe me... After a while, not using one will make you feel naked. 🙂

 

[unsharp]

Thanks Solares,

I will get the soft release. Looked into rapidwinder.com for ordering instrucions and found that I need to post a check. I'm totaly new to this procedure, as checks are not very common here. Before I email him for advice, do you know if there is any camera store, preferably in europe, which is stocking his product for post order?

I'm a lucky punk-rocker, Anders 🙂

 

[Fred]

In the UK, try www.speedgraphic.co.uk. They have a Nikon soft release that works with any normal cable release thread and should work fine on a Leica. The code is AR9 in the catalog fro mthe web site.

 

[Ben Z]

Anyway, my M6 shutter release first makes a 1mm travel without any resistance, to start the meter. Then I can feel a threshold of resistance that needs to be overcome before the shutter releases. It's a very small force, off course, but distinct in one shot, and more vague in the next. Once the threshold is passed there is still 2mm travel to go before the shutter runs. This buggs me. The variation of force needed and the indistinct release moment.

Wow. The only people I know who've got that sensitive a sense of touch are blind. And most of them don't own a Leica.

 

[unsharp]

Thanks, very usefull and funny info about your friends.

Erwin Putz (Ok, he's a bit over the top, but not blind🙂 describes this shutter release thing on his website, saying it's a minor thing, but that an extra check is in place. Therefore I wonder if I can expect this to remain after a CLA. It's not hard to detect at all, and I think my question is only fair after spending the money for the CLA.

Anders

 

[former member]

I just fired the M3DS, M3SS, and M2. The DS was the smoothest, and fired without changing pressure. The M3SS had a slight pickup at the very end, which I do not mind. For comparison I fired a Canon IIf, which has a pickup at the end. The Leica is much less than that. The M2 was like the M3DS, smooth. I suspect that there are adjustments for this, to release the shutter along the throw. You might talk to the Service shop that did the CLA and asked that it be adjusted to your taste. I suspect that the camera is well within tolerance. The way that you like it might be against the spec. Or just buy an M3.