Leica M6 finish bubbles / corrosion

Pioneer · Aug 1, 2014

SARCASM ALERT!!!

You might consider sending it back for a K1000.

Also uses 35mm film

Same meter without the lights

Shutter works with no batteries

Same basic size and weight.

Easier film loading.

Can actually see what you will be photographing.

Usually equipped with a top notch 50mm f2 lens that focuses to 18 inches.

Can frequently be found below $50. (Means a $950 savings which buy a lot of film.)

I just checked mine closely and can find no corrosion anywhere. Maybe a little brassing.

AgX · Aug 2, 2014

Xmas said:
It is difficult to control the process that is why Leica had so many problems.

The went to zinc cause it was cheaper to make than brass but they recognized that the finish would be difficult eg they had to move the serial numbers to hot shoe.

Zinc is very reactive.

It was not the only problem they had with M6.

Black-chromatizing zinc die-casts is a standard procedure for a chromatizing workshop.

Ricardo Miranda · Aug 2, 2014

@Dan: Ah! Ah! I like that! I wouldn't call it sarcasm, just a good sense of humour!

Seriously, if he wants a rangefinder, he can just get a Leningrad, or a Fed 2 (Barnack camera, but without the bottom loading), or a Zorki 4 or a 5 or better a 6.
Unless if he fancies the Contax system, he can get an early Kiev 4 for a fraction of the price of a M6.

BTW, just a curiosity, if the intention is to follow Henri Cartier-Bresson, he used a Zorki 5. If it is good for him, it is good for anyone!
See the first minute here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ei45S87R2dk

I had a M6 years ago, an early Wetzlar one. Never had a problem with it. Sold it when I lost me job.

Xmas · Aug 2, 2014

AgX said:
Black-chromatizing zinc die-casts is a standard procedure for a chromatizing workshop.

yes I know that and they went to zinc before the M6 and black chrome on brass even earlier without detectable problems...

but the black chrome or silver chrome on zinc needs control of process.

the early M6 had frequent problems which they addressed but ocassionally later cameras develop problems.

Mainly adverse atmospheric situations not seen one as bad as the OPs before.

Mine was a silver chrome 95 or 96 and the top plate and back door both were rotting which indicates it was not the black chrome at fault?

My M6 was a nice camera sold it and got a M2. And yes I have a K1000.

Pioneer · Aug 2, 2014

Xmas said:
yes I know that and they went to zinc before the M6 and black chrome on brass even earlier without detectable problems...

but the black chrome or silver chrome on zinc needs control of process.

the early M6 had frequent problems which they addressed but ocassionally later cameras develop problems.

Mainly adverse atmospheric situations not seen one as bad as the OPs before.

Mine was a silver chrome 95 or 96 and the top plate and back door both were rotting which indicates it was not the black chrome at fault?

My M6 was a nice camera sold it and got a M2. And yes I have a K1000.

sr44 · Aug 2, 2014

Right now I'm leaning toward keeping the camera. I intend to use this camera heavily, as a replacement for my Bessa R, so I'm not really that concerned with cosmetic stuff, and it really is in fantastic shape other than the top plate. I covered the top with a piece of gaffer tape and it doesn't bother me so much anymore. After some more research, I'm pretty confident that the bubbling should only be on the outside, and shouldn't cause any problems with the operation of the camera, and isn't likely to get any worse as long as the camera is stored properly and used regularly.

Xmas · Aug 2, 2014

Mine was stable over several years in a Billingham gbag that frequently got rain showers but kept dry and warm overnight.

It arrived in original box...

Kirks518 · Aug 3, 2014

I've been trying to search and see if this possibly was a 'special' finish, but the closest I came is an LHSA version, shown HERE. But, it doesn't quite look like it.

Now I realize that this is an expensive camera, but if it were me, I'd think about taking off the top just to inspect it. If the inside looks fine, then either the finish was intentional, or it's only superficial, in which case I'd just keep it. But if there was evidence of corrosion on the inside of the cover, or the internal components, I would send it back.

Have you contacted KEH about it? They're really great, and you may ask if they would open it and inspect it for you, and let you know what they find. That would probably be the first thing I would do before opening it myself.

How much is a new top plate for the camera?

Richard S. (rich815) · Aug 3, 2014

Looks too much to me like mildew spots and I'd worry about it's past storage history and what such moist conditions might have done to the innards. With patience you can find a similar one at a similar price. I'd return it.

sr44 · Aug 3, 2014

What I can see of the inside (film loading area, and shutter curtains) looks spotless, as does the inside of the viewfinder and frame counter. Aside from the bubbling finish, it looks like it's never been used.

Kirks518 · Aug 3, 2014

I'd be interested in seeing what the underside of the top plate looks like, as well as the areas that are not visible. That's what I meant in my earlier post.

