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Help! Is there any problem with my Leica MP?


killwh213

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I bought a second-hand Leica MP yesterday. I found the white point for the light meter is not so nice when I bought, but the seller said it was ok. After I buying it I felt upset. Is it normal that there is a black line on the white?

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I bought a second-hand Leica MP yesterday. I found the white point for the light meter is not so nice when I bought, but the seller said it was ok. After I buying it I felt upset. Is it normal that there is a black line on the white?

 

don't worry. that's normal and doesn't affect the light-metering (thats what the white point is for) at all.

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I bought a second-hand Leica MP yesterday. I found the white point for the light meter is not so nice when I bought, but the seller said it was ok. After I buying it I felt upset. Is it normal that there is a black line on the white?

 

It says in the user manual:

 

"The uneven coverage of the white paint is not the

result of faults in production. Rather, it is due to

the fact that it is not possible to apply a sealed,

thick coat of paint to the flexible rubber blanket

of the shutter without impairing the shutter

function. The uneven structure of the metering

spot in no way impairs the exposure result."

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don't worry. that's normal and doesn't affect the light-metering (thats what the white point is for) at all.

 

Today I went to see another M6, the white point is much clearer than this one. I know the white point is not supposed to be very flat, but the black line circled in red is too obvious, so I'm worried about it. Is it really normal and doesn't affect the light-metering? Sorry, I'm just confirming. Thanks!

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Welcome to the forum!

 

I don't think that will affect the metering at all. Provided the paint is not actually peeling off, I'd ignore it (maybe until it gets sent back to Solms for a CLA, at which time it could be fixed)

 

Run a C41 test film through, have it processed in an hour, and see what you think.

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Today I went to see another M6, the white point is much clearer than this one. I know the white point is not supposed to be very flat, but the black line circled in red is too obvious, so I'm worried about it. Is it really normal and doesn't affect the light-metering? Sorry, I'm just confirming. Thanks!

 

the white point in my mp looked exactly (!) like yours when i bought it new from leica.

didn't have any metering problems at all. it's looks different now because i had to have the shutter-curtains changed (burning hole from sun).

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Run a C41 test film through, have it processed in an hour, and see what you think.

 

 

That's about the most useless test one can do. A 1hour lab will auto correct images so even a 2 stops unerexposed negative will come out auto-corrected and printed on bad pearl paper.

 

My take on this is simple: The 50% faint line represents about 1/50th of the whole white surface. So this logically represents a 1/100th of a stop difference.

 

But yeah, if it's starting to flake, then by all means send it to Leica with the expectation that it should be fixed for free as this should never happen.

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Yes but a negative, by definition, is the worst medium to use for testing.

 

Slide film exclusively.

Spectometer is also a great, but not necessary for such trivial example. Never use negative color film. Just wrong... I thought this was comon knowledge, especially in a Leica forum.

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If you have only a limited time to return a used camera (7 days is not uncommon) you may not have the option of using a slide film as your test film.

 

Not everyone has access to a pro lab where E6 can be processed in a couple of hours. I don't any more, and I work in the largest city in the North of England.

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Yes but a negative, by definition, is the worst medium to use for testing.

 

Slide film exclusively.

Spectometer is also a great, but not necessary for such trivial example. Never use negative color film. Just wrong... I thought this was comon knowledge, especially in a Leica forum.

 

Well I dont want to start an arguement, but although reversal film has less 'laltitude' for incorrect exposure, and thus would be better if there was a choice, quick processing is less easily available nowadays than with neg film. During 40 years as a pro I never had any problem assessing 'correct' exposure from the highlight and shadow detail evident in a negative.

 

Gerry

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If you have only a limited time to return a used camera (7 days is not uncommon) you may not have the option of using a slide film as your test film.

 

Not everyone has access to a pro lab where E6 can be processed in a couple of hours. I don't any more, and I work in the largest city in the North of England.

 

 

Well, there is comon sense. Any slightly experienced photographer will know this faint line represents a 1/50th to 1/100th stop difference. Since it is a known fact that the eye can't discern a 1/12th of a stop accurately, it is only fair to conclude that no testing at all is needed.

 

I am rather astounded at the rather low knowledge spread around. I was kind of expecting something else in a Leica forum. But hey, that's just me.

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Guest leica_mage
If you have only a limited time to return a used camera (7 days is not uncommon) you may not have the option of using a slide film as your test film.

If you really want to determine whether "1/50th of the whole white surface [of the white spot] [...], represent[ing] a 1/100th of a stop difference" affects your photos, you have no other option but to use slide film.

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Well I dont want to start an arguement, but although reversal film has less 'laltitude' for incorrect exposure, and thus would be better if there was a choice, quick processing is less easily available nowadays than with neg film. During 40 years as a pro I never had any problem assessing 'correct' exposure from the highlight and shadow detail evident in a negative.

 

Gerry

 

Reversal's low lattitude is exactly what you want because only this low lattitude will reveal the slightest exposure difference while it will be lost in a negative. 1/4th of a stop jumps at you on reverasl film while it easily gets lost on a negative... And judging a color negative by the eye is almost impossible. The Brain can't computenegative colors and tonalities with so many variables. B&W yes, color, no.

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Well, there is comon sense. Any slightly experienced photographer will know this faint line represents a 1/50th to 1/100th stop difference. Since it is a known fact that the eye can't discern a 1/12th of a stop accurately, it is only fair to conclude that no testing at all is needed..

 

That's what I said in my first post on this thread.

 

We don't know the OP's experience, so shouldn't pre-judge on that point.

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That's what I said in my first post on this thread.

 

We don't know the OP's experience, so shouldn't pre-judge on that point.

 

......and nor do we have 'NB23's absolute certainty that his abilities to judge 'correct' exposure are facts rather than products of his own experiences.

I doubt that this will get anywhere politely, so will retire from the fray. :o

 

Gerry

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Guest leica_mage
I doubt that this will get anywhere politely, so will retire from the fray. :o

 

Gerry

Man, if you're obsessed with "politeness", you should become an honourary French citizen and forget frank discussion on a forum discussing Leica.

 

C'mon, guys. Is this a cutting-edge forum or is it powder-puff antics?

 

I vote the former!

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I am rather astounded at the rather low knowledge spread around. I was kind of expecting something else in a Leica forum. But hey, that's just me.

 

We are not worthy.

 

Actually, I'll add a bit to that. All that owning a Leica proves is that you have enough money to buy a Leica. There's no exam to pass and no certificate to award before a dealer will sell you a camera. So there's a full range of expertise available from NB23 at the top end - obviously, to me at the bottom end - sadly.

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