M6 shutter sounds

[Robin Harrison]

This must be a much revisited and esentially boring topic and I apologise for bringing it up, but I've just bought an M6 and want to make sure everything is in working order.

The shutter sounds on 1/15 and 1/30 sound strange to me. The sound of
the shutter is followed by a little 'TICK tick-tick' sound.
Faster than 1/30 the shutter sounds like a click. Slower than 1/15 it
sounds like a two-part whir. These other two are altogether
different. Is this normal? I know the best way to test this would be to run a quick film through it, but the seller is fine with providing a refund so long as I make my decision quickly.

This page (http://leica-users.org/v03/msg01144.html) talks of 'bouncing' sounds being OK, and this page (http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:zs5DVtYLL9EJ:mejac2.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/v03/msg09817.html+leica+shutter+M6+springs+sound&hl=en&ie=UTF-8 ) says a lack of post-shutter noise is a bad thing. Neither of them talk about these intermediate sounds being different.

Can someone please confirm whether their M6 has distinctive sounds at 1/15 and 1/30 compared to the other slow speeds?

Much appreciated.

Robin.

[chendayuan]

1-/15 is controled by slow speed mechinism, a clock like stuff, so tickticktick
1/30 above clikclickclik.

[Brian Sweeney]

This is normal. At speeds of 1/50th, the first curtain moves across the film gate followed immediately by the second curtain. At 1/30th and slower a timer mechanism delays the second curtain. It is normal for the timing mechanism to "count on" after the shutter has closed.

[Ben Z]

The sound you are hearing at 1/15 (like the pea settling into the slot on a roulette wheel) is not only ok, but is the tell-tale sound people who know Leicas listen for to make sure the shutter gears are clean and properly lubricated. Failure to hear the aftersound at 1/15 is a good indicator the camera is due for an overhaul.

[vha]

Had the same thoughts myself during the first rolls of films, but it´s normal.
Have to say it sounded a bit creepy the first frames,this is a bit strange i thought, after 2nd roll i did not think more of it.


vha

[Robin Harrison]

Thanks all! The 'roulette wheel' analogy is right on the button - the best description I have read. I can now shoot in confidence!

[JNewell]

Nearly all of my M bodies make precisely that sound. It's fine.

[peter_n]

As everyone says its normal Robin so enjoy the whirring! :)

[Fred]

To my (limited) knowledge the only M that does not make the whirring sound is the M7 as it's got an electronic mechanism.

Enjoy the M6 all 'sounds' well.

[saxshooter]

Reminds me when I got my first Leica (an M6) back in 1993, and at that time not knowing much about them. I was alarmed at the strange sound at 1/15. I rang up Ken Hansen's shop (it was still in NYC then) and fired the shutter at 1/15 over the phone. I was relieved when the voice on the other end said it was supposed to sound like that!