Frame problem

[pendevour]

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My M6 has developed a problem in that the only bright frame visible is the 35mm. No matter what lens I put on, the frame stays 35mm. The lever works and the metal tab just inside the body opening moves but the frames don't change. Has anyone else come across this problem?

My favourite lens is 35mm (and I hardly ever use anything else) but it would be nice to have it working properly.

[doubice]

The 35mm frame is the ‘default’ position of the frame selector mechanism. If you only use a 35mm lens, the finder frames have no chance to move at all and are probably sticking in the default position.

 

If the lens mount actuating tab is moving when you move the frame selector lever, the sticking is happening between the tab and the finder. My quick and dirty over-the-net diagnosis is that the frame mechanism inside the viewfinder needs cleaning.

 

The M6 finder should display the 135mm frame along with the one for the 35mm (unless the finder has been modified or if it has 0.58 magnification). Can you see the 135mm frame?

 

Best,

 

Jan

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[pendevour]

The 35mm frame is the ‘default’ position of the frame selector mechanism. If you only use a 35mm lens, the finder frames have no chance to move at all and are probably sticking in the default position.

 

If the lens mount actuating tab is moving when you move the frame selector lever, the sticking is happening between the tab and the finder. My quick and dirty over-the-net diagnosis is that the frame mechanism inside the viewfinder needs cleaning.

 

The M6 finder should display the 135mm frame along with the one for the 35mm (unless the finder has been modified or if it has 0.58 magnification). Can you see the 135mm frame?

 

Best,

 

Jan

Thanks Jan. Yes the 135mm frame is also visible, I should have said. Your suggestion of the possible need for cleaning is a good one and another source suggests the same thing. The camera has been idle for quite some time so maybe some oils have thickened, what do you think?

[doubice]

Thanks Jan. Yes the 135mm frame is also visible, I should have said. Your suggestion of the possible need for cleaning is a good one and another source suggests the same thing. The camera has been idle for quite some time so maybe some oils have thickened, what do you think?

 

Yes, cleaning is probably in order. I have to say though, that my M6 (1st generation Wetzlar version) never missed a beat and has never been opened/cleaned/adjusted. I have never had a problem with the frame selector mechanism on any of the M's I own or have owned in the past.

 

Another posibility is that something is just stuck in finder frame mechanism and a sharp slap of the camera body against the palm of one's hand may free it up (not too sharp a slap though... ). The focusing mechanism moves the frames as well, to adjust for parallax - try taking the lens off and move the RF arm/wheel by hand back and forth. Multiple movement back and forth may loosen whatever is stuck.

 

Otherwise, a trip to the hospital will be necessary. Should not be too drastic - top plate is off in 5 minutes and the frame masks become immediately accessible. If your M6 is like mine, it will probably benefit from inner glass cleaning anyway....

 

Best,

 

Jan

[pendevour]

Yes, cleaning is probably in order. I have to say though, that my M6 (1st generation Wetzlar version) never missed a beat and has never been opened/cleaned/adjusted. I have never had a problem with the frame selector mechanism on any of the M's I own or have owned in the past.

 

Another posibility is that something is just stuck in finder frame mechanism and a sharp slap of the camera body against the palm of one's hand may free it up (not too sharp a slap though... ). The focusing mechanism moves the frames as well, to adjust for parallax - try taking the lens off and move the RF arm/wheel by hand back and forth. Multiple movement back and forth may loosen whatever is stuck.

 

Otherwise, a trip to the hospital will be necessary. Should not be too drastic - top plate is off in 5 minutes and the frame masks become immediately accessible. If your M6 is like mine, it will probably benefit from inner glass cleaning anyway....

 

Best,

 

Jan

I'll try that Jan. The M6 is 12 years old and I doubt if it's had more than a couple of films through it as it's in absolutely MINT condition - not a scratch, not a rub, crystal clear viewfinder, the plastic protector is still stuck on the base-plate; and that's why I think it could be a problem due to lack of use - "use it or lose it". If all else fails I'll get it CLA'd.

Thanks for your valuable input - very much appreciated.

 

Arfon

[Shootist]

Sounds more like the tab inside the lens mount is bent so as the lens mount does not contact it. I say this because you say the frame lines work when you move the frame selector lever and you can see the arm/tab inside the lens mount on the camera move when you move the frame selector lever.

 

This could happen if you mounted a lens improperly.

[pendevour]

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No shootist - the frames don't move when the lever is moved. I've checked that the 35mm frame adjusts for parallax correction during focussing and it does, so maybe that's good news?

Therefore what isn't happening is the appearance of the other frames.

[Shootist]

No shootist - the frames don't move when the lever is moved. I've checked that the 35mm frame adjusts for parallax correction during focussing and it does, so maybe that's good news?

Therefore what isn't happening is the appearance of the other frames.

 

Oh Sorry I miss read your original post.

Yes time for a CLA.