M6 Top cover removal - easy or not?

[Krosya]

Does anyone know by any chance how to remove a top plate on M6? Mine has lots of dust in RF windows and I was thinking of cleanning that myself. Or should I bite a bullet and send it for a full CLA? BTW it works fine, just annoys me to have all that dust in there.
Thanks

 

[horosu]

This is the link you want:
http://feuerbacher.net/photo/frame.html?repair/LeicaM4p/LeicaM4p.html~Main
It's for an M4-P but it should be identical for the M6.

 

[colyn]

I would suggest you send it in but if you want to give it a try you'll first have to buy a set of Leica M flexi clamps, camera repair screwdrivers, and a spanner from micro-tools.com around $200 or more..

The procedure is to remove the ring holding the advance lever on and the ring under it. Next remove the single screw holding the shutter speed dial on then the small screw on the hot shoe. After removing the plate there will be 4 screws under it which will be removed. Remove the center screw holding the rewind lever and the ring under it. Next remove the rear eyepiece, pc ring and the pc socket and last the screw on top of the lens mount (the one covered by the black seal).

The top can then be removed..

If you don't know what you are doing or don't have the proper tools you WILL cause damage to your camera.

 

[Harry Lime]

Forget about it if you don't have the proper tools. I've done it with the proper equpment and I'm surprised that I didn't wreck the film advance mechanisim.

One problem is that certain screws, dials and collars unscrew in the opposite direction than what you would normally expect and you will only be able to identify which ones these are with a good manual as reference. If you turn these the wrong way, you may damage the camera.

Besides, there isn't a lot in there that you can adjust without specialized tools and most important, proper training. The guts of an M camera look about as user seviceable as a 911 engine.

 

[colyn]

This is the link you want:
http://feuerbacher.net/photo/frame.html?repair/LeicaM4p/LeicaM4p.html~Main
It's for an M4-P but it should be identical for the M6.

Using pliers as the author suggests will cause damage especially to the soft metal ring of the pc socket ring and will damage the threads of the socket itself even when using rubber between the ring and pliers.

This is why you need flexi clamps...

If you slip you will damage the cameras finish.

When working on high dollar gear ALWAYS use the right tools..

 

[Krosya]

Ok, where to CLA and how much?

Ok, where to CLA and how much?

Thanks for the info - follow-up question - whats the best place to send it to get a GOOD CLA in USA? I mean by "GOOD" - fairly fast, not too terribly expensive and so it wouldn't have to be fixed after it. I heard good things about DAG, but his web site (well the one I found) says nothing about CLA - just that he sells parts. So, - no idea what he would charge. My camera functions well, so no repairs needs to be done - just get the dust out, lube moving parts, make it work smoother, quieter, (if possible), etc.

 

[colyn]

Thanks for the info - follow-up question - whats the best place to send it to get a GOOD CLA in USA? I mean by "GOOD" - fairly fast, not too terribly expensive and so it wouldn't have to be fixed after it. I heard good things about DAG, but his web site (well the one I found) says nothing about CLA - just that he sells parts. So, - no idea what he would charge. My camera functions well, so no repairs needs to be done - just get the dust out, lube moving parts, make it work smoother, quieter, (if possible), etc.

You can email Don and ask what his cost is for a CLA.

From what I've heard he is has a fast turnaround..

 

[Ken Ford]

Don at DAG is fast and reasonable. He's a great guy that does fantastic work.