rirakuma Posted June 17, 2014 Share #1 Posted June 17, 2014 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi guys I've been wanting to get into film for a while and I have just bought myself a beater M6. The seller stated its in excellent condition and has offered a return policy if things are not swell. First of all its a beater M6, the viewfinder has powder spots which I believe I can clean if I take the top plate off and there are dings and scratches on the body. I have a few technical questions which I have tried googling but have not found any answer. The thing I'm most concerned about is that there is white residue on the shutter curtain when I advance the lever. I have attached a series of image to show the cameras condition and I'm wondering if this is something I should be concerned about. I have a strong feeling its just oxide residue from the chipped paint but will it affect my images and could it be problematic in the future? The shutter seems to be fine but I have not done a conclusive test. I'm planning to shoot my first roll but before I get into it I thought it would be a good idea to ask the regulars here for advice. I'm really just looking for a user camera, I don't care that the viewfinder is dirty (it works fine but the patch is not as clear as my new M) but I'd hate for it to end up being defective in the near future. This is a minor question but for the titanium M6 owners does the leatherette look original? I greatly appreciate any advice I can get and thank you in advance Rocky 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! Edited June 17, 2014 by rirakuma Quote 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/229025-my-first-film-beater-m6-with-potential-problems/?do=findComment&comment=2612520'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 17, 2014 Posted June 17, 2014 Hi rirakuma, Take a look here My first film, beater M6 with potential problems?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
rirakuma Posted June 17, 2014 Author Share #2 Posted June 17, 2014 Remaining images 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! Quote 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/229025-my-first-film-beater-m6-with-potential-problems/?do=findComment&comment=2612527'>More sharing options...
250swb Posted June 17, 2014 Share #3 Posted June 17, 2014 That's a lot of corrosion, and it looks like that is the cause of the dust in the viewfinder. As that is unlikely to have got behind the glass from the baseplate or outer body you might want to consider it is from the internal mechanisms like shutter or rangefinder. I don't like the look of the straight line (with the residue of corrosion) on the shutter curtain, it can be a sign of it going thin, but I've seen worse and they have been OK. It looks to me like the camera has been stored in a cold damp place for a long time, or been dunked in seawater and not properly dried. I think if it works on all speeds it still needs a good cleanout to get rid of the white powder. Steve 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgk Posted June 17, 2014 Share #4 Posted June 17, 2014 I have a strong feeling its just oxide residue from the chipped paint but will it affect my images and could it be problematic in the future? The question that you have to ask is why there is 'oxide' residue and to me this looks like corrosion caused by damp conditions or storing the camera for a long time after its been wet. Obviously it hasn't done the camera any good but what you really need to consider is whether you can stop it getting worse. If its simply damp then thorough drying and storing it in a dry place should stop further deterioration. BUT what I would be concerned about myself is that it might just be caused by saltwater. Looking at the photos, corrosion like this is typically caused by saltwater - and if so it will continue to progress unless you remove all traces of salt (ie a full CLA with the emphasis on the C(lean). Not wanting to be depressing but I've enough experience of saltwater damage to realise that it is really problematic once its got a hold. I just picked up a 'beater' M4-P for not very much at all and in far better condition than the camera in your photos. If you paid very little for it then its worth keeping and trying to clean, but there are always other bargains out there to be found. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB_tx Posted June 17, 2014 Share #5 Posted June 17, 2014 I agree. Could be humid storage conditions, but the corrosion spots on the bare aluminum film rails suggest saline or other corrosive moisture. (Could be sweat drops, not immersion.) My M6 was damaged by corrosion from battery leakage, that also affected the curtain brake mechanism and required parts replacement. The meter battery is just in front of the curtain rollers, and such leakage might explain the line on the shutter curtain. Look carefully in the battery compartment for signs of leakage there. If it were mine I'd count on a CLA from a good tech in the near future. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rirakuma Posted June 17, 2014 Author Share #6 Posted June 17, 2014 Thank you for all the responses guys. I bought it for much cheaper than the market price but after CLA I believe I'd be paying what the usual price would be for an M6 titanium in "good" condition. Just a question about immersion in seawater, wouldn't this wet the shutter causing it to be very inaccurate?(seems to be working good at the moment). I assumed the white residue is corrosion because there's paint chips on some of the metal. Do you guys think that the camera will be very problematic in the future? I'm planning to take care of it very well and the main thing I'm concerned about is whether the shutter will have any light leak problems. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ansel_Adams Posted June 17, 2014 Share #7 Posted June 17, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) That camera has been in water at some point. I would send it back as I imagine certain parts will be beyond repair and necessitate costly replacements... p.s. camera leather is authentic for that model but again has shrunk after being immersed in water. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rirakuma Posted June 17, 2014 Author Share #8 Posted June 17, 2014 That camera has been in water at some point. I would send it back as I imagine certain parts will be beyond repair and necessitate costly replacements... p.s. camera leather is authentic for that model but again has shrunk after being immersed in water. That makes a lot more sense. Its unfortunate but in the short time I've had this camera I'm feeling very attached and I'd hate to see it go. I'll see if I can work out some kind of deal with the seller,it seems mechanically fine but maybe I'm just being hopeful. