Leica LTM Infrequent shutter problem:111C

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses

maxmeabh

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Mar 15, 2007
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I am puzzled by this problem. Peter at CRR Luton cnnot find anything wrong and has spent quite a bit of time on it,yet from time to time there will be a narrow band of seeming over exposure on the right hand side of the print. On the last roll some at the beginning ,some at the end. It is not my finger catching the shutter dial and it will happen in all seasons . If anyone can shed light (no pun intended) on this I will be grateful. Ian>
 
Closing curtain bounce? But I'm sur that CRR Luton would check that, along with many other problems.

Do keep track of what shutter speeds you're using -- it may be particular to particular speeds.
 
Closing curtain bounce? But I'm sur that CRR Luton would check that, along with many other problems.

Do keep track of what shutter speeds you're using -- it may be particular to particular speeds.

If the camera has been CLA'd recently the shutter brake probably did not get adjusted properly. If it is too loose the curtain(s) can bounce part way back into the frame..
 
I've had a IIIf for 46 years, and the only problems I've ever had are shutter problems. Every time it has been only on some speeds and it has been difficult to diagnose. Good luck, I've found you have to keep at it I gave up once only to have to do another CLA two years later.
 
My Leica II has a problem at 1/500. I've sent it back three times and it's much better, usable, but still not completely gone.
 
My Leica II has a problem at 1/500. I've sent it back three times and it's much better, usable, but still not completely gone.

Have the curtains ever been replaced?

Leica cameras up to and including the IIIb required precise placement of the closing curtain on the main shutter drum in order to get the top shutter speed since there is no actual adjustment for the top speed. If the curtains have been replaced by a non-Leitz tech this could be why you are having trouble..
 
I don't know if the curtains were ever replaced. Not recently, anyway. I'm tired of dealing with it, it's just a soft edge on one side of the frame that gets cropped off anyway. I'll put up with it since I don't use 1/500 that much and it's a really cool camera. But Leica Ms seem more reliable to me.
 
I don't know if the curtains were ever replaced. Not recently, anyway. I'm tired of dealing with it, it's just a soft edge on one side of the frame that gets cropped off anyway. I'll put up with it since I don't use 1/500 that much and it's a really cool camera. But Leica Ms seem more reliable to me.

It sounds to me as though the closing curtain may have at one time been replaced and was not placed right since it is closing slightly fast. In order to get the curtain right an "L" measuring tool would have to be used when setting the curtain which most non-Leitz repairmen don't have or use.

Screw mount Leicas when fixed right are just as reliable as any M-Leica. All of my screw-Leicas perform as good as my M2 and M3.
 
When I first got the camera back after overhaul, one whole side of the frame was underexposed at 1/500. The second time, the left eighth was under exposed with some streaks. Now just the left border. So it has gotten progressively better.
 
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