M6 black paint blistering.

[Austinite]

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Just received a used M6 from a well known US dealer. it was listed in excellent condition but while the camera looks lightly used the paint is blistered in a number of places including front of top panel, by advance lever and in the rear of the camera.

 

Camera works fine but I feel deceived that these paint flaws were not disclosed. Is this a known problem with the black M6?

[holgerb]

Hi,

M6-Blisters are well-known and about this issue there ar many threads in the german and international forums.

According to this forum, blisters on the cover plate are more severe than on the rear flap, as they are defects in the metallic structure of the cast of the coverplate.

 

Anyway, I wouldn't regard such a camera as "excellent cond." especially, when you paid an "exc. cond.-price"

My M6 has blisters too, but is in perfect working condition (absolute no wear...) therefore I accept the cosmetic problems.

 

Best regards, Holger

[earleygallery]

I think it's due to the top plate being zinc instead of brass like earlier and later models. If you're not happy return it, but you'd have to make sure you buy a camera with brass plates instead.

[bill]

Google "M6 zinkfass" for more info - this is a known issue.

 

Regards,

 

Bill

[jaapv]

-Zinkfrass Leica- googles better

[tobey bilek]

Impure zinc casting material will do this over time. Leica said at the time special precautions were made to get pure alloy that would not do this. They failed on some occasions. It is an internal breakdown of the metal over time and there is nothing you can do to stop it exept replace the top. Early M4-P or M4-2 or new MP should fit, You need a brass top which will not have the flat window opening of the M6

 

Both my original early M 6 models which were bought new are fine and look like the day I unboxed them.

[rob_x2004]

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Google zinkfrass minolta and see what you get.

[Xmas]

... Early M4-P or M4-2 or new MP should fit, You need a brass top which will not have the flat window opening of the M6...

 

Well if you were going to do it yourself, I'd be cautious as some of the top plates have had different clearances, between a production runs, in the past.

 

Both my M6 top plate and pressure plate door exterior have lots of blisters, but I did not pay a premium price for it, store put it down to storage in damp case, cause it was a late one and they thought Leica had cured the problems..

[Austinite]

Thanks folks. I sent the camera back for a refund. Funny I could live with a little brassing but the blisters really turned me off.