Wetzlar m6 Lightmeter problem

[Mr G]

Hey!
I'm having a bit of a problem when shooting with my m6 on a bright day... the lightmeter's red arrows inside the viewfinder get very very dim, nearly impossible to see.
It only happens when the light outside is bright.

I tried replacing the batteries with fresh ones with no luck.

The camera is a Wetzlar m6... one of the first ones I guess... 1984-85 if that matters..

Is there anything I can do to sort it out?

Thanks for your time!

g

 

[ferider]

Nothing you can do yourself, G. Only remedy is to replace the meter circuit, which also will give you 1-2 stops more sensitivity. Maybe with the next overhaul ?

Roland.

 

[ZeissFan]

I think he's saying that the LEDs don't shine brightly enough when he's using it on a bright day.

I think that's the downside of LEDs and is similar to trying to use a cellphone or digital camera on a very bright sunny day. It's just hard to see the screen.

 

[ferider]

Just to add: I've had dim LEDs on one of my M6 bodies, and after meter replacement (one LED went out, so repair was necessary) the camera came back with very bright LEDs, easy to see also on a sunny day.

Roland.

 

[Mr G]

thanks for the replies!
Yes, I did mean the LEDs... sorry about the confusion
I guess I will have to change the whole meter circuit then, it does make sense, that thing is 27yo now!

I'm lucky enough to have an official leica repair centre not far from home.

Any idea on the cost?
Should I get a general CLA done as well while it's there?

Thanks

g

 

[ferider]

Not sure about the cost, G. A couple of hundred bucks or so ...

Two things you might consider adding while they have the camera: (1) MP finder upgrade and (2) M4 brass rewind crank. The original aluminum rewind crank bends easily, and the MP upgrade does really wonders to the finder.

Depending on your budget of course. An M6 with upgraded meter and finder is just as good in use as an MP, and possibly more robust.

That being said, dim LEDs wouldn't be a good enough reason for me to send the body in - I would just keep using it until something important breaks 🙂

Roland.

 

[sevo]

You will have to determine whether you really want that LED brightness update. Many owners of newer M6/M6TTL feel that the bright LEDs are irritating in low light. As no M6 version or add-on hack gives it dynamic LED brightness (as far as I know), it is either-or. Ir really is a question of whether you can more easily work around the issue with an auxiliary meter (or sunny 16) in bright sunlight or during night shooting.

 

[Mr G]

thanks!
today it was pretty sunny outside and I shot a roll with the m6, the leds were 99% invisible in bright sun.
As Sevo said... I switched to sunny 16 but it was still pretty annoying. I'm not to used to it.

As many of you have said, I should probably wait untill something goes really wrong with the camera before taking it to repair...

I wish I could efford an m7 right now... I feel like I'm missing many good shots sometimes while sorting out the exposure...

 

[Mr G]

An M6 with upgraded meter and finder is just as good in use as an MP, and possibly more robust.

that's interesting, I've always dreamed of an MP but I could never justify the price, when my m6 does just the same job.
possibly more robust than an MP because of the zynk top plate or something else?

 

[nobbylon]

your M6 has steel gears and not that crappy soft brass stuff!

 

[ferider]

that's interesting, I've always dreamed of an MP but I could never justify the price, when my m6 does just the same job.
possibly more robust than an MP because of the zynk top plate or something else?

Steel gear and zink top and bottom. Doesn't dent as easily, as I can witness after dropping it from shoulder height. It just keeps going.

Roland.