Another Leica Rescue (warning, big pics!)

[ZorkiKat]

Found another one dead...nearly naked, and no shutter (well, it was there but fossilised). Chrome finish somewhat good, but the RF optics were shot.

The following photos were shot two days (the time it took for the re-animation process) apart. Compare:

Shutter, the same, usual DIY stuff I use:

The original blinds broke off from their laths and wrapped themselves permanently on their rollers. Their rubber coating appeared to have softened, then dried out to a brittle, dead-leaf like state:

The new shutter has tapes sewn with red thread. Just like in the original Leicas. Red appears to have been selected to make the fastening easily visible.​

 

[dexdog]

cool! Congratulations on the fine job of rejuvenating that classic.

Looks great, happy shooting

 

[justins7]

When you say "found" do you mean the camera was buried in someone's backyard or something? That's what it looks like. Or did you find it in a sewer?

 

[ZorkiKat]

Thanks dexdog.

During the repair process, this tool proved really helpful- it beat the rubber-lined pliers, the rubber mats, or the more expensive 'real' tools. And it did not even distort or scratch the metal parts. The 'Zorkikat wrench' 🙂

worked right for removing the stubborn bezels and retainers.

 

[BillBingham2]

Great job. I wish I had the time and skills to do it. How did you learn such wonderful good magic?

B2 (;->

 

[Benjamin Marks]

Fabulous! Did you have to replace any of the springs or gears? Lubrication? How were the optics, RF prism etc?

Ben

 

[ZorkiKat]

Great job. I wish I had the time and skills to do it. How did you learn such wonderful good magic?

Thanks B2....the repair books proved quite useful. 😀

Fabulous! Did you have to replace any of the springs or gears? Lubrication? How were the optics, RF prism etc?

Ben

Ben, the springs and the gears were OK. Some parts rusty, but luckily most of the rust was removed by cleaners and solvents. The shutter springs were clean but dry, and were lube'd with 4-in-1 oil diluted with lighter fluid. Same oil I use for the repairs I do.

The VF was dirty, and had to be cleaned with window cleaner and ethanol.
The RF half-mirror was replaced.

 

[BillBingham2]

Thanks B2....the repair books proved quite useful. 😀

Perhaps once I get the houses sold I will have some time in the spring. I will poke around to find some books. Thank you so much for the inspiration. This could be really fun.

B2 (;->

 

[Nikon Bob]

I can only agree with what B2 said. You must get a tremendous amount of enjoyment in bringing back to life such a derelict camera. I know I would if I had your skill set.

Bob

 

[Rhodes]

More, more, more!!! Pics about the saving process!

 

[jke]

The red stitching is a particularly nice touch. Nicely done.

 

[ZorkiKat]

@Bob: It's a real 'high'. From bad to good, just in 2 days....🙂

I'm sure someone will enjoy this "new" camera for many more years to come now.

@Double Negative: Someone will....me! 😛

The red stitching is a particularly nice touch. Nicely done.

The Red Stitching is actually a cross between the methods used by Leitz, Canon and FED/Zorki. Leitz used red thread, but used machine stitching. Canon used black, but the tapes were hand-stitched. FED/Zorki stitching style used here- the looped style seen over the metal laths to aid the tapes' grip.

 

[Fuchs]

The RF half-mirror was replaced.

Hi,
What have you used as a replacement? Original part, Zorki's, etc?
TIA
(I'm half-way decided about starting a similar rejuvenating project myself)

 

[ZorkiKat]

Hi,
What have you used as a replacement? Original part, Zorki's, etc?
TIA
(I'm half-way decided about starting a similar rejuvenating project myself)

The shutter is DIY. Blinds stitched to the laths using an old treadle sewing machine. The tapes are hand-sewn.

The covering replacement is upholstery material. Cheap and very easy to work on.

The RF mirror replacement was cut from a half-mirror (50T/50R?). I think it's film-coated since it resists abrasion. The Zorki mirror would be nice, but like the Leica mirror, its reflective surface can be easily rubbed off. Makes handling and installation difficult. Plus, can't bear thought of killing a Zorki to make a Leica live. 🙂

 

[Mr_Flibble]

Fantastic Job! I used to have a couple of butchered Zorkii's that could have used your magic touch.

 

[ZorkiKat]

More pics....

More pics....

More, more, more!!! Pics about the saving process!

@Rhodes, the 'saving' process would look like the ones I have for the other IIIf I restored last year. See here: Leica Fix.


The shutter crate when it was found:

After disassembly:

The corroded pressure plate:

Cleaning it with a toothpaste + jeweller's rouge mixture:

After cleaning:

 

[Bill58]

What is the 'Zorkikat wrench' made of--lead wire/ solder? BTW-Nice job!

 

[ZorkiKat]

What is the 'Zorkikat wrench' made of--lead wire/ solder? BTW-Nice job!

It's aluminium wire 2-3mm thick. Single strand copper wire of similar thickness will also work. Details on making it here: Zorkikat wrench

 

[Bill58]

Thanks a lot!

 

[Fuchs]

Wow! Great job. Thank you for your answer. I have found a local amateur telescope workshop who can realluminize RF semireflectant mirrors.
I will try to get a nice old Leica IIIa into shape again.