Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/11/13
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Jack, I agree with you on the reliability of the M6. I have used them since they became available and have gone through about 10 bodies in the last 12-13 years.The very first version of the M6 had a problem with the meter in some bodies, the chip went haywire and had to be replaced. I had it happen on one camera, I had the filmcounter stick on a " Panda" M6 and the filmadvance break on another. My latest M6, a Titanium # 2289 xxx and a black one with # 2297xxx have shown no problems.The Titanium one had a slightly sticky filmcounter return but it cured itself after 30-40 rolls. Some of the bodies I keep are used as testbenches in my machineshop. Every Rapidwinder is cycled through several bodies, first empty and then later with film. One the bodies spent 3 years in the shop, dust, oil and rather rough treatment from being used as a " adjuster" to fit clutches and on the average probably 1000 to 1500 exposures/day ( running the body empty with the winder). This is tough for any camera. After this time I put the batteries back in camera, expecting to find a dead meter. It worked perfectly and the only problem was that the slow speeds were a bit sluggish ( I cycle the winders through at 1/500 or 1/1000,) After some exercise they were fine. We have to wait another 15-20 years to see if the M6 has the stamina of an M3 or an M2, but my feeling is that it is a very rugged camera. Tom A