Viewfinder separation on my new-to-me Leica M6? Cost to fix?

[Rowdyhotel]

Hello Everyone!

I'm fairly new to Leicas but I've been shooting with an M2 for about a year.

I was at a local camera store and noticed a black M6 that looked like it was in good shape for $850.

I always prefer black cameras and all my cameras are black, except for the M2.

Hadn't planned on needing another Leica but a black one that fit my budget so I jumped on it.

Everything seems fine on it. Pictures are great and nothing to complain about.

Today I was bored and just happened to take an extra hard look at it and noticed that it seems to have some very pronounced viewfinder separation or what appears to be something being unglued/cemented.

I've seen some lens separation in old lenses and this is what it looks like.

I happen to really like the camera, but I did buy it with a 90 day used warranty so it will be going back if it is cost prohibitive to fix. I've had it about 45 days.

I should of noticed it at the shop but I was suffering from G.A.S syndrome when I saw it and didnt look hard enough at it.

Again, while it seems bad from the front, I cant say I notice anything when I'm shooting.

It does flare fairly well but I had read online it is typical of this camera. I believe it is the 0.85 ttl.

I happen to like it a bit more than the M2 finder. I dont mind the cluttered frame lines, I find I can ignore them easily enough.

Again, I'm new to Leicas, though I have taken apart my leica iiif and M2 just for kicks.

What would it cost to repair/replace the viewfinder?

I noticed Youxin doesnt have this service on his site. He is local to me though I have never had to use a repair person for a Leica camera.

If it has to be replaced, should I just shoot with it until it unglues completely so should I get it fixed asap if it can be repaired?

Thank you all.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

That separation is WHY the store sold it that cheap. An M6 TTL .85 normally goes for about $2500. Its an expensive repair, but it may be less expensive then the extra money a perfect example of that same camera costs. I would, however, be wary of that camera because it is not that old and separation of the viewfinder prisms can happen because the camera has suffered a hard jolt, like being dropped or banged on something.

 

[Rowdyhotel]

Thanks for the input. Ill see if I can get a repair person to do an inspection and a quote to replace/repair the viewfinder.

Nothing on the outside suggests it took a knock though I guess it's possible that it got jolted inside a case or packaging.

 

[Rowdyhotel]

I have been looking at a black M4-P.

I kind of like that it has no electronics, though if the viewfinder or rangefinder cant be repaired or they are not built as well as the M6 I may just get a M3.

I wanted the M6 for the hot shoe, but I think the M4-P has one as well.

 

[nickthetasmaniac]

I would generally say return it, 100%. It's a defective product.

However, as Chris says $850 is very, very cheap for an M6 0.85x, so if everything else is A-OK, you're probably going to come out on top even if the repair costs a bit.

Fwiw, I had my M2 viewfinder repaired in Australia about 3 years ago, after a sharp knock to the lens caused the prisms to seperate. It cost about $300aud at the time (repair, not replacement).

From memory, I think I also contacted Youxin at the time and he said he would be able to do it. I can't remember the quote.

 

[keytarjunkie]

Youxin re-cemented the prism in my Leica M2 about ten years ago. I think the cost was in the $200-300 range, well worth it considering how little the M6 cost you. I would keep it, but first send it to Youxin for a full CLA and viewfinder repair. He will see if there's anything else wrong with it that you haven't found.


By the way, based on the size of the viewfinder, it looks like you have the original M6, not TTL...

 

[splitimageview]

Keep it and shoot it. That could remain unchanged for years, and even if it does eventually fail, you have an M6 for about half the going rate (although that one appears to have been well-used.)

Looks like an M6 Classic, not a TTL.

 

[Huss]

I have been looking at a black M4-P.

I kind of like that it has no electronics, though if the viewfinder or rangefinder cant be repaired or they are not built as well as the M6 I may just get a M3.

I wanted the M6 for the hot shoe, but I think the M4-P has one as well.

M6 is an M4-P with a light meter. They are built to the same standard. Actually if the M4-P has brass covers vs the zinc on the M6, it would be better.

