This is maybe sacrelidge

[Nei1]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

this is maybe sacriledge but as Ive often been anoyed at having to use (awkwardly)both thumb and forefinger to change the shutter speed on both M6 and M4-2 Ive started to give envious glances at the M6 ttl and M7.This is a little extravagant and after playing with my now defunct meter am wondering if the dial from a maybe irrepairable meter could be removed and fixed to the original dial.

Sorry if this has been asked before.......Neil.

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!

[stunsworth]

I found it quite easy to change the speed on an M6 just by rolling my index finger along the dial.

[Nei1]

On my cameras it could not be described as easy or reliable,Ive often moved more than one click or not at all,however with the meter in position the shutter speeds become an easy to use silky smooth option.Im sure Ive read somewhere that the dial was made this small so it could be used with the meter,and this is presumably why the M6ttl and M7 have a much larger and more accessible shutter speed dial.

[MPerson]

Maybe it just needs adjustment or a CLA. Have to say - like Steve - my M2 and MP are smooth but with positive click.

 

The MP was a little stiff when new but after a few months it eased off.

[Nei1]

They are both due for a decent CLA ,maybe thats all thats needed,I dont ever remember them being any easier though.Still as they need it anyway...........

The idea of a Heath-Robinson style M6 ttl is a non-starter then?

[jpattison]

How do you plan to fix it? The meter held the wheel in position, and you read the speeds off the meter itself. If you just glued a wheel on top, marking out the speeds would be difficult (as the original speed markings are obscured by the wheel). Just buy a working meter and use that ! or get an M5!

 

John

[rob_x2004]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

.... use (awkwardly)both thumb and forefinger to change the shutter speed.

 

Thats your problem in one line.

Permanently sit your digit on the front of the shutter speed dail and like Steve says. Eventually it will like Andy says.

Throw away anything stupid on your shutter release button like softies, nestle the release button somewhere in the first joint of your index finger and get used to rolling your index finger down to make the release. (You can still change shutter speed while doing this if you need).

Your camera body will be sitting a lot tighter into your palm with a much firmer grip reducing slow shutter speed camera shake.

You can learn the shutter speed notches, and bring up the light meter with everything up to your eye without the need to mess about.

M6/MP is the best layed out camera in the lineup. M7 and M digital users never use them in manual or they would all be complaining about their silly shutter speed dials.

Have fun with it.

Rob

[hoppyman]

I briefly wondered whether you could have the larger dial from the M6TTL or M7 fitted instead. However I suspect that it would not fit your top plate and it does have an additional position for OFF. So I'm pretty sure that is a non-starter. You might consider replacing your camera of course. Leica thought that it was an improvement to have the dial more accessible from the front and that is how it has been for every camera except the MP I guess, since about 1998.

Keep in mind that the dials all turn the opposite way since then, which might take some adjusting. Nothing that can't be learnt of course. I never had any difficulty rotating the larger dial from the front on M6TTL, M7 and newer. I always have a soft release fitted too.

[aesop]

 

...<snip> nestle the release button somewhere in the first joint of your index finger and get used to rolling your index finger down to make the release. (You can still change shutter speed while doing this if you need).

 

 

...this works perfectly for me on my two MPs. Perhaps the OPs camera has not been broken in.

 

It is worth noting that the M6 and MP (and some other film Ms) have one control per parameter. Thus, the camera can be readied without even looking at it - a huge advantage in the preamble prior to firing the shutter. Works a treat when shooting in stealth mode.

[Nei1]

Thanks for the notes detailing how to be ready to both press the release and change the shutter speed,I tried this many years ago and found it slow and imprescise.I dont use a soft release but do need the tip of my index finger on the shutter button to get the moment Im after ,reliably.In my perception of things the dial is too small to be easily worked,it needs to be bigger and nearer to the release,Im not saying it cant be worked just that it is a design compromise left over from the days of the MR meter around which we have all found ways of working,in my case for some 25years!The M5,M6ttl,M7,M8 and 9 all use a sensibly enlarged dial bringing the control of speed nearer to the release and by rights \I should be buying one of those cameras.Unfortunatly in these times of crisis thats not a possibilty and so this "adaption"seems like an interesting option.Ive just seen a dead meter (MR) at DAG for 5 dollars so I might just experiment with this one or similar to see the possibilities a little clearer,..........thanks again...Neil:)