macchiato Posted April 22, 2012 Share #1 Posted April 22, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi all, just got my M6 classic not long ago. I have a problem when I point my M6 to something very bright, let's say while I am shooting a bright scene under sunny day, I barely can see the "red arrow" light meter indicator. Shooting indoor I have no problem, as the ambient is dimmer and thus the viewfinder also darker. Is this normal? Or the battery is dying? I shot 3 rolls so far, all came out exposed accurately, no sign of meter battery dying... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted April 22, 2012 Posted April 22, 2012 Hi macchiato, Take a look here M6 classic meter "red arrow" indicator. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
TomB_tx Posted April 22, 2012 Share #2 Posted April 22, 2012 The LEDs do dim as batteries run down, and how fast depends on the type of battery (alkaline are worst). I carry a spare pair on a small pouch on the strap, since if you leave the film wound any pressure on the shutter release while the camera is stored will turn the meter on and deplete the battery. Try a battery change and see if there is a difference. If not, keep the new one as a spare. However, LEDs are indeed best in dimmer light. I don't use sunglasses when photographing for that reason. Some cameras (like the Pentax LX) use a combination of LED and needle (or flag) in the finder, and are very hard to use in BOTH extreme lighting conditions. I find the M6 meter better over a wider range of conditions to any other that I've tried. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
willwright Posted April 22, 2012 Share #3 Posted April 22, 2012 the original instruction book solution to this problem is to slide the edge of your left index finger up to the bottom of the finder window. This will darken or shadow the bottom edge of the finder frame and your arrows will be visible...really! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
macchiato Posted April 23, 2012 Author Share #4 Posted April 23, 2012 The LEDs do dim as batteries run down, and how fast depends on the type of battery (alkaline are worst). I carry a spare pair on a small pouch on the strap, since if you leave the film wound any pressure on the shutter release while the camera is stored will turn the meter on and deplete the battery. Try a battery change and see if there is a difference. If not, keep the new one as a spare.However, LEDs are indeed best in dimmer light. I don't use sunglasses when photographing for that reason. Some cameras (like the Pentax LX) use a combination of LED and needle (or flag) in the finder, and are very hard to use in BOTH extreme lighting conditions. I find the M6 meter better over a wider range of conditions to any other that I've tried. I couldn't find any 3v lithium battery nor 1.55v silver oxide cell in my town. However one of my friend told me M6 actually takes 2 x of 1.5v LR 44 alkaline battery, I do not know would the meter still be accurate by using LR44. Given I have no choice, might slot it 2 x LR44 and check whether the meter will become brighter or not. the original instruction book solution to this problem is to slide the edge of your left index finger up to the bottom of the finder window. This will darken or shadow the bottom edge of the finder frame and your arrows will be visible...really! Thanks for the suggestion, I think this might work as an "instant" solution! never thought of that before, haha, thank you! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
too old to care Posted April 23, 2012 Share #5 Posted April 23, 2012 I don't have any trouble seeing my LEDs (M6TTL) in bright sun. I do not know if the classic is different or not. I have been using a pair of 357/303 (1.5 volt Energizer silver oxide battery) for years, ever since the first battery died. I believe the owner's manual also recommends this in place of a single 3 volt battery. I get about 6 months to a year off of them, so I keep a spare set with me. I have not had much luck with alkaline though, sometimes they only last a few weeks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbretteville Posted April 25, 2012 Share #6 Posted April 25, 2012 I couldn't find any 3v lithium battery nor 1.55v silver oxide cell in my town. However one of my friend told me M6 actually takes 2 x of 1.5v LR 44 alkaline battery, I do not know would the meter still be accurate by using LR44. Given I have no choice, might slot it 2 x LR44 and check whether the meter will become brighter or not. I have ordered CR1/3Ns from a seller on eBay UK Duracell, Other Makes items in JLS Batteries store on eBay! That said I've used LR44s a lot in my M6 over the years and never had a problem. Carl Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
macchiato Posted April 25, 2012 Author Share #7 Posted April 25, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have ordered CR1/3Ns from a seller on eBay UK Duracell, Other Makes items in JLS Batteries store on eBay! That said I've used LR44s a lot in my M6 over the years and never had a problem.Carl I have been getting a lot of different answer, some said can, some said cannot, some said can but the meter wouldn't be accurate... well, will give it a try and test whether it works or not, accurate or not. Thank you! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
too old to care Posted April 25, 2012 Share #8 Posted April 25, 2012 This is from the owners manual of a M6TTL. 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! 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/177774-m6-classic-meter-red-arrow-indicator/?do=findComment&comment=1993233'>More sharing options...
