Leica M6ttl Meter Does Not Turn Off Automatically

mshchem · Oct 6, 2021

I have a mint state M6ttl. I bought this camera a couple years back from a Japan dealer. The camera was part of a collectors horde. It was new, in the box, even though it was close to 20 years old.

These cameras have an amazing center weighted meter, works great. When I first got it, to activate the meter, the user lightly touches the shutter button, the meter would turn on, after 10 seconds of no use it's supposed to turn off. Mine stays on until the shutter is released, or the speed dial is turned to off. Every time the shutter is cocked the meter comes on.

Anyone have had this happen and is it an easy fix?

I'm visiting a repair shop tomorrow, I'm hoping this can be made right.

Huss · Oct 6, 2021

Do you use a soft release?

mshchem · Oct 6, 2021

Huss said:
Do you use a soft release?

I've tried it with and without. At first the soft release (cheapo old thing) seemed to help (seemed to lift???). Now nothing except releasing the shutter or turning the ss dial to B or Off will turn it off.

mshchem · Oct 6, 2021

I think it's spring has sprung

Huss · Oct 6, 2021

Blow the shutter release button out with electronic contact cleaner.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/CRC-5103...1-Wt-oz/16817418?wl13=2464&selectedSellerId=0

mshchem · Oct 6, 2021

Huss said:
Blow the shutter release button out with electronic contact cleaner.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/CRC-5103...1-Wt-oz/16817418?wl13=2464&selectedSellerId=0

I tried a couple drops of some ancient cfc-113 that I've fixed at least 6 shutters, a couple gummed up Hasselblads. . Maybe I will try a bit more.

mshchem · Oct 6, 2021

Huss said:
Blow the shutter release button out with electronic contact cleaner.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/CRC-5103...1-Wt-oz/16817418?wl13=2464&selectedSellerId=0

Do you think the soft touch thing helps or hinders???

mshchem · Oct 7, 2021

I stopped at the repair shop today. Camera has to come completely apart. Would need a complete CLA. I'm not going to risk it. I can deal with the issue until I can talk to a M6ttl expert.

Huss · Oct 8, 2021

I've seen soft touch releases cause problem with M cameras, which is why I have stopped using them on my metered ones. They 'can' distort the shutter plunger.
I really think it is just dirt down in it which is why the meter stays on - the shutter button is gummed up not allowing it to retract in its travel. The electrical contact cleaner evaporates so quickly, leaving no residue behind, that is is good to flush stuff out with it. Keep it away from lenses though.

mshchem · Feb 24, 2023

Update. I sent my beautiful M6ttl to Youxin Ye, he replaced a meter switch part. He sent me the tiny plastic broken piece. Now camera works like new. Cost, $250, cheap! Wait time 4 months. Reasonable.

Huss · Feb 24, 2023

mshchem said:
Update. I sent my beautiful M6ttl to Youxin Ye, he replaced a meter switch part. He sent me the tiny plastic broken piece. Now camera works like new. Cost, $250, cheap! Wait time 4 months. Reasonable.

Great news! Did you ask him how it could have broken? What could have caused the break?

BradS · Feb 24, 2023

Huss said:
Great news! Did you ask him how it could have broken? What could have caused the break?

I'm betting that a soft release is the culprit.

mshchem · Feb 24, 2023

Huss said:
Great news! Did you ask him how it could have broken? What could have caused the break?

No, I think it may have been broken when I bought it. I have used the screw in "soft release" I didn't see that it helped me much. I looked at the little piece he sent me, I think it may have been 24 years of use. If it had been exposed to oil this can accelerate failure. Good news is that the parts are available.

mshchem · Feb 24, 2023

The part that he sent me is just a piece that fell out of the switch.

mshchem · Feb 24, 2023

BradS said:
I'm betting that a soft release is the culprit.

I don't know what caused it, but I'm not screwing anything on the perfectly good shutter release button

mshchem · Feb 24, 2023

BradS said:
I'm betting that a soft release is the culprit.

I asked Youxin Ye about this here's his reply

"It is not related. Some M6 TTL just used cheap parts. The switch block is a very small, and vulnerable plastic part, easily break. It usually works well on other models, M6, MP, but breaks in some M6 TTL, same part. It is just not easy to replace this.
But soft release button is not a good accessory, the shutter button underneath is a thin tube, if you use soft release button, it could cause the tube bent and you will have to replace the shutter button.
Regards,
Youxin"

faberryman · Feb 24, 2023

If you are going to use plastic, then the least you can do is use high quality plastic so it doesn't break. How do you replace a plastic part? Do you have to whittle a new part out of a Bic pen or something?

mshchem · Feb 24, 2023

faberryman said:
If you are going to use plastic, then the least you can do is use high quality plastic so it doesn't break. How do you replace a plastic part? Do you have to whittle a new part out of a Bic pen or something?

I believe he replaced it with the current MP switch.

faberryman · Feb 24, 2023

mshchem said:
I don't know what caused it, but I'm not screwing anything on the perfectly good shutter release button

I thought adding a soft release was one of the most exciting ways to pimp out your Leica. Everyone and his brother, including Leica, sells them in all sorts of materials and colors and designs. Leica sells one that looks like a red dot, so you can have a red dot on top of your Leica and well as a red dot on the front of your Leica. You can never have too many red dots on your Leica. I saw that, following Leica's lead, Lacoste was going to start putting two alligators on its polo shirts, one on each side. Ralph Lauren is bucking the trend though; it is just making its polo guy bigger and bigger.

BradS · Feb 24, 2023

faberryman said:
I thought adding a soft release was one of the most exciting ways to pimp out your Leica. Everyone and his brother, including Leica, sells them. Leica sells one that looks like a red dot, so you can have a red dot on top of your Leica and well as on the front of your Leica.

indeed. It seems to have become a favorite fashion accessory. Pretty ridiculous really.

Huss · Feb 24, 2023

mshchem said:
I asked Youxin Ye about this here's his reply

"It is not related. Some M6 TTL just used cheap parts. The switch block is a very small, and vulnerable plastic part, easily break. It usually works well on other models, M6, MP, but breaks in some M6 TTL, same part. It is just not easy to replace this.
But soft release button is not a good accessory, the shutter button underneath is a thin tube, if you use soft release button, it could cause the tube bent and you will have to replace the shutter button.
Regards,
Youxin"

like i said about the soft releases..

Leica M6ttl Meter Does Not Turn Off Automatically

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