Film Light Issue - M3

[cadamei]

Hi all,

I recently bought one of the cameras I've always wanted. The Leica M3.

I've put a roll through to see if it shoots ok and I can see some issues.

In five of the photos there is a weird light line on the right of the frame. It's varies in size/colour cast. Other photos come out perfectly. Stupidly I didn't record the settings so I can't correlate shutter speeds/apeture. Beach photo is shot with a Heliar 15/4.5 II and the other two are with a ZM 50/2

Can anyone identify if this is a shutter issue? Seems like it might be depending on the speed I select.

Cheers,
Johnathan

 

[Sid836]

It looks like a shutter bounce. The first curtain seems to bounce when closing. I had the same problem on a like never used M3. In the slow speeds the problem was more intense.
I sent it out for CLA and now it works perfectly and smoothly.
The CLA is worthy of every cent of it. Send it to YYeCamera. I got it back perfectly working and with the slight haze in the finder gone.

 

[jim_jm]

My M2 had the same problem when I first got it. As Nikos72 pointed out, it's likely to be shutter bounce. Not uncommon with Leicas that haven't been serviced in awhile. The first curtain tends to drag or slow before exposing the last part of the frame. You might be able to see it occur by firing the shutter at different speeds with the back open and no lens. I'd also consider sending it to Youxin Ye for service. He's reliable, quick and his prices are good.

 

[cadamei]

Thanks, that confirms my thoughts. I'm sending it to YYe.