New leica M6 and lens mount resistance while locking a lens

[DimLs]

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Hi all,

I got a new leica m6 and I noticed when locking lenses I feel no resistance when turning the lens till it's locked. I have used some (4) digital M bodies and I remember none had such such a feeling. Currently I also own a M4-2 and as I turn the lens it progressively increases its resistance till its locked. The resistance is little but its very clearly present, and feels just right.

With the new M6 with the same lenses, the feeling is buttery smooth, practically without resistance from the beginning of the rotation till the lock. If there is progressively any resistance it should be so slightly present that I can barely feel its increase, if at all.

While turning the lens I tried to see how much play there is and with 2 lenses. After a  turning point, I cannot feel any play between lens and camera mount. But it's not scientific. If I could feel a small resistance I would be sure that the contact between the mounts is tight enough. Now it's not tight but also it seems that with the 2 lenses I tried there is no play.

It seems that the contact/sealing is just barely ok. This worries me as I feel it's highly possible that with another lens the fit could not be correct. I am also wondering if the fit will loosen with time/friction. This would be that there would be play between the lens and camera mount.

What is your experience on this? Should I ask for a replacement? I must confess that I have good reason to not trust Leica if it responds with a "there is no problem" answer.

Thank you.

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[250swb]

I think the obvious answer is use it and find out. It may just be your M6 is adjusted correctly, but different lenses feel different mounting on different cameras, and visa versa. Personally if it fits smoothly I’d take that as a plus.

[lykaman]

I have various TL & 3rd party lenses, each lens feels slightly different (tighter/looser to lock position) when mounted on the CL or S5.. If in doubt call in at a local dealer.. 🍻

[DimLs]

4 minutes ago, 250swb said:

I think the obvious answer is use it and find out. It may just be your M6 is adjusted correctly, but different lenses feel different mounting on different cameras, and visa versa. Personally if it fits smoothly I’d take that as a plus.

Statistically my lenses are in the middle, so in this body its on the loose side. So the body is a bit loose. The point is that I guess a can claim. a replacement now that it's new and back the the shop when I bought it from. I think I should ask for a replacement or may be a check from the not so reliable leica service?

[LocalHero1953]

I don't know why you're asking us. It sounds like you have owned 6 M bodies, so you're not lacking in experience. Either use it or take it back - only you can decide.

Edited February 2 by LocalHero1953

[250swb]

7 minutes ago, DimLs said:

Statistically my lenses are in the middle, so in this body its on the loose side. So the body is a bit loose. The point is that I guess a can claim. a replacement now that it's new and back the the shop when I bought it from. I think I should ask for a replacement or may be a check from the not so reliable leica service?

How tight do you think it should be and how do you quantify that? If over years of development have Leica have improved the M6 lens mount to be buttery smooth and effortless maybe everything prior to that is 'faulty'? I don't know, but all my M body's from old or new are different in the resistance to lens mounting, and my M4-P is the least resistant by far and it has never been a problem that needs solving.  

[DimLs]

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5 minutes ago, LocalHero1953 said:

I don't know why you're asking us. It sounds like you have owned 6 M bodies, so you're not lacking in experience. Either use it or take it back - only you can decide.

I am asking you about your experience about the no resistance feel when turning the lens. This is the first time I am experiencing it and I am worried. Apparently my experience is not enough, otherwise I would not post. if you have to contribute anything in a passive way, please be my guest, otherwise I would have to ask you why you are asking me I ask you and why you inform us about what you suppose about my experience implying I should not ask here.

[DimLs]

6 minutes ago, 250swb said:

How tight do you think it should be and how do you quantify that? If over years of development have Leica have improved the M6 lens mount to be buttery smooth and effortless maybe everything prior to that is 'faulty'? I don't know, but all my M body's from old or new are different in the resistance to lens mounting, and my M4-P is the least resistant by far and it has never been a problem that needs solving.  

Thanks for the answer. The trigger is that M4-2 is progressively tightening. As if there is a curved drive that as you turn the lens the pressure increases. I do to feel it will the new M6. Nice to know you do not experience any problems with the M4P!

[Deeetona]

2 hours ago, DimLs said:

Hi all,

I got a new leica m6 and I noticed when locking lenses I feel no resistance when turning the lens till it's locked. I have used some (4) digital M bodies and I remember none had such such a feeling. Currently I also own a M4-2 and as I turn the lens it progressively increases its resistance till its locked. The resistance is little but its very clearly present, and feels just right.

With the new M6 with the same lenses, the feeling is buttery smooth, practically without resistance from the beginning of the rotation till the lock. If there is progressively any resistance it should be so slightly present that I can barely feel its increase, if at all.

