Erik van Straten
Veteran
Timmyjoe, I don't know how to get a PDF, but I can scan the 32 pages and try to send them to you over the internet.
Erik.
Erik.
GMOG
Well-known
Yes, I've seen some pitting and I'm sure I'll uncover more when I wire brush the rest of the powdery stuff off. I'll use JB Weld to fill the pits, sanded down to make a flat surface again.
Erik van Straten
Veteran
Dralowid
Michael
Memories...I had one a bit like this once. The oxidisation on the camera body made it awkward to get the pressure plate to sit nicely and around the base there were 'frilly' edges which in the end I filed down a bit. I cannot remember for the life of me what I used to neutralise it prior to painting... but it needs to be done. Lemon juice? citric acid? Not sure?
Erik van Straten
Veteran
Timmyjoe, if you think it is OK, I can scan the whole book, 32 pages.
Timmyjoe
Veteran
That sounds like an awful lot of work Erik. A very kind offer, but don't go thru all that trouble. When I finally get my hands on a Leica IA and get it taken apart, if my current manuals don't cover what I'm trying to fix, maybe then I'll ask you to just scan the pages that pertain to the IA. I first asked because I thought you had the whole thing as a PDF already. Sorry about that.
Best,
-Tim
d_c
Established
Some of these diagrams are reproduced in Ed Romney's book "Leica Camera Repair", including that one, although the sheet titles and notes are missing, and there's obviously none of the other information from the document you have. I think I'd still appreciate a scan if it isn't too much trouble for you.
ddutchison2
Well-known
I'd be interested in a copy too. Learn Camera Repair maintains a downloadable library of repair camera manuals and I'm sure they would happily host a copy as well where it might do the most good (until recently their downloads were all free, they now charge a nominal amount to aid in site maintenance).
Erik van Straten
Veteran
gelatin silver print (elmar 50mm f3.5) leica 1a (1928)
Amsterdam, KNSM, 2022
Amsterdam, KNSM, 2022
Erik van Straten
Veteran
The lower their number, the more attractive they are ...
vincentanno97
Newbie
Hey guys, today Ive received my very first Leica. Its a Model I from 1930 and it has some issues with the shutter. I suspect its heavily greased up and dirty, so Id like to open up the mechanics. Surprisingly, I couldnt find anything about that though. Could you help me with that please? How can a do a CLA on it?
Best regards from Germany
Vincent
Best regards from Germany
Vincent
Erik van Straten
Veteran
Leica camera repair handbook, by Thomas Tomosy, Amherst Media, Inc. 1999.
All books by Kuramochi Nobuyuki (Nobbysparrow), eBay
Leica m2 repair (military repair manual) http://www.edromney.com
GMOG
Well-known
Hi Vincent. Welcome!
Your new-to-you Leica Ia is a relatively simple camera. They are not as complicated as the later models. If this is your first time going through an old camera you might not want to begin with the Leica. You may consider buying a Zorki 1 or Fedka 1 as something to practice on. They are similarly made but there are some differences. One of the main differences is the cast metal frame versus the Leica's brass plate construction. There is also the addition of an optical rangefinder. The mechanisms are similar despite these other differences, though.
You might take a look at the instructions available on the Fedka website.
With respect to Erik's suggestions above:
- Tomosy's book is almost useless when it comes to camera bodies, and almost as useless for lenses. He leaves out a lot of information and in-between steps and this makes it tough for someone heading into unfamiliar territory. I bought a copy of the book when I was getting started working on my own cameras and was very disappointed with it. I was looking for a step-by-step guide and this book is definitely not that. I find it marginally useful now that I have more experience but I could go on just fine without it.
- Nobbysparrow's instruction book for IIIf and IIIc would be helpful in some ways, but those are later cameras and are built differently than the early ones. I'm not sure how helpful it would be for someone looking for information more specific to the early Leicas.
- The M bodies are a completely different game, and I can't see information for the M2 being very helpful to you now.
Best of luck!
Erik van Straten
Veteran
AFAIK there is no repair book about the Leica I. You just need some basic practical knowledge. You need quite a few tools: good screwdrivers, good lubricants and, above all, insight into the operation of springs and gears. You also have to be very neat so as not to lose any screws and not to forget where you got a certain part from. I consider this kind of experience indispensable and I have assumed that you have it, after all, you want to repair the camera yourself. If you don't have any experience, it's better not to start. First, take an old alarm clock, take it apart and reassemble the thing and make sure it's working correctly. If you can do that, you can start working on a Leica I.
Erik.
Erik.
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Erik van Straten
Veteran
gelatin silver print (elmar 50mm f3.5) leica 1a
Amsterdam, 2022
Amsterdam, 2022
Dralowid
Michael
Posted this before:
http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-90.html
http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-90.html
Erik van Straten
Veteran
Michael, the page is not working.
Dralowid
Michael
Try
http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-27.html
But I think much of it now does not work
http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-27.html
But I think much of it now does not work
santino
FSU gear head
Didn’t he offer his CD to download for free?
Erik van Straten
Veteran
There is a Spare Parts Price List for the Leica I - llla syn, made by Leitz Wetzlar, the text is both in English and German, 36 pages with exploded views etc. This is THE book you need for working on all the early Leicas until model llla syn because all parts are clearly exposed. The book can be copied easily. Some time ago I found one on eBay. Useful, but it is not a REPAIR book.
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