payasam Posted April 25, 2012 Share #9 Posted April 25, 2012 I responded on Flickr to your LR44 idea. If LR44 cells were suitable, Leica would have mentioned them as an alternative. The SR44 gives a constant 1.55V, while the LR44's output is variable and falls over time. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
macchiato Posted April 27, 2012 Author Share #10 Posted April 27, 2012 thank you all again Confirmed it's my old 3v lithium battery is running low, the "red arrow" immediately become much much more brighter once I slot in new battery. I have tested with 2x LR44, it works, all the meter reading seems accurate as the battery still fresh now. I do believe that sooner when the battery has consume more, the voltage might drop and the meter would not be accurate anymore. Thus, I have ordered a few 3v Lithium from evil bay, at the mean time I will use the LR44 temporary until I receive the 3v lithium. once again thank you all Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
too old to care Posted April 27, 2012 Share #11 Posted April 27, 2012 Glad your camera is ok. This is slightly off topic, but I also have a Rollei 35SE that uses much the same LEDs for the light meter. The battery it takes is a 5.7 volt mercury battery. Those are no longer sold, so I use three #357 batteries in series, with a washer in the middle to take up space. Of course, this is about a volt less than desired, and the LEDs are much dimmer, but their readings are still correct. I have verified the Rollei light meter against my handheld meter, and my M6. Don't know why they work? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
macchiato Posted April 27, 2012 Author Share #12 Posted April 27, 2012 Glad your camera is ok. This is slightly off topic, but I also have a Rollei 35SE that uses much the same LEDs for the light meter. The battery it takes is a 5.7 volt mercury battery. Those are no longer sold, so I use three #357 batteries in series, with a washer in the middle to take up space. Of course, this is about a volt less than desired, and the LEDs are much dimmer, but their readings are still correct. I have verified the Rollei light meter against my handheld meter, and my M6. Don't know why they work? A volt less but still work? I am not an electrical guy, couldn't answer that, but who cares, as long as the meter reading is correct, better than you can't use it at all Another off topic... I live in malaysia, tomorrow there's a big "event" whereby I would like to go and serve my duty as a malaysia citizen, surely wanna bring my M6 along, to capture this historical moment. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
too old to care Posted April 28, 2012 Share #13 Posted April 28, 2012 Another off topic... I live in malaysia, tomorrow there's a big "event" whereby I would like to go and serve my duty as a malaysia citizen, surely wanna bring my M6 along, to capture this historical moment. Please, post some photos. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
macchiato Posted April 29, 2012 Author Share #14 Posted April 29, 2012 Please, post some photos. sure, I sent my film to develop right after I came back home last night. But the shop only operate half day today, so they could only complete it by tomorrow. Will surely post it to "photo forum" once I got my developed roll Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
macchiato Posted May 1, 2012 Author Share #15 Posted May 1, 2012 Please, post some photos. Hi, I have uploaded those photos on my website, feel free to take a look 0428 Bersih 3.0 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
macchiato Posted May 1, 2012 Author Share #16 Posted May 1, 2012 Please, post some photos. Hi, I have posted those photos on my website, feel free to take a look 0428 Bersih 3.0 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
too old to care Posted May 1, 2012 Share #17 Posted May 1, 2012 Great shots. Also, looks like you know your way around an M6 too. Thanks for posting them. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torquinian Posted May 5, 2012 Share #18 Posted May 5, 2012 I couldn't find any 3v lithium battery nor 1.55v silver oxide cell in my town. However one of my friend told me M6 actually takes 2 x of 1.5v LR 44 alkaline battery, I do not know would the meter still be accurate by using LR44. Given I have no choice, might slot it 2 x LR44 and check whether the meter will become brighter or not. You can get modern batteries to replace the banned mercury ones by post from The Small Battery Co. I have found them very efficient. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
payasam Posted May 5, 2012 Share #19 Posted May 5, 2012 Torquinian, the M6 wants silver oxide (2 x 1.55V) or lithium (3V). Only the M5 took mercury (1.35V). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalArts 99 Posted May 5, 2012 Share #20 Posted May 5, 2012 Here's from the manual for the M6 classic. It's basically the same as the M6TTL that was posted earlier. Although note the difference in battery longevity. 20 hours and 4,800 exposures for the M6 Classic versus 8 hours and 2,900 exposures for the M6TTL. 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! 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/177774-m6-classic-meter-red-arrow-indicator/?do=findComment&comment=2002166'>More sharing options...
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