Leica LTM Amazed and dismayed at how much disassembly you need to do, to get at curtains

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
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Vickko

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I bought a parts IIIg, hoping to restore it.

But it seems more incomplete than I had hoped for, so I started to disassemble it.

I am amazed and dismayed at how much disassembly you need to do, to get at the curtains. See, I have a IIIf that needs a new "first curtain", and eventually want to do it myself.

There is one final light shield that covers the rollers, and you need to take off the entire rangefinder, the flash sync, the slow speed escapement, two major flat springs, i.e. pretty much have the entire camera apart, just to get sufficient access to the shutter rollers.

My respect and awe, at those that replace curtains on IIIg's and IIIf's, has shot through the roof.



....Vick
 
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1. You are a brave man. Any attempt by me to fix my camera would result in a pile of parts.

2. You are probably up against the famous German trait of "overengineering" something
 
The first ltm camera I worked on is still in peices. It turned out that one of the rollers was broken and I couldn't figure out how to fix it. Couldn't bring myself to put it back together like that. :(

I'm still working up the courage to work on a curtain replacent after that experience.
 
Paul Luscher said:
2. You are probably up against the famous German trait of "overengineering" something
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And overcomplicating it an overlooking that someone might, one day need to adjust or repair it!

I own a german motorcycle of a well-known brand. Many major maintenance tasks are easy-peasy. Changing the headlamp bulb is not. There are many other similar "why isn't it this easy on other bikes/who the heck designed this stupid idea" comparisons on it too. Perhaps Leica are in the same tradition.
 
same deal for the Leicaflex. It's almost funny how complicated it is. Almost.
I hate Leicaflexes.
 
The answer to it is that you are not supposed to change them. It should be returned to the factory. Once you've bought one that's had some cack-handed idiot have a go at it; you'll understand. If I had my way all those "strip down and repair your Leica/FED etc in an hour" websites would be closed.

OTOH, sales of my repair manuals paid the deposit on this house and supplied the car etc, etc.

Regards, David
 
Vickko said:
I bought a parts IIIg, hoping to restore it.


My respect and awe, at those that replace curtains on IIIg's and IIIf's, has shot through the roof.



....Vick
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This statement made Zorkikat grin as wide as the Cheshire cat...

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=939170&postcount=1
(from 2008-2009)

The IIIf black dial and red dial versions are the easier of the IIIf to work on. The selftimer version is difficult- I decided to leave the timer in a non-working state on mine.

I have a IIIg waiting to be repaired.
 
Too bad Honda doesn't make cameras, the little scooter I have from them is such a joy to work on. Designed to take apart and tweak :)
 
Renzsu said:
Too bad Honda doesn't make cameras, the little scooter I have from them is such a joy to work on. Designed to take apart and tweak :)
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If they did, they'd be reliable I'm sure. On the other hand, I did once see a Honda in a dealer's service bay with the engine out - just to adjust the valve clearances! (I don't recall which model, one of the VFRs I think)
 
I'd have to agree with David Hughes. Given my lack of mechanical aptitude, any attempt of mine to fix my Leica would be cruel and unusual punishment for the camera.

I will leave that in the hands of experts--even if I do have to wait months and months before I ever see the camera again.
 
Compared to anything later, the Leica screwmount cameras are "Zen simple". Have a look at any SLR by comparison.

Although I'm used to working on a IIIa, there's lots of extra doo-dads on a IIIf and IIIg.
 
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