rust

[mojobebop]

appears to be a tiny dot of rust
in an out of reach area to the front of
the hot shoe in a 2nd hand m6 i purchased.

does anyone know of a remedy/solvent, etc.
one can purchase to prevent spreading?

 

[Keith]

According to Neil Young 'Rust Never Sleeps!'

It can't be rust as such as there is no ferrous base in the top cover ... from my understanding this blistering which resembles corrosion is common on some M6's. Personally I'd ignore it but I guess if you were worried about it you could send the camera to one of the specialist camera painters.

 

[Vin Vermier]

This is a common enough problem with the M6 bodies where Leica used zinc alloy for the top plate rather than brass. Here's a thread to describe the problem in more detail. Not much you can do to reverse it, but sounds like your top plate only has a minor blemish. I wouldn't worry about it spreading.

http://photo.net/leica-rangefinders-forum/00OUA2

 

[mojobebop]

This is a common enough problem with the M6 bodies where Leica used zinc alloy for the top plate rather than brass. Here's a thread to describe the problem in more detail. Not much you can do to reverse it, but sounds like your top plate only has a minor blemish. I wouldn't worry about it spreading.

http://photo.net/leica-rangefinders-forum/00OUA2

so it's natural for it to be the same colour as rust then?

as a sidenote, should i ever want a new top
which ones are available, (will fit)?

 

[Vin Vermier]

The blistering should be a white colour which is the what zinc looks like when it is oxidized rather than the orange colour of oxidized iron. That said, perhaps there is another explanation for this blemish that I haven't heard about before. You could search Andrew Nemeth's Leica website to see if there is anything reported before - I've just never come across it. If you are interested in replacing the top plate to a brass one, you could check out DAG's site or send it to one of several other reputable Leica service repair shops (see sticky at the top of the Leica M thread). Seriously though, it is very likely cosmetic, but if you are worried about it spreading, then replacing the top plate is an option (albeit an extreme remedy) or you can just make sure you store your camera in a low humidity environment and not inside a leather case - in other words let your camera "breathe".

 

[mojobebop]

The blistering should be a white colour which is the what zinc looks like when it is oxidized rather than the orange colour of oxidized iron. That said, perhaps there is another explanation for this blemish that I haven't heard about before. You could search Andrew Nemeth's Leica website to see if there is anything reported before - I've just never come across it. If you are interested in replacing the top plate to a brass one, you could check out DAG's site or send it to one of several other reputable Leica service repair shops (see sticky at the top of the Leica M thread). Seriously though, it is very likely cosmetic, but if you are worried about it spreading, then replacing the top plate is an option (albeit an extreme remedy) or you can just make sure you store your camera in a low humidity environment and not inside a leather case - in other words let your camera "breathe".

---------
I've looked. they have limited supply at the moment.
Someone mentioned brass top for m6.
Im unaware of which would fit the m6.

Do you know of any that work for the m6?
&, or any other companies?

Thanks for your responses.

 

[Vin Vermier]

I don't think you can just interchange any top plate for another in the M series. The M6TTL came out with brass top plates in the last issue of this series, but I don't believe you can put an M6TTL top plate onto an M6 body because the M6TTL is slightly (a couple mm) taller than the M6's because of the TTL flash circuitry. If you want brass, then you will have to try to find a titanium M6 top plate because the plating was done on brass rather than the usual zinc. Other than DAG or checking with service techs like at Kindermann (Gerry Smith is a great fountain of knowledge, btw) it might be hard to locate one. A few years ago, I noticed rust (typical iron rust, not oxidized zinc) spots on the flash hotshoe of my Titanium M6 classic. Gerry Smith at Kindermann actually had a replacement part in stock (i.e., with titanium finish) and so was a very quick and inexpensive fix. It won't hurt to consult the experts on this problem you are experiencing. Gerry is quick to respond to e-mail questions, so pick his brain for answers and the best solution for you. Who knows, maybe he has a spare titanium top plate lying around. Good luck.

 

[mojobebop]

I don't think you can just interchange any top plate for another in the M series. The M6TTL came out with brass top plates in the last issue of this series, but I don't believe you can put an M6TTL top plate onto an M6 body because the M6TTL is slightly (a couple mm) taller than the M6's because of the TTL flash circuitry. If you want brass, then you will have to try to find a titanium M6 top plate because the plating was done on brass rather than the usual zinc. Other than DAG or checking with service techs like at Kindermann (Gerry Smith is a great fountain of knowledge, btw) it might be hard to locate one. A few years ago, I noticed rust (typical iron rust, not oxidized zinc) spots on the flash hotshoe of my Titanium M6 classic. Gerry Smith at Kindermann actually had a replacement part in stock (i.e., with titanium finish) and so was a very quick and inexpensive fix. It won't hurt to consult the experts on this problem you are experiencing. Gerry is quick to respond to e-mail questions, so pick his brain for answers and the best solution for you. Who knows, maybe he has a spare titanium top plate lying around. Good luck.

---------
that sounds exactly what i have on my hot shoe.
very, very small. in 2 areas.
is the hotshoe made of another metal which can rust?
( i guess it can based on what you are saying).

 

[john341]

A dot of petroleum jelly on the spot stops further deterioration and is colourless

 

[mojobebop]

A dot of petroleum jelly on the spot stops further deterioration and is colourless

---------------
sounds great.
i'll try it.
thanks.

 

[Vin Vermier]

Ah, well, no worries if the rust spots are confined to the hot shoe. Either treat with jelly as John noted or contact Gerry and he'll send you a replacement in the mail. Think it cost me about 20 bucks and takes a second to replace. I didn't like the idea of having a corroding hot shoe plate on my M6. You might be able to find it for less, but Kindermann is a sure thing.