is it really neccessary to switch the camera to the 'off' position, as it is stated in the manual? i find this a bit annoying.

stefan

-- stefan randlkofer (geesbert@yahoo.com), November 23, 2001

Answers

It's a question which appeared several times already in this forum. Basically, when you store your M6 in a bag, turn it off. Othewise, as long as nothing touches the shutter button, you can keep it on.

-- Xavier (xcolmant@powerir.com), November 23, 2001.

Xavier is absolutely right. When I carry my TTL around all day, by strap over my shoulder or around my neck (but not in the bag), I never turn it off. I don't always change the focus, I don't always change the aperture, and I don't always have to reset the time either.

-- Michael Kastner (kastner@zedat.fu-berlin.de), November 23, 2001.

I have shot with my M6 TTL for almost a year know. I use it almost every day (about 2 rolls per week) and I have never turned it off. I've replaced the battery once, 5 or 6 months ago. So I think the answer is no.

-- Dan Bronw (brpatent@swbell.net), November 23, 2001.

Hi Stefan,

Happy to constate your doubts are back! and you rapidly touch one defect (s?) of Mister M. Perfect answers before me. In Leica Customers Forum, a well known friend ;-)told us this problem with lot of details; if you don't press the release shutter button, no problem, but if you do, the electric circuit goes on (=closed) and the LED in the view finder don't light :-( So, it's better to switch off for long time, principally if the camera is in a bag.

Welcome to our particular world Alain

-- alain.besancon (alain.besancon@chu-dijon.fr), November 23, 2001.

I had to replace the battery (which came with the camera) in just a few months. I wasn't using it daily- but I didn't shut it off when in the bag.

This thread covers it pretty much.

I try to keep the switch off when it's in the bag.

-- Tse-Sung Wu (tsesung@yahoo.com), November 23, 2001.

I learned my lesson the hard way with this: the battery went dead the the first week of owning my new M6TTL. I had set it upside down in the car seat next to me, and the shutter release was depressed enough to drain the battery. I was in the middle of nowhere, but luckily there was a RadioShack in nowhere. Just get in the habit of doing a quick left to right sweep with your index finger on the shutter speed dial before putting the camera away.

-- Ken Geter (kgeter@yahoo.com), November 23, 2001.

Absolutely when you store the M6 TTL turn the dial to Off. This is so that just in case the button is pressing against something it doesn't stay turned on for hours. I thought I'd hate this feature but I like it very much. I now turn my classic M-6 to B and have been saving battery life. Especially if you have a Softie or other release you should do this. Also turn off your motor when storing.

I wish my Bessa T had this Off feature. I've changed batteries three time since last spring when I bought it. And the problem is inadvertant turn on during storage.

-- Alex Shishin (shishin@pp.iij4-u.or.jp), November 23, 2001.