M6 Is this a light leak?

[simovidiudan]

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Hi! I just got my first Leica M6 a few months ago. In some of the frames ( one in 20-30 frames) I get this stripe at the top. Do you know what can cause this?

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Edited July 25, 2020 by simovidiudan

[jaapv]

Nice Morgan

[earleygallery]

Looks like a light leak. You seeem to but saying this has happened on several films so that would probably rule out a processing issue.

I suspect that it's a leak from the viewfinder/rangefinder area or possibly the front of the shutter curtain - do you use a lens cap? Be aware that you can easily burn pinholes in the shutter if you don't keep the lens cap on when walking around with the camera (obviously these aren't pinhole leaks but could be light getting past the curtains somehow.

If the camera is under warranty I would return it.

[TomB_tx]

Many M6 bodies have developed worn light seals at the edges of the curtains, which is what this looks like: light coming around the curtains. My 1985 M6 needed new curtain seals several years ago, replaced with a new design. I suspect the M6 had tried a new material that didn’t age well.

[simovidiudan]

1 hour ago, TomB_tx said:

Many M6 bodies have developed worn light seals at the edges of the curtains, which is what this looks like: light coming around the curtains. My 1985 M6 needed new curtain seals several years ago, replaced with a new design. I suspect the M6 had tried a new material that didn’t age well.

If this is the cause ,is it possible to replace the curtain with the new design? Is that what you did? If yes, do you remember how much it costed you?

[TomB_tx]

The curtains themselves are OK - it's a seal strip (light baffle) that is replaced. It does require a pretty full strip-down, so is usually done as part of a full service (CLA). There are several independent camera techs that are much cheaper than going to Leica for service. Cost for an M6 CLA usually starts at about $200 - and replacing parts additional. If you are in the USA ( I see the Morgan in your pic is LH drive), some good techs are DAG Camera (near Chicago), and Youxin Ye and Sherry Krauter (North East coast).

[simovidiudan]

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2 minutes ago, TomB_tx said:

The curtains themselves are OK - it's a seal strip (light baffle) that is replaced. It does require a pretty full strip-down, so is usually done as part of a full service (CLA). There are several independent camera techs that are much cheaper than going to Leica for service. Cost for an M6 CLA usually starts at about $200 - and replacing parts additional. If you are in the USA ( I see the Morgan in your pic is LH drive), some good techs are DAG Camera (near Chicago), and Youxin Ye and Sherry Krauter (North East coast).

Thanks, I live in France. The Morgan is in France also  . I'll try to keep the lens cap on, (I usually don't) and see how it goes, and I'll probably contact a store in Paris if necessary. Thanks for the feedback.

[Graham (G4FUJ)]

13 hours ago, jaapv said:

Nice Morgan

Beat me to it!!