Leica M6 Classic - no OFF button

[George Stoichev]

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Hi,

I recently bought Leica M6, in fact my first Leica M.I’m about to get lenses, no I just have the body.I read that because of the absence of OFF on the shutter speed button, one could make accidentally photos, but how it is possible if I didn’t stroke it? 
What exactly is the problem with the absence of OFF button and how you solved it.

Thank you

 

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[tappouni]

22 minutes ago, George Stoichev said:

Hi,

I recently bought Leica M6, in fact my first Leica M.I’m about to get lenses, no I just have the body.I read that because of the absence of OFF on the shutter speed button, one could make accidentally photos, but how it is possible if I didn’t stroke it? 
What exactly is the problem with the absence of OFF button and how you solved it.

Thank you

 

It won't be possible to release the shutter if you haven't actually cocked the shutter - the only electrical thing in the M6 is the light meter (the rest is all mechanical), and it's only activated when the shutter is cocked. If it isn't, the meter circuit won't be active, so there's no need for a separate on/off button. 

I haven't owned an M7 (happy to be corrected if I'm wrong with this), but I'm quite sure that the on/off switch is to do with the shutter being electronically controlled (rather than mechanically in the M6, via the shutter speed dial). But regardless, you'd still need to cock the shutter first - the electronics in the M7 control the timings, but won't actually cock the shutter. 

[250swb]

Good question. The electronics in an M6 only affect the meter, not the shutter, so if the shutter is cocked and accidentally knocked in the camera bag it will fire the shutter. The 'B' setting on the shutter dial will shut off the meter so you don't drain the batteries by the shutter button gently touching the side of the camera bag. But a full pdf. manual will be available (free!) for the M6 online so take a look at that.

Edited October 30, 2021 by 250swb

[Chuck Albertson]

Just turn the shutter speed dial to bulb ("B").

[Richie s]

As I’ve known due to my high number of accidental shots - if you are going to put the camera in the bag you need to not advance the film first - and as pretty as soft release buttons can be - they only make this worse. 

[AndreasG]

I use M6 cameras for more than 30 years and I never cared about this matter, without having batteries drained or lost shots. Probably it depends on one's personal handling the camera and storing in a bag.

[mole73]

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That‘s because Leica spent the 0ff-setting to the successor of the M6, the MP.

[nitroplait]

All has been said, but let me just try to summarise:

No action is needed on your part to turn the meter off - the camera can be in 2 states.
1. You have cocked the shutter, the meter turns on when you touch the shutter button and will turn off automatically after some seconds.
2. You haven't cocked the shutter, the meter circuitry is off.

If you store the camera in state 1, you may risk something lightly touches the shutter release button and thus drains the battery, therefore it may be a good idea store the camera in state 2.

If you need to put the camera away while in state 1,  you can alternatively turn the shutter dial to "B". That is in effect you OFF setting - but it is only relevant if the shutter is cocked.

Some people has reported of M6 battery drain even if the camera is untouched in state 1 - that is a defect that should ideally be addressed by a repair tech - but if it isn't too severe, remember storing the camera on the "B" setting will typically lessen the problem.

As with all cameras, batteries should be removed for long term storage.