Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2004/08/30
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Into the early 80s, Leica (Germany, Canada, USA, etc.) offered a cold-proofing service. As Greg has suggested, this involved replacing normal lubricants with graphite, thus rendering the gear USELESS at normal temperatures. In my cold weather experience (ample), a well-tuned M camera does not really need special service to make it go. The meter electronics will fail, but the shutters keep on working and the rangfinders are never a problem. In fact, the M's left-side eyepiece is a big advantage -- centrally located SLR eyepieces get fogged/iced up too easily by the photographer's misdirected breath. I have found M6 cameras a little hit-and-miss in this department. I don't know why. But the older cameras have never failed me. I have not yet tested a new MP or M7 in extreme cold. Lenses are the real problem in the cold. The focus rings eventually seize up and you have to pre-set for hyperfocal distance shooting before this happens. My Nikon F5 with lithium AA batteries performs flawlessly will all electronic functions at any temperature. How did those WWII photographers handle their Leicas and Contaxes with gloves on? They probably didn't wear gloves. Cold weather photography means freezing your fingers until they burn. And loving it. Emanuel Lowi Montreal ______________________________________________________________________ Post your free ad now! http://personals.yahoo.ca