Cleaning up a "new" M3...tips?

[JCT]

Hi all,

First post, wanted to actually *own* a Leica M before I posted anything.

So my M3 and 50mm Summicron DR are on their way 🙂D x 10) -- they are both in reasonable shape, the M3 is truly a user and will require a new covering at some point, but how would you guys go about cleaning the barrel of the lens and other metal parts of accumulated minor grunge, etc?

And do you have any suggestions for favorite hoods?

Thanks!

JT

 

[Xmas]

Q tips (cotton buds) + Zippo + cocktail sticks + craft knife.

Moisten the Q tips in Zippo lighter fluid, dig out any grunge with sharpened cocktail stick, beware that quartzite will scratch lots of things.

Dont scrub the lens optics or expose to Zippo or lens cleaning fluid ingress.

The Leitz cut out cone is compact and nice but a collectors piece.

Nice shooting

Noel

 

[kbg32]

Soft kneaded erasers, the ones found in art supply stores, are great for brightening up chrome. You can mold it into various shapes and it does not leave behind eraser bits like regular pencil erasers.

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

ronsonol (lighter fluid) and Qtip will work fine

don't flood or pour the ronsonol near the optics, only lightly apply it to either Qtips or cotton swabs. You don't want the ronsonol to dissolve any grease and have it migrate toward any optics

good luck

 

[Keith]

I recently bough a Contax IIa off eBay which was very grubby and had some tape residue on the chrome work and the covering. Tee tree oil and cotton tips was the method and the camera came up like new. Tee tree oil comes from one of our native trees and is also used as an antiseptic for cuts and grazes. I had never used it before and was amazed at the results! 🙂

Before and after!

 

[markinlondon]

There are many good and cheap screw in 39mm hoods available on the well known auction site. a search on "summicron" usually finds them. I even managed to get one that has a 52mm filter thread on the front for my current version 'cron, very handy 🙂.
If you want authentic Leitz, you'll need a IROOA or a 12585 hood, these are usually quite expensive.

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

Mark is right that there is thankfully a wide variety of sources for after market hoods.

One of the best is the vented metal hood from Heavystar or American Eagle on Ebay.

 

[jano]

Tee tree oil comes from one of our native trees and is also used as an antiseptic for cuts and grazes.

This is like the new wonder-tonic, I swear! Next up will be tea tree oil cereal! Wow! 😀

 

[kbg32]

They do make tee tree oil shampoo.

 

[jano]

They do make tee tree oil shampoo.

A couple drops of the oil extract into your daily shampoo works better, cleans thoroughly, and helps soothe dry scalps 🙂

 

[Topdog1]

I recently bough a Contax IIa off eBay which was very grubby and had some tape residue on the chrome work and the covering. Tee tree oil and cotton tips was the method and the camera came up like new. Tee tree oil comes from one of our native trees and is also used as an antiseptic for cuts and grazes. I had never used it before and was amazed at the results! 🙂

Before and after!

Keith,
Tea Tree oil!? That is SO Australian. 🙂 I even use it to brush my teeth. It's used in many naturopatheic personal products. Maybe I'll brush my Leica with it? 😱

/Ira

 

[markinlondon]

They do make tee tree oil shampoo.

Are you suggesting he shampoo the M3, Keith? 😱🙂 😱

 

[Graybeard]

Windex isn't bad at removing minor dirt on chrome or any residue left by rge Ronsonol.

Don't spray the camera - spray a soft paper towel or cotton swab first then scrub gently.

 

[JCT]

This is great input guys -- thanks, I figured there were a few "tricks" and I am committed to getting my gear in the best condition possible. I actually asked one of my Aussie colleagues at work about Tee Tree oil -- he said his teenage brother used it to treat his acne!

I have to admit that I was inspired by the "Show your M" thread, looking forward to joining it as soon as I get everything in hand.

I've learned quite a bit lurking about, great forums.

Thanks to all for the help,

Jil