Too old to care · Aug 3, 2014

Xmas said:
yes I know that and they went to zinc before the M6 and black chrome on brass even earlier without detectable problems...

but the black chrome or silver chrome on zinc needs control of process.

the early M6 had frequent problems which they addressed but ocassionally later cameras develop problems.

Mainly adverse atmospheric situations not seen one as bad as the OPs before.

Mine was a silver chrome 95 or 96 and the top plate and back door both were rotting which indicates it was not the black chrome at fault?

My M6 was a nice camera sold it and got a M2. And yes I have a K1000.

I have a M6 and a K1000, both bought new. The K1000 replaced a Spotmatic that I also bought new and wore out. Both good cameras in their own, and the price difference is amazing. That said, I would not miss my K1000 if it were lost, but is sure would my M6. Mine is also black chrome and we'll used over the nearly 20 years that I have had it, but it still looks nearly new. The cameras that I have seen with this type of damage do not look this uniform, makes me wonder too what caused it. You can trust KEH though, I would ask them for their opinion.

sr44 · Aug 5, 2014

I sent a message to KEH, they said they see M6s with these types of blemishes fairly often, which is how this one earned its "bargain" rating. They sounded confident that it would only be a cosmetic problem, and obviously I was welcome to return the camera for a full refund if I want to.

Xmas · Aug 5, 2014

It was a normal problem with M6.

A good Leica repair person will have a cannibal top plate. If you can't stand the cosmetics or the feel. The back door just unclips.

It probably was stored in ERC.

I use M2s.

AgX · Aug 5, 2014

ERC = extreme rough conditions ?

Ricardo Miranda · Aug 5, 2014

Ever Ready Case.

AgX · Aug 6, 2014

As said before that front image looks exactly as spot-effect varnish.

The tops of the shoe and the top of that srew in that shoe have got that structure too. But those are from different material. And why just their tops have got that structure? Yes, contact with some material just at these places could be an explanation.
But this all rules out zink-rot.

Xmas · Aug 6, 2014

The hot shoe is brass and my IIIc also brass has the same problem.

But that problem does not eliminate the possibility that the top plate has zinc rot.

The back door on mine was also pitted but it is not zinc.

All faces of my top plate were pitted but not the shoe or wind on lever. Bits of chrome had flecked off.

Otherwise mine was like new in box strap manual etc.

jochen · Aug 6, 2014

Hello,
whats about sending photos to Leica and ask them for their opinion. If this is a fault, they'll know it, if it is a special effect paint, they'll know it too. I think asking them only for their opinion is not as expensive as letting them repair a camera.

250swb · Aug 7, 2014

It is a bad case of the plating bubbling, typical of some M6 of this era, and probably caused by storage in a humid place. I favour the idea from Xmas that it was in an ERC for a few years. But past storage doesn't mean it will get worse, just so long as the camera gets some air once in a while.

What it isn't is a special paint finish etc. This is would imply it has slipped below the radar of Leica historians and collectors and has been undocumented by Leica themselves. Given the scrutiny on the company this is hard to believe, especially as it looks exactly like 'zinc rot'. So to use an analogy, if it walks like a duck, if it quacks like a duck, if it floats like a duck, it is probably a duck.

Steve

darkosaric · Aug 7, 2014

Ricardo Miranda said:
BTW, just a curiosity, if the intention is to follow Henri Cartier-Bresson, he used a Zorki 5.

One video that is interesting:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRtV1MZph_4

So HCB was using Minolta CL as well

sr44 · Aug 7, 2014

It definitely isn't intentional. I guess the pictures don't show it as well as they could, but if you saw the camera in person it's not as even as it looks, and under the wind lever it's clean. Most of the sides of the top plate are clean as well, but there is a minor bit of bubbling on the lower edges of the top plate. I've decided to just keep the camera, like I said, it really is in very nice shape in every other way, and works perfectly. I got this thing to use, not to sit on a shelf, and I'd say for how little used the camera seems to be, I've got some catching up to do. Here's to less talk about the cosmetic condition of cameras, and more talk of creating images. I've run one test roll through through the camera, and I'm thrilled with the way it handles, and the look of the 35mm summicron I bought with it:

View attachment 92434

Now off to go give the camera and my dog some exercise, it's a beautiful evening outside!

Cheers

Xmas · Aug 7, 2014

Mine had spots on side panels of top plate that were sharp and abrasive... when taking photos and I got more than I payed for it and change when I bought a M2.

But there was no sign of progression and I used it a lot.

Terry Christian · Aug 8, 2014

I think that's a healthy attitude, sr44, to see it as sort of "pre-broken-in" for your convenience so that you'll shoot with it more and not treat it with kid gloves as a collectible.

Leica M6 finish bubbles / corrosion

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