Shutter adjustment
Shutter adjustment
There is actually precious little that is adjuatable in the old Leicas. I have included a picture here, taken for other purposes and unfortunately at the wrong angle, but which may still help.
The operation of the highest speeds depends on free movement of the shutter components, and your problem is most commonly caused by a dirty mechanism. The slit width is determined entirely by the relative position of two tabs on the rotating mechanism, which is itself determined entirely by the shutter dial position. However if crud slows the initial movement of the leading curtain the trailing curtain will catch up to it before it enters the film aperture.
Thoroughly clean all parts of the rotating mechanism with a mild solvent. I do this using rinsing solution intended for ultrasonic watch cleaners. I hold the camera upside down over a bowl of this stuff, and using a brush, apply liberal amounts of it to the mechanism. It just drips back into the bowl taking the crud with it. I believe mineral spirits will do the job equally well. You will probably see your problem resolved while the mechanism is still slightly wet from thesolvent, but that won't last when it is dry. Dry it off as well as possible with a blower, and then apply light oil on two places where the components of the shutter mechanism rotate relative to each other. (Hard to explain, but study the mechanism and you will see what I mean). While you have the camera apart, clean up the shutter brake cam on the bottom, and put a drop of oil under it as well.
Leave the camera apart until you know that the solvent is all evaporated and the oil is doing its bit, to make sure the fix is consistent. If that does not do the trick, I'm afraid you will need to take the whole camera apart and clean and lubricate the whole shutter , a tedious and unpleasant job.
Good luck.
Cheers,
Dez
