My camera store let me try out a couple of different used M6's (.85, .72 non-TTL) while waiting for my new .72 TTL to arrive. The new one has a slightly protruding rectangular metal frame around the viewfinder which scratches my glasses. The used ones had a softer (rubber?) frame. Anyone know if the frame is replaceable, or if there is a standard rubber attachment one can add ? Easily ? I tried rubber O-rings from a plumbing supply, but they were too thin to help.

-- Mike Cowan (warcow@videotron.ca), April 20, 2002

Answers

Mike: BRING IT BACK AND THEY WILL FIX IT!!

-- Albert Knapp MD (albertknappmd@mac.com), April 20, 2002.

Yes, it is replaceable however it requires a special clamp tool to do it properly. Also, the M6 hard rubber rear eyepiece is like $85. from Lecia USA. Note that it's a lens itself and not just glass.

-- Tristan Tom (emulsion71@hotmail.com), April 20, 2002.

I'm confused Mike. Very early M6's had metal rings around the eyepiece, carryovers from the older M's, but were changed to the rubber-clad type around 1986. All the M6's from then on, through the M6TTLs and into the M7 have the same rubber-clad eyepiece. At no time however, has any M had a rectangular eyepiece, they were always round. I can't imagine what can possibly be the case with yours. Any way to take a digital shot of it and show it to us?

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), April 20, 2002.

There is a rubber rim on the M6 finders, and the exit eyepieces can be replaced on earlier models. USD $85.00 is rather high. I was given a price of CDN $65.00 for my M4-P (same eyepiece) and that translates to approximately USD $40.00. You can remove the eyepiece with a pair of forceps, or needle nosed pliers, and when you put the new one on, because it is rubber, if you use a bit of rough cloth as a grip, you can tighten it down enough to not have to worry about it becoming loose.

Go to the Canadian distributors web site www.like.ca and email the service department, or phone them about the part. (I was there today and they don't have a .72 eyepiece in stock, but they do have a .85.)

Your querry is rather moot however as your new camera will have the correct rubber rimmed eyepiece.

-- Ian MacEachern (iwmac@sympatico.ca), April 20, 2002.

silly question but, is the eyepiece we are all talking about (available in .72 and .85 versions) interchangeable...ie can my .72 be made into a .85 just by replacing the rear lens (Iknow the frames would be different) or am I being dopey and assuming the rest of the eyepiece optics are the same!

cheers

john

-- John Tobias (johntobias@hotmail.com), April 21, 2002.

Sorry for confusion about the shape of the metal frame - I must have been asleep. The frame itself is circular - of course it's the aperture inside the glass that is rectangular. This is a brand new M6-TTL (elegant box, warranty card, no marks on it, reputable dealer)serial number 2723655 and the viewfinder frame is indubitably black anodized metal - protrudes about 2 mm from the back of the camera. Another example of Leica whimsicality?

-- Mike Cowan (warcow@videotron.ca), April 25, 2002.

Sounds to me like Leica just left the rubber piece off by mistake - check with Leica repair (N.Y.) for advice - they should either send you the missing piece (if you can install it yourself) or give you expeditied repair if it's a simple fix but requires some disassembly for installation.

Under warranty, either way.

-- Andy Piper (apidens@denver.infi.net), April 25, 2002.