M6TTL service?

[Ariston]

My M6ttl is now getting on for 9 years old. Everything is working OK, no major issues. However it has never, to my knowledge, been serviced (I didn't buy it new, but have had it for 3 years). It only gets about 15-20 rolls of film put through per year. Do you tend to get your cameras serviced at regular intervals or only if there's a problem?

[budrichard]

If not in use for a while, remove the batteries, store in dry, temperate environment with no problems. The mechanics will not suffer, maybe run through the shutter speeds every month or so, electronics will be OK and removing the batteries avoids any corrosion problems in the battery compartment.
I only have my M's serviced if broke.
Note: If working as a Professional where equipment MUST work and is heavily used is where periodic servicing in needed.-Dick

[earleygallery]

I go on the basis 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it'

I've had my lllf for about 24yrs now, it must have been serviced at some point but not since I've had it. It does get fairly regular use however, which keeps everything running ok.

[gyoung]

Originally Posted by Ariston

My M6ttl is now getting on for 9 years old. Everything is working OK, no major issues. However it has never, to my knowledge, been serviced (I didn't buy it new, but have had it for 3 years). It only gets about 15-20 rolls of film put through per year. Do you tend to get your cameras serviced at regular intervals or only if there's a problem?

My M3 started sounding 'dry' (the shutter lubricant dries out) after about 17 years, I had it serviced after 21 years when a shutter curtain broke, its been going at least 10 years now since the second shutter curtain got sticky and had to be replaced and is 40 years old now and still in regular use. I think your M is good for a few years yet unless you keep it in a warm place (not much danger in the UK!)
One symptom of the M3 shutter drying out was an increase in the top shutter speeds, from memory the 1/1000 got up to the point where it was underexposing a bit, something like a 1/1250 apparently although I didnt really notice.

Gerry

[doubice]

I would follow James’ recommendation - if it ain't broke, don't fix it (a bit of 'American English' from our British member? ). I bought my M6 new in 1986, immediately after its introduction. During the first 15 years of its life it averaged about 50 rolls per year, travelled with me to Central and South America, Europe, wilderness of the Canadian Northwest, spent lots of time in a saddle bag while on horseback and guess what - it is still purring away.

The finder is getting a little foggy (common on early M6’s) but, apart from a few battle scars it runs like new. Of course I cannot attest to the shutter’s absolute accuracy but, judging by the exposures, it is fine. Even the slow speed timer and its escapement mechanism still runs well and can be heard at speeds below 1/30s. Having used M’s since mid-60’s, I have developed an ‘ear’ for a healthy sounding Leica shutter and this specimen is working fine, after over 20 years of a ‘relatively’ hard life.

Best,

Jan

[Ariston]

Many thanks for the advice guys, I'll wait at least a few years before I think about servicing. Actually I have a Leica IIIc which I inherited from my Dad, which he picked up in Berlin at the end of the war, secondhand, and which has not been serviced, although I know it needs it. Last time I used it was in the 1980's and it had a few pinholes in the shutter curtain, Unfortunately with my poor eyesight it's too hard to keep using it and my kids have not shown much enthusiasm thus far.