W_jay_p Posted June 5 Share #1 Posted June 5 Advertisement (gone after registration) Is this the worst case of zinc oxidation I’ve ever seen, or is this something else, it looks like corrosion also on the hot shoe etc, which is not plated to my understanding. This was a closet find, what other issues should I look out for/check with this issue going on, or is it purely cosmetic? Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/421914-zinc-oxidation/?do=findComment&comment=5812859'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 5 Posted June 5 Hi W_jay_p, Take a look here Zinc oxidation? . I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
spero pa Posted June 5 Share #2 Posted June 5 Wow !! That is frightening, storage space is so unforgiving , or was it costal seaside spray in the air/chemical environment passing by street machinery like angle grinder dust ,the internal mechanism is not bad do your best to keep the M6 cleaned up and running for a lifetime. Hopefully you can cure the problem Good luck. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted June 5 Share #3 Posted June 5 This does not look like Zinc corrosion to me. It looks like the camera was caught in a spray of strong acid. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fotoklaus Posted June 6 Share #4 Posted June 6 This has nothing to do with the zinc problem. This is heavily corroded due to an impact of acid or salt and very bad, moist storage. Could also affect the electronics, rangefinder and gears. If it was a present, ok. But I won't buy it. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted June 6 Share #5 Posted June 6 There is some zinc bubbling but given the white corrosion is forming on dissimilar materials the overall level of crud is probably a result of poor storage. The insides look clean so if the price was right (marked well down for the cosmetic condition) I'd take a punt on it. I think all the white stuff will scrub off and it won't look nearly as bad after it's cleaned. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted June 6 Share #6 Posted June 6 Agree with Steve. The inside looks very clean (in fact, leaving aside the obvious corrosion on the exterior, the camera looks like it is in very good condition 😂). The corrosion, whilst ugly, looks superficial and could be largely cleaned up. If it's cheap, it could represent an excellent value user M6TTL. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted June 6 Share #7 Posted June 6 Advertisement (gone after registration) However, the green copper corrosion on the flash contacts and corroded gold coated door contacts make me hesitant. A CLA could reveal interior problems. The electronics, if affected, cannot be replaced. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
espelt Posted June 6 Share #8 Posted June 6 The smell of the camera can also provide some clues. So open the camera and take a deep breath. Does it smell musty like a basement? Then the white on the cloths might be mold. And then the electronics won't be much better either. If it smells like a machine and a little oil, then everything might be fine. I've sniffed every interesting camera at camera fairs. If it smells like a damp basement, leave it alone. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted June 6 Share #9 Posted June 6 (edited) 44 minutes ago, jaapv said: However, the green copper corrosion on the flash contacts and corroded gold coated door contacts make me hesitant. A CLA could reveal interior problems. The electronics, if affected, cannot be replaced. The OP doesn't say how long the camera has been like this. If it's been years rather than a few days, the electronics will either work or they won't. In any case it's an M6TTL so it will still function as an M4 if the electronics totally fail. Again, I think it just comes down to price. If it is dirt cheap or free (I'm not sure what the OP means by "closet find" – has it turned up searching through a friend or relative's old possessions?) it's worth giving it a go. Edited June 6 by wattsy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted June 6 Share #10 Posted June 6 I'm not seeing any corrosion on the gold door contacts, the slight discolouration is pretty normal for an old camera, any in any case @jaapv when did gold fillings 'corrode'? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted June 6 Share #11 Posted June 6 Gold coating will contract corrosion from the underlying metal through porosities, as opposed to solid gold and the gold alloy used on contact has a high copper content ( amongst other metals 8 Ct - 33% gold) and can deteriorate in extreme cases. Anyway I concur that it is worth attempting to salvage the camera, but would not invest significant money in it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
