Easy question on Leica CL....

[jairy hunter]

Please excuse my ignorance on this matter....just received a nice-looking CL from someone who didn't mention the meter wasn't working--it may be working, but I don't know how to check.

I tried the battery test button at ASA 100, 1/60, etc. nothing happened.

I do see the red line in the viewfinder is correctly placed over the shutter speed, and I've tried it with the rewind lever pulled out "cocked..."

The other user claimed it was a new battery PX 625 1.35 (although I question this)....I replaced that with a 1.5V--though I've read the meter would have to be recalibrated.

What am I missing? I just don't know how the meter is supposed to work, maybe I'm just not getting it. Wouldn't be the first time......

 

[JoeFriday]

you have to advance the film... then pull the advance lever back slightly and you'll see the needle swing into place

I had the same 'problem' when I first got mine 😉

if you PM me your email address, I'll email you a PDF of the owners manual

 

[jairy hunter]

Ok I realize how stupid this is gonna sound :

Does the camera have to have film in it for the meter to work? I'm pretty sure I've done that (advance the winder, then pull it back a little) and I do see the needle but it reflects what shutter speed I've already dialed. I read one or two "manuals" out there but there wasn't a lot of detail on how to operate the meter....

Thanks!

 

[colyn]

Film does not have to be loaded for the meter to work.

Advance the shutter and make sure the lever is out away from its rest position and while looking through the viewfinder you should see a needle to the right that will move as you change shutter speeds/aperture.

The red marker you refer to just lets you know what shutter speed is selected..

Another thing that could cause the meter to not respond is the needle could be sticking to the foam bumper.

 

[jairy hunter]

After more effort to figure this thing out....the meter definitely isn't working.

Is the foam bumper possibility something I can check out myself?

I'm a little torn because I got the CL for what I thought was a fairly good price, but now that I know the meter isn't operational, I'm wondering if I should send it back.

'Course I am looking at the VC II Lightmeter for my Zorki anyway..........

Advice please?

 

[colyn]

Is the foam bumper possibility something I can check out myself?

In order to determine if the needle is stuck to the foam you have to remove the top plate which I would not recommend if you don't know what you are doing.

'Course I am looking at the VC II Lightmeter for my Zorki anyway..........

Advice please?

My advice is to get the VC meter since it will be more accurate than the CL's built-in meter..

 

[clintock]

The foam bumper thing makes the meter stick up or down at full deflection, but moving the shutter speed dial is usually enough to jar it loose. Gently smack the camera on your hand a little so as to force the meter to move away from a stop if the shutter dial movement does not do it.
Verify the meter cell comes in to position when the shutter is cocked..
The battery test button is often a culprit in intermittent cl meter, try pushing the butting several dozen times and see if the needle ever responds..
The wire from the battery clip is also a falure point, this in most any camera that old.
Repairing that wire can be a little involved, as the corrosion usually climbs up the inside of the wire's plastic cover along the tin plating of the copper strands, making it nearly impossible to solder a new length of wire to the old wire. I had to go all the way to the meter's circuit board with a replacement wire on one of my CL.
It wasn't too hard, but it sure took the better part of a day it seemed.

Another cause of no meter in the cl is a displaced meter movement. The whole meter d'Arsonval movement must pivot suspended on either end by little brass bushings held by little steel plates. If the camera was dropped or something, perhaps in shipping, one or the other bushing can pop out of one of the holder plates and the meter will jam.
Also foam bits can fall into the hair spring and get the thing to stick.
Putting the meter movement back into the holder is not too hard, and it's really easy to get the top off of the camera..

Still, if the body was represented as 'meter works' and you paid for a working meter, you should either send it back or get some money back.

 

[jairy hunter]

Thanks a lot guys.

It seems like something far more involved than I am qualified for or have the patience to attempt.

I'll see if the seller would give me some money back (maybe $100?)-if not I'll ask for the full refund/return.

He didn't really sell it as "working meter" but he did mention the battery and when I asked after the sale, he seemed unaware that the meter didn't work--and asked me to let him know.

You guys are great.