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted June 17, 2014 Share #9 Posted June 17, 2014 No need to panic. You sound like you are capable of taking the top off, that would be my choice. If the rangefinder is accurate along with the shutter speeds, and everything works smoothly enough, just give it a good clean and blow some compressed air through the mechanism to shift the powder. Some fine sandpaper will remove the worst corrosion and painting some clear lacquer/varnish or black paint over the corroded areas will seal them from further moisture attack. It won't matter much about the film rails as you will be constantly polishing them with film, won't you. Get rid of the leather if you don't like it but I'd be tempted to keep it as a beater, but a perfect working beater. Steve 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leica Fanatic Posted June 17, 2014 Share #10 Posted June 17, 2014 Just to add my bit, it does indeed look like alloy corrosion which (as the owner of an old alloy framed motorbike), is easy to get rid of but a nightmare to stop coming back. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rirakuma Posted June 17, 2014 Author Share #11 Posted June 17, 2014 Thank you very much for all the advice guys. Steve, I really want to keep this camera so I'm glad to hear some words of encouragement. I don't have the tools to take the camera off but if I do end up keeping the cam I'll buy the clamps to remove the top plate and give it a clean. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalArts 99 Posted June 18, 2014 Share #12 Posted June 18, 2014 Assuming you got a really good deal on it, I'd just use it and get your money's worth out of it by pumping a lot film through it and making photographs. There's always an advantage in having a beater camera. You might feel more prone to using it in adverse conditions, or places that might be sketchy. Not worrying about the camera can be a good thing and even help make you more productive with it. Try out a few rolls and if everything works okay (including the meter, of course) then clean it up a bit and keep using it. And then after time, you can consider getting a full service and get it looking nice once again. In the meantime, you'll no doubt have gotten your money out of it by productively using it. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgk Posted June 18, 2014 Share #13 Posted June 18, 2014 That makes a lot more sense. Its unfortunate but in the short time I've had this camera I'm feeling very attached and I'd hate to see it go. I'll see if I can work out some kind of deal with the seller,it seems mechanically fine but maybe I'm just being hopeful. I can understand this. I don't like giving up on gear myself. Head over heart - send it back unless it was very cheap. Otherwise you could keep it and perhaps do it up over time - I have a black chrome 'beater' M4, dented, scratched, rough as can be but working well (we suspect its one of a batch used for cruise ship photography so its worked VERY hard during its life - goodness knows how many exposures its taken). Its away being refurbished (and has been for a long time) and during this time I've acquired various spares for its refurbishment (such as a 'robbed out' MD-2 body which will yield a donor bodyshell (though it needs drilling for the frame selector). Its more of a project than anything else but eventually I should end up with a fully working, if not immaculate, black chrome M4, 30 years after I last owned one. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
semi-ambivalent Posted June 18, 2014 Share #14 Posted June 18, 2014 I agree with the opinion of saltwater corrosion. I find the seemingly even shrinkage of the leather very worrisome; points to long-term storage in very damp/wet conditions. You're really attached to this camera but maybe you're just attached to this model of camera and any other M6 will quickly become the favorite. I'd send it back and get another elsewhere unless the price was so low that you can open it up and see the worst possible repair $ situation. Press the seller hard for a new price. Otherwise, return it and move on. Good luck, s-a 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
semi-ambivalent Posted June 18, 2014 Share #15 Posted June 18, 2014 Let me add this: Looking at the images again, I'd say that thing looks like it was not just damp but immersed at some point. And why is there such scoring on the pressure plate? And why is the scoring not straight but an arc? Return it. s-a 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick_S Posted June 18, 2014 Share #16 Posted June 18, 2014 (edited) It looks like salt water ingress to me. I would send it back, or get a technician to look and see if it is economical to service the camera at the very least. Nick Edited June 18, 2014 by Nick_S 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rirakuma Posted June 18, 2014 Author Share #17 Posted June 18, 2014 I spoke with the seller and we both agreed on a new price. It wasn't "cheap" but I can comfortably put that money into a good CLA. Thank you again for all the advice, its time to load my first roll and I'm finally going out to shoot tomorrow 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ansel_Adams Posted June 18, 2014 Share #18 Posted June 18, 2014 I spoke with the seller and we both agreed on a new price. It wasn't "cheap" but I can comfortably put that money into a good CLA. Thank you again for all the advice, its time to load my first roll and I'm finally going out to shoot tomorrow I fear you are wasting your money. With the price of a new shutter alone could buy a nice M6 second hand. And looking at those pics the shutter curtain looks knackered. Its cloth. Not meant to be submersed in water. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
too old to care Posted June 18, 2014 Share #19 Posted June 18, 2014 My first beater was a Petri Racer. That camera went over the side of a canoe twice in its life. After each dunking the camera was taken apart and cleaned with little permanent affects on its operation. Since you have decided to keep it, I hope you enjoy it as many years as I enjoyed my Petri. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted June 18, 2014 Share #20 Posted June 18, 2014 Its cloth. Not meant to be submersed in water. Rubberised cloth. What do people use rubber for? For the sake of running a film through this camera you are very quick to judge it. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.