 

[raid]

I would repair the M6 that you have bought for only $850.

 

[rfaspen]

Still, an M6 classic 0.72 in otherwise good shape...$850usd. I would have seriously considered that deal....prices of M6 all variants have increased substantially lately. And they're great shooters��

 

[splitimageview]

yes, that's a deal.

 

[philosli]

M6 is an M4-P with a light meter. They are built to the same standard. Actually if the M4-P has brass covers vs the zinc on the M6, it would be better.

(Agreed with what Huss said.) My M4-P has the same problem. But it is less sever as yours.

I sent my camera to Youxin Ye. His diagnosis is it's silver aging. The only way to fix it is to replace the whole finder assembly. Leica sells the parts at $950. Since the symptom doesn't affect the camera's functionality (yet), so I skipped the repair.

I guess if you have the finder replaced, plus labor cost, you should be ok financially. In fact, you can defer the repair until the finder eventually blacks outs, which may take years to happen.

 

[Rowdyhotel]

Thanks for the input.

This is a TTL M6.

I found a used battery and put it in the camera to test it and saw the arrows move.

Currently it is not working but I think the battery is dead.
Or perhaps it just quit on me never to work again?

I'll place a fresh one in there when I get around to buying one.

I do think I'll need to pay for a complete replacement since it doesnt look like it can be recommended due to newer cements used and not balsam.

This should run me around how much? 1k?

I'm also afraid the circuit board will eventually go and I k ow those arent made anymore.

 

[analoged]

Is there a red dot in-between the arrows? If not its a classic.

 

[splitimageview]

It will say "TTL" on the hot shoe if it's a TTL.

The shutter speed dial will also show an OFF setting.

It should also have the viewfinder magnification visible on the front of the viewfinder.

Don't see a reason to worry about the viewfinder at all. It is likely to be functional for many years. There are also third party repair resources that are much less expensive than replacement from Leica.

 

[Bill Blackwell]

... I was at a local camera store and noticed a black M6 that looked like it was in good shape for $850. ... Pictures are great and nothing to complain about.

Today I was bored and just happened to take an extra hard look at it and noticed that it seems to have some very pronounced viewfinder separation or what appears to be something being unglued/cemented. ...

Again, while it seems bad from the front, I cant say I notice anything when I'm shooting.

It does flare fairly well but I had read online it is typical of this camera. I believe it is the 0.85 ttl. ...

You got a great deal on the camera! So if you don't notice anything while shooting, then I'd say do nothing. Simply ignore it and shoot! You can explore a repair of the issue at the same time you have it CLD'd when that time comes. The finder can be upgraded with an RF condenser at that time as well (DAG can do it for around $175 during a CLA), which will help eliminate the RF patch white-out.

... This is a TTL M6.

I found a used battery and put it in the camera to test it and saw the arrows move.

Currently it is not working but I think the battery is dead.
Or perhaps it just quit on me never to work again? ...

If the meter is busted - return it!

And BTW, the picture you posted of the RF window is an M6 classic - not a TTL. And it's probably not a .85 finder, but a standard .72.

 

[Rowdyhotel]

Pardon my ignorance!
Everyone here is correct.

I had assumed that the TTL stood for through the lens metering and assumed that prior M6 cameras had no ability to meter through the lens.

I see that I am wrong about that. It must be that I like this viewfinder a bit more than the M2 just because it is newer and brighter I guess.

It looks like the classic since I did not see any red or green circle in between the arrows in the viewfinder for the meter.

But hey, the meter works!

---

I shall try to email pictures to some repair people for quotes tomorrow. I'll fix it for sure if it is anything less than 800 provided everything else is good.

Thank you all very much.

I can post quotes here in case anyone needs to look this up again.

I had found previous posts but they were from the early 2000s. Repair persons and prices have obviously changed.

 

[analoged]

I would just shoot it!

 

[Krosya]

I would just shoot it!

I agree. With reasonable care the viewfinder in this condition can last for a long time. If it doesn't cause any issues now, why bother?

 

[splitimageview]

yes! shoot away, it's unlikely to deteriorate for many years.