M2 shutter issue? help?

El Jonbre Grande

El Jonbre Grande

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I've just developed the 4th roll I've put through a recently acquired M2 and noticed that in nearly every frame (not all) there seems to be some over exposure banding at the very edge of the frame - the definition and width of the banded area varies.

I've included a few examples below - any ideas experts?

lightleak3.jpg


lightleak1.jpg


lightleak2.jpg

(this image I suspect wasn't rotated after scanning - it seems to occur on the same edge)
 
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To me it looks like the second curtain is slowing down at the end of the cycle. Does this happen at all speeds? Does it happen more severely at higher speeds?
Or perhaps there is a brief gap between the curtains when you are winding on. Try looking at the curtain with the back open while you wind on to see if there is a gap.
Either way, you might need a cla.
 
CNNY - it seems to have only occurred this roll and come to think of it this is the first roll I've used the 1/1000th speed a few times (though it seems to have occurred across all shutter speeds). I'll take a look at the back - thanks for the response!

edit: I just had a look at the back holding it up to a light as I wind on and can't see any gaps of any sort in the shutter curtain
 
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Welcome to the Club. One of my M2s has been doing this since I got it: overexposed strip at speeds higher than 1/125th, getting larger the higher the speed is, but not more than about 3 millimeters on the negative.
I have been avoiding speeds faster than 1/125th :)

Waiting for the right time to have it repaired, any time soon now.

This should be an easy fix for a Leica-competent repair person. In all likelihood you will be able to see at which speed(s) the problem starts, and in all likelihood you will be able to use the camera with impunity at speeds lower than that. Of course, you can use the higher speeds, too, if you are willing to crop out the overexposed strip.

All the best, Ljós
 
Most likely due to not enough exercise! The high speeds tend to slow down first - particularly the 1/500 and 1/1000. Not a big deal anyway - do some "dry" firing at the affected speeds (couple of 100 exposures with out film) - it will drive people around you nuts - so pick a place with nobody around.
Also visually check that the curtains move smoothly - take of the lens and flip up the back-door and run through the speeds. You should see a "full frame" in the film-gate before the 2nd curtain shows up.
Shutter bounce usually shows up as a slightly "curved" uneven density across the negative. The OP's sample looks like a slowed down second curtain.
 
I'm likin' bounce myself.
I think you get a more even edge 1-2mm like the OP rather than tapering exposure like pirates camera showed.
 
Tom A said:
Most likely due to not enough exercise! The high speeds tend to slow down first - particularly the 1/500 and 1/1000. Not a big deal anyway - do some "dry" firing at the affected speeds (couple of 100 exposures with out film) - it will drive people around you nuts - so pick a place with nobody around.
[...]
Click to expand...

That (not enough exercise) could very well be the cause of it in my case, which gives similar results on the negatives as the OP's M2.
My M2 that does it had been serviced one and a half years prior to me buying it, but the owner had then had the camera sit in a closet before finally selling it. So lack of exercise could very well be a factor.

Greetings, Ljós
 
If you have a P&S with a macro mode you may eventually check this problem digitally by removing the back of your M2, placing the P&S behind it in B mode an firing the M2 shutter at all speeds with the appropriate aperture compensation.
Basically you use the M2 as a shutter for you P&S. just throw a dark Tshirt over the assembly to prevent indirect light from entering the lens from the side of the P&S.
just see the results as digital files on your P&S.
I used this method once when I needed to check some speed adjustments on my M2.
 
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If you see metallic specks on the shutter curtains and the shutter releases with a fairly loud "click" rather than a "snick", it needs an overhaul anyway. Mine works fine but, compared to the just-serviced M3, it's about three times as loud and feels completely "dry".
 
I just want to say thankyou to everyones very helpful suggestions! I think it's time to bite the bullet and get it CLA'd (the shutter release button was feeling a bit gummy and needs some work too).
 
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