Triple7 Posted October 21, 2007 Share #1 Posted October 21, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hello to all! I'm new here. It's my first post in Leica forum. After 2 years I kept my M6 at home in the box, I took it out and I found out it has rust (corrosion) on the top and a little on the back. Do you know if it is normal? I post some photos, if somebody can give some opinions on what should I do to solve the problem. I also found out that the photo counter, when we open the back to reload the film doesn't reset. I have to manually touch that "small part" (sorry, don't know the name in english) in the bottom to reset manually. Thanks in advance and best regards Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/36247-rust-corrosion-on-m6/?do=findComment&comment=381829'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 21, 2007 Posted October 21, 2007 Hi Triple7, Take a look here Rust - Corrosion on M6. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Guest s.m.e.p. Posted October 21, 2007 Share #2 Posted October 21, 2007 This is "Zinkfrass" a problem of the M6 classic. You will find some threads if you search for "Zinkfrass". Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob_x2004 Posted October 21, 2007 Share #3 Posted October 21, 2007 Ouch! Welcome to the forum. I think I would be sending it back to Leica for a repair quote. If it is like this outside I am not sure how the electrics would be faring inside, or any of the moving parts. Might be a hefty bill though if you decide the camera warrants it. Once again, welcome to the forum. Hopefully someone else has better advice. Regards Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubice Posted October 21, 2007 Share #4 Posted October 21, 2007 Elio, I see that you are in Lisbon - are you close to the ocean? Is it very humid where the camera is stored? I bought my M6 in 1986 and it does not suffer from the same problem. Mind you - storing the camera in a box and probably also in plastic (?) did not help your M6. Apart from the fact that Leicas should be used, if you have to store it, do not store it in a box or case - just like people, Leicas have to breathe.. The top plates of the M6 were made from a zinc casting, which was not a good choice. All previous cameras, as well as the MP and M7 have brass top plates which do not suffer from this. Many old toys also suffer from the Zinkfraß (also known as Zinkfrass or Zinkpest) - Märklin, Lionel, Bing and many others. Best, Jan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Bernd Banken Posted October 21, 2007 Share #5 Posted October 21, 2007 Elio, as smep explained it's a reaction between the covermaterial (zinc) and the galvanized black (chrome)? layer. The M6 is known for this behavior. For me it seems that in the hot shoe area is some slight corrosion? Never put cameras in the leatherhoods for a longer time as the lenses to avoid fungus. Regards Bernd Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Confusion Circle Posted October 21, 2007 Share #6 Posted October 21, 2007 Is this a potential problem with titanium M6's too? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triple7 Posted October 22, 2007 Author Share #7 Posted October 22, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi to all! Thanks for the posts. I live near Lisbon, exactly where I live it's not a humid place. My home has no humidity and where the camera was kept was completely dry. And, for curiosity, I also have Märklin trains (since around 1930) in the same house and never happened this "Zinkfrass"! Since Leica knows this problem in some models like you tell, was not correct from their part to substitute the parts? In auto industry, aviation, electronics...etc,etc... Every good and responsible brand does this... My Leica M6 was not cheap ah.. The price I paid for it new was heavy... Best Regards from Lisbon Elio Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruiespanhol Posted October 22, 2007 Share #8 Posted October 22, 2007 Hi to all! Thanks for the posts. I live near Lisbon, exactly where I live it's not a humid place. My home has no humidity and where the camera was kept was completely dry. And, for curiosity, I also have Märklin trains (since around 1930) in the same house and never happened this "Zinkfrass"! Since Leica knows this problem in some models like you tell, was not correct from their part to substitute the parts? In auto industry, aviation, electronics...etc,etc... Every good and responsible brand does this... My Leica M6 was not cheap ah.. The price I paid for it new was heavy... Best Regards from Lisbon Elio Helio, I´m Portuguese too! Well I think you need to replace the top cover of your M6. Goes to ComercialFoto and talk whit Mr.Angelo Nunes and explain your problem. ComercialFoto send the camera to Solms and if they see they are one problem of construction of your camera not store in humid place they replace the top cover free of charge. In 2002 I have one problem whit my 28-70 Vario-Elmar whit diaphgram failure it was out of warranty and Leica replace the lenses for new one. Best luck Rui PS:Se precisares de alguma ajuda estou ao dispor no meu email. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest s.m.e.p. Posted October 22, 2007 Share #9 Posted October 22, 2007 My Leica M6 was not cheap ah.. The price I paid for it new was heavy... Elio, send an e-mail to the Leica Customer Service and attach the pictures. They always try to find a good solution! Regards, Stefan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest user8952 Posted October 22, 2007 Share #10 Posted October 22, 2007 Do you know if it is normal? I'm shocked! In the german forum we always made fun about the "Zinkfraß"-phenomenon. But the camera in your pictures really looks awfull. I agree with Stefan: Send the pics to Leica's CS and tell us their reply... