[Leica] Cold Weather M Focusing

[Grduprey at aol.com (Grduprey@aol.com)]

In a message dated 1/18/2005 10:10:01 AM Central Standard Time, 
gcr910@msn.com writes:
The metering/focusing block in the middle of two of my M viewfinders 
disappeared yesterday during some cold-weather shooting in Chicago. 
Temperature was around 0 degrees F. This happened on my M6 ttl, which has an 
MP viewfinder (0.85), and my M7 with a .72 finder. Lenses in use were the 90 
mm APO Summicron and 21 mm Elmarit (ASPH).

The metering/focusing blocks and normal coincident focusing capabilities 
returned shortly after heading inside and letting the cameras thaw. The 
blocks vanished again within 15 minutes of going  back outside in the 
afternoon (temp was about the same). And returned again not long after being 
brought back inside. Did keep the M7 under my coat some out of concern for 
battery performance, which was fine.

I focused by judging distances -- the negatives look sharp -- but am curious 
about whether others have experienced this phenomena, whether they handled 
it differently (and how), or how to avoid it. Is this, perhaps, a signal to 
send the gear in for a check up (or maybe check my common sense and remain 
inside when the weather is so brisk)?

Thanks.

Greg Rubenstein
Greg

That is weird, I have not experienced that at all with my M6TTL which also 
has the same viewfinder as you describe.  I have had mine out of the coat 
when 
out in  -4 F weather here.  Did not experience it in Europe last month 
either, 
as I was out in 20 F weaqther for hours, but then it never got to 0 there 
either.  When is it going to warm up there in Chicago?  I'll come and we can 
go 
shooting then. ;-)

Gene