M6 Classic Repair

[ivancook]

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Exploring an M6 Classic and curious about the repair/upgrade options now that the M6 Reissue is out. I know that it was fairly common to upgrade the Classic to a MP viewfinder but is it possible to use the new Reissue parts with the rounded corner rangefinder patch and frame lines instead? Also, can the Classic metering ( >< ) be swapped for the electronics from the reissue ( >o< )? 

[Don Flynn]

The electronics on the Classic differ from the 2022 model so they can't be "swapped" out. Amsterdam Camera Repair developed a replacement board if that becomes an issue with the used "Classic".

I believe a couple of independent Leica techs offered the MP viewfinder upgrade, but you'll have to contact them to see if they still do. I believe Leica no longer provides those parts for upgrades since they want to sell new 2022 M6's.

IMO, if you find a nice clean used "Classic" just buy it and have it CLA'd. By the time you factor in having the MP upgrade done (which I don't think is really needed based on the "Classic" I bought this past year) your better off trying to find a used 2022 model or even going to the new 1.

I speak from experience here. I was wanting the 2022 M6 myself this past spring and had the money allotted for a new 1. Something "came up" and I got a nice used chrome "Classic" after researching the circuit board issue at 1/2 the price overall of buying a new 2022 M6. I was actually able to buy a 2nd "LNIB" "Classic" cheaper than the 1st one and have it CLA'd by DAG for what a new 2022 model would have cost, and 2 is better than 1 😁

I still want the new 2022, just because I've never owned a new Leica before. Common sense says I shouldn't buy one next year as a retirement present to myself but we'll see what happens 😁

 

Edited 14 hours ago by Don Flynn

[ivancook]

5 hours ago, Don Flynn said:

The electronics on the Classic differ from the 2022 model so they can't be "swapped" out. Amsterdam Camera Repair developed a replacement board if that becomes an issue with the used "Classic".

I believe a couple of independent Leica techs offered the MP viewfinder upgrade, but you'll have to contact them to see if they still do. I believe Leica no longer provides those parts for upgrades since they want to sell new 2022 M6's.

IMO, if you find a nice clean used "Classic" just buy it and have it CLA'd. By the time you factor in having the MP upgrade done (which I don't think is really needed based on the "Classic" I bought this past year) your better off trying to find a used 2022 model or even going to the new 1.

I speak from experience here. I was wanting the 2022 M6 myself this past spring and had the money allotted for a new 1. Something "came up" and I got a nice used chrome "Classic" after researching the circuit board issue at 1/2 the price overall of buying a new 2022 M6. I was actually able to buy a 2nd "LNIB" "Classic" cheaper than the 1st one and have it CLA'd by DAG for what a new 2022 model would have cost, and 2 is better than 1 😁

I still want the new 2022, just because I've never owned a new Leica before. Common sense says I shouldn't buy one next year as a retirement present to myself but we'll see what happens 😁

 

Appreciate the info. I had seen several posts from Leica Customer Service stating that they would eventually repair the M6 Classic (but probably not the TTL) so I was curious if this ever came to be. Also, good to hear that there's a 3rd party option for the electronics and that the rangefinder flare isn't too bad. I could probably justify a new one, but there's something about an old one that's super nice, too. Thanks again!