Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1992/07/22
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]>From meastman@adobe.com Tue Jul 21 15:16 EDT 1992 >From: meastman@adobe.com (Mark Eastman) >To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us >Subject: Leica body materials > >My understanding is that after the M4 Leica bodies switched from being >manufactured in brass alloy to a .8mm thick zinc alloy (at least for >the top plate). The baseplate, I know is still brass on the M6. I'd like >to know if anyone knows about these materials for Leica bodies and >perhaps what the reasoning behind switching to zinc was (lighter and harder?). This is from Pop Photo's "Stripdown: Leica M6", of July '85: What weaknesses there were with older M-series models were mainly associated with impact damage to the camera's most expensive module, the range/viewfinder. This could be wiped out with a blow to the camera's top left, front corner. The thin, snugly fitted, chromed-brass top cover could only withstand so much at this point...The M6 uses a zinc-alloy casting instead of the (more expensive) chromed brass stamping for its top cover. Leitz claims the zinc casting will give better impact protection. The new casting is first copper-plated, then given the widely admired Leitz black-chrome finish. It's a relatively thick-walled casting, and much heaver than the older stamped part. The same alloy appears to be used in the die-cast hinged back. The main body and the surrounding outer shell are, as always, aluminum alloy die-castings. I hope this answers your questions. -Darrell Raymond.