Jump to content

Chicken Pox


Joachim123

Recommended Posts

Sometime during the late M4P run, Leica switched from brass stamped and machined parts to cast zinc alloy. If the alloy was not not perfectly pure, the metal would eventually have internal corrosion and disintegrate. They claimed their perfect quality control would prevent this from happening. Leter M4P were advertised as having M6 windows like it was a new "feature."

 

Had I realized pot metal tops, I would never had bought two M6`s when they first came out. I did get lucky as mine are ok. So are the tops on my R6`s and R7`s . I have never heard of a problem with R`s.

 

If Leica were a real company, the tops would be replaced to current owners free of charge for an obvious manufacturing defect.

 

The windows were flush to the top as compared to previos m`s and later M`s when they went back to brass. Looking at the cameras, it is easy to identify zinc tops because of the flush windows.

 

My guess is if you do not have a corrosion problem by now, they are ok. If they have spots, there is no cure short of a new top.

Link to post
Share on other sites

I have never heard of a problem with R`s.

 

You have now, with the R4-7 body. It isnt as serious as some of the M6 that had the full blown zincfrauss?sp? white pox, but it is still there. Along with the thick paint crazing in the mirrorbox is just another example alluding to steriotypical innuendo that suggests germans arent good with metals selections, paint or glues. As far as I am aware, Minolta never served these problems up to their customers. I dont think the corrosion unsettled the primitive electronics.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Alice, it depends on the batch of metal. In all likehood, the metal on the back was a different batch and the problem will not migrate.

 

I have two M6, Two R6, two R6.2,, two R7 and none have the problem. I have seen it on model railroad car trucks where they simply self destructed.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...