Leica LTM IIIf: Synchronisation Dial Affecting Shutter Speed

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
Vincent.G

Vincent.G

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Hi folks

May I know if the synchronisation dial setting affects the operating shutter speed? Can I set the "red dial" below the shutter speed dial to any number?

My setting is currently at 16. When I change the synchronisation dial to other numbers, the shutter speeds behave erractically.
 
Thanks Bill. I probably need to do more testing.
The roll I just developed had erratic exposures after I played with the synchro dial and turn it to other numbers.
 
I would've expected the synchro dial to have the least effect on the shutter movement when it's set to the lowest delay number.
 
Eric, the irony is the camera just came back from Youxin.

I asked him about the problem. He told me to leave the synchro dial setting at 16 since it is where all my shutter speeds seem to be working normally.
 
Sorry for ranting in my previous post. It is not my usual style to complain about problems. The right thing to do is to focus on finding solutions. I edited the ranting out of my previous post.

So I just made an overseas call and spoke to Youxin. He asked me to send the camera back to him to take a look. I told him to let me play with the camera a few more weeks to see if the problem will go away. To my knowledge the synchro dial should not affect the shutter speed settings at all. They are not linked.

I will update here again.
 
I wouldn't tackle the repair, my eyes aren't good enough and, quite frankly, I would have a good repair person work on any of my cameras.

However, if your so inclined, here is a pdf of a repair manual for you to look at:

http://www.pentax-manuals.com/manuals/service/leica_iiif.pdf

I had Youxin completely rebuild a IIIf and it came back to me working like a new camera. He did a CLA, new shutter curtains, new prism in the rangefinder.

I wish he could recommend a good photographer to make photographs with the camera! Just kidding!
 
For having owned a beautiful IIIf RD ST for a long while and having got it serviced, the only explanation which I can see is that the sync. dial has a bit of mechanical play or is a bit twisted and that it brakes the shutter speeds dial when you fire the shutter when the sync. dial is set on this or that position.

Also - grime between the sync. dial and the speed dial can be the culprit as well. A drop or two of lighter fluid between the two dials will bring you an answer in this case.

The other thing to doublecheck is that it's not your own finger which brakes the speeds dial when you fire the shutter for some reason...

Bottom line : you may use an electronic flash (just because we're in 2015). So the sync. dial must be set at 0.
 
I have no answer for you. But I purchased my IIIf in 1964 and used it until it got a little stiff in about 1989, and a CLA then. Since then I have had it CLAd (and not just CLAs) too many times, and it has never worked completely right since prior to 1989.
 
Using the link Bill Clark provided, I removed the shutter speed dial and clean the area in between the synchronisation dial and shutter speed dial. My test roll shows everything is in perfect working order now regardless of the synchro dial setting.
 
Bill Clark said:
I wouldn't tackle the repair, my eyes aren't good enough and, quite frankly, I would have a good repair person work on any of my cameras.

However, if your so inclined, here is a pdf of a repair manual for you to look at:

http://www.pentax-manuals.com/manuals/service/leica_iiif.pdf

I had Youxin completely rebuild a IIIf and it came back to me working like a new camera. He did a CLA, new shutter curtains, new prism in the rangefinder.

I wish he could recommend a good photographer to make photographs with the camera! Just kidding!
Click to expand...

Thank you; an excellent resource that despite much searching, I didn't know existed. Much appreciated.

David
 
Erik van Straten said:
I would rather choose a IIIc instead of a IIIf. A simpeler camera causes less problems. And I hate flash.

Erik.
Click to expand...
I am experimenting with that approach, Erik. I have a IIIF which has always been a pain to load and prone to tearing film. I bought a IIIC recently to compare and it seems easier to load and wind than the IIIF is.
 
I think it's just my IIIF, Vincent.G, but it has had a bad habit of tearing the sprocket holes out of the film leader when loading on to the first frame. I have tried using the long Leica film leader and loading using the card method, but loading is never easy with this particular camera. Maybe it is too tight on the film pressure plate, or a take-up spool bearing is worn, but it never feels good getting to frame 1. In contrast the IIIC I have bought has wound on consistently and easily to frame 1 every time so far, and feels like there is no slippage when when you wind to the next frame. The IIIC looks like it has shot less film than the IIIF, so maybe it's a wear thing.
 
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