Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/06/09
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]>>I have a problem with the shutter release of a used M6 that I just >>bought by mail. >> >>Does anyone know if this is a simple adjustment that I, carefully, >>could do as a user with a reasonable understanding of mechanics but >>modest experience in camera repair? Would any special tools be >>needed? Would I run a high risk of destroying something. > >It's fairly simple, and if your camera has nothing else that needs >looking at, then you might do it yourself if you are handy and have a >good set of small tools. If you take off the cover (with the film >loading diagram, you will see a long spring arm that moves down with >the shutter button. It engages the actual release mechanism by >sliding along a sloped piece right by the winder cog. You will see >that the lateral position of this long spring arm is what governs the >release point, and the two big screws held by loktite near the other >end (film cassette end) hold the spring arm in place. You will have >to loosen these two screws, move the spring arm very slightly, and >retighten and re-loktite these screws. I should only take an >experienced technician 5 minutes to do the job, as no other >disassembly is required. > >Hope this helps. > >-- > * Henning J. Wulff There are some precautions you should take when attempting this adjustment. Firstly those little screws that hold the cover plate on are very, very tiny and easy to lose, therefore I suggest that you place a light colored blanket or towel on the table that you will be using to work on the camera. Then if you drop one of the little screws it won't go bouncing off the table never to found again. Secondly be very careful not to dislodge or drop the ultra thin shims that are held in place at one end of the camera by two of the aforementioned screws which go through the cover plate and through locating holes in these shims. If you drop those shims you will have a devil of a job trying to line them up again. These shims are used to get the right height for the main base plate catch mechanism. You then will have to move the long leaf spring slightly (and I mean ultra slightly) towards the back of the camera i.e. the back flap side. Tighten the two large leaf spring retaining screws and try your shutter release. You may have to adjust the leaf spring again to get it right. If you move the leaf spring too far away from the back of the camera, it will fire when you wind the shutter. When you get it right do as Henry suggested and place a very tiny, tiny amount of loctite on the two leaf spring retaining screws. A quality set of jewelers screwdrivers will be needed to avoid damaging the screws. Take your time and use a good light source and you should be right. _________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com.