gavinlg
Veteran
Not to start a war with leica snobbery or whatnot (enter collector stating he only cleans his mp with the finest cognac hand distilled in barrels made from wood from the machinery molds originally used to make the tools that produce the M line), but I just took delivery of a beautiful, filthy m4-2. An early serial number one that I got for a good price.
The paint is nice and worn, and in some places, actually has grime/light surface dirt encrusted on the finish. I found that with a bit of water and a Q tip, I can get it off but it's a little tedious....
Is there a way that you guys (the ones with more experience than I) clean cameras. Say you just got a new leica M as I have, and it's a bit dirty from years without so much as a rubdown with a cloth. Also, what is normal cleaning/maintenance for you?
I was thinking of possibly using some cleaning alcohol or some grape distilled (good quality) vodka in very small amounts and just rub over with a cloth on all the metal parts but I don't want to take the finish off just yet (it has to be done the real way! taking photos!)
The glass bits aren't a problem, I just use a lens cloth.
By the way, if you want to know, so far shutter speeds sound correct and test pretty well against the television static, and the slow speeds are pretty clean and consistant too. The finder is very nice indeed - I assume its the early m4 finder without the removed bits. The body feels beautiful and film advance is very smooth. Film pressure plate is a little worn but has plenty of life left in it. I'd say it's had a decent, hard working yet honest life. There is a seal in the wax on the lens mount - seems to be either an "L" or a "Y" - I can't quite tell
Thanks,
Gavin
The paint is nice and worn, and in some places, actually has grime/light surface dirt encrusted on the finish. I found that with a bit of water and a Q tip, I can get it off but it's a little tedious....
Is there a way that you guys (the ones with more experience than I) clean cameras. Say you just got a new leica M as I have, and it's a bit dirty from years without so much as a rubdown with a cloth. Also, what is normal cleaning/maintenance for you?
I was thinking of possibly using some cleaning alcohol or some grape distilled (good quality) vodka in very small amounts and just rub over with a cloth on all the metal parts but I don't want to take the finish off just yet (it has to be done the real way! taking photos!)
The glass bits aren't a problem, I just use a lens cloth.
By the way, if you want to know, so far shutter speeds sound correct and test pretty well against the television static, and the slow speeds are pretty clean and consistant too. The finder is very nice indeed - I assume its the early m4 finder without the removed bits. The body feels beautiful and film advance is very smooth. Film pressure plate is a little worn but has plenty of life left in it. I'd say it's had a decent, hard working yet honest life. There is a seal in the wax on the lens mount - seems to be either an "L" or a "Y" - I can't quite tell
Thanks,
Gavin
