M6 Light Meter always on (when not on B). Doesn't time-out.

[Neil Milton]

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Hi - my 3 month warranty on my M6 is coming to an end next week, and all seems fine with the exception of the light meter.

 

Not that this will be news to anyone here, however, for completeness, according to the manual for the Leica M6, the light meter should act in the following way:

 

"The exposure meter is switched on by light pressure on the shutter release button (2), providing the shutter is tensioned (and is not set to "B"). After finger pressure has been removed, the exposure meter remains on for about 10 seconds"

 

However, on the M6 I purchased, when the shutter speed dial is NOT set to "B", the light meter remains on at all times until the shutter has been released. It does NOT switch off after the 10 second duration.

 

This means that the batteries are running empty very quickly and this is more expensive than it needs to be (not to mention ecologically unfriendly).

 

So my question is has anyone else experienced this behaviour and if so, do you know what might cause it? Is it likely a dirty/faulty shutter button that just never fully resets, or is it more an electronic issue?

 

If it's likely an easy or common issue to fix, then I would just pay for it to be fixed when I send it to the Netherlands for a CLA. If it's expensive and difficult, then I definitely want the shop I bought it from to either fix it, or send it out for fix on their dime.

 

Any thoughts or advice?

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[a.noctilux]

Hello,

do you use soft release ?

[Neil Milton]

1 minute ago, a.noctilux said:

Hello,

do you use soft release ?

Hi, no.

No additional soft release. Just 'as standard'.

[a.noctilux]

When you push on the shutter button, do you feel the switch first stage ?

After a picture taking before winding on, do the LED still on ?

[Neil Milton]

1 minute ago, a.noctilux said:

When you push on the shutter button, do you feel the switch first stage ?

After a picture taking before winding on, do the LED still on ?

There doesn't feel like any clear first-stage switch, however, having only used an M8 previously, and that was 10 yrs ago, I don't remember it, and I'm not sure if this should be obvious, or if it's a subtle switch.

I should have clarified also that yes, when I take the picture, the LED switches off, and switches back on after I advance the film.

[a.noctilux]

Good that the switch which turns off after taking a frame is ok.

If I understand, the first stage ( for "on" ) of shutter release is not "clear", maybe the shutter button is the cause ?

Spring ?

Try to exercise on the shutter many times, without winding on.

 

Cleaning the button may help before sending for repair.

[Danner]

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It sounds like the activation switch in the shutter release button assembly is stuck with the contacts in the "ON" condition.  Look down into the remote release cable socket, is it dirty down there?  Because the dirt may be pushing down on the mechanism.  Maybe try a toothpick down the threaded hole to see if it can snag some dirt out of there?  More generally, it sounds like this camera is due for a CLA.

Edited April 20, 2021 by Danner

[Neil Milton]

2 minutes ago, Danner said:

It sounds like the activation switch in the shutter release button assembly is stuck with the contacts in the "ON" condition.  Look down into the remote release cable socket, is it dirty down there?  Because the dirt may be pushing down on the mechanism.  Maybe try a toothpick down the threaded hole to see if it can snag some dirt out of there?  More generally, it sounds like this camera is due for a CLA.

Hi - thanks for the reply. I am hoping that is indeed what's the problem, as a CLA is on the agenda as soon as I can afford it.

[250swb]

Putting it back into a camera bag with it not set on 'B'? You may be switching it on all the time if the shutter button is pushed up against anything in the bag. 

[Neil Milton]

19 minutes ago, 250swb said:

Putting it back into a camera bag with it not set on 'B'? You may be switching it on all the time if the shutter button is pushed up against anything in the bag. 

Hi - no, I realised that pretty early on. As soon as I realised the issue, on day 1, I've used B as an off-switch. The problem is happening just in general use as I'm wandering around shooting.

Thanks for replying

[250swb]

OK, it's an unlikely long shot but just for housekeeping clean all the contacts you can get at in the battery compartment and the rear door to eliminate them as a problem.

[BradS]

It is not working properly and still under warranty....send it back under warranty.

[Homer Dulu]

Hi Neil, was this ever resolved?

I have the same issue with the LED lights staying on, I think mine is caused by the shutter button contacts staying closed after I take a shot, probably due to corrosion or old age. I'll take it for a CLA eventually but for now I'm able to temporarily resolve it by "pulling up" the shutter button (I have a soft release that I can get my fingers under). But it's easier to just put it to B, although mildly inconvenient.

The meter was replaced a couple of years ago, and it's been metering correctly as well so I doubt that's the issue.

[Huss]

1 hour ago, Homer Dulu said:

Hi Neil, was this ever resolved?

I have the same issue with the LED lights staying on, I think mine is caused by the shutter button contacts staying closed after I take a shot, probably due to corrosion or old age. I'll take it for a CLA eventually but for now I'm able to temporarily resolve it by "pulling up" the shutter button (I have a soft release that I can get my fingers under). But it's easier to just put it to B, although mildly inconvenient.

The meter was replaced a couple of years ago, and it's been metering correctly as well so I doubt that's the issue.

Does yours do it if you remove the soft release?

[Homer Dulu]

1 hour ago, Huss said:

Does yours do it if you remove the soft release?

HOLY SHET. 

 

...it worked!!!! 

 

Lights turn off now. Thank you so much!!! How did you know it was the soft release???

 

Edited November 8, 2022 by Homer Dulu

[Huss]

Just now, Homer Dulu said:

HOLY SHET. 

 

...it worked!!!! 

 

Lights turn off now. Thank you so much!!! How did you know???

 

Soft releases often are bad news.  Even though they seem innocuous, they can interfere - even if just a tiny amount - with the correct action of the shutter release button.

Also - they can warp the release plunger which is why I avoid them on Leica Ms.

[Homer Dulu]

Just now, Huss said:

Soft releases often are bad news.  Even though they seem innocuous, they can interfere - even if just a tiny amount - with the correct action of the shutter release button.

Also - they can warp the release plunger which is why I avoid them on Leica Ms.

Ahhhh makes sense - it screws in where the cable release goes so I guess the thread on the soft release was long enough that it was triggering the shutter enough to keep the lights on.

And yes, will avoid soft releases from now on on my Ms, and taking them off doesn't really change things for me in terms of feel. Again, thanks so much!!!

[Huss]

@Homer Dulu you're welcome!  Glad it was such an easy fix!

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Hallo,

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[mshchem]

Darn good advice Huss! I think that's what ruined my M6ttl. I have it in the shop now. Mine was a " new" camera from Japan, I think it sat in the original box for 18 years. I don't know if it's stuck or if the switch is bad. I will find out when it gets looked at. 

Mike 

[250swb]

11 hours ago, Huss said:

Does yours do it if you remove the soft release?

Going back to the original post in 2021 (where the OP didn't use a soft release) I wonder if putting a cable release into the hole and exercising the shutter that way could have freed it up?

Edited November 9, 2022 by 250swb