Another Leica IIIc with light leaks

[jtlns]

Hi all,

I recently got a Leica IIIc in really good condition (and for a fair price), together with an Elmar 5cm. Unfortunately I noticed some light leaks, especially when the using the camera in bright light (e.g. outside). I suspect the shutter curtain (the one that's visible when the shutter is cocked) is having some little holes.

Via this link you can find some negatives that show the light leak. I've also included a picture of the curtain, that shows cracks.

Do you think I'm correct in diagnosing that the culprit is the curtain? Is there any other option than sending it in to replace the curtain? I already got a €400 quote from a repair center in the Netherlands: they only replace the curtain together with a CLA since the camera has to be taken apart completely. Any recommendations in Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Europe ... ?

Thanks a lot!
Jan

 

[mgilbuena]

Definitely. Shutter cloth needs replacement - it is visibly cracked and you have curtain holes.

A temporary solution would be liquid electrical tape, providing you know exactly where the pinholes are.

Regarding repairs: I do not know if Youxin Ye out of New York still services Leicas; he may be able to match or beat your quote.

 

[jtlns]

Regarding repairs: I do not know if Youxin Ye out of New York still services Leicas; he may be able to match or beat your quote.

I live in Europe, any tips for respected repair centers are appreciated!

 

[MiniMoke]

I live in Europe, any tips for respected repair centers are appreciated!

Was your quote from Will van Manen? If not, try him:

http://www.kamera-service.info/index.php/en/

Quite fast, very helpful and good quality work!

 

[David Hughes]

Hmmm, a respected repair centre for old Leicas in Germany, that's going to be difficult... I'll wish you luck. ;-)

Seriously, your quotation seems about the same as I've had over the years. Meaning about 200 to strip down and reassemble and about the same for blinds. Although I was told the blinds had to be made by hand as they were not available nowadays but Leica may have started making them because I know they have (or had?) a repair dept. for historic cameras.

There's also our friend Oleg in Russia, who is highly respected but the post to and from him is another matter and causes considerable delays.

Sorry I can't help much.

Regards, David

 

[Jerevan]

I second the recommendation for Will & Cathy.

Otherwise CRR Luton the UK (very backlogged), someone mentioned a person in the Hamburg area, we have a few local repairmen in Sweden ...

I'll see if I can get the contact information for the Hamburg man (unless I misremember that).

I have sent stuff to the US a few times, no problems with customs or anything - just write "camera for repair" on the form.

 

[Jerevan]

Here's one in Berlin - www.kameraservice-ostkreuz.de

 

[Ron (Netherlands)]

Was your quote from Will van Manen? If not, try him:

http://www.kamera-service.info/index.php/en/

Quite fast, very helpful and good quality work!

hmm, it is not the man I would choose. Takes hardly any time for you and seems always in a hurry - not a good thing when repairing these precious toys...
Eur 400 is way to much. The Barnack Leica is a very simple camera, and you can take it apart very easily. I did quite some shutter overhaul in the past (I stopped working for others since I got to busy), so I know what work is involved.


Leica IIIa sync repair & cla VII by Ron (Netherlands), on Flickr

I would try the German service centers.

 

[splitimageview]

I'd try plasti dip first, that may work for a while, in the meantime you can line up a tech for replacement curtains

 

[Miltonian]

Thread seems dead now but just in case......I was quoted about UK£180 by Red Dot Leica in London today. That includes CLA and new front and rear curtains. Then the salesman recommended that I do it myself as it's "quite an easy repair". A repair man in Glasgow told me to use acetone on the rubberised side to make it flexible again - or Japanese black tissue "for bigger holes".