Leica III - wind-on knob question

[john neal]

Hi,

I have been testing my recently acquired IIIf over the weekend. I seem to have managed to sort out the slow speeds by cleaning the escapement and shutter brake, so all is well in that area.

I have discovered, however, that the ASA setting feature of the wind-on knob has worked loose over the years. Without a film in the camera, there is little drag and the winder works as it should BUT, with a film in place, there is sufficient drag that the only reliable way to wind on is to use the ball of my thumb on the top of the winder knob. If I don't do this, the knurled outer knob just keeps on rotating. The "lift & drop" mechanism seems to have worn out, so that the outer turns all the time.

Does anyone know how to adjust this or, failing that, how can I jam it in one postition to make winding easier?

Any help most welcome.

 

[john neal]

OK - just to close this off, I found the problem.

Before I got the camera, it looks like someone had loosened the grub screw holding the winder knob onto the shaft. It had worked out of the threads and lodged itself between the inner & outer parts of the knob.

The repair manual insists on only undoing it 2 turns and it looks like this was ignored. After many happy (!) minutes chasing around the screw head, I got a screwdriver in it - all I had to do then was start the screw in the threads then feel for the detent by turning the knob until I felt the "groove" pass under the screw.

Tightened properly, I can now wind on and have the "lift & drop" asa setting again.