The New Leitz - Wetzlar Leica M6 (and the dreaded film scratching issue)

koraks · Feb 17, 2023

Huss said:
An acquaintance was kind enough to send me a pic of the ISO dial on his new 2022 M6. He can set his to 400.

Ask them if they can set it to 160 when shooting Portra - you might have to swap cameras between the two of you depending on what film you shoot

Sorry about your problems though. It sucks if a product as expensive as this one is (1) faulty and (2) the repair/replacement process just doesn't work.

I'm afraid that qualifications like 'handmade', 'craftsmanship' etc. are not necessarily advantages in a world where industrial automation has made mass-produced and machine-made/assembled products often of extremely high and consistent quality. The era that human hands were ultimately a better way to make things is really behind us. Even 'cheap junk' from China is more in line with 6-Sigma like quality control these days than artisanally produced equipment. Humans are fallible - more so than assembly robots and CNC machines (etc.).

GLS · Feb 17, 2023

Sorry to hear about all this Huss.

Such shoddy QC and customer treatment with a £4500 camera is an absolute disgrace.

Oldwino · Feb 17, 2023

I think the most disturbing aspect about Huss’ saga is not that Leica has the occasional poorly made camera, but rather their response to someone who received a poorly made camera.
They should be jumping through hoops to make this right.

Radost · Feb 17, 2023

Oldwino said:
I think the most disturbing aspect about Huss’ saga is not that Leica has the occasional poorly made camera, but rather their response to someone who received a poorly made camera.
They should be jumping through hoops to make this right.

100%
Like give him a brand new camera.

GregY · Feb 17, 2023

Radost said:
100%
Like give him a brand new camera.

Exactly..... one that doesn't scratch film....

Huss · Feb 17, 2023

Oldwino said:
I think the most disturbing aspect about Huss’ saga is not that Leica has the occasional poorly made camera, but rather their response to someone who received a poorly made camera.
They should be jumping through hoops to make this right.

Exactly. Before the advantage claimed about buying a new Leica M vs a used one is the warranty. Basically we pay thousands more for that.
Now it seems to me the warranty is almost worthless seeing they have not yet been able to repair the camera. And this is a really basic thing. My recommendation is to buy a nice used M that you can check over, and in the future if there are issues use one of the good indie techs to work on it.
This is the only new film M that I have bought. All my way cheaper used Ms have been great.

Radost · Feb 17, 2023

I hope in the coming economic crisis camera prices crash so I can buy a nice 20th century .58 camera.
Anybody know what year Leica started using better less glair viewfinder on the m6?

brbo · Feb 17, 2023

2022?

mshchem · Feb 17, 2023

Leica Rumors is alerting it's readers that B&H has a black Leica M-A in stock.

Huss · Feb 17, 2023

mshchem said:
Leica Rumors is alerting it's readers that B&H has a black Leica M-A in stock.

yesterday B&H had a silver MP in stock. All things being equal, I'd pick the MP.

mshchem · Feb 17, 2023

Huss said:
yesterday B&H had a silver MP in stock. All things being equal, I'd pick the MP.

I see they have a silver MP and MA at B&H. I got my MP when the Pound was down, delivered it was $4500. The silver MP at B&H is 5700 USD before taxes. Wow! Add a 50mm Summicron and you're over 10 grand. Then it's a gamble that it's not defective.
I bought photo paper, Fomatone, with this month's mad money. I printed postcards for the exchange yesterday when I wasn't blowing snow.
More darkroom less Leica for me.

Huss · Feb 22, 2023

I just received an email saying the camera has been repaired and will be on its way back to me.
It included the repair invoice for work performed.

There were two issues with the camera:
1/ Scratching film needing a new pressure plate.

2/ ISO dial defective needing a new ISO dial.

On the invoice there was no mention of the ISO dial being repaired even though in previous communications they told me it was defective and they were waiting on parts. I wrote back today pointing out that there was no mention that they repaired the ISO dial on the invoice they just sent.
I do not want to get this camera back half repaired.

Waiting for the reply.

mshchem · Feb 22, 2023

Huss said:
I just received an email saying the camera has been repaired and will be on its way back to me.
It included the repair invoice for work performed.

There were two issues with the camera:
1/ Scratching film needing a new pressure plate.

