Viewfinder question

[Kiwimac]

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What are the silvered bars top and bottom of the rangefinder window actually for?

 I’m sure they have a purpose but I’m blowed if I can guess what it is!

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[adan]

Originally, there was only one at the bottom - from 1984-85/original M6.

And it is a semi-silvered mirror to darken (not obliterate) the area of the finder where the meter readout appears, for contrast to make the readout arrows  > < more visible.

The top one was added purely for cosmetic balance and to take up room, when the taller M6ttl/M7 arrived. And retained for the digital Ms (also taller).

The 2022 M6 reverts to the original M6 pattern. 

See lead picture - M6ttl (left) and 2022 M6 (right).

https://www.japancamerahunter.com/2022/10/my-thoughts-on-the-new-leica-m6/

NB - the M6ttl/M7 got taller to insert an idler gear under the shutter dial, to make it turn the other direction without redesigning the whole shutter mechanism  - the "right" direction to match the meter arrows.

Edited May 14, 2024 by adan

[Kiwimac]

Ah. Thanks! I had an M6TTL back in the olden days but it’s so long ago. Nice camera. 

[fenykepesz]

in the upper bar in my m10d there is a small LED visible - i think i saw that blinking perhaps once in my lifetime, don't remember in what context.  hence that bar appears to play an additional role in the M10s...

 

PS: that little LED is called : Self-timer LED

Edited May 14, 2024 by fenykepesz

[adan]

...and the lower bar played an additional role for the M6s (plain and TTL) - during the brief time Leica was providing different RF/VF magnifications as options.

The finder magnification was "laser-engraved" (or some such process) in the silver mirror surface in tiny digits - 0.72, 0.85, 0.68 - for identification.

Edited May 15, 2024 by adan

[Kiwimac]

I wish they still offered that!