Re: TTL shutter speed dial (was RE: [Leica] LHSA meeting)

[TTAbrahams@aol.com]

 My M6's are, at the moment, evenly divided between 'classic" and TTL's. The 
shutter-speed dial on the TTL is still giving me trouble and I did ask Leica 
if it is possible to retrofit the old dial (with the 'old" rotation) and they 
did concede that it could be done, but it is a rather involved process. The 
spur-gear can be removed and the contacts for the dial would have to be 
exchanged. Probably not worth the cost and it makes an even stronger case for 
M2's. At LHSA I did add another one to my pile of these classics, Sal DiMarco 
had a 'preowned" M2 that I bought. At least I dot have to worry about putting 
scratches or dents on it. It has plenty already!
 As for the battery-consumption of the TTL's! They are hungry for SR-76's and 
if you dont turn the dial to the off-position they will drain. The first 
prototype of the battery-cover with an integrated on/off switch is in the 
works at the moment. Rough but working and now we have to figure out how to 
streamline it and make it in a manner that makes it affordable. 
 The TTL shutter-speed dial is no problem if your first Leica is a new TTL, 
but trying to rethink 40+ years of Leica use is not that easy! There are 
times that I think Leica's approach should be to make cameras tailored to the 
users needs. Just like in the auto-industry, you can 'option" the camera. I 
could see myself getting a 0,58, black paint with 35 and 75 frames only, 
shutterspeeds rotating the 'old" way and as a 2nd body a 50/90 framed 1:1 
viewfinder (Yashihara could do it, why not Leica), again black paint and old 
style dial. Leica would just issue a list of options, you tick off what you 
want and they would supply it in 3-4 month time. With modern assembly and CNC 
machining it should be possible and they could really clean up on the 
"options" packages too (just like the auto-industry).
Still rotating the wrong way!
Tom A