Response from Leica

["Ferdinand U. LuDo" <fld@mozcom.com>]

Hello Luggers,

About a month ago, I wrote to Leica, Solms about the numerous complains I
have compiled based on my survey. The problems ranged from rangefinder
focusing problems, slow speed shutter problems, all the way to the most
common problem among M6's the faulty frame counter. I even sent them
testimonies from various luggers about these complaints.


Lo and behold, I got a letter from Leica today in the mail and I would
like to share with you guys what they have to say about our concerns on
various problems:



L-QW-AS/MK/CM

Phone:++6442/208-220 and -239/Fax:+++6442/208-335

Solms, September 8th, 1997


<bold><underline>Buying a new Leica M6


</underline></bold>Dear Mr. LuDo,


it is allways important for us to receive impressions and experiences
from the Leica customers too. So thank you very much for sending a
summary of comments from several users of the Leica M6. In the following
you will find our response regarding the main complaints and your
question about the service.


<underline>Ref.:a.) Frame counter defect


</underline>It is correct, that we have had problems with the function of
the frame counter in the past. A few modifications where done in the past
and since then, we never account significant customer complaints
regarding malfunction of the frame counter (for more details, please see
pos.e)).


<underline>Ref.:b.) Vertical adjustment of the range finder

</underline>

The adjustment of the range finder is one of the most critical in the
assembly, because it depends on  the very small tolerances. The practice
shows, that a mechanic or temperature shock was able to change this
adjustment on a few cameras. We made a lot of efforts to minimize this
enfluences in the last years, but until now, we are not able to solve
this problem totally, but we are still working on it.


<underline>Ref.:c) Shutter problems at low speeds

</underline>

This is not a main problem from our point of view. If the camera is often
used under critical conditions, a few cameras show malfunction at low
speeds. This is mainly caused by foreign parts like dust and dirt, moving
the gears and block the shutter mechanism.


<underline>Ref.:d) Rewinding the film problems

</underline>

We didn't have or had problems with the rewinding of the film. This must
be single defects.


<underline>Ref.:e) Metal parts were replaced with plastic parts (gear of
the frame counter).

</underline>

It is true that a metal gear of the frame counter was replaced by a
plastic gear and that this new gear caused some problems in the beginning
stage. The reason for the problem was not the plastic gear itself, but a
screw, which was not able to fix this gear well under every condition.
After the changing of the screw there are no more problems with this
gear.


<underline>Ref.: Service/repairs

</underline>

Yes, Schmidt is still authorized to service our products.



Best Regards


Leica Camera AG



(Manfred Konz)			(Andres Schlein)

- -Vice President-			 -Assistant-

<underline>

</underline>


Well,that's all got from them ! I will respond to this letter soon
thanking them for the reply ! maybe I'll ask some Leica M lens brochure
along those lines.


More power to you all,


Ferdinand


<bold><underline>

</underline></bold>