2/ ISO dial defective needing a new ISO dial.

On the invoice there was no mention of the ISO dial being repaired even though in previous communications they told me it was defective and they were waiting on parts. I wrote back today pointing out that there was no mention that they repaired the ISO dial on the invoice they just sent.
I do not want to get this camera back half repaired.

Waiting for the reply.

I'm receiving a package from HK today via FedEx. Keeping my fingers crossed. Hopefully Leica will learn from this mess!

Sirius Glass · Feb 22, 2023

Huss said:
I just received an email saying the camera has been repaired and will be on its way back to me.
It included the repair invoice for work performed.

There were two issues with the camera:
1/ Scratching film needing a new pressure plate.

2/ ISO dial defective needing a new ISO dial.

On the invoice there was no mention of the ISO dial being repaired even though in previous communications they told me it was defective and they were waiting on parts. I wrote back today pointing out that there was no mention that they repaired the ISO dial on the invoice they just sent.
I do not want to get this camera back half repaired.

Waiting for the reply.

It appears that you are half way there. Keep on truckin'

Ko.Fe. · Feb 22, 2023

Spend some time reading this thread.
This is soo what LCAG and its wealthy only users have become.

In my film days it was not uncommon to have FSU body scratching the film. All it required was light polishing.

And about pro been prepared earlier opus. I used to love to go on the street while -20C or bellow, lots of fun to shoot.
All of my batteryed rangefinders pooped out after one hour.
So, I switched to M4-2 made in slightly Northier Ontario. Went at -28C in Ottawa to take some pictures on Rideau Canal while skating.
On third hour film broke. If I would have been pro (some here associate with how much money they throw on hobby) I should have second M4-2 on me. LOL.

Radost · Feb 22, 2023

Ko.Fe. said:
In my film days it was not uncommon to have FSU body scratching the film. All it required was light polishing.

I have shot all kinds of cheap and expansive cameras. Different kinds and brands. Even plastic toy point and shoots. Never have I experienced cameras scratching films.
I dont know if this is just my experience but I doubt it happens often or maybe at all.

Huss · Feb 22, 2023

Just got an email. They forgot about the ISO dial. But luckily grabbed my camera before UPS picked it up.

Le sigh.

BradS · Feb 22, 2023

Huss said:
Just got an email. They forgot about the ISO dial. But luckily grabbed my camera before UPS picked it up.

Le sigh.

Jaysus, what a cluster fuck!
Sounds like a clown show at the circus.

Huss · Feb 22, 2023

ALSO THEY DID NOT CHECK TO SEE IF THE CAMERA NO LONGER SCRATCHES FILM. They will do that now.

BradS · Feb 22, 2023

Larry, Curly and Moe have taken over Leica.

mshchem · Feb 22, 2023

I received my new M6 today, probably the 2nd time in my life that I checked a brand new (or used?) 35mm camera to see if it was going to scratch film.
Leica is selling a wristwatch for 14 grand plus applicable taxes. Brilliant!

GLS · Feb 22, 2023

Huss said:
ALSO THEY DID NOT CHECK TO SEE IF THE CAMERA NO LONGER SCRATCHES FILM. They will do that now.

Unreal. You really couldn't make this up.

Sirius Glass · Feb 22, 2023

Huss said:
Just got an email. They forgot about the ISO dial. But luckily grabbed my camera before UPS picked it up.

Le sigh.

BradS said:
Jaysus, what a cluster fuck!
Sounds like a clown show at the circus.

Evidently a check list is too complex for Leitz.

logan2z · Feb 22, 2023

Sirius Glass said:
Evidently a check list is too complex for Leitz.

Blazing Saddles themed graphic deleted by moderator here - at poster's suggestion.
But I'll re-inset the funny text:
"Checklist? We don't need no stinking Checklist!"
Blazing Saddles is both a goldmine, and minefield!

Radost · Feb 23, 2023

Just buy a Minolta CLE and have Scott Nielsen service it.
It’s a better viewfinder and better build.
You can buy 7-8 Minolta CLE for the price of a Leica m6.
If I ever buy a M Leica “otheir than CL”it would be a 20th century one,
It’s obvious the Germans are not their best in the 21st century.

The New Leitz - Wetzlar Leica M6 (and the dreaded film scratching issue)

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