Yep. That's right. Total rookie move. My m6 just jumped out of my useless Manhattan Portage bag ( about 4 months ago my spectra pro did the same). My M6 had on its neoprene case and would probably have an even bigger mess if it didn’t have that. What seems to be damaged is the film rewind mechanism. Hopefully all it needs is to be swapped out and I’ll be ready to go.

I live in Jersey and am 45 minutes from the Leica repair place. Does anyone have any idea how much this might run me (assuming all that is damaged is the file rewind mechanism). I’m thinking at least $100.

Also… I tote my m6 (in it’s neoprene case) with the sf20 in one of these http://manhattanportage.com/images/1429lg.jpg (one of the smaller messenger bags they sell) I was wondering what other people have found as a good bag. The one I have been using for years does not have a zipper and it was only time before my camera fell out. The only thing I like about my bag is that it’s always at my side and makes getting my camera, film, flash a real cinch.

Any suggestions?

Thanks, Ilya

-- ilya shinkar (shinky@mindspring.com), November 02, 2001

Answers

Please check this out

-- Mitchell Li (mitchli@pacbell.net), November 02, 2001.

sorry, can't get the picture working, the URL is as below: http://images.andale.com/f2/122/110/7304183/1003466948258_mbag2.jpg

[Mitchell, you must surround the URL with quotes (") when you place an inline image or a clickable link. -T]

-- Mitchell Li (mitchli@pacbell.net), November 02, 2001.

Just had my M6 rewind crank replaced. $50. Done in Singapore though.

Cheers

-- joel (joel_low@pacific.net.sg), November 03, 2001.

Joel: May I ask where you got the repair done, and how long it took? I've got a laundry list of CLAs etc to be done, and moved back to Singapore. Schmidt is problematic.

-- Mani Sitaraman (bindumani@pacific.net.sg), November 03, 2001.

Call Jebsen & Jessen.

-- Gerald (bengkin@singnet.com.sg), November 03, 2001.

Yup, J&J does a good job at a reasonable price. They take about 2-3 weeks for a CLA. Last I enquired, its S$180 to CLA an M6.

-- joel (joel_low@pacific.net.sg), November 03, 2001.

Ilya, I feel your pain. A few months ago I dropped my mint M5 - actually I bumped it off a shelf. The damage is minor but it's no longer mint and I'm actively looking for a new base plate.

Until someone does this themselves, they will never understand the totally sick feeling that comes along with dropping a Leica. I didn't feel this bad when someone smashed my truck or even when my wife decided to see how fast she could ram a boat dock last summer.

-- mark (mramra@qwest.net), November 03, 2001.

I am not familiar with your bag but have you ever heard of "once bitten twice shy"? I also use a messager bag but mine has velcro closure that catches when the flap falls shut. I have never had any problems and the bags are built like tanks.

http://timbuk2.com/

The nice thing about a big velcro flap is that it is water proof unlike zippers. The disadvantage is that it is noisy in use so when I want a quiet bag I grab a Billingham Alice or Hadley. They have a flap secured with a quick action toggle and post system. They are one of the few camera bags which are "really" water proof.

Cheers,

-- John Collier (jbcollier@powersurfr.com), November 03, 2001.

You could try a crumpler bag - similiar to the one you already have but a bit brighter. "URL:http://www.crumplerusa.com". My guess is completely indestructible.

-- Adrian (morgs72@hotmail.com), November 03, 2001.

Been there. My wife knocked my week-old TTL off a chair onto a concrete floor. The infinity focus was off, which I adjusted because we were going on vacation the next day. When we got back I sent it to NJ. They replaced the top plate, and it has been working fine ever since. I know the punched-in-the-gut feeling you get when it happens. I feel better having sent it in, even though I've heard bad things about Leica NJ, my experience was good.

-- Ken Geter (kgeter@yahoo.com), November 04, 2001.

Feeling bad? I was assisting for a photographer and returned to his house at the end of a long day. I went to get in my car, when I saw him through his camera bag on the back of his tallgate.... Yep, I watched as a front heavy bag tipped and rolled out three Hasselblad and two Leica lenses down his driveway. Swearing does'nt come close to what that guy went into that day. Ugh! -->Scott

-- Scott (scottevans@mediaone.net), November 05, 2001.

Definitely either Lowepro (dang waterproof no joke!!!) and Domke I guess :)

Alfie

-- Alfie Wang (albert.wang@ibx.com), November 07, 2001.