While turning the lens I tried to see how much play there is and with 2 lenses. After a  turning point, I cannot feel any play between lens and camera mount. But it's not scientific. If I could feel a small resistance I would be sure that the contact between the mounts is tight enough. Now it's not tight but also it seems that with the 2 lenses I tried there is no play.

It seems that the contact/sealing is just barely ok. This worries me as I feel it's highly possible that with another lens the fit could not be correct. I am also wondering if the fit will loosen with time/friction. This would be that there would be play between the lens and camera mount.

What is your experience on this? Should I ask for a replacement? I must confess that I have good reason to not trust Leica if it responds with a "there is no problem" answer.

Thank you.

"Dealer! When fitting my lens the feeling is buttery smooth, practically without resistance from the beginning of the rotation till the lock. I want frictionable friction!!!!"

[Deeetona]

58 minutes ago, DimLs said:

 I would have to ask you why you are asking me I ask you and why you inform us about what you suppose about my experience implying I should not ask here.

We forum members are not ASKANCE at all when reading this word salad.

[DimLs]

6 minutes ago, Deeetona said:

We forum members are not ASKANCE at all when reading this word salad.

Thanks for letting me know. Everything that you cannot understand is salad, as always.

[DimLs]

19 minutes ago, Deeetona said:

"Dealer! When fitting my lens the feeling is buttery smooth, practically without resistance from the beginning of the rotation till the lock. I want frictionable friction!!!!"

Apparently you cannot understand the risk being in the edge of tolerances, or beyond. The goal is not the butteriness.

This thread's posts speak for themselves. Forum Is supposed to be for exchanging ideas and experiences about our hobby, but its also a toxic arena for some people to show off their inability to comprehend.

I would love this thread to be locked.

[TomB_tx]

I have a number of M bodies, and they vary a lot in how hard it is to mount a lens. The hardest of mine is a 1955 M3, and the lightest is an M7. I've seen no problems due to the differences. There is a tension spring with fingers that hold the lens tight to the mount, and that, along with alignment of the mounting layers causes the differences.

[earleygallery]

If your new Leica is functioning correctly then there’s clearly something wrong. Return it immediately for a faulty example. 

[Deeetona]

7 hours ago, DimLs said:

The goal is not the butteriness.

It is getting better and better.

[250swb]

9 hours ago, DimLs said:

Apparently you cannot understand the risk being in the edge of tolerances, or beyond. The goal is not the butteriness.

 

But what if instead of calling it 'resistance' we change the word and see if it changes the perception of what's happening. So instead using 'resistance' we use 'friction'. And what does friction do, yes of course it causes wear because it's two metal surfaces rubbing and their molecules are bonding together to cause friction. In the life of the camera it will most likely eventually be used with lenses that have a different resistance when mounting them on it and you'd end up chasing your tail wondering if the lens is 'faulty' or the body. If it locks on and doesn't fall off and you can't create a gap between the lens and body it is within tolerances.

[hansvons]

12 hours ago, DimLs said:

While turning the lens I tried to see how much play there is and with 2 lenses. After a  turning point, I cannot feel any play between lens and camera mount. But it's not scientific

I don’t have a new M6. But if Leica manages to optimize on the friction of the mount, I’d be pleased—if there is no play. As you clearly state that there is no play, I’d be a happy camper and keep shooting. I absolutely get the idea to be worried that your copy might be out of specs. But the pudding’s proof is the play and not the progressively increasing resistance.

That said, I used for decades cameras with PL-mounts. This is the most accurate and powerful way of mounting a lens to a camera. There have been lots of variations on friction when turning the collar flange to its end position. Some where buttery smooth, bordering loose, and others almost required a pipe wrench. But there was never play.

I’d say, this is normal and nothing to worry. 

[dickgillberg]

I have two M6 bodys of the new model, they are produced with a month between. One has a perfect resistance and one a bit loose in the mount. The only thing that I see as a problem is that when I use my 135/3,4 on the body with the loose mount there is a slight play when I focus the lens. Annoying of course but I don’t see how it can be adjusted.

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[davidmknoble]

@DimLs, if by new M6, you mean the new reissue and new out of the box, Leica does put a lubricant on the lens mount.  We can also add, a very very light amount ourselves.  So, if it is new out of the box, I would not worry.  I have a lot of Leica M and R film bodies and some are very different in resistance.

If it isn’t’ tight it won’t wear (not rubbing hard) and if its lubricant, it will likely wear off some over time and may have more resistance.

It think you hit it right, if there is no real play in the lens when mounted, it is a solid connection.  IMHO, I would not worry about an easy mount.

[roydonian]

16 hours ago, DimLs said:

I would love this thread to be locked.

As a professional writer, I always feel sad when I see a thread becoming locked.

I feel even sadder when I read of calls for threads to be locked, and wonder if the persons asking for lock have any experience of living in countries or societies in which speech is not free.