I just noticed that M6TTL and M7 models have an additional screw in the 6 o'clock position of the bayonet. My 1990 M6 classic doesn't have one. Does anyone know why Leica added the screw?

-- Bert Keuken (treb@operamail.com), May 30, 2002

Answers

You mean you haven't heard that lenses were falling off the M6 classics by the hundreds (especially those notorious 1990 models)? Leica finally decided they had to make a fix...or get sued.

8^)

-- Andy Piper (apidens@denver.infi.net), May 30, 2002.

Since that's the bottom of the mount, and the forces there are pressure, not tension, a screw wasn't previously necessary. More recently, however, with so many photographers standing on their heads and hanging from trapezes while taking photos it's become a real problem. I suspect, knowing Leica, that ALL of the other manufacturers were on to this several models ago, but Leica wasn't willing to buy the extra holes for the screws until there was a real demand established. . . or maybe their supplier only makes holes every two years or so.

-- Michael Darnton (mdarnton@hotmail.com), May 30, 2002.

Thats not a fastening screw, its a drain....

Seriously, my M6TTL from 1999 doesn't have the screw there. I'd not rule out the need to "get inside for something" thru that hole though.

-- Charles (cbarcellona@telocity.com), May 30, 2002.

They figured that if they did not put in the sixth screw they would have too many screws left over when production of the M6 ceased.

-- Mani Sitaraman (bindumani@pacific.net.sg), May 30, 2002.

It's so the assembler can put the mount on upside down and it'll still pass QC ;>)

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), May 30, 2002.

The 6 screw is for the new ultra magnetic link ULM going to be released at Photokina

-- Kelly Flanigan (zorki3c@netscape.net), May 30, 2002.

Theres been a trend amongst camera manufacturers to make the lens mount as strong and flex free as possible in order to support their 10kg 1000mm lenses and a solution was to add as many screws as possible to the mount. I guess leica just did the same?

-- Karl Yik (karl.yik@dk.com), May 31, 2002.

Well, they already screwed you with their pricing and aftersales... Think of it as a courtesy measure.

-- rob (rob@robertappleby.com), May 31, 2002.

yeah, that extra screw is worth 100 dollars!

-- Karl Yik (karl.yik@dk.com), May 31, 2002.

Karl; the special editions have a red dot 6th screw; these all collectors must have

-- Kelly Flanigan (zorki3c@netscape.net), May 31, 2002.