M3 DS Shutter curtain help

[walnut]

Hello ,i am thinking of purchasing this DS M3 but need your expert help on this shutter question. After cocking the shutter and firing same should you see the metal seam on the left edge of the second curtain. Gandy says that you should not see the edge of the shutter curtain after you fire the shutter or the shutter probably will need service. Also before you cock the shutter curtain you see the seam approx 1/32 inch, out into the opening. A little expert advice! from you wonderful folks. Thanks Dennis.

 

[normclarke]

Dennis,
The reason that you can see the edge of the curtain is the brake is too tightly adjusted. This is a simple op for a tech to perform and does not require a full CLA. Though I should warn you it could indicate a need for further work. If the curtain clears the film gate it in itself is not a major problem.

Cheers,

normclarke.

 

[Xmas]

Save $ for a CLA.

Noel

 

[walnut]

Hello normclarke, I talked to Dag after posting this question, ie, about the shutter curtain postion of the metal seam strip, and Dag said he sets the seam a little out into the opening as that was the recomended procedure he was instructed to follow at wetzlar when he did his apprenticship there. And , BTW, He said that he performed a Cla, about a year ago and that was and is the way he sets the shutter curtains on his cla;s. I do not know how Sherry sets hers and do not know if this setting as you say sets the brake too tight and what that implies later down the road. Any other thoughts? Thanks Dennis

 

[normclarke]

Dennis,
I am in awe of D.G. so would not argue with his superior experience in this area. My instruction was taken from the old U.S. Army tech. manual. Most Leica's that I have come across the edges of the curtains just clear the film aperture and I found that on an early M2 with the curtain showing a small adjustment to the brake relieved this. The purpose of the brake I believe is to stop shutter bounce and as long as this is not obvious all is o.k.

Cheers,
normclarke

 

[wpb]

Youxin Ye just CLA'd a M3 DS for me and after firing the seam is just visible. I'd bet it is set, at that exact point, to have a reference point to tell visually if the brake needs service. The brake can be adjusted on the bottom of the camera, under the plate with the film loading diagram, and can be tightened to quickly bring it back to spec. I don't think it is as common for the brake to need to adjusted to have it apply less force, that would indicate the shutter was not traveling properly.

 

[walnut]

Wpb, thanks for the reply. It looks like the seam should be just peaking out into the film gate as DAG and Youxin are doing this when they Cla the shutter. I shot a couple of rolls and exposures were great and even across the frame and did not see any shutter bounce so it looks like shutter is ok. If any of you have had a recent shutter fix from Sherry in NY, how did she set the seam on your cameras curtain? Thanks to all who replyed. Dennis

 

[kinoglass]

I am a Leica repair tech. Early M cameras had two brakes, one for each curtain. The first curtain brake has to be set first not to interfere with the second curtain which in turn should be stopped by its own brake. So, in fact if the second curtain metal armature is visible in the film gate once the shutter fired, it could indicate an improperly set first brake. The second curtain will just simple slam on the first. Listening to the noise produced when firing the shuter should tell most of the story, a smooth stop without a metal clunk sound is a good sign. Check the first curtain action first by setting the shutter speeds at B. The first curtain should clear the film gate but not too far in. The second curtain should come to stop right on after without slaming the first. Leica discontinued the two brake adjustement another refinement gone from the great M3.