Leica M6 light meter left arrow blinking

[lozpop]

Hi everyone,

I've just purchased a Leica M6 (non-TTL version). Yesterday I used it for the first time, and the light meter worked perfectly. A day later, the only thing the light meter does it to show the left arrow constantly blinking/flashing. I know that it's supposed to do that when the light is very low (or when you have the lens cap on).

A few more notes:

• The lens cap is not on
  
• ISO dial is set at 400 — I've tried to move it around and then back to 400
• It does it with the lens at F1.4 or with the shutter at 1 second, and there's plenty of light in the room.
• I've even tried to remove the lens, it does it even with the white dot totally exposed.
• It does it with and without film inside
• I've tried a new battery (I'm using the Duracell DL1/3N 3V, could that be the problem?)

I have 30 days to send it back. I got it from an Ebay seller from Japan with stellar reviews. It's my first Leica, and when I saw that yesterday the meter was working fine and today it isn't, I immediately thought I was doing something stupid or that the battery was faulty. I really tried everything.

Thank you for your help!

Lorenzo

 

[david schaller]

Try putting in a new battery.

 

[lozpop]

I fixed it! I used a microfiber cleaning cloth and wiped both the battery compartment and the battery holder. Worked like a charm!

 

[lozpop]

After waiting another 24 hours, the problem represented itself. And after wiping again the battery compartment and battery holder, it’s fixed again. Do you think this means that the battery compartment needs to be cleaned more thoroughly? Do you suggest a specific (and safe) way of doing it?

 

[Huss]

Isopropyl alcohol on a Q-tip. Rub the contacts. Also wipe the batteries with it, and when you put them in the camera, make sure to not touch the contacts on the batteries.

 

[mshchem]

The shutter release on both the m6 and M6ttl dont always turn off the meter. The only sure way is to fire the shutter. Don't cook it until you're ready to make the shot.

 

[fiddle]

I have used a pencil eraser to clean that battery contact pretty good as well.

 

[lozpop]

Thank you for the suggestions! On a Leica forum they also suggested to clean the golden contacts that you see when you open the back plate.

 

[Huss]

The shutter release on both the m6 and M6ttl dont always turn off the meter. The only sure way is to fire the shutter. Don't cook it until you're ready to make the shot.

You mean turning the shutter speed dial to Off doesn't always turn off the meter?

 

[Huss]

Thank you for the suggestions! On a Leica forum they also suggested to clean the golden contacts that you see when you open the back plate.

That is to read the film speed. And Leica makes them gold so they are not affected by dirt/grease/corrosion etc.

No harm in trying I guess.

 

[mshchem]

You mean turning the shutter speed dial to Off doesn't always turn off the meter?

I have a M6ttl, the shutter release button is spring loaded. It's supposed to be activated by a gentle touch. If not tripped, the meter is supposed to go to sleep after a few seconds. My camera has gradually lost the spring tension to shut off the meter. So if you want to save the battery, you either fire the shutter or turn the shutter to off.

 

[mshchem]

I usually use a hand held incident meter. The LEDS in the M6ttl are great, if you leave the lens cap on all 3 flash. It's hard to be a cool Leica guy if you get caught taking pictures with the lens cap on. .