ironringer

And as for software, Dan - I never wrote code, having taken only one Fortran with Watfor course at university at the beginning of computer use by engineering students (batch cards punched on the 026 and 029, sent to the Big Blue machine at the Commerce building). But I could often "break" software by simply testing functions as a power network operator would use them. Caused great anguish to the backroom "twinky eaters" coders, when I filed copious variances for them to fix. I learned enough about C and C+ to watch them "fix" variances by creating more errors. They initially hated me coming to the factory at midnight to watch them work, but eventually realised that if they listened to my "don't do that, that breaks something else", they could minimise their rework. Fun nights with the coders half my age 😊.

Thank you Dan for continuing to send suggestions. I finally found the factory Reset function(s) and said YES to them in sequence. I turned on the camera, with both aperture and shutter speed dials set to A-automatic, and the rear screen showed a P (program mode) at the upper left. Then I powered on the flash, opened the Menu-Rec-Flash, and voilà - there were the flash controls visible and active. As you predicted. The original owner must have set up a strange combination of settings (there was no user-custom set up) that inhibited the flash controls in the menu. My camera is at firmware level 2.0, the current level I believe. Merci beaucoup for your assistance. Now this overly-complicated camera will be more useful with its flash working, with adjustable flash power (within its baby flash limit). Next I may try using a Pentax AF160 flash on the D-Lux 7. It is small-lightweight and has a very low 6 volts DC at its terminals when charged, so it will not damage the electronics of Leica digital cameras. It is more powerful than the little D-Lux 7 flash and "automatic" so it should work well. Happy Holidays, Jim visiting London

Well, I tried both S and A modes and the flash control remains greyed out, and the flash doesn't work. It does work, with its limited non-adjusted strength, when I press the A-A+ button top to override and manual settings. I have a feeling some other weird setting is inhibiting the flash system, just like the "silent mode" inhibition which is the first thing I tried. I will visit a London UK Leica dealer (Red Dot) and maybe they have some knowledge, but I seriously doubt that many people have successfully used the flash the way the manual says works. Another Leica mystery, and I blame it on software and programmers who never actually TRY the code they write (a legacy of 25 years in project management). Happy Holidays, Jim (lived in Neptune City NJ in 1970-71).

Thank you Dan and I will explore what is available for flash control in the Shutter mode. I think I had only tried the Aperture mode before. Regards, Jim - visiting London and our first grandchild 😊

Thank you Dan and it seems logical that flash controls are not enabled in Automatic mode. I think I tried your suggestion, but could not see any flash ON enabled, or its controls - all greyed out. But I will try again. Regards and Happy Holidays

Hello D-Lux 7 users - the very few who have used its little flash in unknown? modes: I am learning how to use my D-Lux 7 (bought used, but not abused). I cannot find any combination of dial-button controls, or settings in its labyrinth of menus, that allows me to (a) USE its little flash accessory, and more important (b) to access the greyed-out Flash settings on page 2 of its Rec(ord) menu. Question: What camera dial-button controls and menu settings will magically allow access to the Flash settings? After further trials and failures, my above "can't use flash" is not quite true - I found by accident that if I push the little A (Automatic-Snapshot mode) button on top of the canes, the little flash symbol on the rear screen activated, and I was able to take pictures with the flash. However they are underexposed and dull. The D-Lux 7 instruction manual states that the flash can be controlled, using several Flash settings in the menu. But there is NO explanation of how to get into the Flash controls in the menu. Even with the flash ON and the camera in its (top button) A-Snapshot mode, the Flash menu is partly-activated, but only gives limited control = flash automatic on, or off. The other controls are still grey-inactive. Most aggravating, and I will venture that no Leica factory user has ever successfully USED the D-Lux 7 flash with those invisible settings. So my Question above is still valid - how do I use the D-Lux 7 flash? I can find no information or answers in this Forum, which leads me to think that very few people have ever used that flash, as the Leica manual states is possible. Perplexed, Jim in snowy Montreal

My first thought, without knowing the box dimensions, was that it was a stylish and basic "dodging printer" to hold a large negative and the print paper. However an illuminated presentation case is more likely.

So the conclusion is - don't PINCH the lens too hard when mounting 🙂.

Excellent visit to the fine Ilford film factory. love their film!

Can the flash power/strength be adjusted on the Leica V-Lux 30? I have never been able to change the "too low" flash strength, in any mode. And the instructions do not mention any way to adjust the flash strength. Other than that issue, and its relatively slow zoom lens, the V-Lux 30 is a useful travel camera that takes very good pictures, especially in daylight.

Interesting discussion, and thank you everyone for your comments. I have learned that the original M6, and earlier Ms, were not supplied with a hot or accessory shoe cover. As an engineer (with experiences of operating problems often coming from the "interfaces"), I thought a plastic cover would be a good idea to protect the small "hot shoe" contacts. However Leica did not think it was necessary. For my newly-acquired M6 (wish I had bought one 4 years ago, before prices doubled) I will find a generic hot shoe cover; perhaps one with a bubble level that may occasionally be useful.

Almost all pictures I see of M6 cameras show no accessory shoe cover. Was the original M6 (NOT the new version) ever supplied new with this plastic cover? Is there an "original Leica" accessory shoe cover for the original M6? The M6 instruction book does not show a part number for an accessory shoe cover.

Thank you everyone for your comments and suggestions. After more research I narrowed my search for an original M6 ever-ready case #14505, in good or better condition. I searched in England, since my son lives in London (works with BBC as a documentary filmmaker). I wanted to buy in England, because Royal Mail postage within UK is still very reasonable compared to mailing to Canada from USA or Europe. Although major Leica stores (including Red Dot) did not have a used M6 case, I was lucky and found a very nice one at The Latent Image in Shrewsbury. Quality store, reasonable price, friendly dealer, and it will be mailed next week to my son, who will bring it home for Christmas. A month from now I can start using my lovely M6, well- protected in its "correct" ever-ready case. All's well that ends well 🙂.

Please excuse this inquiry, that may have already been discussed (I did not see anything in other posts). What ever-ready and other cases did Leica sell for the Leica M6 cameras, in the 1980s and 1990s? I finally acquired a nice M6 camera, long desired, and wish to use it - protected in an original ever-ready case. Apart from the "14 505" ever-ready case mentioned in a 1980s M6 instruction manual, I do not know what "product number" to search for. Guidance with pictures will be appreciated.

Thank you everyone for your clear explanations and examples, showing me/us how to identify the earlier 8 element "V1" type of the 35mm Summicron. I was interested in the physical characteristics and/or serial numbers, that are recognisable. Someday I may see one and ask its owner how well it performs. Jankap mentions the quality of its pictures, as a possible difference from the later V2 type. As a casual user of Leicas, and not being an expert, I doubt I would see the subtle differences. So I am satisfied with my model 11879 35mm Summicron, and my "goggles" 35mm Summaron f2.8; both are excellent lenses.