Film advance jamming on Leica M7

[Savara]

I have (happily) got the chrome Leica M7 and it works smoothly, except for one thing.

Sometimes when you are reaching somewhere between frame 20 or 25, film advance becomes stiff as if something was holding the film back. Then, frame after frame it becomes harder and harder to advance film, until it becomes totally jammed.

My examinations came to conclusion that the film rewind knob somehow becomes stiff and stops the film from feeding from the canister. If I rotate film rewind several rounds back (reverse to the rewind), it gives some space for film to advance and it goes smoothly again.

Interesting thing is that it happens from time to time - one roll out of four, maybe. Most of the times, rolls go smoothly all the way round.

Any ideas what could it be?

 

[Ronald M]

The first place I would look is film chips in the shutter track. Sprocket holes can be torn out if you try to get that last extra frame. The chip can end up in the wrong place and the chips can not necessarily be seen and requires the camera be disassembled.

The second problem is plastic film cassetts. I used them all the time 40 years ago. I bought some for the leica lately. Well the cameras jam at exposure 12, screw mounts, M cameras, R cameras, all the same. I threw them away and never saw the problem again.

A previous owner may have torn film. I inspect all film for scratches and tears and look at the camera inside for debris and dust. I have had a piece of felt from cassette lips hang on the edge of the film gate making a hair like shadow on every frame.

 

[Savara]

Ronald, thank you for reply. I checked the film - never a single torn film hole, it's intact all the time, and seems like chips are on their respective places (I think, if they weren't, I'd have a problem with each and every film).

I am using only Kodak and Ilford films, all contemporary in metal cassetts, so I don't think they are the problem.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

I had this exact same problem--the camera needed work on the sprocket/advance mechanism...I sent it to Gerry at Kindermann and he had it back to me in a week and a half working like a dream.

 

[Savara]

Thanks mabelsound. It sounds disappointing, because I have to internationally mail the camera for it to be repaired.

 

[bobbyrab]

I think from previous threads it could be a couple of things, but one I know about and have had with an M7 is the top plate becoming loose, there's an internal nut located underneath the rewind crank that bolts the top and bottom of the camera together, this can become loose and as the film get's to about the 25 mark it does become difficult, then impossible to wind on just as you've described. On a positive note, if you can get it to Leica they should repair it free of charge, at least they did mine, twice, as it reoccured about a year later, but I took it in person to Leica UK, and waited the ten minutes it took them to tighten it. Tap the top of the camera, it should feel and sound solid, if it's hollow and if you can get any movement in the top plate then it could well be the cause. Best of luck.......Robert.

 

[_goodtimez]

Savara,

Take a look at the thin washer underneath the rewind knob. It is loose ?
If so, it unthreads a little each time you advance film until it blocks the supply spool (film cassette).