W_jay_p Posted June 7 Author Share #12 Posted June 7 20 hours ago, 250swb said: There is some zinc bubbling but given the white corrosion is forming on dissimilar materials the overall level of crud is probably a result of poor storage. The insides look clean so if the price was right (marked well down for the cosmetic condition) I'd take a punt on it. I think all the white stuff will scrub off and it won't look nearly as bad after it's cleaned. What would you consider to be a price worth taking “a punt” on it? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeicaR10 Posted June 7 Share #13 Posted June 7 (edited) W_jay_p, First, welcome to the forum based on your number of posts. As you have read, the forum is a very good place to ask many highly experienced Leica photographers for advice. Second, you didn't note your location, but I have a suggestion for you. You might contact Don Goldberg at DAG camera, send him the photos and ask his opinion if the camera can be restored etc.. Many photographers send their M gear to Don for all sorts of restoration, overhaul, and repair, etc. Below is the link for Don. You will find Don to be quite frank and honest about what is doable with this camera. I have used his service for decades as have many others. r/ Mark Try: https://www.dagcamera.com/store/c1/Featured_Products.html Edited June 7 by LeicaR10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted June 7 Share #14 Posted June 7 (edited) 3 hours ago, LeicaR10 said: W_jay_p, First, welcome to the forum based on your number of posts. As you have read, the forum is a very good place to ask many highly experienced Leica photographers for advice. Second, you didn't note your location, but I have a suggestion for you. You might contact Don Goldberg at DAG camera, send him the photos and ask his opinion if the camera can be restored etc.. Many photographers send their M gear to Don for all sorts of restoration, overhaul, and repair, etc. Below is the link for Don. You will find Don to be quite frank and honest about what is doable with this camera. I have used his service for decades as have many others. r/ Mark Try: https://www.dagcamera.com/store/c1/Featured_Products.html I don't think Dan Goldberg (and many other technicians) works on the TTL anymore. Edited June 7 by 250swb Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted June 7 Share #15 Posted June 7 3 hours ago, W_jay_p said: What would you consider to be a price worth taking “a punt” on it? For good reason we aren't allowed to value cameras and lenses on the forum, just go with whatever you feel safe with. If a particular component is irreparable and the camera can't be saved (see post above) there are a lot of other components that could be parted out as spares. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
skahde Posted June 7 Share #16 Posted June 7 (edited) The white traces on the shutter-blinds as well as other spots on the inside may be an indication that there is also at least some mold here and there throughout the interior. I suppose this one needs a complete rebuild to get the mechanics to spec. again and electronics may stand at the shore of the Styx or already crossed it. With the status of repairs on M6 TTLs I wouldn't touch it. If it was a M2/3/4 I would negotiate a price and have it rebuild Edited June 7 by skahde Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted June 7 Share #17 Posted June 7 My thoughts, is there fungus in the viewfinder? Has the battery been removed (or has it leaked into the battery chamber?). Ultimately it's a mechanical camera if the electrics were kaput it is still a perfectly useable camera, but you should factor in the cost of a full CLA on top of any 'discount' for the cosmetics. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted June 7 Share #18 Posted June 7 We don't know but seller may be a dealer offering a warranty and a CLA. There's an M6 TTL top plate on ebay at the moment so perhaps the cost of that and having it fitted is the discount on this? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
W_jay_p Posted June 24 Author Share #19 Posted June 24 On 6/7/2025 at 6:55 AM, earleygallery said: My thoughts, is there fungus in the viewfinder? Has the battery been removed (or has it leaked into the battery chamber?). Ultimately it's a mechanical camera if the electrics were kaput it is still a perfectly useable camera, but you should factor in the cost of a full CLA on top of any 'discount' for the cosmetics. From my understanding, its never had batteries in it, and only a few exposures of 1 roll of film fired with no batteries for the meter ever installed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MKHB Posted June 24 Share #20 Posted June 24 Looks like mold to me. Cleaning with Aceton will take care of that, if you can dismantle the camera into part. If not don‘t buy oder give back to seller. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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