Leica M6 - testing the shutter (also MP, M6 TTL, M2, M3, M4, M4-2, M4-P, M5).

[@AlexandruMihail]

Fantastic video! So comprehensive and useful! There are so many videos on leicas on here, but yours are the truly helpful and informative ones. Keep them coming! Looking forward on checks of the viewfinder, rangefinder etc.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Very happy to help

[@CharlesTay]

Useful tips for a new m6 user.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Thank you

[@oCorvus]

Hi. I have a question about bulb mode. If I look through the back like you showed and fire the shutter in bulb mode the first curtain seems to stop slightly short and remain visible on the left side film gate by like 0.5mm-1mm. It stays there until I release the shutter button and the shutter closes. This doesn't seem to occur at any other shutter speed. One person did tell me this occurs on their M6 as well and has no affect on the images. Can you confirm this is normal or is this a malfunction?

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

The first blind should clear the film gate. Are you getting any vignetting ? If you are you’ll need to get the camera serviced, otherwise I wouldn’t worry, assuming all other speeds work prefectly.

[@oCorvus]

@@WorldwideCameraExchange Thank you for your reply! I just had the camera overhauled by Leica earlier this year, and I've only shot bulb mode once or twice since getting it back from them. I can't see any vignetting on those negatives, but I only just recently noticed this issue the other day. Therefore it's possible that this issue was not present at the time of shooting those images. Although if you are saying that the blind should obviously clear the entire gate then that's all I really need to hear in order to want to send it back to Leica. I just thought maybe this was normal given someone else told me theirs does this as well.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

@@oCorvus These are hand built mechanical cameras. You can compare 10 camera and all will be slightly different. No two will be identical. Run some test and if there’s no vignetting I wouldn’t worry.

[@oCorvus]

@@WorldwideCameraExchange​​⁠Okay I will have to put a film through it to test it. Thank you again for your insight! Also I just want to say thank you for making all these videos. They are incredibly informative yet concise. Your buying guides have now helped me buy multiple cameras with confidence.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Thanks - and good luck with the M6.

[@Frankdarnese]

Thank you. Very informative and helpful 👏👏👏

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Glad it was useful. Thanks for commenting.

[@Frankdarnese]

​@@WorldwideCameraExchange Forgot to ask: when you mentioned trying testing the shutter with the film at different exposures do you suggest b&w or color film or it doesn't make a big difference? Many thanks

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

@@Frankdarnese using a narrow latitude film is likely to show any shutter timing issues more clearly. We use low cost colour film with low cost D&P. That said, if you’re using black and white and processing yourself I’m sure you’ll know the film well enough to see any exposure variations?

[@Lockheed-Martin]

Thank you for the video, I'm currently looking into buying an M7, what's the difference in checking the M7? Do you have to worry about wrong shutter times with electronic shutters? Are there any aspects you have to look at especially with the M7? Thanks in advance :)

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Only significant difference is the shutter. The electronically controlled shutters on the M7 are usually reliable but you can easily check with a test film.

[@warrendean8402]

My shutter curtain has pinhole burned in it I’m told by the Leica store that it must’ve been exposed to an intense light source, which it was not How easily does this kind of damage happen ? Is the shutter that fragile ?

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Yes, a very intense light source (midday sun?). It isn’t a common problem but does occur. Camera equipment should never be stored in sunlight without caps fitted. The Leica shutters aren’t particularly fragile. Not much will withstand the heat produced by focused sunlight

[@warrendean8402]

@@WorldwideCameraExchange Sadden that damage could be caused so easily. I have been out midday taking pictures, largely that's what my schedule allows. May have changed film outside too. Luckily the camera is still under a warranty. thanks for your reply

[@GillesQuennevilleGQ]

What is TTL meaning ?

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Through the lens. So through the lens ambient light metering and/or through the lens flash metering. Sorry, I should not use abbreviations when English is not the first language for so many of my viewers!

[@guyparis6894]

I am thinking of buying an M6 but seems the price has doubled since last year? People said the price of a good one was about 1500 euros in 2020. Now it's over 3000. It's so bizarre...

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Prices on all high-quality film cameras are increasing. Not just Leica. Nikon, Hasselblad, Contax and Bronica too. Film photography is becoming more popular and the supply of cameras is finite with very few being made new. High demand, reducing supply ... prices rise. I wouldn't be surprised if Nikon reintroduces the FM2, FM3 or something similar.