Continuing saga of getting a working M3 - jammed film advance

zauhar

zauhar

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OK, here is my story so far.

Purchased an M3 body from KEH - film advance froze when I loaded the second roll of film.

Returned to KEH for another body - was very happy with the new body, but discovered a problem with the shutter (as described in a separate thread). Sent back for repair, and also CLA. I want to keep this body as the rangefinder is really clear, and cosmetically it's great (except for a small dent near the film advance).

Got it back last week, seemed to be working perfectly, shot several rolls of film. This morning, in the middle of advancing the film the lever suddenly felt very stiff, and then would not advance again. The film was loaded well, also no film chips or other debris blocking the mechanism. Film advance roller turns freely when camera is set to rewind mode, but totally frozen otherwise. Now I wonder about the little dent by the lever...

I already sent a message to Dan at KEH. I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this much trouble in getting an M3 to work, or if it's just me with a dark cloud over my head. I love the camera and want to get it working.

Thanks!

Randy
 
Randy,

Many years ago, a friend of mine advised me to never buy a Leica with a dent near the film advance ...
Ask KEH for a partial refund and then send the camera to Sherry Krauter.

Regards,
Robert
 
Ah - well, I didn't see that dent until the camera was in my hands, and then didn't realize how serious it might be.

Do you the KEH tech will not be able to fix that?

Sherry Krauter is a name I see again and again - I guess you have had good experience with her?

Thanks!

Randy
 
Randy,

Call Sherry and explain her your problem. She can probably give you better advice than any of us.

Many years ago I purchased a Leica M4-P, and Leica USA could not perform a CLA in a reasonable amount of time. They asked me if I wouldn´t mind telling them who I was going to send it to.
when I mentioned Sherry they said, "You are in good hands, she does excellent work" 😉

http://www.sherrykrauter.com/

Best of luck,
Robert
 
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Randy,

My M2 did a very similar thing...

If you remove the film, and with the film back held open, look at the shutter curtain. Is there a slight "crease" in it towards the left hand side when you look down on the camera in this way?

Simon
 
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do the curtains look normal? I wouldn't think the dent has any effect unless it's big. Sounds more like something jamming the drum and curtains.
 
I had my M2 (now sold) and M3 (currently in use) CLA'd before serious use and never had a problem. Randomly encountered old M's usually need a basic CLA (and it's worth it).
 
The curtain looks absolutely flat from both sides (lens mount and film side), and I don't see any evidence of anything interfering with the curtains.

The dent is not very deep, although the camera was certainly whacked at some point.

I asked KEH to CLA the camera when it was repaired and was assured that was done.
 
If the winder feels very stiff or tight then it has to be something jamming the gear train or wedged between the ribbons and drum. My guess is that one of the felt strips has fallen into the mech. If they glued it back on then maybe it wasn't done properly.
 
Sounds like a gear issue. There's a small brass gear from the advance lever connecting to the rest of the gears and mechanism that is the weak spot here. It should be set absolutely correct or it will jam and strip teeth after a while.

Don Goldberg at DAG sent me a new one for USD 25 but I never got it properly fitted and in the end sent my M3 for a CLA to have it fixed. With M3 no.1 as an example, I have since then managed to get M3 no.2 working as should.

Both Sherry and Don have a serious backlog. Try Youxin Ye or Eddy Smolov. They are much faster.

EDIT: their addresses can be found through the Leica M forum, there is a sticky thread at the top with repair people's addresses and contact info there.

Happy shooting soon!
 
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I was quite wary about potential viewfinder issues when I was looking for my own M3, and having found one with a quite healthy viewfinder, thankfully have not encountered any problems with my M3. When I bought it, it had been serviced by a local repair tech though.

I find it quite disappointing that a CLA by KEH did not turn up the issue you are currently having. Good luck in getting it fixed, and I'm sure you wil enjoy it very much when back in full health. Just think when it is in complete health, it should last you quite a long time! 🙂
 
Thanks for the comments and advice. I have sent the camera back to KEH for another repair attempt, since they are still handling it under warranty. I have to say that I've quickly become hooked - the M3 has been a joy to use, even though I was only able to shoot < ten rolls with it!

Maybe I need a backup - I've heard good things about the Russian knock-offs. ;-)

Randy
 
zauhar said:
OK, here is my story so far.

... I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this much trouble in getting an M3 to work, or if it's just me with a dark cloud over my head. I love the camera and want to get it working.

Thanks!

Randy
Click to expand...

Randy

I'm trying to understand why your having so many issues.
My own experience with my M3 has been the complete opposite.
Maybe it is just a bit of bad luck and once you get her working properly all should be fine.

Let me wish you some good luck. 😉
 
Peter, thanks for the kind wishes.

A silver lining of sorts - If the camera had worked without a hitch, I wouldn't be learning as much from you guys about its innards, yes?

Randy
 
Randy,

My 2 cents based upon my experience. Pumping money into FSU cameras if you do not have the time or skills to tinker is like adding an in ground pool to you home in Greece New York where the average home price is around $100K. Go get a couple of Benjamins to light the fire place with tonight.

If you want to tinker, to play to have fun FSUs rock. Many of us love them and I dare say an equal number have been frustrated. I spent the cash for CLAs and such and ended up selling them but learning some important lessons.

You mileage will vary widely. Put the money aside for an old Leica IIIc with a 25mm CV Snapshot, it will serve you MUCH better.

B2 (;->
 
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