Leica IIIC letdown...

[Kapa]

Crap, spoke too soon.... Developed a test roll shot from the IIIc I bought a couple of weeks ago (see previous post) and the curtains are riddled with pinholes! Have been quoted 4-600 NZD to replace and cla shutter etc. Don't spose theres anyway around this, or is their a temorary patch up job possible? Any feedback appreciated.... :bang:

 

[ruby.monkey]

Rubber cement on the pinholes? Or send it back for a refund and find a good example? It's not like there's a shortage of working IIIc and IIIf bodies out there.

 

[Keith]

$400 to $600 seems a little steep to me! I had a IIIf CLA'd with one new shutter curtain by Youxin Ye in the US for $140.00 ...admittedly the freight adds to this but that's a lot of money they've quoted! 😱

Liquid electrical tape is supposed to work also I've read.

Good luck. 🙂

 

[Scrambler]

Check around - at least from Oz postage to US and back seems like a lot until you get quotes on CLA from uninterested local technicians. You should be able to get the CLA for around $250 return, with curtains and resilvered rangefinder prism (if required). I was quoted $800 for a shutter curtain replacement WITHOUT CLA by one local tech.

Curtain replacement is usual for cameras of this age. Just be grateful it isn't a folder in need of bellows.

 

[soelin]

I'd send it in for a CLA/curtain replacement. I would presume casually pathching the curtain will add some weight and your shutter speed will no longer be accurate. I don't know--just guessing.

I have used Youxin Ye--not only besides he has done a great job on my M6, I also feel like he's the only one who don't charge outrages rates like many [well known] others.

Good luck.

 

[Mr_Flibble]

Sorry to hear it,

I've succesfully patched pinhole riddled curtains on a Zorki I with Liquid Electrical Tape. I brushed on 2 thin layers with a cotton-swab. Allowing a day between the layers for drying. After that I dabbed a bit more on the more persistent holes.

It would work for your Leica, but as it is a more expensive camera then a Zorki, I would be more inclined to send it in for new curtains.

 

[helen.HH]

Very Sorry to hear of your Troubles
that price for repair sounds EXTREME...
either RETURN it as Faulty or get an Estimate from someone else

I recently bought a IIIf RD from Igors Camera
it was 375.00 / just CLA'd and has a 6month warranty, in EXC + / near mint Condition

I would Buy an Old Camera from someone here I know
OR as for dealers.... Igors cameras, Tamarkin, and Camera West

 

[feenej]

I repaired pinholes with just a paint-pen on my FED 2, but it took 3-4 tries/coats.

 

[ZorkiKat]

Patching is good only if there are very few holes (5 can be too many) and that they are far apart. FInding them closely bunched means that the rubber coating is fast breaking apart, so patching will just be a very temporary remedy.

A deteriorating curtain will soon have other places to break and form holes on, than the ones patched. Check if the coating is still supple. Any dryness or flaking means that the vulcanised coating is going and will soon be gone.

Good curtains can be patched. I have patched my shutters with black fabric paint (the thick, 'embossed' type) for years, and the patches are still good.

Most IIIc have better, more durable shutter cloth than the later IIIf or IIIg. I've 2 IIIc from the late 1940s whose shutters are still original and supple. In contrast, almost every IIIf I've seen have dried crumbling shutters.

 

[BillBingham2]

Perhaps someone else down your way wants to send something into Ye for service and ship both items together.

I have to agree with Helen try the return first.

B2 (;->

 

[robklurfield]

just be glad you didn't spend this much on that camera...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Old-camera-Leic...480914671?pt=Film_Cameras&hash=item43a20300ef

 

[sanmich]

just be glad you didn't spend this much on that camera...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Old-camera-Leic...480914671?pt=Film_Cameras&hash=item43a20300ef

It's all in the detailed description:

OLD CAMERA​

Leica DRP Ernst Leitz Wetzlar​

NICE CONDITION - COMPLETE

🙂
​

 

[Keith]

just be glad you didn't spend this much on that camera...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Old-camera-Leic...480914671?pt=Film_Cameras&hash=item43a20300ef

Some people just don't have a clue!

But with an eBay ID of Star of Hope' why not try I guess.

 

[robklurfield]

and, others, far less scrupulous, live in hope that those they do business with are the ones without a clue.

Some people just don't have a clue!

But with an eBay ID of Star of Hope' why not try I guess.

 

[David Murphy]

Crap, spoke too soon.... Developed a test roll shot from the IIIc I bought a couple of weeks ago (see previous post) and the curtains are riddled with pinholes! Have been quoted 4-600 NZD to replace and cla shutter etc. Don't spose theres anyway around this, or is their a temorary patch up job possible? Any feedback appreciated.... :bang:

Youxin Ye CLA'd my Leica IIf and put new curtains on it for $140. DAG did the same for a Leotax S for $200. My local guy charges somewhere between these two numbers. I think $140-200 is the range to pay, anyone else charging more is charging too much.

 

[David Murphy]

BTW many, if not most bottom loading Leica clones need new curtains if they've not been serviced since new. Patching is a dicey game, but sometimes one can get away with it. With new curtains, you will have a fabulous machine. It's like putting a new engine in a good car.

 

[Vickko]

I find it intriguing that the IIIf may have had less durable shutter material

I find it intriguing that the IIIf may have had less durable shutter material

This is interesting. I have an IIIf with the first curtain dried and with holes. I have had IIIc's, never with a problem. And I have a nice IIIg with a good shutter, but I just anticipate that it is a newer camera.

I find it intriguing that the IIIf may have had less durable shutter material

Vick

....Most IIIc have better, more durable shutter cloth than the later IIIf or IIIg. I've 2 IIIc from the late 1940s whose shutters are still original and supple. In contrast, almost every IIIf I've seen have dried crumbling shutters.

 

[sanmich]

This is interesting. I have an IIIf with the first curtain dried and with holes. I have had IIIc's, never with a problem. And I have a nice IIIg with a good shutter, but I just anticipate that it is a newer camera.

I find it intriguing that the IIIf may have had less durable shutter material

Vick

Also the beam splitter of the IIIf seems to be more prone to loss of contrast.
One good thing the IIIf has is that it pushes the film canister in the camera and avoid the sprockets getting into the frame.
A CLA'd IIIf is a joy,,,

 

[Kapa]

Thanks heaps for all your feedback. Yeah I thought the quote for curtain replacement/cla was over priced too. However I know this tech pretty well so don't think he's tring to rip me off. He's one of the few techs here in NZ who can actually do it. As far as a patch up goes- I think it's past it. Check out the pics... I only paid approx $200 US for the 111c & Summitar, so I guess the old adage- "if it's too good to be true it usually is" is bang on in this case. I'm tempted to keep the Summitar and just sell the body, but who wants a ratty Leica...? :bang:

 

[cnphoto]

IMO, for $200 if the lens is good then the body was (more or less) free. So, put it aside and send it off to Youxin for curtains when he is back from China and then enjoy it 🙂