Suggestions for replacing back door of M6 TTL (with door from earlier Leica M models)

[bigglesworth]

Hi all, this is the first post I've made on this forum, apologies if this is in the wrong place or anything.

I'm looking at buying a Leica M6 TTL with a non-functioning meter. I am not overly concerned at repairing this feature as I am used to shooting sans-in-camera meter.

The reason for replacing it are purely cosmetic - the back door has several bad scrapes around the metal trim, and the centre of the ISO dial is missing.

I am wondering if it is possible to replace this with a back door with a part from an M4/M4-2/M4-P? Or any other Leica M bar the M6 (as these parts seem pretty hard to come by.

Obviously my motivations for buying this particular M6 are influenced by a lower price due to its condition. It is also a 0.58 model but I am unsure how this should affect its valuation, generally this commands a premium but it is in user cosmetic condition and the meter is broken).

Hope I have been clear and concise. Cheers

 

[splitimageview]

I'd ask DAG to confirm but I am pretty sure a back door from any M would fit, at least in my experience. Maybe the missing piece is why the meter isn't working?

 

[bigglesworth]

Thanks, that is a good idea.

Yes certainly could be, according to the owner however, it was having problems prior to the piece going missing but stopped working entirely after the dial fell off.

 

[Rob-F]

I just transplanted the back door of my M4P onto my M6TTL. It was easy enough. You need a fine pointed instrument to release the catch on the M6TTL. I used a dental pick. The catch on the M4P is much easier, you can do it with a fingernail. But be aware of this: the M4P back door, once mounted on the M6TTL, had to be pressed down a little to compress the springs of the pressure plate enough to get the baseplate on. Whereas either back door, when on its own camera, closes down all the way without need of pressing on it. So there may be a concern that the pressure against the film could be excessive once the door is pressed down and locked in place with the baseplate. It could make film advance difficult (I didn't try it with film). It might be better to learn to love the M6 back door.

 

[bigglesworth]

Thanks for your advice, that’s really helpful to know. Did you try that out just to let me know if it would work?

 

[Rob-F]

Thanks for your advice, that’s really helpful to know. Did you try that out just to let me know if it would work?

Yep. It got my curiosity going.

 

[madNbad]

The M6/M6 TTL back door contains the connections to change the ISO. The older doors will fit but you'll loose the ability to use the meter.

 

[Beemermark]

Hopefully you can find a good looking back door for less than many hundreds of dollars. Why buy a semi-non-function camera that needs what is going to be a very pricey component replacement.

 

[madNbad]

I missed the part about the broken meter. Changing the door isn't hard but check for light leaks before and after.