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moritz Posted October 22, 2007 Share #11 Posted October 22, 2007 Hello Elio, you seem to have one of the rare M-1,4/35 Aspherical lenses on your Leica M6. Hopefully it does not have fungus inside after all. Check with a strong flashlight. What a pity! Regards Moritz Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triple7 Posted October 23, 2007 Author Share #12 Posted October 23, 2007 Thanks for the help to all! Thanks Rui, I will send an email to Comercialfoto, the Leica Service in Portugal and explain the situation. The lens shown it's the first 35mm 1.4 Aspherical, Moritz. One of the best lenses I already had! Without Fungus! Best Regards Élio Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triple7 Posted October 29, 2007 Author Share #13 Posted October 29, 2007 Hi all! For those interested, I contacted the Leica Service in Portugal and after the Leica Service directly in Solms. Leica in Portugal couldn't tell me nothing, they would just send the camera to the factory. Solms told me to directly send the camera to them with the leather case. After some exchange of emails, I sent some pictures of the camera with the bubbles and the leatherhood. Almost 100% sure the bubbles in the camera the "zinkfrass" we talked before came from this. After several tries to ask an estimation of the costs to exchange the parts in Solms, I just could get an answer: "will perhaps not go below 500euros..." ... it's out of warranty! My camera has 11 years, I bought it wih the original leather case to store it more conveniently... now after this time... I contact Leica... they know about this problem of the M6's... and even tell me it's not less perhaps than 500euros to change the top plate... Incredible... Better to keep my awfull Leica like this... Thanks to all EM Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rolo Posted October 29, 2007 Share #14 Posted October 29, 2007 Can I suggest you contact an expert Leica repairer: - Peter Grisaffi CRR LUTON - Leica Repairs 5 DOWNVIEW 751 DUNSTABLE ROAD LUTON LU4 0HP ENGLAND +44 1582 570395 I'm sure he will have a cheaper, alternative solution for you. Rolo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tummydoc Posted October 29, 2007 Share #15 Posted October 29, 2007 There are only two solutions, replace the top-place or strip and re-plate it. The latter is by far the more complicated and expensive, if you can even find someone to do it. This is a well-known problem and AFAIK Leica is no longer sorting it as a good-will gesture. Most of the affected M6s were in the 177xxxx-178xxxx range, it's odd to see one that late with the zinc-related blistering. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_newell Posted October 29, 2007 Share #16 Posted October 29, 2007 Are we sure the leather case was responsible? I have seen zinc M and R bodies stored in leather cases before and never seen this develop (and certainly never this badly). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubice Posted October 29, 2007 Share #17 Posted October 29, 2007 Elio, Quite often you can find used or nearly new top plates for M Leicas - either on eBay or, from various repair shops. I am not sure if you wanted to 'bastardise' your M6 but, top plates from the M4, M4-2 and M4-P should fit your M6. Leica M4 had two flash outlets on the back and did not have a hot shoe - this would have to be addressed if you went this route. The M4-2 and M4-P plates would have used Zinc as well but, if not corroded by now, will probably stay healthy for a long time. Here is a link to one of those parts suppliers (and a superb Leica craftsman as well....). Leica M Most of these zinc 'rust' problems are from storing the camera in an unventilated environment. Storing in the original case has probably not been such a good idea. My M6 is from the first production year, 'lives' close to the ocean, travelled many an ocean and only has one tiny bubble. It was never stored in a case. As a matter of fact, it was never carried in a case either and that is why it looks as if pulled out of a hungry dog's mouth... Good luck, Jan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruiespanhol Posted October 29, 2007 Share #18 Posted October 29, 2007 Hi all! For those interested, I contacted the Leica Service in Portugal and after the Leica Service directly in Solms. Leica in Portugal couldn't tell me nothing, they would just send the camera to the factory. Solms told me to directly send the camera to them with the leather case. After some exchange of emails, I sent some pictures of the camera with the bubbles and the leatherhood. Almost 100% sure the bubbles in the camera the "zinkfrass" we talked before came from this. After several tries to ask an estimation of the costs to exchange the parts in Solms, I just could get an answer: "will perhaps not go below 500euros..." ... it's out of warranty! My camera has 11 years, I bought it wih the original leather case to store it more conveniently... now after this time... I contact Leica... they know about this problem of the M6's... and even tell me it's not less perhaps than 500euros to change the top plate... Incredible... Better to keep my awfull Leica like this... Thanks to all EM Elio, It was bad news you tell here. However try Ebay for search one top cover. Sometimes they apear these parts for sell there. Try first US Ebay. Best luck. Regards, Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triple7 Posted November 2, 2007 Author Share #19 Posted November 2, 2007 Hi again Thanks to all for the opinions! Thanks Rolo for the Leica repairer. Don't you know his email? (If it has?..) Thanks Jan for the shop, I will take a look. And Rui, thanks anyway... we need in Portugal a Leica repairer... or perhaps there is one... I will take a look on ebay. Best Regards EM Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubice Posted November 2, 2007 Share #20 Posted November 2, 2007 Elio, Here is another list of Leica repair facilities, this time worldwide. Includes links to email addresses as well. Leica FAQ - Where can I get Leica repairs done? Good luck, Jan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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