Leica M4 - Vertical Banding

[dscelfo]

Recently purchased a Leica M4 from a forum member and these are some shots from the first roll. The banding doesn't appear in every photo, but these were, I believe, all taken at the same shutter speed (1/60th).

The slowest shutter speeds stick (1/2 and below) but the seller never used them and wasn't aware. Just curious if this issue is diagnosable from these scans.

Thanks!

 

[Mr_Flibble]

My first inclination is that it is shutter drag; The curtains aren't traveling at a constant speed across the film plane.

 

[sc_rufctr]

I'm not sure what's wrong but I am sure a compitent Leica tech could fix it with a simple adjustment.

 

[SCLim]

The shutter needs servicing.

 

[porktaco]

your sensor needs cleaning

 

[Vickko]

Yep, shutter dragging. The speed across the screen isn't constant, and the gap width is not constant across the film opening.

Typical issue if the shutter bearing lubricant is dry, and likely since your slow speeds are not working correctly.

The fix is to open the camera up, lubricate the bearings, and recalibrate the shutter speeds. And to check the brake. If you had a band next to the edge, it would be shutter bouncing (not closing positively).

 

[kanzlr]

your sensor needs cleaning

you did read the title and know which sub forum this post resides in? 😛

 

[porktaco]

sarcasm alert 🙂

 

[Phil_F_NM]

your sensor needs cleaning

To add to that, I'd say it is the dreaded dead pixels vertical stripe. 😀

Phil Forrest

 

[yossarian123]

$30. Youxin. My M4 just had the same work done.

 

[dscelfo]

Thanks, all. I guess I'll just toss it and buy a new one. Are these things recyclable?

 

[Harry Lime]

The lubricants are gummed up and it needs a CLA. If one shutter speed does not work, then it's pretty much guaranteed that the rest don't fire accurately either.

Try this guy. Good and cheap.

http://www.yyecamera.com